The Rev. Deacon Michael Drinkwater and the Rev. Albert “Al” W. Tarbell. Photo/Brian Winter

[Diocese of Rio Grande] The oldest and youngest clergy of the Diocese of the Rio Grande, the Rev. Albert “Al” W. Tarbell and the Rev. Deacon Michael Drinkwater pose in the chancel of the Cathedral of St. John in Albuquerque Oct. 17 before the opening Eucharist of the 60^th Annual Diocesan Convention.

Comparing notes, the two clergy discovered that Tarbell, who turned 102 on Christmas Eve 2011, is the oldest living alumnus of The General Theological Seminary, and Deacon Drinkwater is the youngest alumnus of The General, having graduated in May 2012.

Drinkwater’s ordination to the transitional diaconate had to wait till his birthday on July 29, 2012, when he gained the canonically required minimum age of 24.

Tarbell is retired, and Drinkwater is Cathedral Canon for Outreach and Formation at the Cathedral of St. John. Drinkwater, from the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast, is expected to be ordained to the Priesthood in February 2013.