The office of deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of sympathy, witness, and service after the example of Jesus Christ. We would like to share with you our journey and reflect on our many accomplishments.
We are a group of people of great spiritual character and sincere compassion that minister to those in need, to the sick, to the friendless both within and beyond our community of faith.
“Knee”mail—if you would like to be added to Covenant’s email prayer list, please send a request to kneemail@covenantscranton.org
Communion Ministry
As many of you may know, the Board of Deacons looks over a number of people in our community. Folks in care facilities, those who are bereaved, those living alone or going through a difficult time. Many of us miss the community of Sunday worship, the camaraderie of coffee and snacks in the Sawtelle, but are not able to join us on Sundays due to anxiety about Covid and public worship.
Throughout the history of the church, there have been those chosen to lead in the care and ministry of the community. These chosen are ordained to Word and Sacrament (clergy), Elder and Deacon. All the ordained are charged with the care of the community, but that care is the only charge of the deacon. In addition to sharing a visit, there was also the sharing of the Sacrament of Communion.
Our Book of Order provides for the taking of the Communion elements from the Table, after Sunday service, by ordained members of the congregation (Deacons and Elders) to share with those congregation members unable to attend public worship.
The Covenant Board of Deacons is extending their mission to include this ministry. This extension is in no way meant or desired to replace the Pastor and his/her role in the pastoral care of our congregation, (especially the pastoral visit and sharing of communion with individuals and families), but to further include our Care Partners and those unable to attend public worship more often in the life and seasons of our church.
To remind them, and us, that we are one ….the Community and Congregation of Covenant Presbyterian Church.
This is a voluntary ministry for those who feel called. We are planning to share this ministry four times a year – during Lent, Pentecost, Advent and World Day of Prayer, beginning with our Care Partners.
Deacon Canvas
During October of 2020, the Board of Deacons called most of the church directory. This was done as part of our role of congregational caring to see how individual church members were faring seven months into the Covid-19 pandemic. Most calls were positively received. It was decided to call again during Spring, 2021. The canvas has been postponed so as not to interfere with the work of the Strategic Planning Task Force. Beginning late summer/early fall the Board will begin a revamped “canvas” of calling members. The congregation will be divided among all Deacons to “Shepard” through their term of office. It is hoped this will build stronger connections amongst the congregation.