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 2022-2023
Class of 2023 Barbara Edwards, Rich O’Brien, Janet Roman, Jeff Santoro, Kathryn Tel, Bill Wakefield, Benjamin Yeh, Laura Carter
Class of 2024 Tom Coogan, Melissa Davis, Carol Fagundus, Tim Flood, Arthur Hui, Anne Kuhn, Keith Mertz, Rachel Mitchell
Class of 2025 Karen Berliner, Penn Bowditch, Thais Carter, Kate Harmon, Claire Mulry, Trip Pisano, Debbie Toppmeyer, Sallye Zink
MODERATOR OF SESSION: David A. Davis (Teaching Elder)
ASSOCIATE PASTOR: Lauren J. McFeaters (Teaching Elder)
CLERK OF SESSION: Carol Wehrheim
ASSISTANT CLERK OF SESSION: Bill Creager
OFFICERS:
John Thurber, President of the Corporation
Tim Brown, Vice President
Sallye Zink, Treasurer
Carol Wehrheim, Secretary
Session Assignments 2022-2023
ADULT EDUCATION
Tim Flood ‘24 Thais Carter ‘25
CANDIDATES
Tom Coogan ‘24, Carol Wehrheim, Clerk
CEMETERY
Tim Brown*, Bill Wakefield ‘23
CHILDREN’S EDUCATION
Karen Berliner ‘25, Rachel Mitchell ‘24
FINANCE
Sallye Zink ‘25
HUMAN RESOURCES
Benjamin Yeh ‘23, Anne Kuhn ‘24
MEMBERSHIP
Barbara Edwards ‘23, Janet Roman ‘23, Melissa Davis ‘24, Kate Harmon ‘25
MISSION AND OUTREACH
Rich O’Brien ‘23, Arthur Hui ‘24, Penn Bowditch ‘25
NOMINATING
Melissa Davis ‘24, Tim Flood ’24
PROPERTY/IT
Jeff Santoro ’23 (livestream), Claire Mulry ‘25
STEWARDSHIP/STRATEGY
Deb Toppmeyer ‘25, Keith Mertz ‘24
WORSHIP AND ARTS
Laura Carter ‘23, Carol Fagundus ‘24
YOUTH MINISTRY
Trip Pisano ‘25, Kathryn Tel ‘23
*not currently serving on Session.