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When it comes to visiting a shut-in or a hospitalized individual, you cannot take the place of a pastoral visit. Everyone would rather have their personal pastor make the call. But realistically, we all know that isn't always possible. Deaconess is a system that relieves the pastor work load by providing consistent contact with individuals. Deaconess can identify situations where a follow-up personal visit by a pastor is needed. And sometimes they identify other needs that an individual may have and can help locate the necessary assistance.
First Lutheran Church Deaconess is a congregation-care service of the Church. It is the goal of the Deaconess program that each person on the shut-in visitation list be visited or contacted at least once each month. Those visited are individuals living in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, and confined to their own home because of age or infirmity. Each visiting team is to call on half of the list during their assigned 2-week time period.
In addition to visiting the shut-ins, a bereavement call is made to families experiencing a death. At this time a booklet with prayers and devotions, dealing with death is delivered. Some of these have been mailed this past year because of the lack of Deaconess members. Funerals occurring during their assigned time are attended by board members.
First Lutheran members who celebrate their 80th birthday, receive a home visit and a floral gift. The floral gift is financed by the FLC women. Each year, following their 80th birthday, members are again acknowledged by a card.
The structure of the Deaconess Board is set up to have 24 groups, 2 persons in each group. Each group is on duty for 2 weeks during the year. During those 2 weeks, the visitors make a commitment to do as much as they can. We do not have enough members, so some 2 week periods have only one person assigned to that time. An average of 50 contacts is made each month.
Thank you to each deaconess member for the excellent job they do. We are always looking for new members. Please consider being a part of this congregation-care group.
