VIENNA PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH | JUNE/JULY 2022
THE MONTHLY MESSENGER
FROM HOPE'S HEART... The end of May and the beginning of June are some of the best weeks of the year – every year! It’s a time of graduations, of the start of summer, anticipation for all that is ahead. And most years, the Day of Pentecost arrives during this joyful time. Pentecost is the “birthday of the church!” It’s the day that God’s Spirit was poured out on the people and the Apostles were sent out into the world to birth the church among the followers of Jesus Christ! This year Pentecost is June 5th. That timing should not be lost on us here at VPC because June is the month that the Transformation Teams, commissioned last December, are due to give their final reports to our Session – ON TIME! In order to have reached this goal, the entire congregation pitched in to make it possible. So many of you sent emails, met with the teams, shared your opinions, participated in surveys and focus groups. What I learned, as your new pastor, is that we are a congregation that is READY for a new chapter and excited to get going! There is such a desire for us to be a church of impact for Jesus Christ and a willingness on the parts of many to make that a reality! In mid-June, the Session (the leadership of the church) will receive those final recommendations along with a staffing strategy that aligns with the new vision and mission of the church. There’s no doubt that a new direction will require a new perspective on how we allocate our pastoral staff, those who lead in our programs of the church, and our dedicated and new volunteers. It’s definitely going to take the efforts of everyone across the church to make this happen!
What is particularly special about Pentecost is that it is a celebration of moving forward. The Resurrection marked the end of sin and the birth of new life, but Pentecost is exclusively about living fully into that new life. And that’s where we are as a church this year! We’ve done tons of hard work and God has led us boldly into the time of action. Looking ahead – in June the Session receives the final action items from the Transformation Teams. At that moment, it is up to our elected leadership (the Session) to move us all into action! There is no point in having done all the work to chart out the future if we’re not committed to moving into it. Please be praying for the elders of the church as they prayerfully make decisions that will impact our life and ministry for years to come. Lord, give them dose upon dose of the power of the Holy Spirit that calls your Church to arise! These are indeed days of celebration! With a new vision and mission on the horizon, a new staffing strategy, and a whole bunch of summer mission and conference adventures coming up quickly, we can all be so excited about the months ahead. The team to Mexico starts us off, followed by the youth conference in Hilton Head (which I am really excited to lead with my husband, Rev. Sung Ho Lee), the Philadelphia Project, and local with Belong! Keep your eyes and ears open to see how you can jump in on all the fun and the JOY of the Lord! Get ready, church! God is on the move! In the Grip of Grace, Pastor Hope hope.lee@viennapres.org
WORSHIP
HOW TO GET CONNECTED VPC seeks to be a warm and welcoming community that invites you to “come just as you are” to learn what it means to follow Jesus with your life. VPC can be as big or small as you want it to be. We have the resources of a large church, but our groups and ministries give us the warm, hometown, community feel that makes us special. We have many paths to help you get connected, learn more about God, and to serve others, regardless of your age. At VPC, you’ll make friends, find encouragement, and receive support. We encourage everyone to find a small group with whom to share their spiritual journey: perhaps a class in one of our Sunday morning Learning Communities where you can ask questions about faith, a weekday Bible study, a choir, a moms' gathering, or many others. Wherever you are in your journey there are others here that want to walk with you. Our worship is dynamic and alive and is designed to engage your mind, stimulate your heart and challenge you to discover how God is calling you to live your life. Music is an important element of worship here and we celebrate with a wide variety of music styles intended to engage everyone in our intergenerational family. Does singing bring you joy? Why don't you join us in the choir? All voice parts are needed and there is no audition necessary. We ask that you are vaccinated and boosted. Rehearsals are Sunday morning in the Lower Level at 9:45am. At 10:30am, we move upstairs to rehearse in the Sanctuary. Questions? Contact Lance Vining at 703.938.9050 or lance.vining@viennapres.org
VPC has two worship services in the Sanctuary on Sunday mornings. Both services include Bible-based teaching combined with either traditional or contemporary music. The pastor delivers the same sermon at both services. 9:00AM - This worship service is contemporary; music is led by a worship band. Children's programming is offered at this time. Childcare is available for infants to 3 years. 10:10AM - Invite a friend, gather your family, and get ready to expand your church family while enjoying FREE breakfast and activities in between worship services this summer from June 5 – September 4 at 10:10am in the Great Hall and Outside. 11:15AM - This worship service is traditional; music is led by the Sanctuary Choir with organ and piano. Childcare is available for infants to 3 years. We typically celebrate the sacrament of communion on the first Sunday of each month. Baptisms can be scheduled by contacting Rachel Peck at rachel.peck@viennapres.org.
