Rejoicing in Our Present: Deacon Assistance Fund
On January 21, 1971, Reverend Colman presented a new amendment under the duties of the Diaconate to be voted on at the next Church meeting in May.
It was proposed:
“to appoint from its membership a Treasurer of the Fellowship Fund; to receive, on the occasion of each regular, monthly Communion service, a special offering to know as the Fellowship Fund, and administer the fund for the benefit of the needy, and in such other ways as may be agreed upon by the [Deacon] board and the minister.”
This proposal was voted on and put into place in May of 1971, and the fund was used at the time toward the needs of people in the congregation, their card and flower ministry to people who were ill or grieving the loss of a loved one, and some special mission projects.
Today, the now “Deacon Assistance Fund” is used to assist people within our congregation, and in nearby towns served by the Lower Cape Outreach Council, who need temporary financial assistance.
We receive the Deacon’s offering on Communion Sunday during eight months of the year; for the remaining four months, we receive special mission offerings. All requests are given prayerful consideration and are completely confidential.
When requests are received in the church office, if the person is a part of our BBC congregation, they are given a form to fill out describing their need and the circumstances surrounding that need. That information, along with a copy of the bill needed to be paid, is given to Bill Harwood the Deacon who oversees the request process.
Bill will then follow up with the individual to discuss the situation.
If it is a one-time need, he will present it to the Deacon Core Ministry members
If it is clear that there may be more long-term needs, Bill works with them to make sure they are receiving all the community resources that are available to them, such as assistance from Lower Cape Outreach Council (LCOC) and Homeless Prevention Council (HPC).
If the person is not a member of our congregation, they are referred to LCOC and HPC first, to ensure that they are getting the long-term support they may need, and then LCOC or HPC caseworkers will contact Bill to continue the request process.
Once the request has been made, Bill brings it to the Deacon Core Ministry members for approval of any requests over $200. This allows the other members the opportunity to give additional suggestions of ways the individual or family can be supported. Once approved, payments are made directly to the organization the bill is owed to (the mortgage company, utility company, auto repair center, etc.).
Bill reported that, in 2023, the fund provided $50,145.00 to help people pay their mortgage, fix their car, go to camp, pay utility bills, and meet other needs. In addition to the requests made, the Deacons sent gift cards to help 17 families with children over the Christmas holidays.
The contributions from BBC members continue to provide assistance and show that God truly does want us to help those in need. Donations can be given in the special blue envelopes available in the bulletin on the first Sundays of the month or they can be made online.
Here are a few words of thanks that the Deacons have received over the years:
“I just want to express my deepest thanks to you and your group. Your kind gesture means more than words can express. Life can be so complicated and painful that it is easy to forget that kind hearts are all around us. Your generosity will help me get back on track and gives me the ability to stay in the home I’ve been in for over 20 years. Thank you so very very much. I won’t forget what you have done for me. God Bless”
W. J.
“Dear friends, I just wanted to thank you for your help with my car repair recently. Your kindness and generosity is greatly appreciated”
J. R.
“Dear Deacons at BBC, please accept our immense gratitude for the generous Target gift cards at Christmas. Your gift came at the perfect time for our family and was put to good use!”
J. S.