MADISON AVENUE
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
921 Madison Avenue
(at East 73rd Street)
New York, NY 10021
Tel: 212- 288-8920
Fax: 212-249-1466
(at East 73rd Street)
New York, NY 10021
Tel: 212- 288-8920
Fax: 212-249-1466
Nancy Ost, Moderator of the Board of Deacons
The role of deacons runs like a thread through the history
of the church since New Testament times – a role of sympathy, witness
and service. To be a deacon at MAPC is both an awesome and a wonderful
responsibility
awesome in that our charge takes us right into the heart
of ministry, where our concerns are with people, individuals, and relationships;
wonderful because we are blessed by your friendships,
by the sharing of life’s joy and pain, and by glimpses of holiness
present in the people of this church.
In assisting the clergy, your deacons have visited or been in contact with 80/100 members of all ages. Most are older, some homebound, some in nursing or retirement homes, some distanced from the church for any of a number of reasons, some we just want to know better. Deacon relationships have been significant in three recent situations when death occurred. On the other hand, one deacon is charged with contacting families of newborn babies (and we have had a bumper crop of them this past year). Another’s outreach is an e-mail connection with some of our young people who are away at college.
This past year, deacons have served at 15 memorial services or funerals, where we were able to assist in coordinating with the families, greeting those attending the services, and making sure that the so-called “front of the house” ran smoothly. Our presence in this way has proved helpful to the officiating ministers.
At Christmas and Easter the deacons delivered 40 to 50 poinsettias and lilies to people at home. Last February, the Blood Drive sponsored by MAPC, was coordinated by Evon Banning, with the assistance of other deacons. Your deacons helped keep the sanctuary open for prayer and meditation on March 11, the 6 month remembrance of 9/11; and again on May 30, Memorial Day. Then at the one year anniversary of September 11, the deacons and other volunteers enabled us to keep the sanctuary open for that entire week.
In June, several deacons attended the Red Cross’s all day workshop for clergy and care givers on “The Life cycle of a Disaster,” with a focus on spiritual needs and care following a disaster. Again in October, two of us took advantage of a workshop sponsored by the Interfaith Trauma Response Team of Church World Service, concentrating on Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome and the need for ongoing care.
In September, deacons worked with the Congregational Nurture Committee to invite, welcome, and be hosts for the 50-year members who attended the events of Homecoming Sunday.
The Board of Deacons was asked to coordinate the Hospitality Hour following church services. Vera Gordon is that coordinator, and reorganizing that time of fellowship is an ongoing process. Please let Vera know if you would enjoy serving refreshments.
The deacons – and the church – are very pleased that Carnegie East is now open and operating! This is the only non-profit, supportive living residence serving moderate income seniors in Manhattan. We have talked with and encouraged several members of MAPC to consider this opportunity for themselves. One member is already in residence, another about to move there, and two or three others have their names on the list for the future.
The Board appreciates the inspiration John Evans gave to the expanding scope of our ministry, and I want to express our very enthusiastic thanks to Beverly Bartlett, who has moved in so easily and naturally since September to give us fresh staff leadership.
Personally, I find it frustrating and very humbling to realize how much could and needs to be done, and not to be able to do it all. But perhaps this is training in faithfulness as we commit ourselves to this awesome and wonderful ministry of compassion and concern. So, if a deacon calls you, please accept this call as a gesture of friendship and an expression of Christian love. We want to know you!
This text is from a Word in Action delivered by Carolyn Patterson during the worship services on February 2, 2003.
A seven-year-old boy in East Harlem, who has come to love reading because of your patience and enthusiasm working with him on Saturday mornings; tears in the eyes of an elderly church member able to be in worship because of your assistance; a young, smiling face entranced by the story you are sharing about how God has been present in your life; homeless men able to relax in a dignified space and to eat and sleep well, thanks to your participation in MAPC’s ministry to the homeless. I could go on, but you get the picture. You can make a difference, helping Christ’s Kingdom burst forth in the lives of others … and in your own.
MAPC’s Stewardship Committee, together with the other committees of Session and the Deacons, is launching a new Lay Service Ministry this winter. Some members of MAPC simply don’t know what there is that they can do. Some members have been involved in a particular area of service for many years and need a change. Other members feel they can’t help because they have such full and demanding lives, or they are homebound, or they need more time with their families. We believe that the Lay Service Ministry offers ministry opportunities for all of these different situations: there are options to serve at times and places convenient to you; there are family service opportunities; there are short-term projects and long-term projects. There are chances to help develop new service projects.
We have gathered a list of these service opportunities into an Opportunity Inventory that you will be receiving shortly in the mail. You will have the chance to review these opportunities and indicate which ministries are of interest to you. We ask that you—each and every one of you—complete these simple, short forms and return them to MAPC by Ash Wednesday, March 5. You can do that by mail, by hand, or electronically—the Inventory will also be on the web site.
Committing your time and talents to service is an integral and important part of what it means to be a Christian…and it really can make all the difference, to those you serve, and also to you.
Interested in learning more about the Christian faith in general, the Presbyterian Church, or MAPC in particular? Have you been thinking about making MAPC your church home?
We will address all these questions and more at the next Inquirers’ Seminar, so plan on joining in! It will meet over two Sundays in the Phillips Lounge, starting around 1 pm (after the 11:15am worship service), and concluding around 4:30 pm both weeks. Lunch will be provided. It is a unified seminar broken out over two weeks, so plan to attend both sessions. Child care is available but needs to be arranged in advance by calling Mary Walling at the church office (288-8920, x241). If you have questions or concerns in general, please call J.C. Austin at the church office (288-8920, x242). He will be pleased to speak with you about the seminars or other questions you might have about membership or the church. (e-mail: jca@mapc.com)
Please join us for our next Families with Young Children (ages 5 and under) gathering on Saturday, March 1, from 10 am to noon. Please note the change in schedule–for March, we are meeting on the first Saturday of the month rather than the second Saturday. If it is a balmy day we will meet on the roof garden; if it is normal early March weather, we will meet on the 5th floor. Come play and enjoy a light breakfast and conversation. Please let Margaret Williamson know if you can come, so we will have plenty of food. You can reach her at (212) 288-8920, ext. 271 or mew@mapc.com.
Search & Care is a non-profit agency serving the frail elderly in Yorkville, helping them to continue to live independently in the community and with dignity. Volunteers are needed to escort older persons to doctors, clinics, and grocery stores. Some clients need ongoing help with bookkeeping and filing. Others benefit from regular friendly visits as they may have no family living nearby. In warmer weather we also need help with monthly outings to parks and museums. For further information please contact Sarnia Hoyt, Volunteer Coordinator at Search & Care, (212) 860-4145.
Also, see: