The Deaconesses are currently a group of 27 women, who are elected by the membership and mandated to help care for the congregation. We undergird and complement the work and witness of the joint Boards of Elders and Deacons, specifically in the care of the ill and elderly. We meet regularly for prayer, devotions, sharing and reporting on our work.
In a large congregation such as ours, it is difficult to keep in touch with those who are unable to regularly attend services. We try to maintain contact by sending cards, telephoning or visiting those listed each week in the Wednesday evening Intercession Bulletin. We have also developed a Home Department which includes the congregation's chronically ill, elderly and shut-ins. Each deaconess is assigned two or three members with whom to keep in touch, assuring them of our love and prayer support. At our meetings, reports are made on their welfare and any needs they may have are brought to the attention of the group. When possible, a deaconess endeavors to help meet these needs. At Christmas time, we see that each member receives an appropriate gift from the church.
One of our most important functions is to pray for those who need a special touch from the Lord. We have a prayer chain that is activated when there are emergency needs. We also regularly pray for those appearing in the Intercession Bulletin.
Our statistics for the year include 115 visits, 570 cards, 394 telephone calls, 319 letters/notes, 65 gifts for a total of 1463 contacts.
In John 13:34, Christ gave us a new commandment:
"Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
We endeavor to follow the example of Phoebe in the early church. In Romans 16:1, Paul refers to Phoebe as a servant-or deaconess-of the church at Cenchrea. He commends her for being a great help to many people, including himself. Our mission is to love each other as Christ commanded and to be, like Phoebe, of help to many people.
Mary M. Olson
Chair
