The Deacon Ministry
Shepherd Ministry: The Shepherd Ministry is a ministry of compassion and caring dedicated to sharing God’s love throughout our congregation.
The Shepherd Ministry is comprised of 5 Deacons and about 45 Shepherds. The mission of the Shepherds is to maintain close contact with the families of the congregation in their neighborhood or a defined geographical area. The families assigned to the Shepherds may or may not be members of Palms. The Shepherds contact their families at least quarterly to provide information of activities at Palms and to gather information (births, deaths, sickness, etc.) which is shared with the pastoral staff. In turn the pastoral staff contacts the Shepherd if someone in their parish has been hospitalized, dies, there is a celebration, new member/family moves in or a family has not attended for a period of time.
The Shepherds agree to a two year commitment and attend training sessions and meeting, as needed throughout the year.
Stephen Ministry: Stephen Ministry is a ministry of one to one care giving. Stephen Ministers are recruited and extensively trained by the Palms Stephen Leader Team to act as care givers to members of the church family who are undergoing times of crises, change or challenge.
This care is in addition to the pastoral care given by the clergy. Stephen Ministers offer a loving presence in time of trouble, decision making or life changes, by listening, supporting and offering prayer in an on-going and confidential relationship.
Pastoral Visitors: Pastoral Visitors bring the love of the Palms family to church family and extended family in hospitals, Hospice and rehabilitation centers. Patients are regularly visited on Saturday and Sunday.
Love Callers: Love Callers make monthly calls to members of the congregation and extended family who are homebound or in a nursing home. Love Callers notify our pastors and the Shepherd Ministry of member’s immediate needs or concerns. They also serve communion and deliver audio tapes of services to our members.
Congregational Care Callers: Congregational Care Callers contact members who have been absent from worship for a six-week period. They meet every eight weeks. The team calls and writes absent members and communicates its findings to the appropriate Shepherd, notifying our Pastors of any immediate needs.
Flower Ministry: The Flower Ministry sees that members of the congregation receive the flowers used in worship services each week. At Christmas and Easter they deliver to our members who are unable to attend the services, the poinsettias and lilies that fill our Sanctuary.
New Member Ministry Team: The New Member Ministry Team welcomes new members. Their goal is to get new members involved in activities at Palms that suit their individual gifts and family interests. The team ensures that all new members are assigned to a Shepherd.
Prayer Links: The Prayer Chain Ministry Team provides intentional prayer for members of our church family, their families and friends. The Team provides needed materials to members of the Prayer Chain and informs our pastors of the needs and concerns of members of our church family.
Care and Support Resource Team: This Deacon Ministry Team educates the congregation about the variety of care giving ministries at Palms and makes life care resources available. Provides support groups.
College and Military Care: The College and Military Care Ministry Team contacts our college students and members in the military. It ensures that each member receives the newsletter in addition to a letter from the Pastor, care packages, and cards during the holidays made by Palms children. Also, this team recognizes graduates and salutes their accomplishments.
Food for the Soul: The Food for the Soul Ministry Team responds to the need for meals for members and their extended families. The team consists of members who with joyful hearts, prepare and deliver meals. Meals are prepared when there is sickness, hospitalization or the birth of a baby within the congregation. Team members notify each recipient to set up a convenient time for their meal to be delivered. Dietary restrictions and special needs are always recognized.
Food for the Soul provides family care assistance such as childcare and transportation in emergencies. This ministry also ensures a meal or groceries are available for our sponsored families when they move into their new Habitat homes.
The members of the Food for the Soul Ministry are truly rewarded by the blessings of giving, while others experience the love and comfort of receiving.
