Session members are nominated by the Nominating Committee and presented to the congregation in January for election at the annual congregational meeting. Following training in February, the new Session members are ordained and/or installed on the first Sunday in March, and begin their term of service, typically for three years, in March. The Session appoints a Clerk of Session and a Church Treasurer. Currently serving elders are:
Class of 2020
Anselm George
Warren Marcus
Richard Mesmer
Thomas Miller
Rob Powell
Class of 2021
Joe Alber
Mary Atwood
Ralph Doerzbacher
Debbie Hutton
Marty Shafer
Class of 2022
Sharon Dittmar
Dirk Pouli
Clark Squires
Pat Townsend
Moderator: Pastor Bill Hennessy
Clerk of Session: Sylvia Bigler
Treasurer: Mary Beth Karr
Assistant Treasurer: Ann Eisenlord
FINANCIAL SNAPSHOTS
OPERATING BUDGET
SESSION MEETINGS
June/August
What Happened at Session
Session Standing Committees:
Administration/Personnel: Responsible for staff evaluations, contracts, and other staff and administrative concerns.
Adult Education: Plans, implements, and secures leaders for adult education classes and events.
Children’s Christian Education
Communications
Finance: Oversees the church’s finances, produces the annual budget for Session approval, gives at least quarterly financial reports to Session. If you are member of North Church, please read the 2020 Per Capita appeal letter and plan to make a donation soon.
Membership: Reviews and maintains the church’s membership rolls, organizes and conducts classes for inquirers, welcomes visitors and new members, appoints mentors for new members.
Mission: Plans and implements congregational mission projects, disperses budgeted funds for mission work, advocates in the congregation and community for mission, social justice, and peace; promotes special denominational offerings.
Nominating Committee: Nominates elders and deacons to the congregation for election; helps to recruit committee members. The committee is comprised of two members of Session, one of whom serves as chair, and four members elected at large from the congregation at the annual Congregational meeting in January.
Planned Giving: This type of giving is above and beyond what we give during the year. It is part of each person’s estate planning. When you remember North Church in your will, for example, you are supporting the mission and ministries of the church, helping with unexpected needs that may arise, and funding important projects without the need for special appeals. Besides naming North in your will, other planned giving tools include life insurance, property, stocks and bonds, retirement planning, and revocable trust. If you are interested in learning more about planned giving, please call North at 716.632.1330.
Property: Maintains the church building and grounds; oversees the use of the church building.
Stewardship
Worship: Oversees the worship services; works with the pastor and music director to plan special services; recommends to Session the dates for communion; arranges for communion preparation, serving, and clean-up.
