Clifton Park Baptist Church 8818 Piney Branch Road Silver Spring ...

Bereavement Ministry Brenda Boykins
The Bereavement Ministry is closely aligned with the Diaconate in providing support to members and
demonstrating love, care and hospitality to Clifton Park Baptist Church family members as they grieve the
loss of a loved one. The Ministry is primarily responsible for planning, preparing and hosting repasts after
funeral services. In the weeks following a funeral, ministry members remain in contact with the bereaved
family and are available to assist the family with writing thank you notes, as well as cleaning, packing
and addressing personal needs. As bereaved families adjust to their lives in the absence of loved ones,
we remain available to provide comfort and spiritual support, and help identify material resources, as
needed.
During this church year the ministry provided the following: One donation to the family of a deceased
member (Esther Sesay); two repasts for members who lost family members (Beverly Tucker and Jolene
Russell); and, gave three donations to two families [Sonia Betts and Prudencia Tantos) for members of the
congregation who lost loved ones. The repasts are coordinated with the family and designed to meet
their desires.
The Ministry continues to evaluate and refine its standard operation procedures to ensure that we provide
quality service and demonstrate the love of Jesus through our services.
There are currently 16 members of the Ministry: Sinmi Akinbulumo, Yvonne Atis, Brenda Boykins, Gloria
Canales, Jacqueline Emile, Lurline Facey, Blanche Harris, Thelma Jackson, Vernan Jackson, Mary Mantzouris,
Pam Sanford, Paulette Shelton, Lillie Shepherd, Ify Sofela, David Shaibu, and Conchita Watson.
New Members Ministry Paulette Shelton
For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members of that one body, being many, are one body,
so also is Christ. - 1 Corinthians 12:12
The New Members Ministry serves in concert with the Diaconate to assist CPBC’s newest members with
their assimilation into our church family and into the community. We do this by making personal contact,
phone calls, and through special events. Our prayer is that the newest members are encouraged to serve
the Lord by regularly attending Bible study classes, joining a ministry and a small group, and by volunteering
their spiritual gifts and talents.
God blessed us with many new souls over the past year. The primary activity was hosting a welcome reception
for the newest members. The reception followed the Right Hand of Fellowship. The Diaconate and
church leaders were in attendance to welcome the newest members and present opportunities to serve the
Lord. It was widely advertised on the CPBC web site, in the church bulletin, and during worship service.
In addition, 95 new/re-instated members were personally invited by phone and postcard, to fellowship at
the annual CPBC All Church Family Picnic and Friends and Family Day.
The ministry continues to work on finalizing the CPBC New Members Packet. We are grateful for our
body of Christ.
Faithful New Members Ministry: Karen Aaron, Rhoda Davies-Smith, Pat Dunnavant (Ex -officio), Andora
Greaves, Heather Green-Ellong, Simon Kgasi, Yvette Lloyd, Deaconess Carolyn Pettus, Patty Poston,
Yanacia Rose, Donna Sharp, Yaco Thomas, Conchita Watson.
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