All about our Deacons
What is a Deacon?
The Book of Order calls ordained deacons to a ministry of “compassion, witness, and service, sharing in the redeeming love of Jesus Christ for the poor, the hungry, the sick, the lost, the friendless, the oppressed, those burdened by unjust policies or structures, or anyone in distress” (G-2.0201). Besides being persons who have answered the lofty call above, the FPC deacons are the hands, feet, and heart of our congregation.
What do Deacons do?
Our team of deacons is in charge of a wide variety of ministries of the church including but not limited to:
- Caring Cards– Sent to members and friends of the church who are going through a hard time or loss.
- DEAR Fund – This is a fund that is taken up by special offerings on the 5th Sunday of the month. The deacons oversee the fund which is available to members who are experiencing a one-time financial emergency. It is a confidential process and if you are in need, please contact one of our pastoral staff.
- Friends at Home Visiting – Our teams are paired up with members who for different reasons not able to come to church and be a part of our community, so we bring the community to them.
- Home Communion – We have teams of deacons and elders who bring communion to members’ homes several times a year. If you would like to receive home communion and are not currently on our list, please contact the church office or one of our pastoral staff.
- Memorial Hosting/Receptions –
- Prayer Shawls/Blessings Blankets – A wonderful team of knitters blesses the deacons with shawls and blanks that are brought to members and friends of the church in seasons of illness, loss, hardship, and trouble. We have blankets to bless a family who celebrates the birth of a new child or to welcome them into the life of the church at baptism.
- Transportation – Each Sunday our church van stops by a couple of different assisted living facilities to bring members to the church.
Neighborhood Deacon Teams
Because we are a congregation that lives all over the Portland Metro area and up into Washington, our deacons are split geographically into teams to better serve and connect our members. To learn about what deacon team you belong to please see the zip code list below. To be in touch with your neighborhood team or if you have questions about the deacons please contact the church office.
Southwest Neighborhoods:
Zip Codes: 97003, 97005, 97007, 97008, 97034, 97035, 97062, 97068, 97070, 97075, 97078, 97119, 97123, 97140, 97219, 97223, 97224
Northwest Neighborhoods:
Zip Codes: 97006, 97051, 97056, 97124, 97221, 97225, 97229, 97231
Downtown Deacons Team:
Zip Codes: 97201, 97205, 97209, 97210, 97239
Eastside & Washington Deacons Team:
Zip Codes: 97009, 97015, 97019, 97030, 97080, 97086, 97202, 97203, 97206, 97211, 97212, 97213, 97214, 97215, 97216, 97217, 97220, 97230, 97232, 97233, 97236, 97266, 97267