Lay Leadership

Communications Tools for Lay Leaders

SESSION

The governing year begins on May 1st and ends the following April 30th. Church officers are elected at a congregation meeting held in February. Session meets the third Tuesday of each month.

Clerk of Session:  Linda Bender
Treasurer: Janet Gale

Duty Elder Schedule 2022 >>

Class of 2022 (terms expire April 30, 2023):

Class of 2024 (terms expire April 30, 2024):

Class of 2025 (terms expire April 30, 2025):

DEACONS

The Board of Deacons consists of three classes of trained Deacons and is charged with providing care for those in need in our congregation. Every Deacon receives 50 hours of Stephen Ministry training. All Deacons attend preparatory classes in March and April of each year and assume their offices on May 1. The Board meets the first Tuesday of each month.

• Class of 2023 (terms expire April 30, 2023):
  • Andrew Borene
  • Sharon Gamble (Secretary)
  • Suzanne Parisi
  • Roberta Wolfe
• Class of 2024 (terms expire April 30, 2024):
  • Banafshe Aghvami
  • Diane Alden
  • Janet Kohlenberger

• Class of 2025 (terms expire April 30, 2025):
  • David Jessee
  • Leslie Kohler
  • Virginia McCormick
  • Rachel Russell
  • Sue Thomas
• Stephen Leaders:
  • Patricia Matheson
  • Karen Siple

LEWINSVILLE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH FOUNDATION

• Class of 2023 (terms expire April 30, 2023):
  • Jerry Kohlenberger (Treasurer)
  • Bob Johnson
  • Karen Siple (Memorials)
• Class of 2024 (terms expire April 30, 2024):
  • Leslie Bumgarner (Secretary)
  • Tonya Deyo
  • David Foster

• Class of 2025 (terms expire April 30, 2025):
  • Mary Frase
  • Lori Gray
  • Jim Maiwurm

MINISTRY GROUPS:

Administrative Ministry Group – Elder Dave Gunter
The Administrative Ministry Group oversees all administrative work for the Session. Its work is carried out by several committees.

Communications Committee – Provides oversight for all communications vehicles for Lewinsville, including the church’s website, newsletter, brochures, and digital displays. Deirdre Ramsey (Chair)

Facilities Committee – The Property Committee focuses on maintenance/repair and replacement of the church facilities and makes recommendations to the full committee for major expenditures. The committee also consists of the archives/cemetery sub-committee.  Elder Dave Gunter (Chair)

Archives Sub-Committee (Roland & Bettie McElroy, Co-Chairs)

Cemetery Sub-Committee (Vacant, Chair)

Finance Committee – Reviews the monthly financial report, coordinates fiscal affairs, and along with Ministry Group leadership, prepares an annual budget for Session consideration. Mary Frase (Chair), Elder Phil Cooke (Session Liaison)

Personnel Committee is a committee of the Management Ministry Group and reports directly to Session. The committee works with the pastor, as head of staff, to develop and implement personnel policies and practices that will enhance the efficiency of office functions and maintain a level of morale that will contribute to the effectiveness of the staff.  Elder Bruce Douglass (Chair), Elder Carol Kaffenberger (Vice Chair)

Stewardship Committee focuses on financial stewardship. The committee organizes and promotes the annual stewardship campaign, soliciting financial pledges from members of the Lewinsville Community of faith. These financial pledges support the ongoing mission and ministry of Lewinsville Church and enable our members to deepen their spiritual lives, deepen their connection with the Church and with the larger community.  Michael Deese (Chair), Elder John Day (Session Liaison)

Christian Education Ministry Group – Barbara Gibby (Chair), Elder Ruth Baxley (Session Liaison)
The Christian Formation Ministry Group provides for the planning and operation of the education programs of the church: church school, youth and adult education, vacation church school, youth fellowship activities, and crib and preschool care.

