Hailey McKeefry Delmas Ignites Vision for Diverse, Accessible Diaconate at AED Triennial Conference

Bexley Seabury Director of Admissions and Recruitment the Rev. Jeremy Simpson, joined the Rev. Hailey McKeefry Delmas and Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe for a photo that captured the spirit of collaboration, courage, and community that defined the gathering.

Bexley Seabury Seminary was powerfully represented at the Association for Episcopal Deacons (AED) Triennial Conference, held June 5–8 in San Antonio, Texas. The Rev. Hailey McKeefry Delmas, Director of the Deacon Formation Collaborative, made a dynamic presentation that was a highlight of the gathering, casting a bold and hopeful vision for a more inclusive, accessible, and future-oriented diaconate across The Episcopal Church.

Speaking to more than 140 deacons from across the country, McKeefry Delmas urged the Church to invest in the full baptismal covenant—not only in sacramental practice, but also in active service and justice-seeking. “Deacons are the bridge between the church and the world,” she said, emphasizing that formation should be as diverse and dynamic as the communities deacons are called to serve. Her work at Bexley Seabury is helping make that vision a reality.

Under her leadership, Bexley Seabury’s Deacon Formation Collaborative has grown into a thriving, ecumenically-informed program with increasing participation from dioceses throughout the Church. The program is designed for accessibility and relevance, particularly for those who have traditionally faced barriers to formation. It’s a model rooted in the conviction that diaconal leadership is not ancillary to the Church’s future—it is essential to it.

McKeefry Delmas also attended a lively and heartfelt Q&A session with Presiding Bishop Sean Rowe during the conference. She addressed the “top-heavy” nature of current Episcopal leadership structures, advocating instead for a renewed focus on grassroots, diaconal energy. “Diaconal ministry is how we grow the bottom of the church,” she said. “It’s the way to make the church more vibrant, more alive, more expressive of what’s going on in God’s imagination.”

The Triennial’s theme, Ignite Change, echoed throughout her remarks and those of others who called the Church to renewed focus on racial reconciliation, economic justice, and radical welcome. Bishop Rowe acknowledged those calls with gratitude, recognizing the role deacons play in “amplifying the mission of the Church.”

“There was a real breadth of information and diverse conversations that were imaginative and forward-looking,” said McKeefry Delmas. “We weren’t just talking about where we are now—we were naming where we want to go.”

With leaders like McKeefry Delmas guiding the way, Bexley Seabury continues to help form deacons who will not only serve the church of today—but help shape the church of tomorrow.

For more information on the Deacons Formation Collaborative visit https://bexleyseabury.edu/deacons-formation-collaborative