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| Church
History of the Deacons
The title of deacon is derived from a Greek
word meaning servant. The NT writers employed the word thirty times,
and the most common meaning is that of servant. The hallmark of
great disciples is servanthood. In the gospels, Jesus understood
his role in terms of servanthood, and the disciples likewise felt
that they should be servants of one another. Most references of
servanthood occur in the letters from Paul who referred to himself
as a servant of Christ. Furthermore, he referred to the authorities
in the Roman state as servants of God. The word deacon in English
translations comes from the use of the word servant as the title
of an order of ministry. The deacons expressed an authority only
through service to the church. A list of requirements for the office
of deacon appears in I Timothy 3. These included: "The deacon is
worthy of respect, monogamous, and a good manager of the family,
not double-tongued, addicted to much wine, or fond of dishonest
gain." Deacons were to hold the faith in pure conscience. Women
may serve as deacons in the same manner as men (I Timothy 3:1-13)
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Deacons at The Congregational
Church in Killingworth
Deacons in the church today are servants who are
responsible for the spiritual and functional care of the church.
At the Congregational Church in Killingworth, deacons serve in
many capacities of care. These include:
• An ongoing card ministry;
• Visitation to the sick and the homebound;
• Fellowship and evangelism ministries; and,
• Overseeing the prayer shawl ministry.
The Deacons help to bring a sense of community
and spirituality to the Sunday worship services. This ministry
includes:
• They serve as greeters
who welcome visitors.
• They welcome new members.
• They assist in the services with baptisms and communion.
• They read the liturgy during worship.
• During the liturgical cycle of the church year, the Deacons
bring flowers to the ill and homebound during Christmas and Easter.
• During Lent, the Deacons are very active in the Lenten
series and Holy Week observances.
• The Deacons' fund is a reserve of money to be used to
assist members of the community in an emergency situation.
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| Deacon By-Laws
Diaconate
a.
Members. There shall be nine (9) members (plus emeritus members,
ex officio) on the Diaconate. Three (3) positions shall be filled
annually by election at the annual Church meeting, thus rotating
three-year terms, with two (2) consecutive terms maximum service,
followed by one (1) term of ineligibility. Vacancies shall be
filled by the Nominating Committee. The members shall choose
a Chairperson from among the Deacons who will serve their third
year and a secretary who shall record the business of each Diaconate
meeting.
b. Purpose, Powers and Duties. The duties of the Diaconate shall
be to meet regularly to discuss the spiritual affairs of the Church;
to assist and support the Pastor in his or her duties, such as
special Church services and Communion, visitation, fellowship and
evangelism, concern for those needing temporal or spiritual aid,
initiating and supporting programs that further the Christian mission
of the Church, and encouraging good Christian education for all
ages; to search for Interim Pastor(s) when needed; to provide pastoral
coverage in the absence of a Pastor or during an interim period
and to appoint a person to the Nominating Committee pursuant to
Section 7 of this Article, which appointee shall serve for a period
of one year and shall not necessarily be a member of Diaconate.
c. The Deacons' Fund. The Deacons' Fund is a reserve
of money to be used to assist members of the community in an emergency
situation. It may be repaid, but not necessarily. The Pastor shall
consult with one other member of the Diaconate, and then shall
submit a written request for the money to the Treasurer. The Diaconate
minutes shall record the amount spent and the name of the consulted
Diaconate member. The fund is replenished by special contributions
and special offerings on Communion Sundays. Any use of the Deacons’ Fund
shall be held in strictest confidence. |
Diaconate Members:
The Diaconate members who serve in
2007-2008 are:
• Jim Puska - Chair (860-663-2024)
• Enid Sherman – Deacon Emeritus
• Jan Jette – Deacon
• Marilyn Campbell – Deacon
• Christina Forristall – Deacon
• Ann Pavlou – Deacon
• Ben Mochan - Deacon
• Denise Acker - Deacon
• Anita Vallee - Deacon
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