DEACON MINISTRIES
Caregiving Committee and Stephen Ministry
Oversees and cares for St. Mark members and friends in times of need and grief as indentified through prayer requests, member and pastoral suggestions. Tasks include coordinating meals, assisting at funerals, sending greeting cards, organizing luncheons for caregivers, delivery of recorded worship services to homebound and work with St. Mark’s Preparedness Team in event of community disasters. The Stephen Ministry program provides confidential one-to-one caring relationships to those experiencing stressful times.
Circle of Concern Committee
Circle of Concern is an agency that assists families and individuals with low income in the Parkway, Rockwood and Valley Park school districts who have experienced an emergency. The Deacons serve the Circle by regularly attending leadership meetings and communicating the needs of Circle back to the St. Mark congregation. Deacons deliver food, toiletries, school supplies and toys given by the congregation to the Circle.
Communion Committee
The Deacons prepare the elements of communion and help serve them to the congregation. Generally, communion services are held the first weekend of the month. However, communion is always a part of every Sunday’s 8:30 a.m. worship service.
Health and Special Concerns
Your contributions to the St. Mark blood drive are coordinated by this committee. The Deacons also ensure that the defibrillator and other first-aid equipment are kept up-to-date and that CPR/Defib classes are offered.
Flower Committee
Flowers and plants that decorate worship services are possible through donations and frequently are given in honor or memory of a loved one. Later the flowers are often delivered to a homebound person. Deacons attend to these details.
Food Committee
The deacons collect the food items and personal care products donated by the congregation and give them to the Circle of Concern. Contributions are placed on the table in the hallway near the pastor ’s offices.
Clothing Committee
St. Mark accepts clothing of all kinds. Donations of clothing may be placed in the green Clothing Drop Box on the west parking lot. These are delivered to charities in the St. Louis metro area, usually Isaiah 58. Shoes are collected in barrels inside the church to be donated to “The Shoeman Water Project,” that contributes to clean water in developing countries.
Shelter Committee
St. Mark serves families that need adequate housing by donating time and resources to charities that assist in housing needs and education. Deacons work with these charities, such as Beyond Housing and Habitat for Humanity.
Transportation Committee
The purpose is to transport people to church services that cannot drive there themselves. The goal is to enable non-drivers participation in services and congregational fellowship.
Presbyterians for Earth Care Committee
This is a program working to make our church and community more environmentally aware and friendly. The “Shoeman Water Project” (see Clothing Committee) is one example.
Fund Raising Events Committees
(proceeds distributed to charities and missions)
Events:
•ABC (attic, basement and closet) Rummage Sale – Summer event
•Golf Tournament – Fall event
•Holiday House Tour – Christmas time event