Church Leadership

ELDERS AND SESSION

What is an Elder?
Along with the pastors, elders oversee and help lead the life of our congregation. They lead by serving. Their areas of responsibility include worship, teaching, mission, evangelism, care, and nurture.

ELDERS OF SESSION 2024-2026
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SANTA BARBARA

As there were in Old Testament times elders for the government of the people, so the New Testament church provided persons with particular gifts to share in discernment of God’s Spirit and governance of God’s people. Accordingly, congregations should elect persons of wisdom and maturity of faith, having demonstrated skills in leadership and being compassionate in spirit. Ruling elders are so named not because they “lord it over” the congregation (Matt. 20:25), but because they are chosen by the congregation to discern and measure its fidelity to the Word of God, and to strengthen and nurture its faith and life. Ruling elders, together with ministers of word and sacrament, exercise leadership, government, spiritual discernment, and discipline and have responsibilities for the life of a congregation as well as the whole church, including ecumenical relationships.. -Book of Order, G-2.0301

CLASS OF 2024

Chris Martinich Children, Youth, & Families
Diane Kirkpatrick Congregational Care
Tristin Sherman  Children, Youth, & Families
Yvonne Bazinet Mission

CLASS OF 2025

Belete Wubet Mission
Lisa Itamura Worship & Music
Jim Kreyger Human Resources
Meryle Gaston Adult Spiritual Formation & Education

CLASS OF 2026

Ellen Duke Congregational Care
Stafford Kelly Finance & Facilities
Joan Taylor Adult Spiritual Formation & Education
Warren Myers* Elder at Large
Paul Dodson Youth Elder

DEACONS

What is a Deacon?
The office of deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of sympathy, witness, and service after the example of Jesus Christ. Persons of spiritual character, honest repute, of exemplary lives, brotherly and sisterly love, warm sympathies, and sound judgment should be chosen for this office. –Book of Order G-6.0400

Deacons serve Christ and provide pastoral support through

  • Home Communion
  • Visiting those who are homebound or hospitalized
  • Sending birthday cards
  • Bringing Easter and Christmas flowers to parishioners unable to attend church
  • Hosting memorial receptions
  • Providing ongoing education and scholarships
  • Van Ministry
  • Meal Trains

Find out more here.

 

THE BOARD OF DEACONS 2024-2026
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH OF SANTA BARBARA

The ministry of deacon as set forth in Scripture is one of compassion, witness, and service, sharing in the redeeming love of Jesus Christ for the poor, the hungry, the sick, the lost, the friendless, the oppressed, those burdened by unjust policies or structures, or anyone in distress. -Book of Order, G-2.0201

CLASS OF 2024

Berni Newett
Beth Preston
Devon Harger
Jo Bakker
Maybel Frazer
Michael Frazer
Susan Croshaw
Cheryl Brown
Rob Brown
Laurie Theobald

CLASS OF 2025

Beth Hassenplug
Sandie Wilkes
Maggie Cox
Cheryl Long (moderator)
Sharon Chandler
Diana Replogle-Purinton

CLASS OF 2026

Diane Hemmer
Jacci Trandal
Frederica Welch
Jenifer Sautot
Sandy Hess
Rose Meza
Josh Mitchell

Cheryl Long Moderator
Frederica Welch Vice Moderator
Sharon Chandler Vice Moderator
Susan Croshaw Vice Moderator
Frederica Welch Memorial Coordinator
Ellen Duke Van Ministry
Cheryl Long Van Ministry
MaryAnn Lange Telephone
Sharon Chandler Birthday Cards

 

Faithful congregation,

We, the APNC team, thank you for your prayers as our search continues.  With a recent update to the search system used by PCUSA we are getting more relevant matches to our call.  The team continues to meet weekly to review these matches and has conducted another zoom interview in the last week.  We feel God’s presence along with your prayers guiding us.

Blessings,

Your APNC Team