According to our Book of Order (G-2.0301) as there were in Old Testament times elders for the government of the people, so the New Testament church provided persons with particular gifts to share in discernment of God’s Spirit and governance of God’s people. Accordingly, congregations should elect persons of wisdom and maturity of faith, having demonstrated skills in leadership and being compassionate in spirit. Ruling elders are so named not because they “lord it over” the congregation (Matt. 20:25), but because they are chosen by the congregation to discern and measure its fidelity to the Word of God, and to strengthen and nurture its faith and life.
Ruling elders, together with ministers of the Word and Sacrament, exercise leadership, government, spiritual discernment, and discipline and have responsibilities for the life of a congregation as well as the whole church, including ecumenical relationships. They shall serve faithfully as members of the session and they serve in the areas of ministry below.
The session meets on the third Thursday (Sept, Oct, Nov, Jan, Feb, Mar, April, May, June) at 7:00 PM.
Session 2024 – 2025
Class of 2025 Karen Berliner, Penn Bowditch, Thais Carter, Kate Harmon, Claire Mulry, Debbie Toppmeyer, Sallye Zink
Class of 2026 Karen Barrows, Wendy Wakefield Davis, Lina Genovesi, Frances Katrishen, Marshall McKnight, Isabel Milley, John Parker, Marie Shock
Class of 2027 Henry Behnke, Pat Costigan, Michael Ham, Anita Jayrajan, Jonathan Milley, Evan Moorhead, Allen Olsen, Charlotte Valvanis
MODERATOR OF SESSION: David A. Davis (Teaching Elder)
ASSOCIATE PASTOR: Lauren J. McFeaters (Teaching Elder)
CLERK OF SESSION: Carol Wehrheim
ASSISTANT CLERK OF SESSION: Arthur Hui
OFFICERS:
Anne Kuhn, President of the Corporation
Tim Flood, Vice President
Sallye Zink, Treasurer
Carol Wehrheim, Secretary
Session Committee Assignments
ADULT EDUCATION
Thais Carter ’25, Pat Costigan ’27
CANDIDATES
Allen Olsen ’27, *Carol Wehrheim, Clerk
CEMETERY
*Tim Brown, *Bill Wakefield
CHILDREN’S EDUCATION
Karen Berliner ’25, John Parker ’26
FINANCE
Sallye Zink ’25, Michael Ham ’27
HUMAN RESOURCES
Marshall McKnight ’26
MEMBERSHIP
Kate Harmon ’25, Marie Shock ’26
MISSION AND OUTREACH
Penn Bowditch ’25, Sallye Zink ’25, Lina Genovesi ’26,
NOMINATING
Allen Olsen ’27
PROPERTY/IT
Claire Mulry ’25, Henry Behnke ’27, Jonathan Milley ’27
STEWARDSHIP/STRATEGY
Deb Toppmeyer ’25, Wendy Wakefield Davis ’26
WORSHIP & THE ARTS
Karen Barrows ’26, Frances Katrishen ’26, Charlotte Valvanis ’27
YOUTH MINISTRY
Evan Moorhead ’27
*Not currently serving on Session