Please note that the Deacons have moved their meeting date from the 2nd Thursday to the First Thursday of the month.
Shepherding Program returns to St. Paul - The re-organized Shepherding Program of St. Paul's is now in full operation. We are looking forward to more people involved and more contact with our members. Many of you will have a new "shepherd." We thank each one of you for your commitment! This program remains under the umbrella of the Board of Deacons.
CONSIDER SAYING YES TO JOINING "SESSION" OR BECOMING A DEACON -by Dean Nihart
----The nominating committee is looking for volunteers. The Session needs two new members to help lead our church and the Deacons need one new member to help with the "caring and sharing" arm of our church.
----Here is my textbook definition of what the Session is: The Session of a particular church consists of the Pastor and the Elders in active service. All members of the Session are entitled to vote. The session is responsible for the mission and government of the particular church.
However, there is much, much more that can happen for those who take on the responsibility of becoming a leader in our church and a willing member of Session. While I cannot speak for all Elders, past or present, I can speak for one ...me.
----I was first asked to become an Elder in the fall of 2000. While I was not sure I was cut out for this, I did ask questions, decided I would try my best, and was accepted in as a member of Session beginning in 2001. I was a co-chair of the M&E committee. For me, the experience was tremendously rewarding. So much so, that when asked again in the fall of 2008, I accepted and am now serving my second term as an active Elder, this time as chair of the Stewardship committee.
While I don't have space to describe all the issues we dealt with from 2001-2003 or are working on now, I can tell you I have worked and continue to work with terrific people on Session. What is the main constant among the group? Well, in my opinion, it is that we all CARE about our church, our congregation, our children, our staff and our faith-building journey with God. We don't always agree on what the right answers are, but we all are working toward a common goal, which is to make our church even more special going forward than it already is. We are working behind the scenes to try to make St. Paul a better place.
----Currently, there are two openings on the Session. One is a term that would last through 2012 and you would be a co-chair of the Christian Education (CE) committee. The other is a term that would last through 2011 and you would be a co-chair on the Membership and Evangelism (M&E) committee. Do you have to have experience in these areas? No, you do not. Elders are asked to be spiritual leaders, be available, be willing to listen to people in the congregation, work with committee members in developing their particular committee work and deal with the fiscal policies as well.
----If you cannot join Session now, you may consider doing so in the future. We have 3 openings every year as everyone is asked to serve a 3 year term, so 3 people rotate off and onto Session (and Deacons) each year.
Currently these people are on Session:
* John Temple
* Valerie Nichols
* Steve Huston
* Sue Van Esson
* Dean Nihart
* Elizabeth Mills
* Gary Wheeler
* Pam Wilson
----Pastor John is the moderator of our Session and Megan Stange helps in this role as well, providing meaningful spiritual guidance, prayer and valuable insight.
Please contact any of us if you have questions, want more information, or have an interest. As one member put it, "all it takes to be on Session, is a caring attitude." I firmly believe everyone on Session, and in fact, everyone that is at St. Paul, wants what is best for our church to grow, for our church to offer the proper spiritual guidance for our youth and people of all ages, and to offer a place of high moral fiber. We have something very special here at St. Paul ("Your hometown church!"), and there are opportunities to help us create even more great things for our church on the horizon! Don't be afraid, join in!!
(For those of you who might like to be a Deacon, contact Pastor John or Marsha George!)
