The Banner of First Presbyterian Church of Monroe

The Council / Session

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

ByLaws

As many of you are aware, effective July 10, 2011, the Presbyterian Church (USA) enacted a new constitution, designing it to be less cumbersome that of the previous constitution. As a result, our old church bylaws, which were last updated in the '80's, must be rewritten.

The Council (formerly known as Session - one of the changes in the new constitution) recently met and reviewed the old bylaws, rewriting them so they are in accordance with the new constitution.

The congregation approved these new bylaws at the annual meeting on Sunday, January 29. Click here to view the bylaws .

Not much had to change with the old bylaws. However, please pay particular attention to Article Number XII, Ruling Elders (which is the new term for members of Council): this bylaw will, through attrition over 3 years, reduce our number of Council members from 18 to 12, which is more in line for the amount of our church membership.

If you have any questions regarding these new bylaws, please feel free to contact Leslie McInerney through the church office. We look forward to seeing you at the annual meeting. Many thanks to all of you for your support of our church.

The Session

CLASS OF 2011 CLASS OF 2012 CLASS OF 2013
Janean Sherwin Keith Brokaw Linda Burroughs
Ellen Kristiansen Ritchie Drews Barbara Laetzo
Carrie Leach Ada Hoenninger Bruce Littmann
Leslie McInerney Jim Wason Winnie Gleason
Mary Graham Jay Wilkins Rich Montross
Sally Stanton Roy Zucca Bethany Mutone
Youth Delegates: Tricia Gunther & Kelsey Schneider
Clerk Of Session: Leslie McInerney
Local Mission Treasurer: Keith Brokaw
Asst. Local Mission Treasurer: Linda Mayer
Financial Secretary: Sandy Montross
Church School Superintendents: Lesley Brokaw, Carrie Leach & Janice O’Keefe
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.