DEACONS

Deacon Easter Egg Tree Project Feeds Local Families

The Board of Deacons Community Service Committee held a very successful annual Easter Egg Tree project providing food boxes for 80 families from three of our mission partners. It is a success that owes a big thank you to so many different people. First and foremost, to all those who participated with their generous donation of food boxes. In addition, the church members who gave their time to deliver all the boxes were critical to this project and truly vital participants. The Board of Deacons extends a sincere and grateful thank you to all who participated in making this a successful mission project. Your generosity is noted and appreciated by the many families served by Salt & Light Community Church in SW Philadelphia, The Salvation Army in Norristown, and St. John AME Church in Rosemont.

At Christmastime, heavy-duty reusable/recyclable cardboard boxes were introduced as an option to the plastic boxes. They were again provided for those participating in the Easter project. Thirty cardboard boxes were used. This option was cost effective, eco-friendly, and, again, appreciated by those who utilized them.

New this Spring was a specific shopping list for Salt & Light Church. The need for food in this community is significant and ongoing with 50 to 60 families who access the pantry each week. Rather than having to designate specific families many weeks ahead of our delivery date, this new plan provided for identical boxes to reflect what is available in the pantry at Salt & Light. This gave flexibility in providing for both small and large families who might arrive that morning. All feedback indicates it was a great success.

The outpouring of kindness, enthusiasm, and generosity from those who participated in the Easter Egg project was truly inspiring. Whether you donated a food box, assisted at the Connector table on Sundays, contributed money to the Deacon Easter Egg account, or came out on the delivery day to help, your participation has been critical to the success of this project. The WPC Deacons thank you for continuing to support our exemplary mission outreach programs.

Deacon Outreach To Seniors

The Care and Compassion Committee of the Deacons, chaired by Mary Bollinger, focuses on personal and nurturing ministries to seniors and others with special needs. We maintain a Pastoral Care list of seniors with whom we keep in touch on a regular basis. We currently have 50 people on the list who have requested regular calls and visits. Deacons deliver Easter and Christmas flowers to these seniors and to other members residing in senior living communities.

Ministers and staff also receive flowers from the Deacons. We include specially-designed Easter and Christmas cards with the flower deliveries. Mary Hodge and Carol Klauss direct this joyful Easter and Christmas ministry.

We invite all members to join the Deacons in visiting seniors and delivering flowers. If you are interested in joining this ministry, please contact Mary Bollinger, Chair Care and Compassion Committee, mme_bollinger@verizon.net.

David Little