Leadership & Organization
The governing body of Pines Presbyterian Church is called The Session. The Session is made up of our Pastors and 21 individuals elected by the congregation and ordained and installed to active service as a Ruling Elder. Ruling elders are chosen by the congregation to discern and measure the congregation’s fidelity to the Word of God, and to strengthen and nurture the congregation’s faith and life. The Session shall have responsibility for governing the congregation and guiding its witness to the sovereign activity of God in the world, so that the congregation is and becomes a community of faith, hope, love, and witness. At Pines, the elders are organized into 3 classes of 7 elders a piece with each class serving overlapping 3-year terms. Our current Ruling Elders are listed below.
Class of 2021
Linda Carlson
Karen Davis
Jim Patterson
Margaret Schafer
Class of 2022
Elizabeth Deraps
Linda Johnson
Karen MacAllister
Bob Miller
Violet O’Brien
Class of 2023
Linda Aldred
Shirley Bollich
Phil Buelow
Emily Gairo
Ray Stauffacher
John Work
The Sessional Committees and their Moderators/Liaisons
Much of the work of the Session is conducted by standing committees, which are tasked with specific areas of administration, education, outreach and planning. The Sessional Committees and their Moderators/Liaisons are:
Caring Ministries – Karen Davis
Christian Education – Melissa Sandstrom
Congregational Fellowship – Linda Carlson
Mission – Margaret Schafer
Preschool – Craig Walker & Emily Gairo
Property – Bob Miller
Staff – Jim Patterson
Stewardship – Linda Johnson
Visioning and Planning – John Work
Worship – Linda Aldred