"The office of Deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of sympathy, witness, and service after the example of Jesus Christ. Persons of spiritual character, honest repute, exemplary lives, brotherly and sisterly love, warm sympathies, and sound judgment should be chosen for this office.
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. They shall assume such other duties as may be delegated to them from time to time by the Session."
The Lenape Valley Presbyterian Church has over the years (and especially during the last decade) grown at a faster rate than the Board of Deacons has been able to expand. Consequently, the Deacons are constantly reevaluating their role, in order to accomplish what is humanly possible to accomplish, looking realistically at the above mandate.
Annual Retreat / Social Meetings:
Annual meeting of the Board of Deacons to seek God's will for the ministries they will be overseeing for the coming year. In addition to the annual "working meeting" the Deacons have 2 fellowship gatherings annually; the June Progressive Dinner and the August Dessert Smorgasbord.
Lakeview Video Ministry:
Coordinate volunteers carrying previous week's tape of Worship Service to Pine Run (together with bulletins and song sheets), showing it for those gathered, at Lakeview at Pine Run. Also involves serving Communion Sunday after we have had it here. Tapes taken to to Roy Lewis, Chaplain of Pine Run after the showing.
Mother Hubboard's Cupboard / Food Baskets for Thanksgiving and Easter
The Deacons maintain a food cupboard for those who stop by the church who need food for themselves and their families. They also oversee the acquisition, preparation and distribution of special boxed meals at Thanksgiving and Easter.
Men's & Women's Breakfast:
The Deacons of the Church prepare a breakfast for the church and sponsors a special speaker for the program.
Men's Breakfast:
The female Deacons do this for the men of the Church. Communion is also shared after the speaker
Nominating Committee:
LVPC by-laws state that a Deacon shall be a part of the Church Nominating Ministry each year.
Needs Assistance Member:
The Deacons provide assistance to our members in numerous ways. Some of the ways are: maintaining a list of members who have volunteered to drive members to appointments, church, shopping etc., perform home repairs for those who need it, assure that members who may need affordable counseling can get it through the Christian Counseling Center, and the development of a Parish Nursing Program.
Needs Assistance Non-Member:
The Deacons offer assistance to non-members in the form of providing perishable and non-perishable food to those in need, over-night accommodations for those without a place to sleep, transportation for those unable to get home, some financial help for those unable to afford prescriptions, as well as light home repair for those in need.
Shepherding Program:
The Deacons oversee a ministry that seeks to reach out and maintain constant care and support for our members through frequent contact and visitation by other members of the church who act as "shepherds". These shepherds in turn inform the pastoral staff of any needs or concerns expressed by the other members.
Active Deacons
Class of 2008: Kathy Borrell, Peg Keach, Ron Orr, Ryan Orr (Youth Deacon) Steve Schmidt, Brenda Topping, Scott Weidemoyer
Class of 2009: Mark Beard, Ruth Bischoff, David Emery, Scott Fischer, Sharon Kennedy, Elaine Millane, Jay Millane, Goline Vanderhoof
Class of 2010: Amy Buiting, Pat Stranburg, Barbara Wherry
