Deacon Ministries

 Care Groups

 This Pastoral care and communication ministry sub-divides the congregation into six smaller "Care Groups".  Each Care Group has two Deacon Leaders and at least one Ruling Elder standing by as a resource for information. This structure enables individual Deacons and the board as a whole to better carry out their primary ministry of ministering to those who are in need.  Should one of our community of faith be unexpectedly absent for an extended period, the Deacon leaders of the appropriate Care Group will respectfully contact them to see if everything is alright. Similarly, should someone be hospitalized and request the church to visit them (other than the pastor specifically) the appropriate Deacon(s), trained in hospital visitation, will call on the person.

 Care Cards

 Special occasion cards are sent to members for any of the following: illness, baptism, confirmation, graduation, shut-ins, home-bound, etc.

 Prayer List

 The Prayer list helps inform the congregation about those of us and our friends that are in special need of prayer.  There are no details associated with the information so the focus is primarily on raising the names of these brothers and sisters up to God in prayer.  Individuals may ask for prayers for themselves or others, with their knowledge.  The deacons monitor or are in touch with the people on the Prayer List and, when it is appropriate, have them removed from the list. Through the help and cooperation of the administrative office, this list is updated and published in the Sunday Worship bulletins, weekly in on-line announcements and in the monthly newsletter.

 Prayer Chains

 The Prayer Chains are an extension of the prayers and concerns for others that is shared during weekly Worship Services.  The Deacons administer two phone trees/chains and an email broadcast.  In order to keep this ministry focused mostly on prayer for others, the Deacons limit the details of any concern to general, non-specific information similar to or even less than what might be shared at a Worship Service.  

Flower Delivery

 Each Sunday, the Deacons deliver the flowers that were in the chancel vases during morning Worship Services to members away from the church family or otherwise in need.  This affords the Deacon an opportunity to visit with the member and be a caring presence.

Ministry to the Widowed

 To those members who have lost loved ones, the Deacons offer a book entitled My Beautiful Broken Shell by Carol Hambler.  The act of giving this gift and visiting with these bereaved sisters and brothers is a gentle deed of kindness that helps to reach out and offer comfort.

Special Needs

 The Deacons have access to a number of medical items such as walkers, crutches, canes etc. which they are glad to loan to anyone who may have the need for them.  They also offer other forms of assistance to those with special needs.

Deacon Resources