The mission of the Diaconate is to minister to those in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress, and to equip the church to extend mercy and justice to our neighbors in Astoria and other parts of Queens.

"A Diaconate is a team of church members set apart for service within their congregation and community.  In the words of our denominational guidebook, members of a diaconal team are responsible "to minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress."  In other words, the role of the Diaconate is to lead a congregation in its ministries of mercy."  Pastor David Ellis

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Diaconate Team as of December 2023. From left to right: William Poon, Heidi Kaufmann, Toni Ellis, Annette Scattoni, Kim Williams and Andrea Mungo

There are four arms to the Diaconate: Outreach, Helps, Mercy Carework and Faith & Finances.

The mission of the Outreach team is to equip the church to extend mercy and justice to our neighbors in Astoria. 

The mission of the Helps team is to provide and coordinate practical help for those who need it in a way that points them to Christ.

The mission of Mercy Carework is to come alongside those in our congregation and connected to our outreach ministries to wholistically care for them in the midst of their financial, emotional and spiritual needs.  For more information, click here.

The mission of the Faith and Finances team is to equip vulnerable individuals and families in Astoria with a biblical vision for how the comprehensive healing of Jesus encompasses finances.  For more information, click here.

Email diaconate@astoriachurch.org to serve on the Outreach and Faith and Finance teams.  To serve on and/or request assistance from the Helps Mininstry team, email helps@astoriachurch.org. To request financial assistance from the Mercy Carework team, email diaconate@astoriachurch.org.

For resources to help the homeless in NYC, please see Hope For New York's resource page here.  Click here to download a Resource Card.

The Diaconate is led by Andrea Mungo.  Andrea graduated from Columbia University School of Social Work with an MSW in 1994. She has worked as a Social Worker and Counselor in two churches (Redeemer Presbyterian Church of New York and ACC) for 18 years combined as Diaconate Director (at both churches) and Counselor at Redeemer Counseling Center.  She also directed an alternatives to incarceration program at the Syracuse Rescue Mission in the late 1980’s and two programs in the South Bronx in the 1990’s for a Community Based Organization serving the generationally poor. She has extensive knowledge and experience in training, supervision, organizing and mentoring in church and community settings.  

Year in Review Reports:

2013 - 2014;  2015;  20162017