Deacon-elect delayed
Apparently, the folks on the church staff have decided to delay new officer training and the ordination/installation service to September. One reason is that our senior Pastor will be at General Assembly on the date previously mentioned.
By the Book of Order that means that I’m actually not serving on the Board of Deacons until I am installed, but I will be happy to volunteer for duty during the summer as required. I guess this means that the Session will have to meet using the old group all the way through the fall, since they are the examining body that will approve the new officers.
UPDATE 6/18: It looks like installation will be on 9/14, with officer training on 9/6.
Deacon-elect
I am a deacon-elect.
The congregation also elected the first elder under the age of 18 in our 310 year history.
Installation is scheduled for June 29.
Oh, boy
Today, I was at church participating in the Spring Cleanup Day, where we cleaned up the grounds. Lots of raking, digging, moving bushes, mulching were done.
When it was time for me to go I found the woman in charge and the pastor together. I told them that I was done and heading out. I was thanked for my service, and then ….
Pastor: Thanks for coming. Let’s talk this week about deacons.
Me: OK ….
Pastor: Didn’t you get the letter?
Me: No. What letter?
Pastor: I thought you’d have gotten it by now. We’re asking you to serve on the deacons. We’ll talk later this week.
Mark: We’ll see.
The letter was in the mail when I got home.
I’m inclined to say no simply based on the fact that I’m clearly not even on the C list – I’m on the D list or E list. They started asking people in mid-April – it’s now 2 weeks before the Congregational Meeting. I figure I’m about #35 on a list to fill 8 slots. It’s hard to feel called by the congregation (represented by the Nominating Committee) when you’re that far down the list and asked at the last minute.
There are other factors to consider, too.
I’d like to hear your opinions. You’re read of my recent trials and tribulations regarding service at the church and personalities there (including one deacon who will be going off the board at this time).
A good sermon on being called
This past Sunday was Deacon Sunday, when the Board of Deacons runs the service.
The outgoing President of the Deacons, Pam Ford, delivered the sermon. The title is “Confessions of a Reluctant Deacon”, and it talks a lot about her sense of call and how her deacon experience has caused her to grow.
It’s worth a listen, or a read. I recommend listening.
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