Who’s in Charge? How Do Things Get Done Around Here?
These questions come up a lot during membership information gatherings, especially from people coming from other church traditions where decisions are made unilaterally, often by the pastor or a regional bishop, or from churches where many decisions are made by the entire congregation. Presbyterians fall in between these two approaches. Really important decisions are usually made by groups (councils) rather than by individuals. We practice a form of representative democracy where the congregation elects leaders to govern on their behalf. Accountability is “baked in” at all levels of church life, whether in a church committee, a ministry staff, or in higher governing councils such as regional Presbyteries, Synods or the national General Assembly. Why? Because John Calvin and other early Protestant Reformers were convinced of human depravity — a tendency to serve self rather than the common good. This same awareness led to the end of monarchies and to the spread of democracy.
But back to the questions. LPC, like all Presbyterian congregations, is in the “charge” of a group of people called “The Session,” which oversees the congregation’s entire mission and ministry per the denomination’s constitution. Each Session has three components: a moderator, normally the Pastor; three rotating “classes” of non-clergy church members who have been ordained as Ruling Elders; and a Clerk whose primary function is to maintain rolls and records. Jim Butler is our moderator and Kathy Sands is our clerk. The Class of 2026 is: Ev Corcoran, Susan Crane, Heather Greif, Laurie Gubanyar and Dean Jenkins. The Class of 2027 is: Cindy Dugan, Terry Dugan, Joel Egertson and Sue Ritter. The Class of 2028 is: David Ekpe, Jo Naretto, Kathy Sands and Gail Smith.
We have eight permanent “ministries” (committees) that are chaired by a member of Session. Worship and Music is led by Kathy Sands; Faith Formation and Youth Ministry is led by Laurie Gubanyar; Mission, Outreach and Justice is led by Terry Dugan; Finance and Administration is led by Ev Corcoran; Personnel is led by Gail Smith; Property is led by Dean Jenkins; Fellowship and Member Care is led by Heather Greif. Nominating is led by two people elected each year by the Session.
In matters of supervision and accountability, the Pastor is accountable to and supervised by the Personnel Ministry. Staff members are accountable to and supervised by the Pastor. Each ministry (committee) is accountable to the Session. And the Session is accountable to our regional Presbytery — the Presbytery of the Western Reserve.
Thanks to a good organizational plan, shared authority and accountability, good leaders (staff and volunteers), and God’s grace and guidance, we get lots of things done!
A Message from the Pastor
by the Rev. Dr. James C. Butler
Easter doesn’t end on Easter Sunday. It is one of the “seasons” of the church year. Some traditions call it the “Great Sixty Days.” We will be celebrating Christ’s resurrection all the way to Pentecost Sunday on June 8. There are no descriptions in the Gospels about what happened inside the tomb. What we have are eight accounts of “appearances” after his crucifixion. These stories are read and proclaimed during Easter. They are in the three latest Gospels — Matthew, Luke and John. The original version of Mark has none. Yes, none. Many people assume what the disciples saw was a re-animated physical body. Many scholars aren’t so sure that was what Paul was teaching in his first letter to the Corinthians, which predates all of the Gospels by at least 25 years. Paul said, “What is sown (buried) is a mortal body. What is raised is a spiritual body…” (I Cor. 15:44). I cannot say for sure, either way, because I was not there, and I did not see. But what convinces me that the disciples really did see something was their changed lives, including their willingness to die because of it. As the risen Christ said to doubting Thomas: “Blessed are those who will not see but will come to believe…” I include myself in that number. Easter blessings to you and yours!
The Music Corner with Dr. Kaori Hongo
This program year we started with the exciting renovation of the choir loft and organ console location. With the extra space on the lectern side and the organ console in the center, the choir has been able to spread out and see the organist more clearly. I would like to thank all the musicians for working with me as we adjusted to our new seating arrangements throughout the year. It has been a year of exploration and discovery as we maneuvered the challenges we faced. Looking back at the year, I am amazed with how many groups have been working hard to improve and enhance the music program at Lakewood Presbyterian Church.
