Leadership

Elders

The Session of the Church is the group of elected leaders, called Elders, who serve as chairpersons of the different Councils that help to keep the Church working together. All church officers are elected by the active members of the church.This group meets monthly and is moderated by the Pastor. Session members are elected for a three year term.

Here is what our Book of Church Order says about who elders should be:

Elders should be persons of faith, dedication, and good judgment. Their manner of life should be a demonstration of the Christian gospel, both within the church and in the world. It is the duty of elders, individually and jointly, to strengthen and nurture the faith and life of the congregation. Together with the pastor, they should encourage the people in the worship and service of God, equip and renew them for their tasks with the church and for their mission in the world.  Book of Order G-2.0301.

Class of 2027: Chanson Finney, Julia Merritt, Sharon Moeser, Kate Nash, Emily Scott, Mary Spain, Bryan Tims

Class of 2026: Marvin Daniel, Mary Sue Donahue, Jed Dutton, Rob Fergusson, Katherine Goodpasture, Cliff Henderson, Erica Vogler Warren, Minor Weisiger

Class of 2025: Barbara Batson, Carolyn Brandt, Michael Hawn, Amanda Healy, Becky Hudson, Jeff Wells, David Wilson, Joe Yates

Session Leadership Assignments:

  • Budget & Finance: Carolyn Brandt, Marvin Daniel, Jed Dutton, Frederick Helm, Mary Spain, Erica Vogler Warren

  • Christian Education: Katherine Goodpasture, Michael Hawn, Kate Nash, David Wilson

  • Membership: David Wilson, Rob Fergusson, Julia Merritt, Bryan Tims

  • Mission and Advocacy: Marvin Daniel, Mary Sue Donahue, Amanda Healy, Cliff Henderson, Sharon Moeser

  • Personnel: Minor Weisiger, Amanda Healy, Emily Scott

  • Property: Joe Yates, Chanson Finney, Becky Hudson, Emily Scott

  • Stewardship: Jeff Wells, Frederick Helm

  • Worship: Barbara Batson, Chanson Finney, Becky Hudson, Michael Hawn, Cliff Henderson

This picture is from a Session and Deacon Meeting when the new classes were examined and welcomed after their training.

Deacons

Class of 2027: Lauriston Davis, Joe Earhart, Carly Groover, Collyn Hawn, Stuart Martin, Susan Notcha, Bill Richter, Jack Warren

Class of 2026: Katharine Anderson, Kitty Bryant, Lisa Emblidge, Toni Grant, Jarl Jackson, Dixon Kerr, John Shaw, Bill Vogel

Class of 2025: Heidi Campbell, Manning Douglas, Lori Lape, Anne Looney, Sandra Shelley, Allison Vogler, Randy Welch

The Deacon Ministry at Second Presbyterian is an active ministry that reaches out to connect and care for our church members. Twenty-four individuals serve as dedicated deacons. Along with the pastoral staff, they provide pastoral care, and they help members connect with the church through various social activities.

Our denomination states that the office of deacon as set forth in scripture is one of compassion, witness and service after the example of Jesus Christ. Deacons at Second seek to fulfill the call of Christ to love one another as Christ loves us. They make visits to hospitals and nursing homes and meet with people who find themselves in need of individual pastoral care. When a family or individual needs support, it is the deacon ministry that pulls together the plan and follows through. Our support for each other also includes times of joy, like a wedding celebration, the birth of a child, or a baptism.

Deacons are nominated by the Nominating Committee, and nominees are elected by church members. They serve three-year terms and meet monthly for spiritual renewal, training, planning, and communication with one another. Being a deacon is a serious and meaningful calling but also a joyful one. Deacons have the privilege of serving individuals and the congregation at large; they walk side by side with others through both the painful and joyous transitions of life.

Trustees

The Trustees, elected by the congregation, are charged under the Book of Order of the PC(USA) and the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia with the ownership and management of the real, tangible personal and intangible property of the Church, subject to the ultimate direction of the Session. 

Class of 2027: Anne McDonnell, Mac Pence

Class of 2026: Amanda Healy, Matt Horn

Class of 2025: Steve Allred, Sheri Highfill