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?
The Board of Deacons: Deacon Classes 2024 – 2026
Class of 2024 Lynn Charles, Caroline Purnell, Madelyn Patterson, Jeff Kuhn, Anne-Renee Rice-Soumeillant, Max Soumeillant, Rozlyn Anderson, Flood, Kristin Koop, Luka Poulton, Suh Shin Kim
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
Our Grief Support Group: GriefEncounters
Tuesdays beginning Oct. 17, 7:00-8:30 pm or
Wednesdays beginning Oct. 25, 10:00-11:30 am
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. This fall we have expanded 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
Contact Lois Foley (Tues. evenings)
Contact Sara Alyea (Wed. mornings)
Areas of Deacon Ministry
Pastoral Ministries
Senior Adults, Illness & Rehabilitation, Bereavement
Practical Ministries
Sunday Morning Office Hospitality, Sunday Live-Stream Operators, Emergency Response Team, Ushers, Justice Projects, Inter-Faith Stitchers, Mission Cards & Crafters, Baking Ministry, Prayer Chain Ministry
Worship Ministries
Serving Sunday Communion, Baptismal Hospitality, Serving Home Communion (tbd), Leading Worship: the Advent Service of Remembrance, the Lenten Service of Wholeness & Healing, and Advent & Lenten Communion Services at Stonebridge and Windrows