Go to Deacons
Organization of the Session
The work of the church is accomplished through a mix of Session Committees and Ministry Areas. Church staff and Session members share in the leadership. The current organization of the Session is as follows:
Session Committees
Clerk of Session – Nancy Van Der Griend
Finance/Memorials – Jeff Schroeder, Diane MacWilliams, Wayne Myers
Nominating – Nancy Carr, Wayne Myers
Personnel – Jim Heininger, Diane MacWilliams, Wayne Myers
Property/Technology – Lloyd Behrenbruch, Derek Inksetter, Wayne Myers
Planning – Wendy Owen, Doug Strubel, Wayne Myers
Ministry Areas
Christian Nurture – Julie Griffin, Julie Giegler
Church Events – Jim Heininger, Doug Strubel, Nancy Carr, Julie Giegler
Evangelism – Wayne Myers
Mission – Kathy Fox, Cristy Harris, Sarah Iliff McGill
Worship/Music – Linda Van Dyke, David Crane, Wayne Myers
Youth – Sarah Iliff McGill
The Board of Deacons
The Board of Deacons is described by these words, “It is the duty of the deacons, first of all, to minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may in distress of any kind within…the community of faith.” Put another way, the deacons are to be an extension of the pastoral ministry of the church. At Fair Oaks, the Board’s primary role is to assist the pastors in the ministry of care and support to the people of the congregation.
In order to do this most effectively the Board is organized into three Ministry Groups: Member Care, New Member Care and Immediate Care. Each Ministry Group consists of at least three deacons, ordinarily representing each class.
Individual Ministry Group responsibilities are as follows:
Member Care
- Oversight of the Prayer Care List. This includes pastoral calling, as needed, in order to provide care and support.
- Home Visitation. Particularly visits to shut-ins, the elderly, and those with long-term pastoral care situations.
- Distribution of Worship Service Recordings.
- Worship Service Flower Distribution.
- Rides to Church.
- Phone Directories.
New Member Care
- New Member Orientation. Facilitate up to three new member orientation brunches during the year.
- Create/ Maintain New Member Welcome Materials and Forms.
- Create/Maintain System of New Member Shepherding/ Assimilation.
Immediate Care
- Represent the Love and Support of the Whole Congregation to Members in times of Joy and of Sorrow. In other words, be present through calls and visits during times of need or crisis, including births, deaths, illness, surgeries, etc.
- Samaritan Kitchen. Provide meals during times of need.
- Create/Maintain the Prayer Chain. This is the group of people ready to offer prayers for specific, urgent needs.
- Provide Oversight of Pastoral Care When the Pastor is Away.
