The Deacons of Trinity Presbyterian Church
Compassion in Action
At Trinity Presbyterian Church, our Deacons embody the most tender expressions of our mission to be the "hands, feet, eyes, ears, and compassionate heart of Jesus." While our committees focus on the organizational life of the church, our Deacons focus on the hearts and souls of our people—ensuring that no one walks through difficult times alone.
Who Are the Deacons?
Our Board of Deacons consists of nine faithful servants elected by the congregation and organized in three classes:
Class of 2025: Ann Davis, Nancy and Bob Forno, Ann Long Class of 2026: Lauren Doty, Barbara Isenberg, Steve Nisbet
Class of 2027: Barbie Stewart, Debra Whitmore, Ria Van Zyl
These individuals have answered a calling that goes back to the earliest days of the Christian church—to serve and to care for all of God's people in practical ways so that people are met with love and dignity.
Living Our Core Values Through Service
Wide Welcome Through Pastoral Care
Our Deacons extend welcome beyond Sunday morning to the hospital room, the grief-stricken home, and the lonely apartment. They understand that true welcome means showing up when life gets hard, bringing a casserole or a hug when words aren't enough, and offering presence when answers are scarce. Whether you've been at Trinity for decades or walked through our doors last week, the Deacons see you as family.
Deep Discipleship Through Compassionate Ministry
Following Jesus isn't just about studying scripture—it's about washing feet, visiting the sick, and comforting the grieving. Our Deacons practice the kind of discipleship that offers presence and prayer amidst the real stuff of human life. They follow Christ's example not through grand gestures but through countless small acts of love, which may include: a phone call to check on someone, a card in the mail, a ride to a doctor's appointment.
Lavish Love in Times of Need
God's love is lavish and freely given, and so is the care our Deacons provide. We celebrate annually the longevity of our members who are in the 90’s and create "Forget-Me-Not" gift bags for special occasions and difficult times. Their ministry proves that love isn't just a feeling—it's action, generosity, and presence.
How Deacons Serve
Pastoral Care & Visitation: Our Deacons maintain connection with members who are homebound, hospitalized, or going through difficult transitions. They work with our Pastor and Parish Associate to bring communion to those who cannot attend worship and ensure that physical distance never means spiritual isolation.
Crisis Response: When unexpected illness, death, or hardship strikes, Deacons mobilize quickly to provide practical support to ensure no family, no surviving spouse walks through difficult days alone.
Seasonal Ministry: From "Forget-Me-Not" gifts during holidays to special care packages during difficult anniversaries, Deacons ensure that no significant moment in someone's life goes unnoticed or uncelebrated.
The Heart Behind the Ministry
What sets Trinity's Deacons apart isn't their efficiency (though they are remarkably organized). It's their understanding that every person carries both visible and invisible burdens, and that the church's calling is to help shoulder those loads with grace and dignity.
They know that sometimes the most profound ministry happens not in the sanctuary but in a caring phone call or sitting with you in the waiting room, or in the quiet moments after a funeral when everyone else has gone home.
A Ministry of Presence
In a world that often responds to suffering with quick fixes or platitudes, our Deacons offer something more valuable: authentic presence. They sit with people in emergency rooms, check in over the phone, and visit with no agenda except love. They understand that being the compassionate heart of Jesus means learning each person's story, honoring their dignity, and walking alongside them through whatever valley they're navigating.
Joining This Sacred Work
The ministry of Deacon is both a calling and a commitment. If you find yourself drawn to this work—if you have a heart for caring, a gift for listening, or simply a willingness to show up when others need you—we invite you to consider how God might be calling you to serve.
Deacons are elected by the congregation for three-year terms, and nominations are welcomed from all members. Deacons are called and ordained to this form of Christian ministry and service. The principle requirements are a servant's heart and a commitment to following Jesus into the places where people hurt.
When You Need a Deacon
Life has a way of surprising us with both joy and sorrow, often when we least expect it. If you or someone you love is facing illness, grief, financial hardship, or simply the isolation that life sometimes brings, please reach out to any of our Deacons or contact the church office.
Remember: asking for help isn't a sign of weakness—it's an act of faith that trusts the body of Christ to be what God intended: a community where burdens are shared and love is tangible.
The Deacons' Promise
Our Deacons can't promise to fix every problem or heal every hurt. But they can promise to show up, to listen, to care, and to remind you that you are not alone. In a world that often feels fragmented and isolated, they offer the radical gift of presence and the life-changing power of unconditional love.
This is how we live out our mission to be the compassionate heart of Jesus—one conversation at a time, one meal at a time, one act of love at a time.
