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, 37 regular members, and one or more youth members. The board meets monthly, except for the summer break (July and August).

The Deacons have two units to share the responsibility of caring for the church: Caregiving and Service. The Caregiving Unit provided meals for members of the congregation in need, outreach to shut-ins including flower delivery for Easter and Christmas, and support for funeral receptions and the Visitation Deacons. The Service Unit organized fellowship events including the Presbytery Luncheon, Church Bingo, the Palm Sunday Breakfast, the Church Picnic at Tudek Park - including worship, Social at Big Spring Spirits, Christmas Caroling, and Soup Supper following the Candlelight service. The Deacons also took turns delivering donated items to the State College Food Bank. 
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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

2026 Deacons:
Sharon Ambrose
Kevin Astare
Benton Bickerton
Chip Clark
Curt Dell - Vice Moderator
Nancy Dreschel
Greg Elliott
Greg Giles
Bruce Grinder
Terrance Green
Natalie Hernandez
Tracy Massaglia - Moderator
Stuart McCrory
Gail Miller
Annie Moose
Katie Nurmi
Melissa Pike
Liane Roe
Marti Sawyer
Doug Schaufler
Jon Schwantes
Mary Ann Sesler
Phil Spangler
Katie Stone
Becky Thomas
Steve Van Hook
Margaret VanFossan - Treasurer 

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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.

2026 Visitation Deacons:
Molly Buchanan
Beth Farmer
Carol Graham
Jack McKinley
​Jane McKinley
Mary Jane Kistler
Bitsey Robertson
Mimi St. Clair
Carolyn Tothero
​Anita Thies - chair