DEACONS

 

HAPPY FALL!  The leaves are changing, the air is cool, and the FCON family is busy Welcoming, Serving and Seeking Christ together! 

Deacon’s Fund

A few updates from the Deacon’s: With your generosity we were able to provide $300 of assistance in the last month.  As Winter approaches the needs increase and we pray blessings on all those in need, all those who were able to give, and those who wished to give, but could not. 

Name Tags

The Deacon’s will be collecting names and deposits of $5.00 for professionally made magnetic name tags to replace our current paper/plastic name tags. These will be more comfortable, easier to use, and more gentle on your clothing. Please check in with Sarah Holt and place your order! 

Communion

Pastor Scott will continue to offer communion for Christian Education Teachers and volunteers @ 9:30 on Communion Sundays.  All are welcome to join our CE volunteers for this important sacrament.

Deacon’s Of The Month

November will be Sarah Holt and Rob Shaw;  December will be Jim Lehan and Emily Ellen;  January will be Jim Lehan and Laura Carr. 

 

Thanksgiving

Please mark you calendars for Tuesday the 25th at 7:30 PM, as we will celebrate an Ecumenical Service with several area churches celebrating the season of Thanksgiving! 

CONFIRMATION

We are approaching the start of the confirmation season – please include our confirmation candidates and mentors in your prayers. 

 

Hat’s Off…

A monthly feature of the Deacon’s…. This month we want to tip our hats to the Parsonage Study Committee. The entire congregation appreciates their time and energy to research and present the important information needed to help discern God’s will as we make a decision regarding the Parsonage.

 

 

YOUR DEACONS ARE:

Kevin Riley, Buddy Bowden, Laura Carr, Emily Ellen, John Evans, Jeanne Groff, Sarah Holt, Ruth Kantzer, Jim Lehan, Phil Lukens, Jack Perkuhn, Ronalae Salisbury, Rob Shaw, Patti Sparrow, and Gay Zervos.

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

 What is a Deacon?

 The term deacon applies to both men and women.  The Diaconate at the Federated Church of Norfolk shall consist of twelve (12) elected deacons plus a Deacon-at-Large who is an officer of the Church.  The twelve (12) elected deacons will be nominated by the Nominating Committee and elected at the annual meeting.  All nominees shall be members of the Federated Church of Norfolk.  Four (4) deacons will be elected each year for a three (3) year term. 

 

What are the duties of a Deacon?

 The Diaconate shall be responsible for the spiritual welfare of the church.  To accomplish their duties the Diaconate selects from their membership a Chairman (or Co-chairmen), a Deacon’s Treasurer, and a Deacon’s Clerk.

 

What are the Duties of the Deacon Chair and Co Chair?

 The officers of the Church are accountable to the Executive committee.   The Chairman of the Diaconate shall:

1.      Direct all activities of the Diaconate.

2.      Assist the Pastor in the service of Baptism.

3.      Assist the Pastor in the admission of new members.

4.      Represent the Diaconate at Executive committee.

 

What are the Duties of the Deacon-at-Large?

1.      Be available as a liaison between the Pastor and the Diaconate, and between the Pastor and the Executive committee.

2.      Be available to the Pastor for special projects and assignments.

3.      Act as a non voting ex-officio member of the Executive Committee

4.      Act as a voting member of the Diaconate.

 

What are the duties of the Diaconate?

  1. Be responsible for the spiritual welfare of the Church. 
  2. Prepare the communion table and assist the Pastor in administering the elements of the communion service.  Communion shall be served the first Sunday of each month, unless otherwise directed by the Church or the Executive committee. 
  3. Be responsible for collecting the special offering taken at each regular communion service.  Funds collected will make up the Communion Fund which will be used to care for people with emergency needs as determined by the Chairman of Deacons, the Pastor, and the Deacon's Treasurer.
  4. Lead the worship service if the Pastor is not available.  Secure interim and supply Pastors as needed.
  5. Develop programs for the growth of the Church.
  6. Appoint a head usher yearly.
  7. Establish and maintain permanent subcommittees for the following: music, alter guild, missions, visiting and Church delegates. 

 

What are Deacons for Life?

Those who have served the church as a Deacon for many years may be recommended by the Executive Committee and honored by the congregation at annual meeting by being designated as Deacons for Life. As such they may attend all Deacons Meetings if they choose to do so. Our congregation currently has two Deacons for Life: John Evans and Ruth Kantzer. Their names are listed on a plaque in the sanctuary along with the names of those who have received this honor in the past.

 

SPECIAL PROJECTS

 Deacon Neighborhood Project

Our membership has grown and we feel it is increasingly difficult for the minister to connect and stay in contact with everyone.  In an effort to keep a ‘small town’ feel, the Deacons have divided up the membership into four “neighborhoods.”  Each neighborhood will have three Deacons acting as Neighborhood “Shepherds.”

 

Our goal is to connect with all members: whether active, sporadic, or inactive, sick, shut in or in crisis.  We want to make ourselves available to anyone wishing to share joys or concerns. 

 

Nametags will be used to help members recognize one another and their neighborhood shepherds. 

 

We are looking forward to doing activities such as:

v     Neighborhood opportunities to meet with the new Pastor

v     Coffee hour hosted each neighborhood,

v     Neighborhood cookouts

v     Neighborhood lighting of the Advent Wreath

 

If you feel more comfortable contacting the Pastor or a different neighborhood shepherd, please feel free to do so. 

YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SHEPHERDS

Pink Neighborhood: Sarah Holt,  Ronaele Salisbury,  and Patti Sparrow  

Purple Neighborhood: Emily Ellen, Jim Lehan, and Jack Perkuhn

Orange Neighborhood:, Kevin Riley, Jean Groff, and Gay Zervos

Green Neighborhood: Buddy Bowden, Laura Carr, and Rob Shaw