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Our Church Officers

In the Presbyterian Church there are three types of ordained office: Ministers of the Word & Sacrament (Pastors), Elders, and Deacons.


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The Session


The Elders and Pastors together form the Session, the governing body for the local church. As identified in the Book of Order (the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A.), the Session is given the authority and responsibilities to lead and direct the entire ministry of the church. Both men and women may serve as officers.

At First Presbyterian Church of Bonita Springs, the Session is comprised of 18 elders, divided equally among three classes. Six elders are elected annually at a meeting of the congregation to serve a 3-year term. In addition, the congregation may choose to elect a Youth Elder (an active member of the congregation under the age of 25) for a one-year term.

2009 Session
Pastors
Rev. Douglas G. Pratt, Moderator
Rev. Paul Fahnestock
Rev. Steven Grant

Elders
Marietta Bala
Kay Brown
Marilyn Calvert
Bill Harley
Hank Hochstetler
Carl Johansen
Joan Lewis
Mel Longtin
Robert Lorenz
Robin Moore
David Mustian
Lana Myers
Lin Rhode
Dale Sippel
Gil Urick
Bob Wagner
Chuck Wilson
Trudy Woods

Clerk to the Session
Joan Gandrup

The Board of Deacons


The current Board of Deacons is comprised of 19 deacons, fairly equally divided among three classes. Six deacons are elected annually at a meeting of the congregation, for a 3-year term. The responsibilities of the Deacons as identified in the Book of Order (the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church U.S.A.) are to provide practical help and ministry to the congregation and community, under the direction of the Session.

2009 Board of Deacons
Ron Brown
Ken Bruce
Dee Carter, Moderator
Marcia Courtney
Connie Duquin
Wynette Griffith
Roger McLaughlin
Ned Moser
Roger Oedy
Ken Robins
Sally Robson
Connie Sackl
Dan Scott
Carol Sundquist
Jim Thomas
Jan Tunstall
Jeannette Vogt
Debbie Wilson

Corporate Officers


First Presbyterian Church is incorporated in the state of Florida. The elders in active service fulfill the role of Trustees of the corporation, having the power to receive, hold, encumber, manage and transfer property, real or personal, for the church; to accept and execute deeds of title to such property; to hold and defend title to such property, to manage any permanent special funds for the furtherance of the purposes of the church, subject to the authority of the session and under the provisions of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).

2008 Corporate Officers
Richard Plowman
President

Robert Tunstall
Vice President

Joan Gandrup
Secretary

Robert Lorenz
Treasurer

Richard Doyle
Assistant Treasurer