Adult Education Committee.   Elder Cathy  Saunders (Session Liaison)

Children & Family Ministry Committee.  Barbara Gibby, Chair; Elder Ruth Baxley (Session Liaison)

Youth & Young Adult Ministry Committee. Elders Nate Jones and Siobhan Grayson (Session Liaisons)

Faith & Public Policy Committee – Established by the Strategic Plan, this committee provides opportunities for public policy discussions from a faith perspective.  David Jessee, Jill Cook (Co-Chairs); Elder Nate Jones (Session Liaison)

Congregational Care & Membership Ministry Group – Claire Grossi (Chair), Elder Kelly Sexton (Session Liaison).  This Ministry Group is charged with both finding ways to attract new members and caring for the needs of our congregation.

Equippers Committee – Responsible for ChristCare Groups. Jim Tenney (Chair)

Membership Committee – Explores ways to attract visitors, to help make Lewinsville a more welcoming church, to encourage and support visitors as they go through the Inquirer’s Class, and to help integrate new members into the life of the church. This group also helps support current members as they explore ways in which they may feel called to be involved. It maintains membership records and conducts the annual membership review required by the Presbytery.  This group also handles Sunday Morning Greeters.   Elder Kelly Sexton (Session Liaison)

Older Adult Council –  The OAC is comprised of members of Lewinsville who have expertise or special interests in working with older adults or providing ministries to the elderly within and without our congregation. It meets bimonthly. The group’s formulated purpose is to communicate, coordinate and advocate for older adult programs and services both internally to the Lewinsville congregation and externally to our greater local community.  Wendy Maiwurm (Chair)

Service Committees – Handles a variety of congregational needs, including hospitality, card ministry, nursery coordinators, Care Callers, Extended Communion for shut-ins, membership records, cradle roll, prayer shawl ministry (Lost Sheep Stitchers), flower delivery, Volunteer Coordinator, LRR Liaison, blood drives, and Parish Nurse.

Social Groups – Second Saturday Set, Single Seniors, Adult Club, Men’s Breakfast Group, Lewinsville Sluggers.

Support, Encouragement, and Accountability (SEA) Committee.

Mission and Service Ministry Group – Joe Parisi (Chair), Elder Phil Church (Session Liaison)
This Group coordinates the mission outreach of Lewinsville Presbyterian Church. This ministry group is the vehicle by which the congregation is involved in ministering to the needs of others.

Children & Families Committee – Provides connection and support to children and families located near Lewinsville. Currently, Lewinsville is in partnership with Westgate Elementary School with Lewinsville volunteers mentoring students and providing reading opportunities to primary students. In addition, the Group conducts two grounds clean-ups at Westgate per year and will be developing a sustainable garden.  The Group also sponsors a planned after-school program with Westgate. Karen Siple (Chair)

Housing Committee – Provides liaison to the Falls Church Homeless Shelter, Homestretch, and our two retirement residences listed below.  David Porterfield (Chair)

The Lewinsville Retirement Residence:  All active Lewinsville members are members of Lewinsville Retirement Residence, Inc., the corporation that owns and operates The Lewinsville.  Lewinsville elects members to serve on the LRR board each November.  Names of currently serving board members can be found HERE >>

Chesterbrook Residences:  Chesterbrook is the result of three faith communities coming together to meet a need in the community for older adult living.  Temple Rodef Shalom and Immanuel Presbyterian Church are Lewinsville’s partners, and several members of Lewinsville always serve on the Chesterbrook Board.  Current Lewinsville board members can be found HERE >>

Hunger & Poverty Committee – Provides liaison to Christ House, Miriam’s Kitchen, S.H.A.R.E., Stop Hunger Now, and Unity Healthcare.  Tom Mellor (Chair)

International Programs & Missions Committee – Provides liaison to the PCUSA, Lewinsville’s supported missionaries, United Orphanage and Academy (Kenya), Outreach Foundation (North Korea), and Poor Children’s Assistance Project (Haiti).  Alan Stevens (Chair)

Social Services Committee – Provides liaison to the Falls Church-McLean Children’s Center,  Alternative House, Bethany House of Northern Virginia, Boost the Troops effort, L’Arche of Greater Washington DC, Ingleside Presbyterian Retirement Community, Shepherd’s Center of McLean/Arlington/Falls Church.  Suzi Podhorecki (Chair)

Summer & Winter Mission Projects Committee – Provides liaison to these annual mission projects.

