The Banner of First Presbyterian Church of Monroe

The Session

The Governing Body of First Presbyterian Church of Monroe is the Session, which consists of 18 Elders and 2 Youth Delegates.

Session News

We welcome into our membership November 5, 2006, the following persons:

  • Iris Barnes from the Ghanaian Reformed Presbyterian Church of Brooklyn
  • Prentis Mooney as an Affiliate Member and his children Jessica & Erin Mooney as Baptized Members

On November 8th: Brady & Vicki Greer were received by Session into membership by letter of Transfer from the Goshen Presbyterian Church

The following persons were elected by the Session to form a Interim Search Committee: Ellie Amend, Ritchie Drews & Jim Wason. They are busy at work with the Presbytery COM Liaison, Jack Krause to lay the foundations for moving ahead in January to look for an Interim Pastor.

Finance Committee: The Finance Committee is in the process of developing the budget for next year's Church activities. To help them do this, please be sure to submit your pledge cards for next year as soon as possible. Every pledge is important! [Note: check the report for the Annual Meeting for the Completed Budget.]

The Session

CLASS OF 2008 CLASS OF 2009 CLASS OF 2010
Elise Baranowski Bob Bergoine Elfriede Amend
Mary Graham Keith Brokaw Kathryne Culver
Juan Jauregui Rich Drews Gail Dejmal
Ellen Kristiansen Ada Hoenninger Winnie Gleason
Carrie Leach Richard Montross John Mignone
Leslie McInerney Jim Wason Bethany Mutone

Youth Delegates: Ryan Costa & Kelsey Gunther
Clerk Of Session: Elise Baranowski
Local Mission Treasurer: Keith Brokaw
Asst. Local Mission Treasurer: Linda Mayer
Financial Secretary: Sandy Savage
Church School Superintendents: Carrie Leach & Kathy Workman
Presbyterian Women: Marcy Berchtold
Presbyterian Preschool: Barbaba Laetzo

Make-Up and Responsibilities

The Governing Body of First Presbyterian Church of Monroe is the Session, which consists of 18 Elders and a Youth Delegate. Each member of Session is assigned to one of the Following committees. The committees also incorporate members from the congregation at large:

A. Cemetery

  • Oversees maintenance of Seamanville Cemetery.
  • Manages finances insuring perpetual care.
  • Helps arrange for annual historic service.

B. Christian Education

  • Oversees Church School, Youth Group, and Vacation Bible School by reviewing curriculum, assisting with securing of staff and making budget proposals to Finance Committee.
  • Seeks to determine special educational needs of the congregation and attempts to design programs to fit those needs.
  • Promotes various educational opportunities through Presbytery such as Leaderfest, and other events at Stony Point and the PresbyterianConference Center as well as Synod and General Assembly Youth events.

C. Endowment

  • Promotes the inclusion of gifts to the church through legal wills
  • Manages funds entrusted to the Endowment Committee for high return, growth and a percentage of income to be used by the church for its budget.

D. Finance Committee

  • Prepares and proposes annual budget
  • Monitors budget, income and expenses
  • Reviews insurance coverage
  • Handles or makes proposals on legal and corporate matters

E. Nominating Committee

  • Determines the slate of officers to be invited to have their names placed in nomination for positions open in the following year.
  • Contact designated persons inviting them to consider being nominated to a position.
  • Propose a slate of nominees to Session and congregation for approval.
  • Help Session committees acquire personnel as needed.

F-1. Outreach To Persons

  • Visitation of members, visitors, and those in crisis.
  • Maintenance and review of membership roll.
  • Generation of publicity for the church.
  • Development and promotion of various events to strengthen the fellowship and spiritual growth of the congregation.

F-2. Outreach to Social System

  • Attempt to raise the consciousness of the congregation regarding various issues in our society that the church needs to address to show compassion or to uphold God's justice.
  • Develop programs or worship emphasis which will accomplish the above

G. Personnel Committee

  • Review performance of church employees.
  • Conduct annual salary review.
  • Develop employee handbook, policies relating to sexual misconduct for employed and volunteer staff, etc.
  • Establish policy for and participate in the hiring of staff and conducting background checks

H. Property Committee

  • Oversee the care and maintenance of all church property.
  • Supervises the work of the Sexton.
  • Negotiates as needed with contractors.
  • Recommend and implement improvements in the physical plant as needed to meet the mission and goals of the church.

I. Stewardship

  • Receive and share information from Presbytery, Synod and General Assembly to help interpret and increase an understanding of the mission of the Presbyterian Church throughout the year
  • Promote an understanding of mission and stewardship in the congregation year round.
  • Help promote special offerings.

J. Worship

  • Set the hour for worship.
  • Secure pulpit supplies as needed.
  • Set dates for Communion and Baptism.
  • Oversee flowers, paraments, ushers and greeters
  • Oversee use of music in the church, the work of the Organist and the work of the Choir Director.
  • Help maintain the appropriate balance between innovation and tradition.
  • Administer the Memorial Fund.