Session (Governing Body)
The Presbyterian Church takes its name from the New Testament Greek word for "Elder": presbuteros. It describes the way the church is governed, with oversight resting on elected bodies at the congregational, regional and national levels.
The governing council in each congregation is called the Session, a body made up of men and women known as "Ruling Elders" who have been "set apart" by election and ordination into a supervisory role. The Session meets monthly to conduct the business of the church.
Ruling Elders at Patton Presbyterian Church generally serve for staggered three-year terms, with a third of the Session elected each year. A Ruling Elder can serve at most two terms before being required to take at least 1 year off. When a ruling elder is not on session, they still retain the title of elder for the church, which gives the capability to go back on session without being ordained a second time along with permitting them to serve communion when the need arises.
The Current Ruling Elders of the church are :
Class of 2019: Jane Elms, George Merritts, James Laverick
Class of 2020: Vinnie Kensinger, Ken Cummins
Class of 2021: June Kania, Jesse Hott
Committees chaired by Ruling Elders/Elders oversee many aspects of church life.
The Session Committees are:
Commissioned Ruling Elder: Pastor David O'Hara, CRE
Clerk of Session: Jane Elms
Education/Worship Committee: Mary Smith
Finance Committee: George Merritts
Mission Committee: Jessie Hott
Property Committee: Ken Cummins
Technology Committee: Pastor David O'Hara
Funeral Committee: Jane Elms
Other offices and committees and special assignments:
2018 Committees:
Nomination Committee: Jessie Hott, Sasha Kania, Vinnie Kensinger
Financial Secretaries: Jim Elms, and Kitty Kovach
Auditors: James Laverick and William Gray