Please note that the Deacons have moved their meeting date from the 2nd Thursday to the First Thursday of the month.
Shepherding Program returns to St. Paul - The re-organized Shepherding Program of St. Paul's is now in full operation. We are looking forward to more people involved and more contact with our members. Many of you will have a new "shepherd." We thank each one of you for your commitment! This program remains under the umbrella of the Board of Deacons.
Assembled Blessings Mix - The St. Paul Shepherds recently met to assemble bags of "Blessing Mix," a Thanksgiving-themed snack mix, which were delivered to our shut-in members who are unable to attend church services. If you are a shut-in who was inadvertently missed in our Fall deliveries, or if you know of someone who should be on our list, please contact Sue Loffler at 278-0299. Each Shepherd has a "flock" of St. Paul members that they nurture in various ways throughout the year.
CONSIDER SAYING YES TO JOINING "SESSION" OR BECOMING A DEACON -by Dean Nihart
----The nominating committee is looking for volunteers. The Session needs two new members to help lead our church and the Deacons need one new member to help with the "caring and sharing" arm of our church.
----Here is my textbook definition of what the Session is: The Session of a particular church consists of the Pastor and the Elders in active service. All members of the Session are entitled to vote. The session is responsible for the mission and government of the particular church.
However, there is much, much more that can happen for those who take on the responsibility of becoming a leader in our church and a willing member of Session. While I cannot speak for all Elders, past or present, I can speak for one ...me.
----I was first asked to become an Elder in the fall of 2000. While I was not sure I was cut out for this, I did ask questions, decided I would try my best, and was accepted in as a member of Session beginning in 2001. I was a co-chair of the M&E committee. For me, the experience was tremendously rewarding. So much so, that when asked again in the fall of 2008, I accepted and am now serving my second term as an active Elder, this time as chair of the Stewardship committee.
While I don't have space to describe all the issues we dealt with from 2001-2003 or are working on now, I can tell you I have worked and continue to work with terrific people on Session. What is the main constant among the group? Well, in my opinion, it is that we all CARE about our church, our congregation, our children, our staff and our faith-building journey with God. We don't always agree on what the right answers are, but we all are working toward a common goal, which is to make our church even more special going forward than it already is. We are working behind the scenes to try to make St. Paul a better place.
