The Session is the governing body of the congregation. It is made up of the elders that have been elected by the congregation and serve as chairs of various committee (found at the bottom of the page.) Each elder has an equal vote in the Session. Although the Minister serves as moderator, the Session is actually lead by the elected Clerk of Session. The term “session” comes from the Latin word sessiosedere meaning “to sit”.
2020-21 Session
Class of 2022 |
Class of 2023 |
Class of 2024 |
Linda Benn
Sherman Brown
Bryan Eland
Beth Huber
Kathryn Rexrode
Mike Sidebotham |
Mike Kuliasha
Paulla Loder
Adam Nelen
Jerry Parsons
Brian Raska
Stacy Whalen |
Michele Coffman
Bridget Harvey
Marsha Lukett
Bill Nix
Lynn Simms
Amy Talmadge |
|
Leadership
Moderator — Rev. Allen H. Fisher, Jr.
Clerk of Session —Marjolijn Bijlefeld
Administration
Appointees |
Mike Sidebotham, Brian Raska, Jack Schneider, Beth Huber |
Responsibilities |
-
- Maintaining church database
- Coordinating production of pictorial directory
- Supporting church administration staff in all areas of administration
- Creating and maintaining website
- Computers
|
Building and Grounds
Christian Education
Appointees |
Stacy Whalen, Adam Nelen, |
Responsibilities |
-
- Planning and staffing Sunday school and VBS
- Planning Wednesday night dinners and accompanying studies that follow
- Oversight of youth group activities and confirmation classes and establishing opportunities for youth/adult fellowship and nurturing through Covenant Partners
- Small Group Task Force
|
Congregational Care
Appointees |
Paulla Loder, Linda Benn, Sherman Brown, |
Responsibilities |
-
- Ministering to the ill in our congregation through hospital and nursing home visitation
- Reaching out to the shut-ins of our congregation through visits, phone calls, and other communications
- Serving the grieving by helping to plan funerals and receptions
- Providing support for caregivers in our congregation
- Providing care to members of the congregation who are hurting
|
Evangelism
Appointees |
|
Responsibilities |
-
- “Marketing” and communicating with non-members
- Facilitating new member classes with staff
- Reaching out to UMC (support of Campus Christian Community)
- Integrating and nurturing new members
- Engaging inquirers and seekers and new Christians with educational and worship activities
|
Fellowship and Group Ministries Committee
Appointees |
Bryan Eland |
Responsibilities |
-
- Identify groups in the church that might benefit from targeted fellowship opportunities
- Plan and organize three or four special events during the yea
- Coordinate the congregational picnic
- Planning Mother’s Day and Father’s Day recognition
- Provide for “Lemonade on the Lawn” between Sunday services during the summer
|
Mission
Appointees |
Linda Benn, Paulla Loder, Jerry Parsons |
Responsibilities |
-
- Dispersing financial support to local, national, and world mission agencies
- Overseeing the Good Samaritan assistance program
- Developing and promoting the mission education program of the church
- Providing and promoting opportunities for hands-on mission experience
- Establishing and maintaining ecumenical relations
|
Personnel and Volunteers
Appointees |
Mike Sidebotham, Brian Raska, |
Responsibilities |
-
- Aiding in staff recruitment and development
- Assessing performance of personnel
- Tracking membership
- Coordinating volunteers
|
Stewardship
Appointees |
Kathryn Rexrode, Mike Kuliasha |
Responsibilities |
-
- Encouraging and fostering stewardship through establishment of annual pledges and periodic capital campaigns
- Establishing and maintaining budget
- Overseeing endowments
- Overseeing bookkeeping
|
Worship
Appointees |
Beth Huber, Sherman Brown, Kathryn Rexrode |
Responsibilities |
-
- Coordinating work and staffing of Sanctuary Guild, ushers, greeters, and lay readers
- Coordinating work and staffing nursery and child-care
- Coordinating creation and display of church banners
- Scheduling of Communion and Elders to serve
- Preparing sanctuary for special services (Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve)-decorating, purchasing poinsettias, scheduling Advent lighters and readers)
- Coordinating volunteers to operate chair lift
- Overseeing music programs and ministries
|