QUICK GLANCE CALENDAR
HAPPENINGS AT VPC Summer Breakfast Begins June 5th, at 10:10 AM weekly, in the Great Hall and Outside Cost: free; donations welcome Invite a friend, gather your family, and get ready to expand your church family while enjoying breakfast and activities in between worship services this summer from June 5 – September 4. Grab a plateful or some handheld items, take a seat or mingle, and join in on the fun and games for all ages outside. We hope you’ll join us for this special opportunity to build church relationships and consider who you could invite to experience Christian hospitality! Let's try and be a good steward of God's creation and bring your own travel coffee mug for our free coffee from Caffe Amouri. Preschool Celebrates 35 Years of Ministry VPC Preschool has concluded its 35th year of ministry with children ages 2.5-5! As always, it was a joy-filled exploration of God’s wonderful world and His love for us. Each week included a Bible lesson, music, art, social, emotional, physical and cognitive learning, plus playground fun, and lots of paint and glitter. Each spring we even have baby chicks! We look forward to beginning another great year this September, and currently have a few more spaces in our 3s program. Please see our website vpcpreschool.org or email Terri Franke at preschool@viennapres.org for more information.
JUNE 5 Summer Breakfast Begins 5 Pentecost 12 Mission Trip Commissioning 14 GLO Middle School Event 14 - 21 Mexico Mission Trip 15 Italian Ice and The Word 16 Water and Worship 19 Father's Day 25 Playground Playdates 26 Family Fun Night JULY 2 Liberty Amendments Concert, Town Green 4
Independence Day (VPC Office Closed)
10 Hilton Head Youth Conference 10 Family Fun Night 18 Belong! Mission Project 23 Playground Playdates
Summer Playground Playdates Please join us this summer for Playground Playdates for families with preschool age children on Saturday, June 25, 9:30-11:00am and Saturday, July 23, 9:3011:00am on the VPC Playground! Donuts and coffee provided. Check the VPC website for updates closer to the events, viennapres.org. Questions? Contact Heather Boehm at heather.boehm@viennapres.org.
31 Philadelphia Project 31 Family Fun Night
Family Fun Nights Join us for FAMILY FUN NIGHTS! Sundays, June 26, July 10, July 31, and August 14 from 5:00 to 7:00pm. Drama, songs, games, fellowship and a featured Jerusalem Marketplace Shop for each of the four Family Fun Nights. Dinner provided. When you register, you can choose the nights your family will attend! Also, invite your friends and neighbors to join in the FUN! Register on REALM. For more information, contact Melissa Ciavarella at melissa.ciavarella@viennapres.org
WELCOME TO OUR NEWEST MEMBERS ALENA HUTCHISON Hailing from DuBois, PA, Alena Hutchison went to undergrad at the University of Richmond and came to the DC area for graduate school at Georgetown University. She met her husband, Pat, through mutual friends, and they married in 2008 and settled in the Vienna area. Together, they have two kids, Patrick (8) and Kinsey (7), who fill their lives with laughter, soccer, and the best kind of chaos.
