The Deaconess Board has continued to be a finely tuned group with a full compliment of members this past year including Mel Henderson, Barbara Inkpen, Sharon Jacques, Lynn Jerabek, Cindy Morrison, Angie Newell, Lou Noland and Liz Sargent. We are very privileged to be using our gifts and talents in this capacity. We feel that we have a very unified board and therefore are able to serve the congregation and our Lord to the best of our ability.
As in times past, this year the Deaconesses have confidentially served the congregation with financial assistance for a variety of personal needs.
As in the past, we continue to have “request for need forms” available either from a deaconess or in the church office.
We have given “camperships” and other financial aid so that the youth of BCC are enabled to participate in these life-changing experiences. Also we have given scholarships to the Ravena-Coeymans student body.
In addition to these things, the Deaconesses have provided other helps – many times with the volunteer assistance of members of the congregation, including visitation, transportation, meal preparation and the preparation of Communion elements. Since moving into the new building and have large concerts, we have provided food for the musicians and staff working the concerts.
We have also served the parishioners at Memorial Services for loved ones who have been called home by the Father.
It is our desire to continue the significant ministry of the Deaconesses into the future. We want to be accessible to members of the congregation for specific prayer and confidential listening. We want to be especially mindful of the needs of women in the congregation in a personal and group setting.
A new manual with the description of our ministry has been written and accepted by the Board of Governors.
We are humbly appreciative of the generosity of the congregation at BCC to the work of that portion of the ministry with which the Board of Deaconesses is charged. May God bless you for your faithfulness in this, which allows us to bless others in their time of need.
