The Rev. Clayton Waddell

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Deacon Clay is a native Floridian, born in Sarasota. Moving to West Palm Beach in high school, he has been a member of Bethesda since 1978. Clay is a graduate of Palm Beach Junior College and majored in History at the University of Florida. He has taught Social Studies in the Palm Beach County School district for 27 years, and is still a full time high school teacher. During the 80’s he was a SCUBA Instructor and USCG Licensed Captain at the Norine Rouse Scuba Club. After returning to teaching, he worked at Abernethy Scuba Adventures running dive boats in the summer. Clay was called to serve in the ordained ministry to serve the commercial seafarers who visit the Port of Palm Beach and Port Everglades. He is a volunteer Chaplain at Seafarers House in Fort Lauderdale and at the port of Palm Beach. Here at Bethesda, Deacon Clay oversees the Eucharistic Visitors Ministry and assists in hospital and home visitation. Clay and his wife, Jackie, have two children in high school, Wade and Savannah. He enjoys travelling with his family and of course boating and diving. Clay has served as Deacon at Bethesda since 2007.