Mission Monday: Perspectives of a New Deacon

Deacon Preparing Communion

I recently retired after a long career. I had been blessed with rewarding, intellectually challenging work and considered many of my colleagues as family. I was listening for my “next calling” – was it to be as a community volunteer, a new job, with family, church or???? My first post-retirement “next calling” was to take care of family members (children, parents, and siblings) that were simultaneously experiencing significant health issues. I received my “next calling” via a fellow St. Mark member on the deacon nominating committee. I didn’t hesitate, I knew I had to say “yes”. My natural “love language” is “acts of service” and that is exactly what the deacons do – acts of service. It is improbable not to be in awe of the range of activities and impact of the deacons on St. Mark members and friends: caregiving, food, clothing, communion, flowers, health & wellness, shelter, and transportation.

To providing funding for their mission, every year the deacons lead and coordinate three significant fundraising events: ABC Sale, Golf Tournament, and Holiday House Tour.

The primary recipients of community outreach support are: Beyond Housing, Businesspersons Between Jobs, Board of Religious Organizations, Circle of Concern, Isaiah 58, Lafayette Industries, Lydia’s House, Matthew 25 Fund, Mound Ridge, Presbyterian Children’s Home & Services, Room at the Inn, and Shoeman Water Project.

St. Mark Presbyterian deacons give a Christian centric meaning to the term “servant-leader”.  St. Mark deacons are charged to serve the greater congregation and community by mobilizing our talents and treasures to care for those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress both within and beyond the community of faith. This is exactly the role to which Jesus is calling all of us: “... whoever wishes to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first among you must be slave of all. For the Son of Man came not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many” (Mark 10:43–45).

Dear God,

We know you love us and are calling us.

Sometimes we get stuck thinking about the past or become overwhelmed by the thought of the future. Help us stay in the present, and help us learn about ways to serve, listen to others for ideas and advice.

Please help us to clearly hear your “next calling” for us, individually and collectively, to use our talents and treasures to serve in meaningful ways.

And all God’s servants say:

Amen!

J. Blackwell