^Josie^{'s Corner}

June 2011
Work of the Deacon

June 26, 2011
Saint Alban, Patron Saint of Converts & Refugees

July 2011
Vacation Bible School

The Reverend Deacon Josie Williams

The Work of the Deacon

June 2011

All Christians are called by virtue of their baptismal covenant to live out diakonia through their daily life and work in the world (Diakonia-ministering to the needs of others as a servant). Deacons are to live by word and deed so that others may be brought into the servant ministry of the church.

Diakonia is not an option - we either do it or we don't. There is not a halfway point. We serve others to show our love for Christ and for each other. An example is how St. Alban's volunteered to serve meals to those in the shelter at Hawkins United Methodist Church who were displaced by the flood. Also, the community gathered to celebrate the life of Ricky Selby and to comfort Betsy, Richard, Charles, David and Lawson as they enter a new area of their lives without their anchor.

Deacons are to model and lead, thereby empowering baptized Christians in their community to embark on the journey of servanthood in everyday life.

One of the focal points of my diaconal ministry is to serve as a volunteer guardian ad litem for the Warren County Youth Court. A guardian ad litem is appointed by the youth court judge to look out for the best interest of the child involved. The child has been removed from his/her home and placed with other family members or foster care after a background check has been completed and satisfactorily passed. The guardian ad litem monitors the child at school, home and play and reports findings to the youth court judge.

Children can be removed from their home on the grounds of abuse, neglect, failure to supervise and other detrimental factors that would hinder the child's safety. The guardian ad litem visits the school and home regularly and does so until the case is closed. The guardian ad litem must pass a background check by the Vicksburg Police Department and the Warren County Sheriff Department.

Peace

Josie+