JIM AND ROBIN LEMUNYON Jim LeMunyon grew up at the Jersey Shore and met his wife, Robin, at Valparaiso University. They moved to the DC area as newlyweds, and now enjoy keeping company with their three local adult children, son-in-law, and baby granddaughter. Jim’s career has included business development in technology companies and public service. Born and raised in New England, Robin LeMunyon has resided with husband, Jim, for nearly 40 years in the NoVA area, where they raised their three children. She enjoys travel, warm weather, and is a genealogy enthusiast. As a longstanding FCPS substitute teacher, she helps coach adult special needs students with job and life skills.
JENNIFER SCHULZ Jennifer Schulz is wife to Brad Schulz and mother to 3 girls-Emily (25), Olivia (14) and Lauren (12). She grew up in Ohio and relocated to Northern VA in 2011. Jennifer enjoyed a career in Human Resources before staying at home to homeschool her two younger daughters, then returned to working as an Executive/Personal Assistant in recent years. She enjoys dogs, reading, fiber arts, healthy eating and walking.
GARY THOMAS Gary Thomas is a Navy Brat and proud son of a Vietnam Veteran. He transplanted from the San Francisco Bay Area to Northern Virginia 25 years ago, and raised his six wonderful kids in Reston, Virginia. A GMU alumni, he’s a technical leader with the Department of Defense, and enjoys walking outdoors. ENTJ.
LINDA WAYNE Linda was born and raised in North Carolina and was a member of a Methodist Church for years. She moved to this area in 1974 and to Vienna in 2017. She has attended VPC in person and virtually since 2019.
SARA KAPLAN Sara Kaplan is a mother, wife, daughter, and sister who has lived in the northern Virginia area most of her life. She is an architect by day and wannabe crime solver by night (in other words, she loves to binge mystery documentaries). After attending VPC on and off for years with her family, Sara is excited to take the next step in her faith journey and become a committed member of the VPC church community.
CAROL WILLIS Born and raised in the DC area, Carol grew up Catholic but has been a practicing Lutheran since meeting her husband of 36 years, Dave. They have two adult children, Amy, who lives in Fairfax VA, and Jonathan, who lives in Los Angeles CA. After being employed for 35 years at Navy Federal Credit Union (Vienna VA), Carol retired in 2012, and enjoys biking and walking.
JIAHUNG WU Jiahong Wu and his wife Hongmei Wang were both engineers for several decades until they retired. They live in Vienna. Their son, Chen Wu, has degrees in computer science and works in San Francisco.
MISSIONS AT VPC Commissioning Sunday, June 12 We celebrate the return of our Mission Trips program and will commission those who will travel to share both God’s love and his Word as they travel to Mexico, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, and here in our local community. Please commit to support those who are going into the field by selecting a traveler to pray for during each of their trips. Prayer partner opportunities will be in the Lobby through June 12.
Be part of the Legacy of Teens that Serve at the Local Mission Outreach! This year we will be serving alongside of Church for All Nations and Belong! Ministry! You can be a part of this week that will change your life in amazing and wonderful ways! We will be working with elementary aged children from the local community and giving them a fun, interactive, and educational experience as they participate in the Summer Vacation Bible Camp experience! Do you like to connect with kids? Do sports? Music? Drama? Arts? Help in the kitchen? We have a place for you! For more information and/or to register email Melissa.ciavarella@viennapres.org
Want to Keep in Touch with Mission Volunteer and Partner Updates? The Mission Ministry provides a monthly newsletter for those interested in what our Global and Local partners are engaged in, how to help and support them, local volunteer opportunities and most importantly, how you can pray for those in the field! Please contact Susan.kenney@viennapres.org to receive the newsletter that arrives on the 3rd Wednesday of each month.
