The Board of Deacons primary objective
is to minister to those in need.

Commitments and Responsibilities

The board of Deacons of Webster Presbyterian Church is committed to fulfilling the responsibilities to which we have been called:

“The office of deacons as set forth in scripture is one of sympathy, witness, and service after the example of Jesus Christ. It is the duty of deacons, first of all, to minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress both within and beyond the community of faith. They shall assume such other duties as may be delegated to them from time to time by the session, such as leading the people in worship through prayers of intercession, reading the Scriptures, presenting the gifts of the people, and assisting with the Lord’s Supper.”
Book of Order G-6.0402

Deacons are normally elected for a term of three years. Prior to ordination/installation, church officers are required to attend Church Officer Training; dates will be announced each year.

To fulfill this calling, deacons are needed to be active, committed participants in the body of the church. Monthly meetings are presently held on the third Tuesday of every month. All deacons are expected to be at these monthly meetings. When there are frequent absences, the shared responsibility and quality of work of the deacons is diminished. Naturally, there are exceptions but we require that deacons not miss more than three meetings per year. If you are not able to attend a meeting, you need to call the moderator, fellow deacon or church officer in advance.

Although the office of deacon is one of service, it is also an opportunity to fellowship with others and grow in the Lord.

Deacons will:

• Attend Deacon meetings (once a month). Meetings start promptly at 7:30 pm.
• Visit a "Friend at Home" (once a month).
• Make and serve coffee with your group, and clean up afterward (once every other month).
• Be in charge of delivering Food Barrel donations to Williamson (once a year).
• Serve at the Open Door Mission (once a year).
• Sign up for devotions.
• Donate non-perishable food items to College Outreach (twice a year).
• Participate in the Prayer Chain.
• Pick up Deacons meeting minutes in the deacons box in the church office.
• Co-chair a committee

Ministries and Committees

Worship Service Support

Prayer Chain

• All deacons are part of the Prayer Chain

Coffee

Coffee and juice are provided and served by the Deacons each week after the first service (excluding summer). The money received helps fund other ministries that the Church sponsors.

• Recruit and coordinate deacons in charge of Sunday coffee

• Prepare and Serve coffee after the first service each Sunday (excluding summer)

• Submit donations to deacon treasurer

Communion

This committee prepares the elements for communion during the year. The Deacon Board members help serve communion on Christmas Eve.

• Prepare elements for communion

• Setup table per pastor’s instruction

• Clean up immediately following service

• Serve communion Christmas Eve

Congregational Care

This committee is responsible for the neighborhood groups and group leader training sessions (usually held twice a year). They are also involved in coordinating the Church Picnic in June as well as helping the Peacemaking Committee with the Harvest Dinner. A Deacon attends this committee's meetings monthly.

Care Group Coordination

• Deacon paired with Elder to help with congregational care meetings

Emergency Response

• In the event of an emergency – Deacons coordinate congregational response – i.e., transportation to medical appts., temporary shelter, meals, child care or other needs

Friends at Home

This ministry cares for the members of our Church who have physical limitations or spiritual needs, that make them unable to join in church activities. The task of this committee is to make the congregation aware of these members' needs through various media and announcements, articles in the Pathway, bulletin boards, and to create other innovative ways to communicate these needs. In this way volunteers are found from the congregation who keep in touch with our housebound members. Cards are sent for special occasions, flowers at Christmas and Easter, and visits are made once a month.

• Visit friends at home on a regular basis – each Deacon has a FAH to visit

• Deliver flowers to FAH from time to time

College Outreach

This ministry provides survival packages to Webster Presbyterian Church college freshman and our Christmas International Students. The packages are sent out in April and again in November. Donations are made by both members of WPC and the Deacons.

• Secure and maintain current mailing list for college, CIH and service members

• Coordinate and create final exam “care” packages

• Communicate with college students and service people on a regular basis

Special Outreach

Food Barrel

This ministry delivers food and clothing to the Williamson Come-Unity Center on a monthly basis. Usually a trip is made twice a month depending upon the donations. Church members are asked to leave donations in the barrels by the South entrance of the Church.

• Solicit and collect donations to the Food Barrel

• Deliver food and monetary donations to Williamson Come-Unity Center

Heritage Christian Home

• Liaison between WPC and residents and staff of Home

• Assist residents attending on Sunday mornings

• Arrange special visits at the Home

Open Door Mission

The Open Door Mission committee is responsible for organizing volunteers to help serve the evening meal at the Open Door Mission on West Main Street in Rochester. The committee members recruit volunteers from the Board of Deacons, Small Groups, and the congregation at large. The volunteers meet on the second Friday of each month at the church around 7:00 pm, returning around 9:30 pm. The Open Door Mission serves dinner to about 60 people on an average evening. The committee collects donations such as silverware, dish towels, and milk for use at the Mission

• Serve meals at the Mission the 2nd Friday of each month

• Coordinate attendance of 4-6 people – deacons, members of congregation, friends

Maplewood

This ministry coordinates visits to the Maplewood Nursing Home. All church members are invited to participate in visiting twice a month. They visit to bring a smile and friendly ear to the residents at the home. At Christmas time, a sing-along is conducted for the residents and they truly enjoy it. They especially love the kids so don't hesitate to bring them!

Representation on Session and Other Committees

Session Nominating Committee

• Participate as member of nominating committee

• Help secure candidates for all open positions on church boards

Webster Council of Churches

The purpose of the Webster Council of Churches is to express the essential oneness of the Christian Churches of Webster in Jesus Christ as their Divine Lord and Savior through fellowship, cooperation and service. This interdenominational council cooperates with worship, evangelism, Christian education, social action, and Christian Fellowship. It is open to the religious needs of the community. A representative from the Deacon Board meets with members of the other Churches in Webster to discuss different ways that the Churches can minister within the larger community through scheduled Church events, services, and special ministries. This Council also sponsors the monthly Community Dinner held at the Immanuel Lutheran Church. The Council meets once a month.

• Attend monthly meeting of Webster Council of Churches as WPC representative

• Report back at Deacon meeting

Other Session Support

• Session may request temporary assistance on special purpose committees – e.g., Mission Statement Committee