The belief that the people of God are called to be leaders is at the heart of the Presbyterian tradition. This commitment manifests itself in a style of “representative democracy” that is unique in the worldwide church. This representative democracy is embodied in the boards of the church: the Session and the Board of Deacons. The officers who serve on these boards have been identified for their gifts of leadership and a commitment to the life and ministry of this congregation and are elected to three-year terms by the congregation.
The Session is a group of active ruling elders, elected by the congregation, who make decisions for the running of the local church and serve as spiritual leaders of the congregation. The session has responsibility and power to provide that the Word of God be preached and heard, primarily through worship, to authorize the celebration of the sacraments to receive and dismiss members, to provide for the education, ordination, mission, and care of members to oversee financial stewardship and church property, and to maintain discipline.
Missing from Photo
Jim Ely, Angela Johnson, Janet Lanaway, and Jan Lucie
The office of Deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of sympathy, witness, and service after the example of Jesus Christ. It is the duty of Deacons, first of all, to minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress both within and beyond the community of faith. They shall assume such other duties as may be delegated to them from time to time by the Session, such as leading the people in worship through prayers of intercession, reading the Scriptures, presenting the gifts of the people and assisting with the Lord’s Supper.
Missing from Photo
Andrew “Drew” Gurley, Charlie Sulkowski, and Patty von Jena