GENEROSITY MINISTRIES Take VPC With You this Summer It’s getting warmer, pools are open and the ice cream truck is back in action. That means one thing…Summer is here! While many of us will enjoy much-needed vacation and quality time spent with family and friends, VPC's ministry won't slow down. If travels take you elsewhere this summer, you can still join in worship at www.viennapres.org/worship-live/, and you can easily and securely give your tithe and offerings online at www.viennapres.org/giving. You can even simplify your giving by scheduling an automatic recurring gift. Help us continue to fund VPC ministries throughout the summer and support Christ’s work in the world. "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver." 2 Corinthians 9:6-8
2022 Unified Ministries and Missions Giving through May 31, 2022 Actual: $1,288,391 Budgeted: $1,324,030
The giving of our treasure is a reflection of our hearts for all the ways that God is moving in our lives and in this church. Thank you for investing in Kingdom work through Vienna Presbyterian Church. For more information or if you have questions, please contact Nina Graves at nina.graves@viennapres.org or 703.938.9050 x 133
NEXT GEN MININSTRIES SUNDAY MORNING CHILDREN'S MINISTRY (INFANTS - 6TH GRADE) At 9:00AM:
Children Pre-K to 6th grade begin in worship with their parents and then after the Children's Message are invited to go to the Bridges and Doorways classes. Childcare for infants to 3 years: Interactive Bible stories, music and movement. Bridges to Worship for Pre-K and Kindergarten: Storytelling Bible stories and hands-on play. Doorways to Worship for Elementary Grades 1st - 3rd (4th - 6th grades are welcome): Summer series: Epic Explorers/Exploring the Life of Jesus in a fun and interactive way!
At 10:10AM:
Families will remain together for our Summer Breakfast and fellowship.
At 11:15AM: Childcare for infants to 3 years: Interactive Bible stories, music and movement. For information on our Children's Ministry, contact Melissa Ciavarella at melissa.ciavarella@viennapres.org
YOUTH MINISTRY June 14: GLO, 7:00pm - 9:00pm This annual middle school event celebrates the end of the school year and welcome the rising 7th graders! Join us for food, fun, games, and lots of glow-in-the dark activities! Bring a friend! Please let us know if there are food allergies so we can accommodate!
June 16 - August 4: Water and Worship, 7:00pm - 10:00pm If you love Christian music and are in high school or college, we want you to join us for an evening of swimming and song! Bring your swimsuit, your instrument, and your voice. We will gather every Thursday to swim, play games, and worship! For location and information, contact Macy at Macy.Wright@viennapres.org.
June 15 - July 13: Italian Ice and The Word, 7:00pm This 5-week Bible study will focus on Biblical perspective in the Gospels. Bring your Bible and a friend! Rita’s Italian Ice will be provided. For location and information, contact Michelle at Michelle.Rahal@viennapres.org.
JOIN A VPC MINISTRY TEAM When you join a ministry team, you participate in Christ’s ongoing work in the world. Check out the volunteer opportunities below and contact Kim Snyder at kim.snyder@viennapres.org or x130, if interested. Kim will put you in touch with a team leader who can give you more information and equip you to become a member of the team. Current Volunteer Needs: Summer Breakfast – join a team for one or more of the weeks to help with food or set up Childcare and Children’s Ministry assistants on Sundays at 9:00 AM Welcome Center greeters to welcome guests before and after worship services Entry door greeters and sanctuary ushers for worship services Online worship chat box hosts/greeters for worship Drivers to bring people who can’t drive themselves to worship on Sunday mornings Looking Towards Fall: Childcare and Children’s Ministry teachers, assistants, and event volunteers Youth Ministry small group leaders and event volunteers for teens Adult Ministry small group leaders, group/class coordinators, and event volunteers Volunteer ESOL Teachers Needed at VPC: VPC’s adult "English for Speakers of Other Languages" program needs English teachers. Volunteers will teach classes for 2 hours, one morning or evening per week for the 2022/23 school year. No teaching experience is required. Training is available. For more information, please contact Deb Rymer at Deb.Rymer@viennapres.org.
Visit: viennapres.org/volunteer for more information or to sign up. We'd love to have you!
