The Deacon Board

People who attend Abbott Memorial Presbyterian Church know the church has an elected Deacon Board that takes up a monthly collection, but not everyone knows what that board does. The Greek word diakonos, translated “deacon,” means servant. According to Chapter 9 of The Book of Church Order of the Presbyterian Church of America, the office of deacon is “one of sympathy and service, after the example of the Lord Jesus.” The duty of deacons and deaconesses is “to minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress.”

The Deacon Board formerly met on the first Sunday of every month, but recently changed its regular meeting to the second Sunday in every month. The board is made up of three deacons (Dan Pittas Jr., Joe Kelly, and Donald Hannahs) and eight deaconesses (Pat Hannahs, Marlene Wyczalek, Margaret Pittas, Gwendolyn Layton, Lydia Frasca, Barbara Daniel, Bootie Reagan, and Julie Pittas).

Dan Pittas Jr. serves as president, having taken over the presidency from long-time president Donald Hannahs after the last election of officers. Marlene Wyczalek serves as the long-time secretary, and Joe Kelly serves as treasurer. He took over when Mr. Willard Ayers passed away a few years ago. Mr. Ayers and other men and women have humbly served lengthy terms as deacons and deaconesses. It is their spirit of servitude that forms the foundation for the board’s mercy ministry.

Aside from its monthly sponsorship of the We Care Center, the Deacon Board has assisted the Addis Ababa Ethiopian AIDS Project over the years, and assisted numerous church members and non-members in thousands of ways. Many people who meet with the board are in desperate need of food or shelter. Rent or gas and electric assistance from the board might stave off evictions and utility shutoffs. Sometimes addicts seek help with staying in a treatment program. Sometimes a struggling parent needs diapers or formula for a sick child. Sometimes a bandage might help a wound heal. There’s a new scenario each time, it seems.

The Deacon Board has invested in gift certificates from Santoni’s and McDonalds to provide some short-term food assistance. IN addition, the board maintains a small cache of nonperishable food items to give to needy visitors. This part of the ministry is always seeking donations of dry goods and canned goods—food that doesn’t require a lot of preparation.

While the board caters to physical needs, it encourages with prayer and spiritual guidance. This has paid dividends with people the board has helped ultimately accepting Christ as their Lord and Savior.

Members of the Deacon Board also meet and pray with the sick and elderly—members who can’t make it to worship service on a regular basis. In some cases, deacons and deaconesses might be the only visitors some people see. Visitation is a critical part of the deaconate ministry. Just praying with a shut-in can make a big difference in encouraging someone who is lonely or distraught.

Providing assistance judiciously can be quite difficult at times. The board sometimes agonizes over amounts and types of assistance for various scenarios. At the root of these difficult decisions is prayer. The board prays for guidance and clarity when deciding these matters. The mission to help the needy and be good stewards of funds can be trying at times, but for those called to be deacons or deaconesses, it’s an honor and a privilege to serve.

The members of the board serve through the words in Matthew 25:40, which explain, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.” In a world and a neighborhood where people suffer from poverty, addiction, and despair, the Abbott Memorial Presbyterian Church Deacon Board lends a helping hand.