Over the past few months I have focused on the work of our Session in my Pastor’s Letters. I have wanted to highlight the work our Elders do as they govern and lead our Church, following Jesus as the Head of our Church. I have also wanted to add some clarity about how our Session works and what our Elders do.
A common assumption that many folks have is that Session meetings are long and tedious. Most of our meetings take about 2 hours; we are a busy church with a great deal for us to discuss. Twice each year we schedule meetings for Saturday mornings to give us extra time to discuss issues in depth. In an effort to make our meetings more productive we are working to leave more of the details to Ministry Teams. Session should be focused on overall policies and practices.
Our April meeting was one of our two Saturday meetings and it was a wonderful example of why our meetings cannot be called tedious! Linda Lindamood, the Director of our Early Learning Center, gave us a lively and informative presentation on this wonderful ministry MPC has provided to the community for more than 40 years. Members of the ELC Board of Advisors were there as well to answer questions. And Linda brought a special guest, Mrs. Mary Dingleberry, who filled the room with laughter as she dispensed her unique, lavender-scented wisdom.
When we turn our attention to Christian Education programs at each Session meeting, I have the joy of providing updates on our Confirmation Class. I have had the privilege of teaching our Confirmation Class this past year with Mary Langley. The students in the class have been enthusiastic, inquisitive, and fun, challenging us as they have sought to grow in faith. They are now finishing their Service Projects and will turn their attention to their Statements of Faith. We will close our year with a Retreat at the church on May 10th, and then celebrate the year together with Confirmation Sunday on the 18th, first at breakfast with the Session and then in the 11:00 worship service as the students make their public profession of faith.
When our Elders meet as the Session, we try to follow Paul’s wise words to the Colossians: “Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body…And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” These are words to guide us not only in Session meetings, but in every part of our lives as we follow our Lord Jesus the Christ.
Grace & peace,
Pastor Skip