CARE AND SUPPORT MINISTRIES A New Way to Grow and Serve. Only Available Once Every Three Years! Stephen Minister training is an engaging, energizing experience that features a mixture of presentation, video, group discussion, skill practice, and spiritual growth activities. Stephen Minister Training: Teaches principles and skills that equip you to provide high-quality, Christ-centered emotional and spiritual care to others. Gives you new insight into the thoughts, feelings, and actions of people who are hurting. Equips you with relational and caring skills you can apply to all aspects of your life. Helps deepen your faith as the Holy Spirit fashions you into a Christ-centered caregiver. Builds a special bond of Christian community and camaraderie. Starting in January of 2023, we will offer 20 weekly sessions and one partial day retreat. (Many liken this training to an entry-level course in pastoral care!) Pre-class reading, devotions, presentations, discussions, skill practice, and videos create an outstanding 50 hours of initial training. Once trained and commissioned in worship, Stephen Ministers then begin caring for members and friends of VPC in one-on-one confidential, caring relationships. Pastor Connie and a highly-experienced team of Stephen Leaders lead! If you are interested in learning more, and/or would welcome the care of a Stephen Minister, please reach out to Pastor Connie at connie.jordan-haas@viennapres.org
A FREE Gift for You! VPC is giving you a Bible study library that is digital and gigantic! Right Now Media has thousands of discipleship videos for all ages. There are even Christian shows for kids. GET FREE ACCESS 1. Go to viennapres.org/rightnowmedia 2. Click the sign up link 3. Create your profile. Then explore.
Deacon Profile - Tim Dronsfield During his sixth year as a VPC Deacon, Tim shares his call to service.
How long have you been a member of Vienna Presbyterian Church? In about 2002 our family attended a memorial service at VPC for a friend of our daughter Trisha. After the service Emmy Parker invited Trisha to come back on Sunday for the Friendship Class. We found VPC to be a loving and wonderful place to worship our Savior, and we have been coming back ever since, driving almost 20 miles from our home in Springfield. By the way, I was brought up in the Assembly of God church, and married my wife Cheryl at Derry Presbyterian Church in Hershey, Pennsylvania.
What persuaded you to become a Deacon? While recovering from a heart attack and carotid surgery, Pastor David Jordan-Haas visited me at home and asked if I wanted to become a Deacon. I hemmed and hawed for a couple of weeks until he called me on the phone. At that point how could I say no? David was very persuasive. I have missed David very much since he passed away and have fond memories of him ending every conversation with “I love you, brother.”
Which Deacon ministries have you participated in? Deacons serve the community in a wide variety of ways. Over the years I have served on the Acute Care, Funeral Memorial, Communion Setup, Agape Fund, On Call, Meals, Card, Visitation, Christmas Cookie Delivery and the Nominating Committee.
What is your favorite passage from Scripture? Romans 10:9. "For if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." In 1958 I attended a Youth for Christ rally in Pittsburgh with my dad, Walter, and brother, Paul. We rode the bus about 30 miles into Pittsburgh from our hometown of Greensburg, Pennsylvania. This was the passage the speaker was preaching on and I became a believer in Christ that night. I have never forgotten that day and I have never forgotten those words!
What is your role on the Nominating Committee? The Committee has seven members, led by an Elder along with four members of the congregation, another Elder and a Deacon – that’s me! Every year the Committee works on a slate of 15 to 20 nominees to select six Elders under the guidance of Pastor Hope, and 35 to 45 nominees to choose ten Deacons under the guidance of Pastor Charles. Both Elders and Deacons serve three-year terms. We take recommendations from the Pastors and members of the congregation. The Committee vets and discusses each recommended person based on their demonstrated faith conviction and participation in the wide variety of VPC activities such as ushers, welcome team, small group studies, Bible School, mission trips, the Great Banquet, and kitchen helpers. Throughout the process, the Pastors cannot provide input that would sway our votes.
