At The Village Church, the Board of Deacons is comprised of 22 members who are: Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Thrifty, Brave Clean and very-very Reverent. The officers are: Larry Wood- moderator; Karen Pease-vice moderator; Marilyn Buck- treasurer; Lyn Lloyd Smith- secretary and Jan Farley Ex Officio.
This past year our four committees which are: Spiritual Life chaired by Bart Schade, the Facilitators Group, chaired by Julie Mac Neil and Robin Singer, Community Outreach, chaired by Tom Taylor and Caregivers Support Committee chaired by Joan Clark contributed extensively to the life of the church. With respect to our general activities, the Deacons have accomplished the following over the past year.
1) Scheduled and coordinated of greeters for the morning services as arranged by the Deacon of the Month.
2) Provided personalized prayer for those in need after each morning service as conducted by the Deacon of the Day.
3) Maintained pew maintenance and monitored pew materials on a weekly basis.
4) Maintained consistent contact with our flock members to ensure that all were safe, well and were receiving assistance as required.
5) Maintained and updated the prayer list on a continual basis.
The Deacons carried out all their activities within budgeted guidelines under the direction of Treasurer Marilyn Buck. We also supported our church members as required and provided monetary assistance to special causes; e.g. fire victims and disaster relief need around the world. Over the past year it is estimated that over 2,000 flock contacts (1200 during the fire crisis) were made via calls, personal visits, and hospital visits, transportation requirements, and birthdays, get-well and just caring calls.
Our committees performed extremely well.
Spiritual Life—under the direction of Bart Schade, communion preparation for all 3 services were carried out as required. Along with Tom Bowman and Julie Klaus they also maintained the literature rack as required. Since we are moving into the Fellowship Center for our services, this requirement will be evaluated for accessibility and availability in our temporary environment.
Care Giving – Under the direction of Joan Clark and her team of Verona Vernon, Sue Bartow and Paul Cook, this group was very busy during the year, coordinating the activities required to support 9 memorial services with associated receptions from 40 to 400 individuals. A truly prayerful and professional mission was accomplished.
The Community Support group under Tom Taylor’s direction was a very visible and busy team. This team of Jerry Seiler, Martha Dominquez, Erika Nienhouse, Drew Middleton, and Bill Smith contributed extensively to our outreach activities. In addition to support for the San Diego Rescue Mission, Military Outreach Ministries (volunteers at Camp Pendleton and 2 food drives), support to the Presbyterian Urban Center, and preparation of homeless care bags, our members also assisted in helping to support the many fire teams who utilized our facilities during the fire crisis, construction of “rubble sifters” for family members who lost their homes during the fire and the clean up after the use of the facilities.
Our Facilities Committee under the leadership of Julie MacNeil/Robin Singer with support from Chris Marshman, Kathleen Nassi, Lyn Lloyd-Smith and Ellen Rindell provided exceptional support and coordination to over 45 Blue Christmas lunches, 100 dozen valentine gifts (57 to members outside the staff areas), many, many meals to flock members as required during illness and extended physical recovery times, and lastly, they provided exceptional culinary delights to the Deacons prior to our meetings to enhance our efficiency and production.
Other noteworthy accomplishments:
A very important activity which the Deacons were instrumental in driving and accomplishing this year was to enable the purchase of a bus to transport our flock members who require transportation assistance. Through their activities and the financial support of several church members, a 30 passenger bus was acquired and support personnel contracted to enable this. Kudos to Paul Cook and Tom Taylor for moving this activity forward.
Throughout this year, the Deacons have been continually ready and available to support our congregation and flocks in prayer and support as required. As in the words of Winston Churchill, “Never have some few done so much for so many.”
It has been a wonderful opportunity for us to be of service to the Lord and this Church. We look forward to continuing our support.
Respectfully submitted,
Larry M. Wood, Deacon Moderator