Mission Statement: To provide service, dedication and commitment to the church and community of the Fayetteville area to effectively produce more and better SDA Christians.
Elizabeth Taylor
Junior Deaconess:
Savannah Cornelius ~ Ayana Vontress ~ Nyja Bell
Honorary Deaconess ~ Lola Gould
Olanda Chambers ~ Mildred Williams ~ Rubie McSwain
The ministry to which a person is called when she becomes a deaconess includes the following duties:
- Report to Head Deaconess. Deaconess will assist in maintaining the smooth operation of church meetings. Any needs and/or concerns should be reported to the Head Deaconess as soon as possible so that they could be addressed in an adequate manner. A quarterly meeting is to be scheduled by the Head Deaconess to address various issues and provide training.
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Head Deaconess will coordinate fellowship meals. The assigned deaconesses will be responsible for the following items:
- Warm-up and serve food for fellowship dinners.
- They will make sure that the tables are covered with tablecloths.
- They will ensure that the dishes are washed and the kitchen is clean after everyone is finished.
- Visitation. Head Deaconess will coordinate deaconesses (and other interested church members) to provide card and visitation ministry to church members who are shut-in, sick, etc.
- Workbees. Deaconesses will help when cleaning workbees are called for the church or school.
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Assisting with the Baptismal Ceremony. The traditional roles for this service are described below:
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The deacons will:
- Prepare and fill the pool.
- Assist male candidates as they prepare for the baptism.
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The deaconesses will:
- Prepare the robes for all who are participating.
- Assist female candidates.
- Launder and store robes, towels, etc., after the ceremony.
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The deacons will:
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Assisting with the Communion Service. The traditional roles for this service are described below.
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The deacons will:
- Provide the physical arrangements, such as placing the communion table.
- Place the towels, basins and water in the appropriate rooms for use in the Ordinance of Humility.
- Dispense water and basins for the men during the Ordinance of Humility, giving particular attention to visitors and new members.
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The deaconesses will:
- Prepare the bread and grape juice.
- Arrange the emblems and covering on the table.
- Dispense water and basins for the women during the Ordinance of Humility, giving attention and assistance to visitors, new members, and the aged.
- Clean and store the linens and serving pieces used in Communion.
- It is appropriate for either deacons or deaconesses, who have been ordained, to assist in distributing the emblems and removing/placing back the communion tray covers during the service.
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The deacons will:
- Caring for the Congregation. In many churches an unwritten tradition gives the women who serve as deaconesses the responsibility of preparing hot meals for any church family that experiences a death or other tragedy. This may mean simply taking food to the home or, in some cases, the serving of an entire meal to family and guests after a funeral. The funeral meal will be coordinated by the Head Deaconess.
Appropriate Spiritual Gifts:Helps or Service. The ability to unselfishly meet the needs of others through practical help.
- Adminstration. The ability to organize and manage, working with and through others to achieve goals.
- Mercy. The capacity to feel sympathy with those in need and to manifest this sympathy in some practical way with a cheerful spirit.
- Head Deacon/Deaconess will also manifest the gift of leadership. The ability to help others set goals and communicate these goals to others. Deacons/Deaconesses will work harmoniously together.
Time Commitment:Including Sabbath duty, most deacons and deaconesses will need to plan on two hours per week to carry out their duties. Another 1-2 hours a month are needed for visitation and special projects.
Head deaconess is a member of the Church Board and will participate regularly in the monthly meetings in order to give input and counsel regarding church matters.