How has the role of Deacons evolved over the past five years? My first three years were wonderful, working as a team doing many faceto-face community-service projects. When COVID-19 hit, we spent two and a half years on Zoom calls without much fellowship with the congregation or other Deacons. It was tough to do everything on the computer. With social distancing, we stopped a few projects like the meal ministry, flower delivery and visiting people at home. Along the way we lost a few Deacons and could not fill all of the positions. Right now, there are 27 Deacons when we should have at least 30. Since the beginning of this year, the Deacon Leadership team has done a fantastic job of bringing us back together. I feel we are back on the right track and moving forward to serve God and others in a changed world.
How has your long military career helped you as a Deacon? During my 28 years in the Army and then as a Federal security officer, I was told by many of my Commanders that I always took care of the personnel who worked for me and other people that I came in contact with around the world. Sometimes we overlook helping people because we are in a rush. I always tried to find ways to accomplish a mission by listening to and helping people. We as Deacons are here to help people! We need to sincerely listen to recognize their needs.
As told to Deacon Frank Ganis
If you would like to recommend yourself or someone you know to become a Deacon, please visit viennapres.org/nominating-committee. For more insights about becoming a Deacon, contact Pastor Charles Geschiere at 703.938.9050 x151 or charles.geschiere@viennapres.org.
DIRECTIONS TO KEY MINISTRY LOCATIONS Welcome Center: 1st Floor Lobby Great Hall-1st floor: Exit Sanctuary through the Lobby into main hallway. Great Hall is on left. Childcare (Birth to age 3)-2nd Floor: Exit Sanctuary through the Lobby into main hallway. Take elevator to the left or use main stairs at the end of the hallway to access the 2nd Floor. Children’s Ministries (Pre-K to Grade 6)-3rd Floor: Exit Sanctuary through the Lobby into main hallway. Take elevator on left or use main stairs at end of hallway to access the 3rd Floor. Youth Ministries (Grades 7-12)-Lower Level: Exit Sanctuary into the Lobby and take either the right-hand or left-hand stairwell or the Lobby elevator down to the Lower Level. Room #112 Community Room: Exit Sanctuary through the Lobby into main hallway. Community Room is on right across from the Great Hall. 2nd Floor Adult Classrooms: Exit Sanctuary through the Lobby into main hallway. Take elevator to the left or use main stairs at the end of the hallway to access the 2nd Floor. 3rd Floor Adult Classrooms: Exit Sanctuary through the Lobby into main hallway. Take elevator to the left or use main stairs at the end of the hallway to access the 3rd Floor. Church Office 2nd Floor: Exit Sanctuary through the Lobby into main hallway. Take elevator to the left or use main stairs at the end of the hallway. For security, the church office is accessible only through the Park Street entrance Monday -Thursday from 9:00am - 4:00pm. Follow parking lot signage.
EVACUATION INSTRUCTIONS Follow directions from ushers and immediately exit the building. Trained volunteers will evacuate all Children and Youth from those designated spaces in the event of an emergency.
