The Board of Deacons 

The purpose of the Board of Deacons is to monitor and enrich the involvement of all members of the congregation in the life of our Church.  In addition, it ministers to the sick, the friendless, and in general to all members of the congregation who require special consideration for whatever reasons. 

This Board has twenty-one members who are elected by the congregation and ordained for a three-year term.  Each year seven Deacons are elected so that one third of the Board is replaced each year.  After serving a three-year term, a full year must elapse before being eligible to serve again.  For a complete list of Deacons, click here.  The Board of Deacons meets monthly.  Meetings are open to all congregation members.

Deacons are called to care for and comfort the needy and the sick.  But they are also asked to do many tasks which assist the church in doing compassionate work in the world.

The Board of Deacons meet every second Tuesday of the month, visiting church members in their homes and then returning to the church for their meeting.  They do special work to bring care to others such as providing a an afternoon tea to the residents of the Village of East Harbor and ringing the bell for the Salvation Army.

There are a number of ministries which they perform regularly.

• The GOOD SHEPHERD program keeps the Deacons (Good Shepherds) in touch with about 16 families each.  They contact them by phone, cards, notes or face-to-face to share a cheerful greeting with them.
• In the NURTURING MINISTRY several Deacons contact people by telephone who have not attended services in the past months just to check on them, making sure that they are not sick or in need of help.
• The Deacons who help out in the PARKING LOT MINISTRY direct traffic between services, and greet people as they offer a helping hand to those needing assistance getting to the church building.   
• The Senior Citizens residents of the Village of East Harbor are picked up each Sunday morning by a team of VAN DRIVERS.
• We have three different COFFEE TIMES on Sunday mornings which are coordinated by the Deacons plus a FELLOWSHIP LUNCHEON every second Tuesday of the month. 
• As a worshipper enters the sanctuary, they are greeted by USHERS who make sure that they can find a seat and receive a worship bulletin.
• In the COMMUNITY KITCHEN MINISTRY twice a month about 100 lunches are prepared and served at the Salvation Army. 
• Food items which are collected from the congregation are taken by the FOOD PANTRY Deacon to Grace Episcopal Church where food is distributed to the needy. 
• FOOD BASKETS for Easter and Thanksgiving are provided for those in need.
• A critical local mission, FEED THE HUNGRY provides a hot meal for those in need.  Once a month we prepare, serve, and clean up the Sunday noon dinner at a neighboring church.
• Through the CARD MINISTRY, greeting cards are sent to members of the church family unable to attend worship and persons on the Prayer List; the cards express that the Deacons are thinking and praying for them.
• Each week at least two church goers are assigned to be GREETERS at the entrance to the sanctuary. They welcome regular worshippers and newcomers alike with a handshake and a smile.           
• Communion is served on the first Sunday of every month.  The elements of bread and cup are prepared by the COMMUNION GUILD.
• HELPING HANDS is a program to aid church members with such things as yard work, storm window hanging/storage, cleaning gutters and other small tasks.
• YOUTH INVOLVEMENT does just that; they work at integrating youth into the life and work of the church.