Hospitality
Deacons
Contact numbers:
612-866-4055 ext 140
“Let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.” 1 John 3:18
Volunteers
Welcome Would you be interested in helping the Deacons? You do not have to be ordained a Deacon to be a volunteer in Deacon ministries. Contact the Rev. Judie Ritchie, Associate Pastor for Spiritual Care and Mission Support at 612-866- 4055, ext. 140, for information.
Office of Deacon
The office of Deacon as set forth in scripture is one of sympathy, witness and service after the example of Jesus Christ. Persons of spiritual character, honest repute, exemplary lives, brotherly and sisterly love, warm sympathies and sound judgment should be chosen for this office. It is the duty of Deacons, first of all, to minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless and to any who may be in distress. They shall assume such other duties as may be delegated to them from time to time by the Session. Book of Order Presbyterian Church (USA)
“Each one should use whatever gift they have received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in various forms.” 1 Peter 4:10
Deacon's Ministries
At Hope we strive to engage in ministries that show daily practical evidence of living out our faith.
Community Resources
Deacons work in cooperation with other community agencies to meet the needs of both members and friends of Hope. When a request is beyond the scope of our ministries, we will refer individuals to other community resources, such as the following:
Community Action Partnership (Emergency $ help for immigrants):
952-933-9639
Community Emergency Services Mpls:
612-870-1125
Crisis Connection: Mpls
612-379-6363
Energy Assistance for people living in Henn. Cty
612-348-8858
Familink/Bloomington
952-884-0444
Familink/Eden Prairie
952-975-0444
First Call for Help (United Way)
2-1-1
Heat Share (Salvation Army)
612-767-2700
Richfield Resources Center (RRC)
612-798-0444
VEAP (Food shelf & other)
952-888-9616
Who Are Deacons?
Deacons are chosen to show the love of Jesus Christ to the members of Hope Presbyterian Church, to the believers who regularly worship and fellowship with our church, and to our nearby neighbors. Our first concern is to trust and obey our Lord in working to encourage and help spiritually, as well as practically. Hope’s Purpose Statement Hope’s purpose is to be a community overflowing with Spirit-given hope where people are becoming fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
Current Ministries of Hope’s Deacons include:
Care & Compassion: This ministry serves the members and neighbors of Hope in Richfield, Bloomington and South Minneapolis who may be going through a time of financial need due to transition or crisis. This ministry is supported by church members who trust us to make wise decisions about the types of needs we can assist with on a one-time or short-term basis. After an application is completed, the request is reviewed and appropriate prayerful action taken. One example to meet a need is grocery shopping at Rainbow Foods with the applicant.
Charis: Charis serves members and friends of Hope following the death of a loved one. We help with needs that arise at the time of death through the time of the funeral/memorial service, and make follow-up contacts with family members. Charis assistance includes planning for and serving a reception at Hope following the service, plus child care and house sitting if requested. Families are charged for groceries and, if needed, child care.
Food Baskets: Food baskets are delivered two to three times a year prior to holidays, such as Easter and Thanksgiving. The Deacons solicit names of families who can benefit from the supply of a special meal, and then shop, organize the food into “family baskets” and deliver the baskets, usually on the weekend prior to the holiday.
GriefShare: This is a 13-week video seminar designed to help those who have lost a love one, or who anticipate losing a loved one soon. Each video features top experts on grief and real-life stories of people who have experienced losses like those the seminar is intended to service. The seminar combines group support and practical information with a biblical, Christ-centered focus on spiritual issues that accompany the grieving process.
Helping Hands: This ministry is an outreach to members and friends of Hope who are unable to do something because of illness or physical limitations. The goal is to assist in light labor tasks requiring no longer than two hours at a time to complete, such as light gardening, yard work, and moving light furniture within a house.
Loaves ‘n Fishes: Hope’s Deacons partner with a local non-profit organization – Loaves ‘n Fishes – on the fourth Thursday of each month (except Thanksgiving) to serve a free dinner at Assumption Catholic Church in Richfield. Deacons order and prepare the food, set up the dining area in the church’s gym, serve a hearty meal and clean up the kitchen and gym afterwards. This is a time for the Deacons to “reach out” and meet with individuals and families who come on a fairly regular basis (average is 80 guests).
Meals: This ministry provides meals for Hope’s families and individuals during a difficult time, such as after the death of a loved one, following surgery, during bed rest in a pregnancy, during an illness, etc. The Deacons make arrangements with Hope members to prepare and deliver the meals over a period of days or weeks, as needed.
Miracles of Life: This ministry helps to welcome new babies born to members of Hope’s congregation. This includes a welcoming greeting and a gift of Max Lucado’s book, Just In Case You Ever Wonder. If there are special needs during a pregnancy or after the baby is born, the Deacon will refer the mother to other Deacon ministries, such as Meals and/or Hope Care, which can provide support through prayer, home visits, transportation to and from doctor appointments, and other forms of service during a time of best rest and adjustment.
Respite Care: This ministry addresses the needs of caretakers of loved ones who have a chronic or terminal illness. Once a month, caretakers are given a few hours of “time away” to pursue spiritual and personal refreshment while their loved one is in the presence of a caring, Christian individual.