SESSION AND DEACONS

Session

Session is responsible for the mission and government of the church. Session is comprised of installed elders and the pastors. Members of Program Staff and the Clerk of Session attend session meetings regularly. Elders are elected by the congregation for a three-year term to serve on Session. Elders are assigned to one of eight Ministry Areas (Children, Discipleship, Ministry Resources, Mission and Service, Caring, Welcome and Hospitality, Worship, Youth) or Chair of Council or Chair of Nominating Committee or Chair of Personnel. Session meets the third Tuesday of the month at 7:30 p.m.

Session Organization by Ministry Area

Ministry Area 

Elders

Staff Liaison

Caring

Charter

Judy Beggs

Joanne Papoulias

Roger Medsker

Rev. Karin Hejmanowski

 

Children's

Charter

Sarah Hawthorne

Richard Collins

Michelle VanSickle

Director of Children's Ministry


Council

Charter

Judi Pogue

All Lead Elders

Rev. Hardy Kim

 

Discipleship

Charter

Bill Coleman

Bill Tsai

Rev. Hardy Kim

 

Ministry Resources

Charter

Jim Shaver

Dave Morley

Barry Vickrey

Church Administrator

Comptroller


Mission and Service

Charter

Betsy Brittle

Owen Peterson

Max Mikles

Rev. Karin Hejmanowski


Nominating

Charter

Barbara Reynolds

Rev. Hardy Kim

Rev. Karin Hejmanowski


Personnel​​​​​​​

Judi Pogue

Rev. Hardy Kim


Welcome & Hospitality

Charter

Richard Steffen

Joe Lyon

Sara Grignon

Carol Heath

 

Worship

Charter

Marsha Dyslin

Joe Don Heath

Rev. Hardy Kim

Worship Director

 

Youth

Charter

Jennifer Britton

Elizabeth Eber

Celina McCaffrey

Director of Youth Ministry

 

Deacons

The office of Deacon is one of empathy, witness, and service. Deacons serve as Christ’s hands and feet in our own community as they nurture members of the congregation. Sunnyvale Presbyterian Church has two types of deacons, Parish Deacon and Home Deacon. Deacons attend monthly meetings for mutual support and training, and may help with congregational needs as they arise. Desirable characteristics for both types of deacons include sound judgment, compassion, warm sympathies, good listening skills, prayerfulness, and faithfulness.


Deacons currently serving are: Sue Ahn, Minna Chan, Julie Clinton, Helen Conklin, Drew Crow-Bray, Arul Daniel, Beverly Fisher, Milt Gentry, Pat Innes, Sara Johnson, Timblin Kelleher, Kay Narva, Kathleen Newby, Kristi Pierce, Linda Ometer, Randy Ristau, Debbie Shaver and Anne Stewart.


PARISH DEACON

Parish Deacons provide ongoing care and nurture to members of the congregation according to individual needs and one’s own gifts for the ministry of compassion. Some of the areas of compassion are Parish Contact (through letter writing, e-mail, text, or phone), Newer Member Integration, and Young Adult Ministry. Deacons work closely with Associate Pastor Karin Kennedy Hejmanowski and Jean Ranck, the Administrative Assistant for Pastoral Care. This is a very rewarding role for people who enjoy getting to know members better and helping them feel connected to the church.


HOME DEACON

Home Deacons provide care and nurture to assigned home-bound members of our church community. Each Home Deacon is assigned to one or two members at a time. The Home Deacon visits their care receiver(s) monthly (visiting times are flexible) and keeps in regular communication with Jean Ranck, the Administrative Assistant for Pastoral Care and Pastor Karin about any needs or celebrations that arise. This is a wonderful job for people who especially enjoy one-on-one interactions and working with senior adults.

ROOTED IN CHRIST, REACHING OUT IN LOVE