Board of Deacons
The Board of Deacons has a number of responsibilities central to the spiritual life of the church and to outreach to members in need.
Worship
The Deacons perform various roles that support the Senior Minister in carrying out his responsibility for the Worship Service. The Deacons are responsible for organizing the lay participation in the service. Lay people serve regularly as Ushers and Readers and perform other roles in the service on occasion. Deacons are also responsible for preparing and helping the Ministers serve communion. The Board also provides worship supplies such as palms and candles. Periodically the Board asks members of the Congregation for their view concerning the Worship Service and based on this provides feedback and recommendations to the Ministerial staff.
Westmoreland Cares
Westmoreland Cares is a congregation-wide program to reach out to and care for Westmorelanders in need. It is designed to fill many needs – from spiritual to secular, emotional to logistical, long-term and short-term -- and is carried out by both pastoral staff and volunteers with varied levels of interest, time and talent. Individuals needing care need only to speak to a member of the church staff to receive the help they need. Westmoreland Cares encompasses the following:
- Pastoral Care and Visitation is provided by the ministerial staff to all Westmorelanders who are in need of pastoral care of any kind.
- Visiting, phoning, note writing and flower delivery are ways the Church remembers Westmorelanders who have difficulty, both short-term and long-term, in staying connected to the church and the community.
- The Prayer Network consists of a group of volunteers who share a belief in the healing power and the positive energy of prayer, and who regularly pray on behalf of Westmorelanders, families and friends who wish to be included.
- Community Cares meets the needs of the membership by offering one-time or short-term logistical support-from meals to wheels – for members of the congregation who need help in times of illness, crisis, or joy.
Music
The Deacons support the Director of Music in providing music for the Worship Service and special music programs such as concerts and musicals. The Chancel Choir participates in services from September to the middle of June and also performs in concerts and other activities sponsored by the church. The Choir consists primarily of lay people but also includes four professional singers who perform solos and support the Choir as section leaders.
Arts
Art shows are planned to be held in conjunction with some of the concerts sponsored by the Church. They add an important dimension to the celebration of the arts as a form of worship.
Page last updated 12 June 2012.
