Session

You've seen them greeting people following Sunday worship. You've seen them serving Communion. From time to time, you've seen one in the pulpit reading scripture. This is the tip of the iceberg. For an in-depth view, you may refer to Chapter X of the Presbyterian Church USA Book of Order.

Elders meet on the second Tuesday of each month to conduct church business, and that's a lot. Current church membership is reported. Attendance at The Edge and Sunday Morning Worship is reported. Information about upcoming meetings or events to be held in the church is announced. A representative (or two, if needed) to the monthly Presbytery meeting is appointed. The church calendar of events is approved. Approval for any church sponsored activity (i.e., EPYC car wash or non-church activity [i.e., Edgewood Symphony performance in the Sanctuary]) is considered. Work of the deacons and the property committee is reviewed. Baptisms, membership transfers, and weddings must be approved. Monthly financial reports are distributed and reviewed. Special ministry teams are appointed as needed and their reports are given serious consideration, as are the monthly standing Ministry Team reports.

Each elder serves on one of the following ministry teams, and in many cases also chairs that particular team. Our standing Ministry Teams at First Presbyterian Church of Edgewood are:

Each ministry team meets monthly (weekly in some cases) and is currently dealing with how to more effectively live out our mission as the First Presbyterian Church of Edgewood to love God, to love each other, and to love our neighbors.

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July 2007: Carrie Hanson Received Under Care

At our June session meeting FPCE member and Pittsburgh Theological Seminary student Carrie Hanson was formally received under care of session as an Inquirer, the first step on the road to ordination in the PC(USA). A representative from Pittsburgh Presbytery’s Committee on Preparation for Ministry met with us to outline the long process from Inquirer to ordained Minister of Word and Sacraments. The process takes a minimum of two years. After one year as an Inquirer Carrie can move up to Candidate status. As a candidate Carrie can take the four very rigorous Ordination Examinations.

It is not an easy path from Inquirer to Pastor. But we are confident that God has given Carrie every good gift to for ministry and she that will move smoothly through the process. As Carrie’s home church it is our responsibility to support her spiritually and financially. One member of session is required to serve as liaison between Inquirer and church; Linda Crocker will serve that roll for us. We will also support Carrie’s journey by welcoming her as a pastoral intern at FPCE for the fall where she will work with Rev. Mike and the church to experience the day-to-day, week-to-week realities of parish ministry.

Carrie is an excellent student who has completed two years of study at PTS. She has been involved in many aspects of the life of our church. Some months ago she started an young women’s study group that has been meeting regularly. Carrie’s husband, D.J. Benton is a nurse practitioner and an active deacon here at FPCE. The came to Pittsburgh from Montana so that Carrie could pursue her studies at PTS. They’ve quickly made Pittsburgh their home and we are blessed to have them as members of our church.

It is a sign of great health and vitality when a congregation vigorously supports a member who seeks to serve God in ordained ministry. Please do everything you can support Carrie as she continues her studies, serves us as an intern, and follows where God is leading her.

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