Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord,
Last week I promised you that in preparation for our Officer Elections this coming Lord’s Day I would be sharing with you the names of those men who have been nominated by the Church to the offices of Deacon and Ruling Elder. The names of four men will appear on the ballot that will be distributed to all Communing Members who are present in worship on Sunday. OurBook of Church Order specifies that in order to be elected to office by the members, each man must receive a “majority vote of those present” (BCO 24.3). This also indicates that absentee voting is not permitted.
There are two men who have been nominated by the Church and trained by the Session for the Office of Deacon, and if elected will be added to our current Diaconate giving us a total of 16 active Deacons:
Mr. Al Bart (wife Carol)
Mr. John Dragash (wife Heather)
There are two men who have been nominated by the Church and trained by the Session for the Office of Ruling Elder, and if elected will be added to our current Session giving us a total of 6 active Elders (5 Ruling Elders, 1 Teaching Elder):
Mr. Daron Drown (wife Amy)
Mr. Matthew Elliott (wife Meghan)
In regard to Matthew, the Session believes that should he be elected as a Ruling Elder, this will greatly enhance his present ministry to the Church as our Pastoral Assistant for Counseling. It is also the desire of the Session that at some later time in the future Matthew would begin the process of becoming a Teaching Elder (a lengthy procedure that includes the actions of both our Church and those of our Presbytery).
The election of these four brothers will take place as an act of worship following our observance of the Lord’s Supper on Sunday.
Please pray for these men and their families, and for our Lord’s will to be accomplished concerning those who lead and serve His Church.
Before I go, let me say a very special thank you to Ashley Turnbull, who did such a marvelous job coordinating our Church Picnic last Sunday! I also know that Ashley had several people assisting her, and to each of you we say, ‘Thank you, and praise the Lord!’ What a wonderful time of fellowship it was!!
I love you all so very much!
Mike