The Deacons

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The Board of Deacons, or Deacons, serves through witnessing, service, and sympathy, modeling after Christ. The Deacons are staffed by the Pastor and assisted by our Associate in Ministry. The board includes up to 38 members, up to 37 regular members, and one or more youth members. The board meets monthly, except for the summer break (July and August).

There are three ministry units: Caregiving, Mission, and Service. The Caregiving unit is responsible for congregational care, including providing meals for members who need assistance due to illness, births, accidents, and other situations. They also provide luncheons and a quiet room with nutritional snacks for college-age students to study during semester finals weeks. For members who are homebound or cannot attend services, this group provides cards of encouragement. They also provide rides to and from church for those unable to drive. A key mission of this group is to provide constant support to our church members who are in the hospital.
The Mission unit provides more general support and care to our church and local community. They are committed to supporting the local Food Bank, CROP Walk, Habitat for Humanity, ARC of Centre County, Centre Volunteers in Medicine, and Interfaith Mission. Two important fundraisers are the annual SERRV Sale and the One Great Hour of Sharing Auction and Dinner. The Deacons also coordinate the annual Christmas Dinner – which feeds nearly 350 people.

The Service unit provides support and service through special projects like the Palm Sunday Breakfast and One Great Hour of Sharing Auction and Dinner and church picnics.
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The Deacons are represented on the Congregational Fellowship Committee along with a currently serving Elder.  The Congregational Fellowship Committee is responsible for the Sunday morning coffee fellowship time, and congregational fellowship activities. Deacons also provide much-needed financial support to various projects and organizations, such as the LOGOS and Krislund Camp scholarships, church upgrades (ice machine, power washer, and Tower Room), Mission Trips such as the Hurricane Katrina Rebuilding trips, and the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund.

Click here to learn more about Deacons' activities

2024 Deacons:
Sharon Ambrose
Scott Banfield - Treasurer
Miguel Cruden
Curt Dell - Vice Moderator
Nancy Dreschel
Bruce Grinder
Kiwon Jung
Sharon Manno -  Secretary
Tracy Massaglia - Moderator
Rhett McLaren
Juli Mortimore
Katie Nurmi
Melissa Pike
Liane Roe
Jillian Rounsville (Youth Deacon)
Marti Sawyer
Jon Schwantes
Mary Ann Sesler
Phil Spangler
Leslie Stafford
Katie Stone
Becky Thomas
Margaret VanFossan
​Melanie Wassom

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The Visitation Deacons

An additional Board was added to our structure in 1993 for a ministry of visitation.  Visitation Deacons are members of the congregation who are specifically ordained and installed to call on shut-ins.  Every month each Visitation Deacon visits one or more of our members who are confined to their homes, living in retirement communities or nursing homes, or limited in their ability to be a physical part of the life of the congregation.

2024 Visitation Deacons:
Nikki Blake
Molly Buchanan
Carol Graham
Mary Jane Kistler
Bill Lukens
Linda Morrow
Mimi St. Clair
Carolyn Tothero
​Anita Thies - chair