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Contact:
If you would like to email the members of
session (which includes Elders, Pastors, and regular guests
of Session) you may do so by clicking here: Session
Session in Review:
 April
8, 2008 - March
11, 2008
- February
12, 2008
- January
8, 2008
- December
11, 2007
- November
13, 2007
Purpose of Session:
To govern the life and ministry of the local church.
Organization of the Session:
The Session consists of the Elders along with the Pastors.
There are 18 Elders with six elected each year for three-year
terms. They are charged with governing the life and ministry
of the local church. The Session meets on the second Tuesday
of each month for regular business, the fourth Tuesday of
each month for teaching/information/community building/vision
issues, a minimum of two (out of six) times a year to receive
new members, and occasionally at other times to deal with
special matters. Annually, a retreat is held over one weekend
in the spring, alternating emphasis between spiritual renewal
and planning. Faithful and prayerful preparation, attendance
and participation by every Elder is essential for the Session
to fulfill its responsibilities.
Currently the Session works through the following
committees.
Budget
Personnel
Congregational Nominating
Presbytery
Denominational Concerns
Spiritual Formation and Discipleship
Missions Stewardship
Moderator Review
Trustee Representative
Pastoral Care
Worship Resource
Each Elder is expected to serve on at least
one of these committees according to individual interests
and abilities.
Some Elders volunteer to assist in serving the Lord’s
Supper at nursing homes and to homebound members.
Time Commitment:
It is not unusual to have Elders give from
15 to 20 hours per month in serving. In some cases the
time commitment may
involve more time, depending upon God’s call. In addition
an Elder should have a daily prayer and Bible study time.
It is a commitment of each person to serve the Lord, to serve
the church, and to support the other Elders with whom he/she
serves. To do this one must be available for the responsibilities
as outlined above, one must commit to daily prayer and be
willing to serve where and how the Lord leads.
Qualifications to Serve as an Elder:
1) A person of mature Christian faith who strives toward
the ideals of Christian leadership as reflected in I Tim.
3 and Titus 1.
2) A pledging member of First Presbyterian Church with regular
worship attendance.
3) A vision and desire to nurture and shepherd the flock
of Jesus Christ.
4) An individual called by God and elected by the congregation.
5) A teacher of the Word.
Responsibilities of an Elder:
1) Disciple – the Elder should invest
his/her life in discipling others to grow more into the
likeness of Christ.
2) Shepherd – provide pastoral care
and oversight for members of the congregation.
3) Representative – represent the congregation
and its interests to the Session.
4) Decision-maker – work with other Elders in the
process of determining the Lord’s will as it relates
to the work and ministry of the local church.
5) Serve as a liaison to committees of Session.
The Elder should model out to other committee members how
to function
most effectively in a committee. He/she should share with
the committee Session’s point of view as it bears on
particular matters coming before the committee. The liaison
has a voice and vote on the committee and should seek to
guide and encourage the committee along with the moderator
and the staff resource person.
6) Assist in worship leadership, the Lord’s
Supper, Baptisms, and Healing Prayer.
7) Teacher – cultivate one’s ability to share
with others the teaching of God’s word in formal and
informal settings.
Directory of Session:
Dr. Peter Barnes, Moderator
Judy Kellum, Clerk of Session
Rev. Jane Filkin
Rev. John S. Hess
Dr. Carl Hofmann
Rev. Keith Vandegrift
Debbie Ramirez, Deacons Representative
David Box, Trustees Representative
Elders:
Class of 2009
Warner Andrews,
Mark Baker,
Joni Beall,
Willie Knierim,
Pat Reeder,
Steve Rice
Class of 2010
Fred Fusilier,
Denette Laufmann,
Karen McBride, Alan Watkins,
Stan White,
Jim Vratny
Class of 2011
Sarah Barnes,
Sharryl Davis,
Allan Graham,
Wesley LeMasurier,
Pru Nagel,
Kent Thompson
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