MEET OUR STAFF Pastors and Pastoral Support Staff Lead Pastor: Hope Lee, x118, hope.lee@viennapres.org Associate Pastor: Glenda Simpkins Hoffman, x114, glenda.simpkinshoffman@viennapres.org Transitional Associate Pastor: Connie Jordan-Haas, x116, connie.jordan-haas@viennapres.org Director of Congregational Care: Charles Geschiere, x151, charles.geschiere@viennapres.org Executive Assistant for Worship: Dalliss Fuhrmann, x108, dalliss.fuhrmann@viennapres.org Congregational Care Administrative Assistant: Melanie Nunez, x103, melanie.nunez@viennapres.org Worship and Music Director of Worship and Music: Lance Vining, x132, lance.vining@viennapres.org Spiritual Formation Director of Community Engagement: Kim Snyder, x130, kim.snyder@viennapres.org Spiritual Formation Project Manager: Lisa Gibb, x127, lisa.gibb@viennapres.org NextGen NextGen Director: Melissa Ciavarella, x124, melissa.ciavarella@viennapres.org Director of the Preschool: Terri Franke, x134, terri.franke@viennapres.org Childcare Manager: Heather Boehm: x159, heather.boehm@viennapres.org NextGen Coordinator: Rachel Peck: x104, rachel.peck@viennapres.org Summer Intern: Macy Wright: x125, macy.wright@viennapres.org Missions Director of Missions, Sue Hamblen, x111, sue.hamblen@viennapres.org Missions Administrative Assistant: Susan Kenney, x123, susan.kenney@viennapres.org ESOL ESOL Manager: Deb Rymer, x102, deb.rymer@viennapres.org Finance, Operations and Communications Director of Finance and Operations: Nina Graves, x119, nina.graves@viennapres.org Finance Manager: Kellie Owens, x121, kellie.owens@viennapres.org Director of Generosity: Nina Graves, x133, nina.graves@viennapres.org Systems Manager: Melissa Jensen, x106, melissa.jensen@viennapres.org Communications Manager: Kelly Miller, x112, kelly.miller@viennapres.org Facilities Manager: Jaime Tapia, x131, jaime.tapia@viennapres.org Assistant Facilities Manager: Belarmino Diaz, x131 Facilities Support Staff: Maria Aguilar and Reyna Mendoza Schedule a Sacred Life Event: Baptisms: Rachel Peck, x104, rachel.peck@viennapres.org Funerals/Memorials: Melanie Nunez, x103, melanie.nunez@viennapres.org Weddings: Marnie Harter, mharter8@verizon.net Get to know the VPC staff better by visiting viennapres.org/staff. You can see their photos, bios and contact them directly through our website or call the church office at 703.938.9050 and dial their extension.
MEET OUR LEADERSHIP In the Presbyterian Church, more trust is placed in a group of people, who together seek to discern the mind of God to lead them towards faithful action, than in a single individual who has all the answers. Therefore, committees are a mainstay of the church. At the local, congregational level this means two main boards: Elders, as the highest decision-making body, and the Deacons, as the care-taking, pastoral group. Both groups are to be a representation of the congregation as a whole. The Elders and Deacons are ordained positions in the Presbyterian Church (USA). That means that we believe each of them has been chosen by God and the congregation to be a leader in Christ’s church. The vows they take are the same vows that the pastor takes to become a Minister of Word and Sacrament. Once a person is ordained that ordination is considered a lifelong vocation. The ordained Elders and Deacons have a responsibility to cultivate their prayer life, to study the Bible, and to seek God in their individual, and congregational life.
Elders CLASS OF 2020-2022 Bill Carter Jonathan Lochhaas Jan Mahumed Sandi McLauchlin Doris Pierson Beth Webster
CLASS OF 2021-2023 Chuck Allen, Clerk of Session Tom Bauer Patricia Bronson Steve Dirkse Kristin Romero David Steiner
CLASS OF 2022-2024 Jonathan Benett Teri Dungan Chris Jones Melinda Mayes Karen Mokate
To contact the VPC Session, please email session@viennapres.org. Visit viennapres.org/leadership
Deacons CLASS OF 2020-2022 Betty Anger Susan Bauer Mary Campbell Rick Cassee Jessica Clarke Christa Davidson, Moderator Tim Dronsfield Todd Hall Paul Mayer Pat Sheridan
CLASS OF 2021-2023 Tim Boatwright Sharon Burger Charles Clohan Lee Curtis Pat Dirkse Ernie Fergusson Ashley Harrison
CLASS OF 2022-2024 Lisa DeCarlo Debbie Frankiewicz Frank Ganis Jacquie Garland Clay Hamric Sarah Killion Clark Lindgren Mark Richards Pam Sellars Rebecah Shepherd
Vienna Presbyterian Church | 124 Park Street, NE, Vienna, VA 22180 www.viennapres.org 703.938.9050