Deacons & Pastoral Care

My Boat is So Small, watercolor by Sarah Finbow 2023

Pastoral care is the way we minister to and with each other in daily living: sharing joys and sorrows, supporting in times of stress and need, offering mutual forgiveness and reconciliation. Our Lord taught us to love people in all of life’s circumstances in the church and beyond. We recognize life’s transitions which bring joy and sorrow in human life: children are born, grow up, become independent; people begin work, change jobs, retire; households are established, many move to new locations, churches say hello and goodbye to many new friends; people are empowered, restored, make new commitments.

The ministries of pastoral care support people in recognizing, accepting, and celebrating these and other such times of adjustment. The church engages in ministries of care in its worship of God, and all of its members draw upon the resources of worship in proving pastoral care. Scripture is central as our support, comfort, and guidance. The proclamation of the Word in sermon and song is God’s gift that bears witness to the resurrection and leads us to recognize the Gospel life. Prayers — silent, spoken, and sung — give thanks, intercede, make supplication, and acknowledge God’s presence and power.

Contact
Rev. Lauren J. McFeaters (Email Lauren McFeaters; 609-924-0103 x102)


Deacon Ministries

As ordained officers of the church,
deacons are responsive to a variety of needs
within our church family
and they stand ready to minister in many of life’s
transitions, challenges & joys.

According to the Book of Order (G-2.0201) the office of deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of sympathy, witness, and service after the example of Jesus Christ. It is the duty of deacons, first of all, to minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress both within and beyond the community of faith.

As ordained officers of the church, deacons are responsive to a variety of needs within our church family and they stand ready to minister in many of life’s transitions, challenges and joys. All deacons receive training in a variety of areas including visitation, prayer, grief, listening skills, vocation and the diaconate. Their mission is to serve our church family in the spirit of our Lord’s ministry of healing and compassion. At Nassau, deacons minister through Pastoral, Practical, and Specialized Ministries teams. The areas of ministries are listed below.

For further information, see What is a Presbyterian Deacon? 


Deacon Classes 2025 – 2027

Class of 2025 Maria Bowditch, Ken Brown, Grace Coogan, Holly Hardaway, Kim Kleasen, Cynthia Moorhead, Danielle Salapatas, Kelli Smith, Pierre Soumeillant, Kate Torrey, Louise Yang, Samuel Yang

Class of 2026 Rachel Berliner, Alejandro Ciniglio, Heather DeBruin, Christine Dippold, Ann Goodwillie, Kristina Hill, Molly Jones, John Kelsey, Emily Liu, Eva McKenna, Donna Saragnese, Debbie Tegarden

Class of 2027 Sara Alyea, Sally Anderson, Marie Behnke, Laurie Bleickardt, Adeline Edwards, Janine Edwards, Suh Shin Kim, Kristin Koop, Grace Moon, Luka Poulton, Caroline Purnell, Cherrie Shoemaker, Jenna Stucky

Our Grief Support Group:  GriefEncounters

Fall 2024:

Tuesdays 7:00-8:30 PM, Conference Room; Oct 22, 29, Nov 5, 12, 19, Dec 3 Contact Lois Foley (Tues. evenings)  

Fridays 10:00-11:30 AM, Conference Room; Oct 25, Nov 1, 8, 15, 22, Dec 6 Contact Sara Alyea (Fri. mornings)

Grief is one of life’s most profound experiences. Many of us are simply not prepared for the level of sadness, isolation, and vulnerability that often result after losing someone we deeply love. We have expanded our gatherings and will offer two separate groups. Please join us as we share our journeys of grief, supported by God’s grace, scripture, and one another. We meet in Nassau’s conference room, first floor

Areas of Deacon Ministry

Pastoral Ministries

Senior Adult Partnerships, Illness & Rehabilitation, Bereavement

Specialized Ministries

Sunday Morning Office Hospitality, Communion Preparation, Emergency Response Team, Ushers, Justice Projects (Arm in Am & Workwell Partnerships), Inter-Faith Stitchers, Mission Cards & Crafters, Baking Ministry, Prayer Chain Ministry, Sunday Live-Stream Operators

Worship Ministries

Serving Communion, Leading Worship: the Advent Service of Remembrance, and Advent & Lenten Communion Services at Stonebridge and Windrows