Thursday, September 1

Clerks of Session

An effective clerk of a governing body understands that order expresses the principle that we must live our lives together in accord with our faith and as a witness to the promises and demands of scripture. A Clerk of Session respects the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA) - the Book of Confessions and the Book of Order - as our covenant with one another to be faithful witnesses.

Rev. Joy Myers welcomes you to this session, if you are a new Clerk of Session or a long-term serving Clerk, to learn what is new, what to expect in the year ahead, and the resources available to support your call to serve.

Thursday, September 8

Ruling Elders

What is ordered ministry and why is it important to the Presbyterian Church? What does one need to know to be an effective leader in the Presbyterian church? Rev. Dr. Susan Andrews, Rev. Ed Zumwinkel, and Rev. Daniel Ervin will explore and answer these and other questions about ordained leadership in the Presbyterian tradition. If you are newly called, exploring accepting a call from a Nominating Committee, or simply want a refresher, we are here to help! Please join us in exploring the Ruling Elder service.

Thursday, September 15

Treasurers

The Treasurer usually is the single person in the church who oversees all the financial workings in the church. You might not have to do all the work if you have a team around you, but you will be the person the Session looks to for all the financial and legal issues related to operating a church corporation. As a church treasurer or financial officer, organizing and reporting can be challenging, particularly during a pandemic and tough global market worries. We can help, with guidance, options, and resources. Rev. Eric Heinekamp, of Blackhawk Presbytery, will lead this session.

Thursday, September 22

Deacon, Compassionate Ministry, Stephen Ministry

Rev. Emily Rosencrans, Director, Network Spiritual Care Services for St. Luke’s Hospital, and Rev. Renita Heinzl, Senior Chaplain and ACPE Educator for St. Luke’s Hospital will share thoughts and wisdom gained from years of ministering to patients and families in a clinical setting, as well as from many years of church ministry. The discussion will include navigating issues of privacy, confidentiality, and boundaries, as well as ways to enter into conversation and listen deeply, bearing witness to one another’s lived experiences. The goal is to equip you for your work of bearing one another’s burdens and bearing witness to each individual story and journey.  This training session will help prepare you for the sacred work to which you have been called.  

Thursday, September 29

Personnel or Session HR Teams

Almost all congregations have some kind of “employment” relationship with someone. Larger congregations may have multiple full- and part-time ordained and non-ordained staff while smaller congregations may only have part-time paid custodial staff and a series of pulpit supplies, but there are always aspects of employment that need to be managed to ensure that the congregation is in compliance with both Presbyterian polity and applicable law. Whether you are on a Personnel Committee or a member of a Session, that oversees the work of church employees, we encourage you to learn best practices, communication skills, and yearly planning for all church staff. Presbytery Leader, Rev. Ryan Landino welcomes you to join him in this education hour.