Board of Deaconesses Chair Karen Bagge

Karen Bagge

Greetings, church, from the Board of Deaconesses!

I know I speak for all the deaconesses that this year has been a privilege to serve the congregation. I am so grateful for the optimistic, prayerful, humble and flexible women who answered the call to serve! They are Vicky Bailey, Allison Bonga, Laurie Costley, Joanne Engeseth, Becky Garrett, Linda Gulbransen, Betsy Love, Shirley Mathews, Lindsay McCracken, Mary Nellessen, Angie Schroeder, Nancy Taylor, Sarah Tews and Susan Zimmerman.

“We Will Work With Each OtherWe Will Work Side by Side…

And They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love, By Our Love;Yes, They’ll Know We Are Christians

By Our Love!” serving in the military to encourage those experiencing loss and hard times and to share in the joy of new life and new beginnings of marriage.

(song by Peter Scholtes)

As the church shifted programs and procedures to accommodate the restriction of the pandemic, we too were busy evaluating our responsibilities.

The Funeral Committee was saddened not to be able to minister and love grieving families by providing a funeral reception or luncheon, but we prayed for those who lost loved ones and sent notes.

The Baptism Committee shared the joy of assisting with 31 baptisms (29 were held outside!) having a front row seat to witness people of our congregation publicly acknowledging Jesus as their Lord and Savior.

The deaconesses were limited in visiting our homebound congregants but continued to connect by calling, sending notes and delivering poinsettias at Christmas and lilies at Easter all organized by the Visitation Committee.

Once it was safe to do so, our Helping Hands Committee arranged 48 meals for 16 individuals/families in need of support and the encouragement. Many in our congregation and on the committee answered the need to provide a hot meal. What a blessing these kind volunteers are. And, sometime in the future, we are looking forward to once again facilitating rides for those in need.

Our Correspondence Committee sent out 229 handwritten notes and cards to our congregants and the men and women serving in the military to encourage those experiencing loss and hard times and to share in the joy of new life and new beginnings of marriage.

On behalf of our church, the Care and Share Committee disbursed $148,878 in financial assistance to 57 College Church families/individuals for rent, counseling, utilities and medical expenses. The fund also contributed quarterly to Outreach Community Center and the Churches United for Hardship Assistance. The church staff administered the COVID Relief Fund throughout the year until last month when the Care and Share Committee took over the responsibility and disbursed $9,609 in financial assistance to seven families/individuals. The Care and Share Committee prayerfully considers each request, knowing that they are stewards of the generous contributions from our church family.

Adjusting and adapting was on full display with the Communion Committee this year! This quick-thinking committee ordered a large supply of “all in one” communion cups so we were ready to safely offer the communion elements beginning in July once we reopened for in-person services. Teaming up with the deacons, we enjoyed greeting everyone and distributing these new cups in the Narthex.

As this epic fiscal year closes, we are humbled and grateful to have served and been part of the solution to the glory of God.

As it is written in 1 Peter 4:10-11:

“As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who speaks oracles of God; whoever serves, as one who serves by the strength that God supplies—in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ. To him belong glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.”