Fr. Tyler Phass received his diploma in abstentia due to the great need of the parish in which he is serving. Fr. Tyler was ordained to the priesthood on May 26th and will continue to serve at St. Paul’s church in Melbourne, Florida. Dcns. Vic and Tait were ordained to the diaconate in the week immediately preceding their commencement. They will both remain in the Philadelphia area serving at Emmanuel church in Pipersville and St. Mark’s church in Jenkintown respectively. Both Vic and Tait have also taken jobs at the Seminary and look forward to contributing to the campus life and ministry. Dcn. Nick has taken a position as curate at Good Shepherd Reformed Episcopal Church in Tyler, Texas. He will also be teaching at their classical academy. Finally, Mr. Matthew Maule has taken a curacy and teacher position at St. Mark’s church in Jenkintown. Mr. Maule is a postulant in the REC diocese of the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.
The commencement address was delivered by the Archbishop of the Anglican Church in North America, the Rt. Rev. Dr. Foley Beach. He exhorted the graduates with the words of God to Joshua, “Have I not commanded you to be strong and courageous? Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go.” Archbishop Beach charged the graduates:
“Class of 2018, like Joshua, go possess the land. North America needs you to possess the land for God. Millions and millions of souls are at stake. This class – you – can turn North America back toward Christ. So arise! Go over the Jordan and possess the land! For the Lord your God is with you, wherever you go.”
In recognition of the work he has done in the Anglican church and the leadership which he has provided to devout Christian men and women in America and throughout the world, the Seminary awarded Archbishop Foley Beach the Honorary Doctor of Divinity degree.
