Care  "Beloved, let us love one another." -- 1 John 4:7a

Board of Deacons 
2003 Annual Report

The Board of Deacons is an ordained body of 24 officers elected by the congregation to assist in the care of members, family and friends of Third Church. In 2003, the Board worked closely with the Parish Associate for Congregational Care, Judy Pidcock, and the Parish Visitor, Pam Foye, to execute its caring responsibilities. Highlights and accomplishments of our ongoing work, carried out by five (5) Sub-Groups or ministry focuses along with special tasks during 2003, and supported by integral off-board volunteers, are listed below.

1. Hospitality Ministry
   Nancy Mayne & Laurie Mahoney, co-leaders
   
   - Scheduled volunteers to deliver Flowers along with roses marking birth and death events, and also Tapes of the Sunday service, to members in the hospital, members recovering at home, and those experiencing life-changing events
   - Supported the new “Feasting on Friendship” freezer ministry, coordinated off-board by Suzy Hengerer, to provide helpful food for shut-ins and those recovering at home
   - Supported Memorial Receptions (15-20 annually) which are coordinated off-board by Susie Jacobs
   - Supported the Long-term Member Luncheon, and targeted holding the event every 5 years
   - Laid groundwork for new Transportation ministry for potential implementation in 2004
   
   
2. NCN Ministry
   Beth Tschorke & Claire Van Arsdale, co-leaders
   
   - Continued our key involvement in September’s Rally Day event through publicity and seating each NCN together
   - Enabled the Board to reach out to members at Spotlight Sunday on September 14th through a booth which visually encouraged participation in our ministries
   - Supported Neighborhood Care Network gatherings held once or twice during 2003
   - Supported Coffee Hours which are hosted by each NCN
   - Executed on-board training along with the Parish Associate and Parish Visitor which helped equip our Deacons to be more effective in their caring work
   
   
3. Youth Ministry
   Nancy Adams, leader
   
   - Organized Care packages sent to our college students who just entered their freshman year
   - Organized a Seniors brunch in June for graduating high schoolers
   - Organized December event for our youths to get together over the Christmas break
   
   
4. Prayer & Spiritual Life Ministry
   Pat Rumbold, leader
   
   - Organized a Fall workshop held on November 1
   - Recruited volunteers for the Prayer cordon, and actively participated in it
   - Organized a number of Pastoral care luncheons – four (4) which have been held, and another planned at this date, on these topics:
   - Death & Bereavement
   - Who Care’s for the Caregiver
   - Alzheimers
   
   
5. On-going Care Ministry
   Tom Klaseus, Peachy Grace, co-leaders
   
   - Organized the Older Adult Luncheon, held September 21st with about 50 members attending; next year plans include a hymn sing!
   - Arranged and served afternoon teas for our residents at Valley Manor, St. John’s Meadow, and The Highlands
   - Schedule our Senior Visitors program which supports 33 shut-ins with 20 active visitors
   - Delivered Flowers to members who are generally shut-ins – Lilies at Easter time, and Pointsettias at Christmas

   Other Deacon Business
   - Put in process quarterly Minutes for Mission at Third’s Sunday services
   - Wrote a monthly Deacon’s Bench column in the “Messenger”
   - Maintained a group web page, and list of email addresses for easy access to Deacon minutes, lists and schedules to facilitate communication
   - Maintained, and executed major revision of, the Third Deacon web pages at Third’s URL
   

   Laurie Mahoney and Anne Sievers, Co-Moderators 12/01/03