National honors from the Association of Episcopal Deacons (AED) were awarded to Bishop Shannon Rogers Duckworth, Archdeacon Charles deGravelles and Deacon Michael G. Hackett for their work in promoting the work and mission of the diaconate. The awards were presented at the AED’s Triennial Conference in San Antonio, Texas, June 5-8, 2025.
Bishop Duckworth was the recipient of the Bishop George Harris Award, presented to one person of any order for their work in supporting and promoting the diaconate. Archdeacon deGravelles received the award on her behalf and read a letter of thanks from Bishop Duckworth. In her letter accepting the award, the Bishop said, “It gives me great hope for the church to see the beautiful ways that [deacons] strive to bring the needs and concerns of this hurting world back to their communities and congregations. They are involved in everything from ministry to the unhoused, emergency response, recovery ministry, prison ministry, food distribution, and restorative justice. They push me to be a better bishop, and I am better for their loving and faithful presence.”
AED President Kristi Neal presents Deacon Michael Hackett with the Stephen Award as AED Director Carter Hawley looks on.
Archdeacon Charles deGravelles accepts the Ormonde Plater Award.
Deacon Michael G. Hackett received the Stephen Award, presented to one deacon in each of the nine provinces of the Episcopal Church for their outstanding community service and Diakonia.
“Michael is ‘retired’ in name only,” said Archdeacon deGravelles. “He continues his decades-long ministry at Angola prison, his work as a Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Chaplain, and, most importantly, he inspires and recruits lay and clergy alike to participate in servant ministry. Among his colleagues, he is known as a ‘deacon’s deacon.”
Archdeacon deGravelles received the Ormonde Plater Award, presented to one deacon who represents the diaconate to the church and the world, raises the deacon profile, and has increased respect for the diaconate.
“I am so proud to receive an award that bears the name of Deacon Ormonde Plater,” deGravelles said. “He was a pioneer and architect of the modern diaconate as a distinctive ministry in the church and a scholar whose books have educated generations of new deacons. For me, he was not only a mentor but a role model and a hero.”
The four-day conference featured Presiding Bishop The Most Rev. Sean W. Rowe as the keynote speaker and celebrant of the first Eucharist of the event. A wide variety of workshops on diaconal ministries were available to the participating deacons from around the country. “But it’s not just about the workshop content,” said Deacon Hackett, “it’s about reconnecting with friends and colleagues and making new ones. It’s about networking to see what we have to share with one another.”