Board of Deacons

Norfield Church Board of Deacons

A letter from our Deacons to the families in our community...

Dear Norfield families,

We hope you are healthy and safe during this time. As co-leaders of the Norfield Church Board of Deacons, we want to reach out to our Norfield community to offer support, whether it be through a simple phone call, meals, grocery runs, prayer etc. This pandemic is a powerful reminder of our fundamental interdependence – that we are all connected and mutually dependent on each other for our well-being.

Since March 18th, the Deacons have been meeting weekly via ZOOM for discussions on how we can best serve our Norfield family. One area we discussed was to ensure each family has an assigned Shepherd who will check in and see if there are any areas where Norfield can be helpful.

Each Deacon is assigned six or seven Norfield families to shepherd. You may have already received communication from your Deacon or Shepherd. If you would like to know who is assigned to you or your family (or if your contact information has changed), please let us know or contact Teri Gaberman in the front office either via phone message at 203.227.7886 or by email at tgaberman@gmail.com.

We are always looking for new Shepherds so, if you're interested in volunteering to be a Shepherd for a few of our families, we would love to hear from you as well!

The Deacons are working closely with the ministers and staff on our online Sunday worship services. If for any reason you are having difficulty viewing the service, please let us know so we can help you gain access to the recordings.
Norfield will continue to find creative ways to connect all of us during this time of quarantine and continue providing online content for your spiritual journey. The Pastors and Deacons are here to provide care and support for all of you, whether you need prayers, information for services or just a phone call to let you know you are not alone.

Finally, we would like to leave you with a Bible verse from John:

"The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep." – John 21:17

God Bless You!
Tara Quist and Shivanthi Edwards

About the Board

Our Board of Deacons serve to help guide and manage our Church in a number of ways, including:

Supervising the spiritual affairs of the Church including all matters of faith, worship and membership.
Establishing policies governing the order of worship, the administration of the sacraments of Baptism and Holy Communion, the use of the sanctuary, and the conduct of any other religious ceremonies with the Church.
Securing an interim Senior Minister or interim Associate Minister when the need arises (such as in the event of prolonged absence or vacancy).

Worship
Oversees all worship services held at Norfield Church, sacraments (baptism and communion), memorial services, scripture readings, and prayer during worship. Coordinates volunteer worship leadership (readers, greeters, ushers).

Altar
Prepares the sanctuary for worship on Sunday morning and any other special worship services. Places flower arrangements on the altar, and prepares the elements for communion.

Ushers
Supports a network of people who greet those arriving for church, pass out bulletins, help seat parishioners, and collect the offering during Sunday services. For information on ushering during our services, please contact the Church office.

Shepherd Ministry
About 25 members of the church serve as “Shepherds.” Each shepherd has 8-10 individuals or households for which the Shepherd is responsible. Shepherds make occasional phone contact, coordinate assistance in time of illness or crisis, and inform the ministers when there is a particular pastoral need.

Senior Shepherds
Individuals who provide contact, friendship, and care to Norfield’s senior members.

UCC & Interfaith Relations
Acts as liaison to the United Church of Christ, Fairfield West Association, and to the greater Weston/Westport Interfaith Community.

Prayer Chain
A group of Norfield members who pray for all those in need – members of the congregation, members of the community, and peoples of the world.

Prayer Shawl Ministry
Knitters work with yarn supplied through donations, making prayer shawls to a special pattern. The shawls are both practical and symbolic of the support that surrounds persons in need of prayer, as at births, deaths, transitions in life. Knitters are always needed!

For more information email deacons@norfield.org