In the Presbyterian Church more trust is placed in a group of people, who together seek to discern the mind of God to lead them towards faithful action, than in a single individual who has all the answers. As a result of this, committee leadership is a mainstay of the church. At the local, congregational level our church has one main board: the Session, as the decision making and care-taking body. This group constitutes a representation of the congregation as a whole.
The elders are ordained positions in the Presbyterian Church (USA). That means that we believe each of them been chosen by God and the congregation to be a leader in Christ's church. The vows they take are the same vows that the pastor takes to become a minister of word and sacrament. Once a person is ordained that ordination is considered a lifelong vocation. The ordained elders have a responsibility to cultivate their prayer life, to study the Bible, and to seek God in their individual, and congregational life.
The Session is the Governing Board of the church. The Session consists of our pastor and elders in active service (the 'ruling' elders). The moderator is our Pastor, the Rev. Dr. David Williams. Our Clerk of Session is Kathy Hanna.
Shown here are pictures of the current Clerk of Session and the ruling elders, along with their primary responsibilities:
Kathy Hanna is our Clerk of Sesion. Kathy became the Clerk of Session in 2018 and has previously served as a Session member as well. Primary responsibilities: Responsible for recording meeting minutes, managing official correspondence, ensuring regulatory compliance, conducting annual reviews, and upholding the church's Child Protection Policy. |
Bill Mattes is our leader for Buildings and Grounds. Bill became a member of the current Session in 2024 and has previously served as a Session member. Primary responsibilities: Ensures the maintenance and upkeep of church facilities, manages property insurance, coordinates facility usage, oversees budget allocations, and upholds the church's Child Protection Policy. |
Ashley Hofmann is our leader for Evangelism. Ashley became a member of the current Session in 2024. Primary responsibilities: Handles outreach efforts including advertising, website maintenance, community engagement, visitor follow-up, signage management, budget oversight, and upholding the church's Child Protection Policy. |
Julie Halstead is our leader for Budget and Stewardship. Julie became a member of the current Session in 2023. Primary responsibilities: Oversees financial matters including stewardship campaigns, budget creation, audits, fundraising, financial reporting, and upholding the church's Child Protection Policy |
Ellie Langdon is our leader for Mission. Ellie became a member of the current Session in 2024. Primary responsibilities: Coordinates mission programs and special offerings, informs the congregation about outreach opportunities, makes benevolence recommendations, manages mission-related budgeting, and upholds the church's Child Protection Policy. |
Alicia Thomas is our leader for Budget and Stewardship. Alicia became a member of the current Session in 2022, and has previously served as a Session member. Primary responsibilities: Organizes fellowship events, cares for congregational needs, coordinates visits to shut-ins, manages transportation, oversees budgeting for fellowship activities, and upholds the church's Child Protection Policy. |
Jon Kasner is our leader for Worship and the Arts. Jon became a member of the current Session in 2022, and has previously served as a Session member. Primary responsibilities: Oversees worship logistics including communion, bulletin preparation, flower arrangements, volunteer coordination, special services, livestreaming, nursery management, budget oversight, and upholding the church's Child Protection Policy. |
Jerome Hobart is our leader for Christian Education. Jerome became a member of the current Session in 2022. Primary responsibilities: Manages educational programs, curriculum selection, teacher recruitment and training, organizes special events, oversees budgeting for educational needs, and upholds the church's Child Protection Policy. |