From our establishment in the Methodist Episcopal Church in 1888, deaconesses (and today home missioners) have been involved in cutting-edge ministries, many of which are commonplace in our world today. Deaconesses were responsible for starting preschools when preschools did not yet exist. We established hospitals and community centers that are still here today. We were community organizers, teachers, health care providers, journalists, and more!

Deaconesses were at the forefront of the Social Gospel Movement of the early 1900s. Through The Deaconess Advocate, a publication that was sent to over 32,000 people across the United States, deaconesses used the power of writing to educate readers on justice issues that were affecting their communities, advocating for change. Child labor, immigration, medical insurance, tuberculosis camps, first aid, and drugs/alcohol were among some of the justice issues that these deaconesses addressed.

In 1988, when the Office of Deaconess was at risk of closure, our community the deaconess/home missioner community together to advocate for the right to continue! Through letter-writing, phone calls, presentations, and even a meeting with the bishops, we succeeded!

Over the decades, we?ve witnessed the Office of Deaconess expand, shift, and adapt. We?re now open to all genders, wear T-shirts and scarves as our ?garb,? find our own appointments, are able to get married, and can receive a salary. Our adaptability has allowed us to be resilient as we continue to establish cutting-edge ministries in our communities today. 

From 1888 to today, the Order of Deaconess and Home Missioner has been a pathway for laity to serve in ministries of love, justice, and service.