Explanation

The Commission has heard feedback from the church that it would be better to honor specific, named, deaconesses rather than to honor the vocation generically, just as we honor specific nurses, bishops, teachers, or missionaries on the Calendar rather than honoring each vocation as a collective. For that reason, the Commission is separately proposing the commemoration of Adeline Blanchard Tyler and her companions. The Commission also warmly welcomes further proposals of specific Episcopal deaconesses for inclusion on the calendar.