Tysons Initiative Committee – Members attend meetings of the Tysons Interfaith Partnership of area churches, businesses and other stakeholders to enhance the spiritual life for residents and workers in the Tysons area. Elder Jim Edmondson (Chair)

Worship Ministry Group – Rob Ransom (Chair), Elder Pat Buss (Session Liaison)
Working closely with the Pastor and the Minister of Music, this Group develops and oversees the liturgy and order of worship, music programs, special services, and provides for the celebration of the sacraments.

Audio-Visual Coordinator – The A/V Coordinator recruits and trains the Audio Video team members, teaching them how to operate the audio and video systems in the sanctuary. The A/V Coordinator schedules team members to cover each of the worship services. He or she converts video recordings of the worship services into DVD recordings, which will be sent to shut-ins. The A/V Coordinator also creates audio and video operations manuals for the team. – Rob Ransom (Chair)

Communion Preparation Coordinator:  The Communion Preparation Coordinator recruits and trains communion preparers to assure that the elements and service items are in place for each communion service of worship.  Preparers are also responsible for clean up after the service.  The Coordinator prepares communion serving instructions and emails them to the servers as a reminder prior to the Sunday service of worship. The pastors and committee set the calendar of when communion will be served each year and instructions are updated as needed. – Michelle Gottke (Chair)

Flower Committee: The Flower Committee provides floral arrangements on a weekly basis in support of the worship service and liturgy as well as in social areas outside of the sanctuary.  The flower ministry is supported by memorial gifts. – Pam Deese (Chair)

Lay Readers Coordinator:  The Lay Reader Coordinator recruits and trains lay readers to participate in the worship service by reading the assigned scripture passage(s). Once they’ve received the passage early in the week, they practice reading it aloud and compose a prayer for illumination.  If possible they prepare a very brief introduction to the passage, putting it in a biblical context.  If only one pastor is doing the service, the lay reader may also be asked to lead the liturgy, using selections available from the church office. The lay reader schedule is generally filled every two months. – Cathy Gaugler  (Chair)

Sanctuary Preparation Coordinator – The Sanctuary Preparation Coordinator recruits and trains people to tidy up the sanctuary weekly, making sure that the pew racks have hymnals and Bibles in place, all trash is removed, pencils are sharpened, and new visitor tags, offering envelopes, and name tags are in place. – Bob Johnson (Chair)

Special Services Coordinator:  The Special Services Coordinator invites a diverse representation of the congregation to participate in the worship services during the four Sunday’s of Advent and Holy Week. Their roles, such as lighting candles, stripping the church, and feet washing, illuminate the significance of the liturgies of Advent, Lent, and Easter. – Sally McKeown (Chair)

Ushers Coordinator – The Ushers Coordinator recruits and trains teams of ushers to serve at each service of worship.  Ushers hand out bulletins, help in seating people, take the collection, collect the pew pads, and clean up the sanctuary after the service.  They are also on stand-by to help with any emergencies. – John Baxley (Chair)

CONGREGATIONAL NOMINATING COMMITTEE:

The Congregational Nominating Committee provides nominees for Ruling Elders, Deacons, and Nominating Committee members annually, as well as Ministry Group Chairs. (Elaine Guth, Chair, Vacant, Vice Chair.

• Class of 2023 (terms expire April 30, 2023):
  • Scotty Benson
  • Mike Deese
  • Jim Edmondson
  • Emily Foster

• Class of 2024 (terms expire April 30, 2024):
  • Abbey Conley
  • Laura Jones
  • Libby McConnell
  • Bettie McElroy