The purpose of the Board of Deacons is to minister to those in need, to the sick, and to those in distress; to remember and reach out to members of the congregation who are away at college or in the Armed Services; to celebrate with the congregation special passages in the lives of members such as welcoming newborn and adopted children, honoring our Senior High Graduates; and recognizing ordinations, and to minister to the larger community.
In order to meet our goals we have established ministry groups that respond to the variety of needs we have in our congregation and beyond. We care for needs in our congregation by visiting in the hospitals and care facilities, serving funeral lunches, remembering our care receivers with Easter baskets, sending Valentine boxes to our college students and recognizing our high school graduates with a meal and a gift. When a new baby is born a rose is purchased for the sanctuary in recognition of the new life among us. After worship the rose bud is delivered to the family. The Deacons sponsor the Advent Dinner that engages the whole congregation in celebrating the season. They send cards to recognize special events and express sympathy during difficult times.
We reach out to the needs of our community through the Care and Share program. The Visiting Nurses' supply names of needy people and during the months of January and February each Deacon is given a name, $100 and a shopping list for needy people. On Pantry Sunday the Deacons collect food for Lowe Avenue Church and other area pantries. It is our hope that these programs will touch the lives of our members and the community in which we serve with the love of God made known to us in Jesus Christ. Each year the Board of Deacons vote to allocate funds to several worthwhile organizations and needy projects.
We also have a group known as Alumni Deacons - "Once a Deacon, Always a Deacon is our motto!!" This group is new in the year 2000. The alumni Deacons have chosen to be an auxiliary to the deacons with no structured meetings. The Alumni will compliment the Deacons by adding more available people to perform the ministries that the Deacons are responsible for.