The Diaconate is the board that is “counsel” to the pastor and shares with the pastor responsibility for the spiritual well-being of the congregation.

The Diaconate is composed of ten members, rotating on a two-year basis. It is divided into two teams: Worship Team and Care & Visitation. Below is a description of what each team does.

The Worship Team works with the pastor to oversee the worship life of the church, to prepare communion, and to assist with the sacraments of the church.

Prepares communion and recruits servers
Chooses head ushers
Plans special worship services such as Tenebrae service on Maundy Thursday, Pilgrim Heritage Sunday, Christmas Eve
Recommends devotional materials for Lent and Advent
Arranges for flowers and decoration for special church year occasions, such as the “Hanging of the Greens” for Advent
Selects a Music Support Team for liaison with the Music Director

The Care & Visitation Team is responsible for encouraging mutual care and concern among members. It responds to the physical, emotional, and spiritual needs of members.

Coordinates the Pilgrim Circle of Care, which matches volunteers with members who need visitation, meals, transportation, grocery shopping, or light housekeeping
Visits shut-ins and the ailing and their families, delivers flowers at Christmas and Easter, and making sermons and other materials available where appropriate
Establishes Care Groups and assigns Care Coordinators to keep in touch with members
Assists the pastor in the orientation of prospective members and assigns sponsors for confirmands and new members
Establishes support groups where needed

Other activities of the full Diaconate:

Takes responsibility for preparing and serving dinner one night each week for Interfaith Hospitality Network
Holds the annual “Blessing of the Animals”
Reviews membership lists

Opportunities for service for any member of the congregation:

Being a “Prayer Minister”
Volunteering for Pilgrim Circle of Care activities
Delivering flowers to shut-ins
Helping with “Hanging of the Greens”
Serving as a Care Group Coordinator, confirmand sponsor or new member sponsor
Serving as an usher or head usher
Helping prepare or serve communion
Joining either Worship or Care & Visitation Team

For details of this board's operations see the Day-to-Day Operations page.