Session - Plymouth Presbyterian Church

Session Commissions

Session (Governing Body)

The Presbyterian Church takes its name from the New Testament Greek word for "Elder": presbuteros. It describes the way the church is governed, with oversight resting on elected bodies at the congregational, regional and national levels.

The governing group in each congregation is called the Session, a body made up of men and women known as "Elders" who have been "set apart" by election and ordination into a supervisory role. The Session meets monthly to conduct the business of the church. "Teaching Elders" are the name for installed pastors in a congregation. They are also members of the Session with equal rights to the other Elders.

Lay Elders generally serve for staggered three-year terms, with a third of the Session elected each year. Ordination is a for life designation.

(click on Commission title for information about the committee)

Buildings and Grounds Commission

Chair Person: Mark Dinwiddie ('27)
Members: Roger Liefeld, Ken Anderson, Mark Dinwiddie, Zelda Anderson, Jill Turner, Adrienne Schilling, Kathleen Dinwiddie, and the Volunteers dedicated to maintaining the Church and grounds.

Clerk of Session

Clerk: Helen Purkerson
Vice Clerk: Marilyn Brinster

Helen Purkerson, Clerk of Session

Duties of the clerk of session include :

The clerk, along with pastor, prepares agendas for session and congregational meetings.

Takes minutes at these meetings and makes them available before next meeting.

Maintains the minutes book, filing permanently after session approval.

Maintains accurate membership rolls and records of weddings and funerals held in the church or performed by the pastor away from the church.

Attends a regional reading of minutes and registers in Sept or Oct. Collects statistics for annual reports to General Assembly and Presbytery filed in January of each year.

Receives correspondence from Presbytery, Synod, and General Assembly distributing as necessary.

Perry, Christian Education Chair

This committee shall be engaged in planning and supporting a diverse and creative program of activities for all youth of the congregation. These activities should endeavor to foster fellowship, helpfulness, and involvement of youth in the total ministry of the church. This committee should serve as an advocate for youth and promote among the congregation the understanding that young people are full members of the church.

Check Current events and Calendar for activities and classes for children, youth, young adults and adults.

Christian Education / A sub-committee of Worship & Nurture

Christian Nurturing

Chair Person: Doris Perry ('25)
Members: Adrienne Schilling, Gina Harrington, Kathleen Dinwiddie

Finance/Stewardship Commission

Chair Person: Sharon Fraser ('25)
Members: Jill Turner, Treasurer; Carol Jones, Secretary; Kathleen Dinwiddie & Helen Purkerson

Sharon Fraser, Finance & Stewardship Chair

Finance committee is responsible for reviewing and providing guidance for the organization's financial matters. Specifically, the committee assures internal controls, independent audit, and financial analysis for the organization. Stewardship committee takes the responsibility of education & communication of giving of time, talent, and resources.

2 Corinthians 9:7-8

Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.

Click here for a detailed list of giving opportunities.

Pledges
Per Capita pay per member
Basic Mission Support (Partners in Giving)
Boxing Day
Church World Services
Columbia County Warming Center
Community Meals
Deacon’s Fund
Estate Planning

Fostering Love Kits
Habitat for Humanity
H.E.L.P/Columbia Pacific Food Bank
Memorial Gifts
PPC Birthday Party
Prayers & Squares
Souper Bowl Special Offerings: One Great Hour of Sharing, Peacemaking & Global Witness, Pentecost, Christmas Joy
Special Projects
Theological Education Funds (TEF)

Linda Liefeld, Chair

Committee Members:
Karen Roldan (Website Editor)
Kathleen Dinwiddie (Facebook, Website Editor)
Becky Frazier (Advertising Coordinator & Newsletter editor)

Fellowship: Linda Liefeld, Zelda Anderson, Kathleen Dinwiddie Karen Roldan

"Our hope is to coordinate and communicate the message of the Church to its Members, Visitors, & Community.”

This commission is involved with the following:

Prayer Request online
PPC Newsletter
PPC Website
PPC Facebook
Flyers/Brochures
Ads for special events
Welcome Packets
Worship service attendance & membership status
Fellowship
Welcome committee
Coordinate and create evangelistic outreach to members, visitors, and community.
Community Meals

Membership and Outreach

Chair Person: Linda Liefeld ('24)
Committee Members: Linda Liefeld, Zelda Anderson, Kathleen Dinwiddie, Karen Roldan, Gina Harrington, & Becky Frazier

Mission & Peacemaking Commission

Chair Person: Gina Harrington ('27)
Committee Members: Pat Berger & Kathleen Dinwiddie

Gina Harrington, Peacemaking and Mission Chair

It is always exciting and fun to share good news. We, as Christians, have much to share. I hope that none of you are troubled or embarrassed about sharing God's love with others. If you find it hard to start that kind of conversation, you could always begin by asking them to come, with you, to church. Christmas is a great time for that. Ask them to the Christmas Eve Service. You might even plan a small group get together yourself, like a morning coffee or an evening dessert.

Personnel & Administration

Chair Person: Candy Cole ('27)
Committee Members: Kathleen Dinwiddie

Candy Cole, Administration & Personnel Chair

Personnel committee has the responsibility to provide for the administration of the program of the church, including employment of non-ordained staff, with concern for equal employment opportunity, fair employment practices, personnel policies, and the annual review of the adequacy of compensation for all staff, including all employees. Administrative responsibilities include handling of insurance needs for employees and property.

Music, Worship and Nurture Commission

Commission Chair Person: Doris Perry ('25)
Members: Adrienne Schilling, Gina Harrington & Doris Perry

Adrienne Schilling,

Music and Worship Committee Chair

The Worship & Music Committee is a subcommittee of the Music, Worship and Nurture Commission.
The committee works with the Pastor to coordinate all aspects of the Sunday services and any special services throughout the year. They meet monthly to review upcoming lectionary, liturgical calendaring and any other special events of the congregation to organize the services and coordinate participants.

Deacons

Zelda Anderson Deacon Chair '24

Zelda Anderson, Deacon Chair

Deacons are the caring arm of the church. The church membership is divided into five districts with each deacon assigned to one of the districts. A deacon will often contact people in his or her district to see if they are well, need assistance or prayers, or just to say hello. If the deacon learns of a need for prayers, pastoral care or a pastoral call, they will inform the pastor of the need.

If you do not know who your Deacon is or need more information Contact Zelda Anderson for more information.

District and Deacon:
District 1 - Anita Kjos '26
District 2 - Marilyn Brinster '27
District 3 - Karen Roldan '27
District 4 - Linda Gaskill '26
District 5 - Carol Jones '27