Every Thursday evening the Handbell Choir and the Chancel Choir met down in the Hook Music Room to rehearse for the upcoming Sunday. Within these rehearsals we had many moments of beautiful music making and meaningful conversations of text and interpretations of the music. After church I would meet with our smallest members of the church to dance and sing together with the music of Mozart, Handel, Haydn, Stravinsky and Saint-Saëns (and many more!). Next time you see a little one, ask them to tell you a fun fact about a composer (Bach, Beethoven, John Adams). During Youth Group on Sunday evenings, it has been a blessing to watch Aliyah work with the youth. We have been able to sing together during these evening sessions, and it has been a joy to get to know these amazing young people. On Mondays I have had the honor to work with a growing group of Japanese women who come faithfully to learn how to play the handbells. On May 4, they will be joining us for our worship to play a piece they have been working on for several months. (Every member started by learning how to hold a bell, count together, and ring together!) The name of this group is 花鳥風月 (Kachofugetsu) and the meaning of each character is “flower-bird-wind-moon.” This word as a whole represents the importance of nature and the artistic pursuits surrounding these four words.
As we look into the future, it is so important to understand the responsibilities we have as “caretakers” of this world. When we take care of things around us, the rewards are great! I think the Psalmist said it well: “Let the heavens be glad, and let the earth rejoice; let the sea roar, and all that fills it; let the field exult, and everything in it. Then shall all the trees of the forest sing for joy.” (Psalm 96:11–12)
Sunday Adult Faith Formation
May 4 – Sermon Talk Back with Jim Butler. The risen Jesus appeared to the disciples while they were fishing. (John 21:1–14).
May 11 – Confirmation Sunday reception. No Adult Faith Formation class.
Sunday Adult Faith Formation will resume September 14
Upcoming Youth Faith Formation Events
CHAPEL DRAMA CLUB
The Chapel Drama Club will present two one-act plays on Saturday, June 7 at 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. and on Sunday, June 8 at 11:30 a.m. Tracks by Peter Tarsi takes on the idea of the afterlife with themes similar to those in No Exit by Sartre and The Great Divorce by C. S. Lewis. Ten strangers find themselves in a subway station and come to realize that they have all died and are on the platform to take them to their final destination. The trouble is they don’t know which direction the train will go. As they compare lives, they try to figure out if they are on the right side of the tracks.
It’s Our Town, Too! by Susan Miller is a modern homage to Wilder’s classic play. Emily and Elizabeth fall in love in a small town, and then flash forward to the wedding of their son to their neighbors George and Louis’ daughter. Homophobia, fear and death still persist, but do not completely overcome in this witty and nostalgic exploration of love, loss, grief, commitment and friendship as seen through the course of everyday life.
These productions are free and open to the public, however, we will take up a collection to support the youth ministry. This theater group is dedicated to exploring classical theater while tackling theological issues within our human experience. Links to reserve seats for the performances coming soon!
CONFIRMATION
Confirmation is a meaningful time in the lives of our youth. A group of seven youth have gathered to discuss what it means to believe in God, differences in religion, and have compared denominations. They learned Presbyterian history and some of our own church history as they engaged with the congregation by asking questions about the faith journeys of our members in the adult class. Through meaningful letters, mentors have helped to guide them on their journey as they develop their own personal faith statements. Please join us on May 11, as we welcome the Confirmands into our membership and celebrate the youth who choose to affirm their faith.
YOUTH SUNDAY RESCHEDULED
Youth Sunday has been rescheduled for May 18. The youth have been learning about the parts of our liturgy and why we worship the way we do in our church. They have discussed ways to make people feel more welcome and ways that they might feel more included in worship. Each year, we let the youth choose the hymns, write the sermon, and play the music. Please support them as they share their faith during this meaningful service.
Hand in Hand May Program
Hand in Hand will gather on Friday, May 9 from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. in the Reed Room to hear Bonnie and Joel Egertson talk about their lives. Of special interest will be what they learned from living in Washington, D.C. for 30 years. All are welcome to learn from the Egertsons and enjoy fellowship together.
Thanks for Your Generosity!
On behalf of the Ministry Advocating with Homeless Persons, a HUGE thank you to the members and friends of LPC. Your support of our collections for the homeless persons — most recently the battery collection — is overwhelming. The need is great and you help make it a bit easier.