Annual Report of the Diaconate (2003-2004)

The Diaconate, in cooperation with the Pastors, has the responsibility for the spiritual life of the church and community. Duties include: assisting with the preparation of worship; assisting during communion and baptisms; overseeing ushers, acolytes, and lay readers; welcoming newcomers; arranging supply preaching in the absence of the Pastors; assisting with the Confirmation class; as well as hosting weddings and funerals. The Diaconate board has representatives to the Music committee, Membership committee, Church Council, Youth Ministry committee, and the Sanctuary Restoration committee.

The Diaconate works closely with the Confirmation class and Youth Ministry committee along with the support and assistance of Alice and Lucy. Lucy and Melanie VanSteensburg have been the primary leaders for this year’s Confirmation class. This year’s class has already stayed overnight at the Merrill’s house for a retreat, and some of the confirmands will be traveling to Washington DC, during April to work in various homeless shelters and soup kitchens.

The Diaconate board welcomes those who have become members of First Parish through attendance at new member classes, sponsored by the Membership committee. This year new member classes were held in the fall and in the spring. The Diaconate was also pleased to host the fifth annual All Church Picnic, held at the Church due to inclement weather in September. We look forward to the sixth annual picnic this year at Odiorne Point.

The Diaconate added a second service beginning in September of last year which is held at 7:00 pm, on Sunday evenings. The attendance at these services has been fairly consistent, with several people making this their primary service with expressed wishes that it be continued. The Diaconate have already committed to continuing this service through the end of June, and we will be considering the possibilities for the summer and beyond.

Monthly meetings are held to discuss the concerns of the church, membership, education goals, Confirmation needs, worship services and any matters pertaining to the church body as a whole. We would like to see this board at its full capacity of 12 members, and we hope you would think about joining us.

Thanks go out to Darryl Fleury and Ken Gould, who are completing their terms with the Diaconate.

Please feel free to speak to any one of the deacons about any issue that may be a concern to you at any time.

Yours in Christ, Darryl Fleury - Chair; Diane Breeden, Bill Burke, Ken Gould, Harry Handy, Sue Kachuck, Jane Mallinson, Melissa Mitchell, Gary Mooers, Heidi Webster.