Deacons and Elders

The life of First Presbyterian Church is enriched by the many different kinds of service offered by members. This represents an expression of Paul’s view of the church as the body of Christ, with each member contributing to the health of the whole. (I Corinthians 12)

Congregational leadership is an important area of service in the church. Each year, the congregation calls members who have been regular in worship, active in the life of the church, generous in support of our ministry, and faithful in their life and witness to the gospel, to serve as elders and deacons. These are distinctive leadership roles, calling for particular gifts and commitment.

Elders

Along with the pastors, the elders are charged with the oversight of the spiritual life of our congregation — leading, governing and, if necessary, disciplining its members. Both individually and collectively (as the Session), elders provide leadership in worship, teaching, mission, evangelism, care and nurture.

Deacons

According to the ECO Polity document, “Deacons lead ministries that nurture fellowship and caregiving within and beyond the congregation. Deacons may also be asked to preach and teach. The congregation shall determine the manner in which they are selected for service. The session shall oversee and direct the ministry of the deacons.”

Deacons nurture fellowship and caregiving in several ways:

• Hospital and Rehabilitation Facility Visitation
Deacons visit members in medical facilities, when requested by the members or members’ families through the Care and Concern Line.

• Home Visitation
Deacons visit members at home, when requested by members, to help all members to feel a part of our congregation.

• Grief Ministry
Deacons walk alongside members who have experienced a death of a close loved one by following up with them with contacts and visits.

• After Worship Prayer
Deacons are available to pray with members after each worship service.

• Seasonal Flower Delivery
Deacons deliver seasonal flowers (Poinsettias and Easter Lilies) to certain members, including those who have experienced a recent loss, those being visited at home, and members over 90 years old.

• Prayer
Deacons pray for members, as requested in the Care and Concern Line and as other concerns are shared with them.

If you or someone you know could benefit from our deacon ministry, please contact Rev. Scott Simpson Associate Pastor for Congregational Care, at scotts@fpcsat.org or 210-226-0215, ext. 212, or Lisa Snow, at lisas@fpcsat.org.

Officers of First Presbyterian Church

THE SESSION

Moderator
Rev. Dr. Bob Fuller

Pastors
Rev. R. Scott Simpson
Rev. A. Mitchell Moore
Rev. Becky Prichard

Clerk
Tripp Stuart

Treasurer

John Bass

THE ELDERS

Class of 2023

Carter, John
Cross, Nancy
DeKoch, Dirk
Douglas, Jeanne
Hornberger, Boxy
Page, Clay
Price, Becca
Villastrigo, Irina

Class of 2024

Bass, John
Bunn, Chuck
Clouse, Jim
Guy, Sallie
Jackson, Jobe
Peavy, Gardner
Stuart, Tripp
Youngquist, Holly

Class of 2025

Burnett, Tyler
Charlton, Mike
Maynard, Martha
McCaleb, Ben
Moore, Ed
Oliver, Bill
Scheifele, Nancy
Smith, Kim

THE BOARD OF DEACONS

Moderator
Shelley Bass

Vice-Moderator
Kathy Timberlake

Secretary
Marianne Ryan

THE DEACONS

Class of 2023

Bass, Shelley
Buchek, Mills
Butler, Leah
Delano, Linda
Fuhrmann, Joy
Hill, Julie
Hornberger, Janet
Howard, Scott
Johnson, Pat
Siv, Sichan
Strange, Kelly
Stuart, Chaney
Sturdivant, Suzanne
Test, Don
White, Amy
Wolff, Lisa
Young, Bill

Class of 2024

Brockschmidt, Laurel
Eckburg, Eva
Etheredge, William
Gerfers, Nancy
Hudnall, Robin
Jung, Kiech
Oden, Kirk
Perry, Blair
Peters, John
Rice, Nancy
Ryan, Marianne
Seletskaya- Alvarado, Yelena
Smith, Martha
Smith, Zach
Stith, Cheri
Timberlake, Kathy
Wilde, Mary

Class of 2025

Alexander, Mary
Benke, Tom
Folkes, Lee
Fritz, Jessica
Heath, Georgia
Henderson, Mary
Lane, Lellen
Medford, Stanley
Morse, Michael
Munroe, Mike
Puckett, Nancy
Seal, Marti
Temple, Jane Ann
Williams, Neil
Young, Ben

Committees

ADULT EDUCATION
John Carter, Chair

BENEVOLENCE OVERSIGHT
Ben McCaleb, Chair

CHILDREN’S MINISTRY
Holly Youngquist, Chair

CHILDREN’S CENTER BOARD
Bob Esquenazi, Chair

CHURCH PLANTING
Chuck Bunn, Chair

CLERK OF SESSION
Dr. Norton “Tripp” Stuart

CONNECTIONS
Sallie Guy, Chair

GLOBAL MISSIONS
Don Ryan, Chair

LOCAL MISSIONS
Debra Sirakos, Chair

MARRIAGE MINISTRY
Bobby & Downie Mickler, Co-Chairs

OFFICER NOMINATING
Mike Charlton, Chair

OLDER ADULT MINISTRY
Jim Clouse, Elder Liaison

PERSONNEL
Bill Oliver, Chair

PRAYER
Eva Eckburg, Chair

PROPERTY
Gardner Peavy, Chair

STEWARDSHIP AND FINANCE
John Bass, Chair

STRUCTURE TASK FORCE
Nancy Scheifele, Chair

WORSHIP
Dr. Dirk DeKoch, Chair

YOUNG ADULT COMMUNITIES
Jake McKenzie, Chair

YOUTH MINISTRY
Jobe Jackson, Chair

2023 Nomination of Officers

Elders, Deacons & Trustees | Class of 2026

Nominations Due by Friday, January 27, 2023

The life of the congregation is enriched by the many different kinds of service that members offer. This represents an expression of Paul’s great picture of the church as the body of Christ, with each member contributing to the health of the whole. (I Corinthians 12)

Congregational leadership is one important area of service in the church. Each year, members of First Presbyterian Church are called by the congregation to exercise a ministry of leadership within the church as Elders, Deacons and Trustees. These are distinctive leadership roles, calling for particular gifts and commitment.

The offices of Deacon and Elder are part of the rich history of our Judeo-Christian heritage. Please read the scriptures listed below as you seek the leading of the Holy Spirit before completing the nomination form: 1 Timothy 3, 1 Timothy 5, 1 Peter 5, and Titus 1.

The Church Officer Nominating Committee is now seeking names to consider for nomination for service as Elders, Deacons, and Trustees. The Committee asks the congregation to suggest the names of persons who have been regular in worship, active in the life of FPC, generous in support of our ministry and faithful in their life and witness to the gospel.

The committee will meet and consider the persons suggested by the congregation together with the members who have served as officers in the past. The committee will exercise its collective judgment in deciding which members to nominate and present to the congregation for election.

Nomination forms are available to download by clicking here: ONC Form 2023 or you may submit your form online below.