The Board of Deacons is group of elected church officers ordained to a ministry of sympathy, witness, and service after the example of Jesus Christ. They are commissioned to care for those who are in need, the sick, the friendless, and to any who may be in distress both within the congregation and beyond the community of faith.

Our Deacons serve three year terms and have responsibilities for many different programs:

Food Pantry
This extensive Deacons' program reaches out into the community to show God's love. More than 2,000 people per month in need of food are given basic groceries, breads, and produce without charge. They are directed to The Church of the Palms by United Way. This is a undertaking that the Deacons oversee, but the financial support comes from the giving hearts of the whole congregation. Many volunteers come daily, Monday - Friday to pack grocery bags and distribute the food at our pick-up center.

Friendly Visitor Ministry
All deacons are assigned a member of the church that is confined to nursing home, or homebound and visits them once a month. Deacons show them the care and love of God through their visits, phone calls and greeting cards. Every effort is made to keep them in touch with their church family.

Flowers
Every Sunday after the church services in the Sanctuary are finished, the large display of flowers that were present during worship are divided and prepared in smaller bouquets. A Deacon then delivers the small bouquets, a bulletin, and a note of care to our members in the hospital and nursing homes.
Also, twice a year, at Easter and Christmas, the Deacons provide flowering plants to members of our congregation that are shut in, or in nursing facilities.

Prayer Ministry
Weekly, the many needs for prayer among our members is shared with the Deacons on a prayer card. These cards are available in our worship settings and the requests are kept confidential. With a firm believe in the power of prayer, Deacons offer these petitions to God throughout the week.
Based on the cards requesting prayer, individual Deacons set aside time during each week to pray for those in our church and community who are ill, in some kind of distress, or offer prayers of thanksgiving for God's blessings.

Nineties + Luncheon
Our congregation is blessed to have a large number of members who have reached the age of 90 or more years. The Deacons celebrate with them and welcome them to two luncheons, one in the fall and one in the spring, as part of our church family. This is a wonderful way to honor our members who have shared in the rich history of our congregation for so many years.

College Outreach
As our youth leave to pursue their higher education, the Deacons try to stay in touch with them and show our support. Through correspondence, "care packages," and our prayers, they are reassured that God is with them and they are not forgotten as members of our Christian fellowship.

Blood Drive
The Deacons sponsor regular blood drives throughout the year. The community Bloodmobile is on our campus to assist in replenishing blood supplies for our area health facilities.

Flu Clinic
The Deacons schedule an annual flu clinic each fall through cooperation with the Visiting Nurses Association. This service is provided to assist members of our large congregation in receiving this medical protection.

Transportation
This ministry of the Deacon's helps members of the congregation who need a ride to church Services. Our bus picks up residents at several retirement centers for Sunday Worship.

Baby Baskets
A Deacon assembles and delivers gift baskets to member families having newborn babies. We celebrate with them the gift of new life and the coming of another child of God among us.

Baby Sitting
The Deacons provide baby sitting services for the children of a group of younger women so they can attend and fully participate in their monthly Circle meetings .