Annual Report: Deacon Committees (Part 1)

CAREGIVING COMMITTEE 

The caregiving team reached out to members in many ways: 

1) We sent cards to many homebound or ill members, as well as families with loss. 2) Delivered various gifts to homebound members including flowering plants, mums, cookies and 24 advent bags. 3) Offered refreshments after funerals. 4) Made a “we care meal” and delivered it to members twice a year. We also made/delivered desserts to senior living residents and accompanied the treats with plants.

CIRCLE OF CONCERN 

 This committee is responsible for the collection of food, paper, cleaning and personal care items donated by our congregation, and the delivery to Circle of Concern located in Valley Park, MO. Church members are informed of Circle of Concern’s needs in our monthly newsletter and weekly bulletin. In addition, Deacons deliver special collections made by our preschool, children and youth ministries. During the past year, 113 bags (1,265 lbs.) of all items were donated to Circle. Also, 7 boxes (138 lbs.) of canned goods were collected and donated from our November “Giving Thanks” dinner.

CIRCLE OF CONCERN GOLF TOURNAMENT 

May 20 arrived at Aberdeen Golf Club, Eureka, Missouri with a sold-out event of 144 golfers, 54 volunteers and ideal temperatures with just the right amount of sunshine. The event raised over $37,000 with all proceeds benefiting Circle of Concern, one of several local missions supported by St Mark Deacons. St. Mark has served as the event sponsor for the past 18 years and has worked in concert with Circle of Concern staff and volunteers to create goodwill within the community for both entities as well as raise needed funding. The following demonstrates the direct impact St Mark had on this years’ tournament: 1) Members funded $11,000 in Sponsorships and auction items 2) 21 members served as volunteers on the day of the event. 3) 5 members participated as golfers. 4) Members recruited 34 other golfers. 5) 3 members served on the Golf Committee. Thank you, St. Mark members, for sharing your time, talent and resources to make this event a success.

HEALTH & WELLNESS COMMITTEE

The Health and Wellness Committee organizes blood drives; organizes CPR/AED/First Aid training classes; maintains seven first aid kits and two AED units located throughout the church property. The committee sponsored four Red Cross blood drives this year. One hundred sixty-one (161) units of blood were collected.

The committee continued to monitor the viability of two HeartSine Samaritan AEDs (Automatic External Defibrillators) and the inventory of seven first aid kits. On June 1, the committee, in partnership with the Metro West Fire Protection District, presented a Hands-Only CPR & Stop the Bleed classes for thirty-seven (37) members. As an added bonus, the Metro West personnel conducted a thorough review of our first aid kits to the class. They also introduced our AED unit with instructions on its use.

STEPHEN MINISTRY 

For the next year, Stephen Ministry will be primarily focusing on grief support efforts. Those efforts will include Grief Share, Grief Through the Holidays, facilitating Blue Christmas and continued scheduled contact with those suffering a loss.