LEADERSHIP
SESSION
The Session is made up of the pastor and the ruling elders who are elected by the congregation.
DEFINITION OF RULING ELDER FROM THE 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 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.”
Those who currently serve on the Session and the committees on which they serve:
Robin Byrne - Mission, Peace & Social Righteousness Team; East Meets West Team
Andy Castaldi - Personnel Committee; Finance & Stewardship Committee
Jill Critchley - Technology Committee; Christian Education Committee
Richard Davies - Endowment Committee; Paterson Habitat Task Force
John Eliya - Finance & Stewardship Committee
Sami Eliya - Technology Committee; Growth & Hospitality Committee
Donna Flagg - Paterson Habitat Task Force; Nursery School Committee; Worship & Arts Committee; Re-Entry Task Force; East Meets West Team
Rick Friedl - Finance & Stewardship Committee; Mission, Peace & Social Righteousness Team
Tom Gibson - Property Committee
Anita Hutton - Nominating Committee; Nursery School Committee; Re-Entry Task Force
Laura Magrath - Endowment Committee
Sandy Santangelo - Growth & Hospitality Committee; Re-Entry Task Force
Linda Strickland - Christian Education Committee
Joan Davies - Clerk of Session; Mission, Peace & Social Righteousness Team; Re-Entry Task Force
Pastor Bruce Ballantine - Moderator
DEACONS
Board of Deacons
DEFINITION OF DEACON FROM THE BOOK OF ORDER (G-2.0201)
The ministry of deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of compassion, witness, and service, sharing in the redeeming love of Jesus Christ for the poor, the hungry, the sick, the lost, the friendless, the oppressed, those burdened by unjust policies or structures, or anyone in distress. Persons of spiritual character, honest repute, exemplary lives, brotherly and sisterly love, sincere compassion, and sound judgment should be chosen for this ministry.
Those currently serving on the Board of Deacons and the Deacon Offices they hold or Deacon Committees on which they serve:
Kathleen Barkho - Reception Committee
Bonnie Brooks - Communion Committee
Joanne Bonwick - Care Committee; Flowers Committee
Linda Cascardo - Vice-Moderator
Elissa Cerrina
Greta Croucher - Communion Team
Sue Dickinson - Moderator; Visitation Team
Sue Fischer - Reception Committee; Transportation Committee
Jeanine Jamieson
Carolyn Kosten
Robert Morris - Treasurer
Mary Shaw - Care Committee; Flowers Committee; Visitation Team
Britt Tunick
Nancy Walters - Secretary
Rodger Yaden - Communion Team