| Session
Our team of six elders and the pastor comprise the council (governing board)
of CHPC. The session sets policies, discerns direction &
vision for the mission and ministry of the congregation, and
provides for the spiritual leadership at Colonial Heights
Presbyterian Church. Elders serve for three year terms and
provide focused leadership for learning to Worship and Know
God; support the Stewardship of People and Resources in
caring for our building & grounds, finances, and personnel,
and work for the Building of Community through Outreach & Mission,
and Hospitality.
Session members work in teams with the pastor, members of the
congregation, and with the Board of Deacons to carry out all these
responsibilities. Our session meets monthly usually on the
2nd Sunday of the month at 12:00 p.m. Meetings begin with
prayer and devotions, or an opportunity for leadership
development, and are open to all.
The Board of Deacons
six deacons serve by
encouraging the congregation's witness,
service, and
compassion. Deacons carry out a program of visitation, help
arrange for
transportation and facilitate the use of a lending
library of wheel chairs, walkers and other
assistance. They
coordinate our participation with FISH & Daybreak Shelter for
families who are homeless.
Together with the Presbyterian
Urban Network (PUN) Parish Nurse, they are assisting the
congregation in identifying and carrying out health ministries of
wholeness, healing, and wellness.
From time
to time they Deacons have shared in equipping the congregation for
ministries of compassion, witness and service through a series of forums.
Past forums have included Serving Our Community
which addressed Emergency Preparedness, and housing needs
through Habitat for Humanity; Sharing Sacred Stories through Oral
Histories, Spiritual Autobiographies, New Stories of Living the Gospel
Story; In Life and In Death We Belong to God - an
exploration of end of life decisions and planning in the face of
grief and loss. The Deacons 2010 focus is "A Season
of Prayer," and in 2011
they celebrated a Front Porch Party with our
musician in residence’s jazz band to thank our neighbors for
50 years together in Southeast Portland. The Deacons meet the
2nd Sunday five months of the year, beginning with a lunch
with the session. They welcome partners
in all of
the areas of care they coordinate.
Leading the congregation through
music & education
Rev. Linda C.
Stewart-Kalen, Pastor
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