This coming Sunday marks an important day in the life of our congregation. At the 10:00 a.m. worship service, we will ordain and install new officers as Elder and Deacon. These individuals have said yes to the call of God that has come by way of our Nominating Committee. (Individuals are also nominated as Trustees by way of this same process, although in the Presbyterian tradition, only Elders and Deacons are ordained and installed.)
Whereas the call of Elders is to exercise leadership in the governance of the church, as part of our primary governing body, the Session, the call of Deacons is to exercise leadership in the care of the congregation, as part of our primary caregiving body, the Board of Deacons. Both are essential to building up the body of Christ and the effective functioning of our community of faith.
Just as important as the commitments that these individuals will make as they are ordained and/or installed are the commitments that we will make together as a congregation. On Sunday, we will be asked the following questions:
Do we, the members of the church, accept these men and women as Deacons and Elders, chosen by God through the voice of this congregation to lead us in the way of Jesus Christ?
Do we agree to pray for them, encourage them, to respect their decisions, and to follow as they guide us, serving Jesus Christ who alone is Head of the Church?
I invite you to join me in raising your voice in a resounding “We do!” as we affirm these leaders on Sunday. And in all the days ahead, let us be faithful to our call: “to pray for them, encourage them, respect their decisions, and follow as they guide us.”
The following individuals are our new Elders and Deacons. Thanks be to God for these faithful servants and the work they will do in service to Christ!
Elders Class of 2029
Beverly Fleuter
Sarah Gunther
Linda Himmelberger
Whitney Hoffman
Carl Reynolds
Steve Udicious
Kent Walker
Elder Class of 2027
Corinne Brown
Deacons Class of 2029
Tony Brown
John Decker
Jennie Jacobson
Morris Kay
Kay Kerr
Matthew Peterson
Jane Wilber
Deacon Class of 2027
Cameron Liggett