Diaconate -- The Servants of the Church

The first Deacons were those who waited upon the tables, or served, the needy among the early Jewish believers in Christ. The diaconate (or helpers) of the early church were those who worked and acted "for others." Interestingly, the only individual specifically recognized in the Bible as a deacon was "our sister, Phoebe." (Romans 16:1, RSV). Thus both men and women have been the helpers, or servants of the church.

In Somerset Christian Church, we have three divisions of the Diaconate: The Deacons, the Deaconesses, and the Junior Diaconate. Following is the serving schedules of the Deaconesses for the remaining Church Year: