Our Leadership

A church with a cross on top is surrounded by trees and a parking lot.

Session/Elders

The session (or church council) has the responsibility for governing the congregation and guiding its witness to the sovereign activity of God in the world, so that the congregation is and becomes a community of faith, hope, love, and witness. The Session is made up of 12-15 women and men who have been chosen by the congregation to be our elders, or spiritual leaders. Each person serves for three years, although youth often serve one-year terms.

Class of 2026:
Susannah Foster, Susan Hicks, Cheryl Kocian

Class of 2027:
Jean Emmons, Peter King, Ruth Miller, Katie Quayle

Class of 2028:

Elaine Bransford, Julie James, Lenny Snellman, Tim Witzmann
Youth Elder: Niko Govich

Moderator of Session—Rev. Cader Howard
Clerk of Session—Sue Rutford

Deacons

The ministry of deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of compassion, witness, and service, sharing in the redeeming love of Jesus Christ for the poor, the hungry, the sick, the lost, the friendless, the oppressed, those burdened by unjust policies or structures, or anyone in distress. The Board of Deacons  is designed to be a seamless extension of the pastoral staff, offering and spiritual care to the members of our church. Deacons respond to specific needs: making visits, providing rides to church or appointments, assisting with shopping, bringing communion to the sick or homebound, providing meals to a family when someone is ill or hospitalized, making phone calls to just “check in”, and praying. Additionally, our deacons are blessed with the responsibility of preparing the elements for Communion.


At FPC, our 15 deacons are organized into Care Groups to provide a network of congregational care and nurture for members and their families in times of need. There are four groups divided by last name and a special Senior Community Care Group. Contact the church office for assistance contacting your Deacon.





A-Bri: Gary Wright

Bro-Cl: Melissa Briles

Cr-D: Brian Rich

E-G: Phyllis Reubendale

H-Ji: Roger Tyrrell

Jo-K: Stephanie Frost

L-Mo: Kate Nelson

Mu-Q: Sue Boeve

R-Sl: Kathy Noble

Sm-Sz: Martha Sanford

T-V: Jean Marie Ulland

W-Z: Laura Jensen

Boutwells A-I & Croixdale: Marianne Tyrrell

Boutwells J-Z: Mary Gillespie

Oak Park Villas and Senior Living and Green Twig: Karen Cramer

Ministry Teams

The ministry of the church is carried out by nine ministry teams that are typically led by elders.

Buildings and Grounds: 

Julie James, chair
Faith Formation:

Susannah Foster, chair
Personnel: 

Jim Almendinger, chair
Finance: 

Peter King, chair
Mission: 

Lenny Snellman, chair
Worship: 

Cheryl Kocian, chair

Other Committees:


Legacy Gifts Committee
Terry Lewis, Rob McKim, Bill Chadwick, and Cader Howard, ex-officio