By Rosalind Banbury
During the month of March, Ruling Elders from diverse parts of the Presbytery met by Zoom and in person to be trained to preside at the Lord’s Supper as the celebrant. Twenty-one ruling elders from nine churches engaged in six and one-half hours of study through Zoom and in-person classes. A shout-out goes to King’s Chapel for hosting us for the in-person class.
Of what did the classes consist? We covered the theology of the Lord’s Supper, took an in-depth look at the liturgy of the Lord’s Supper as found in the Book of Common Worship and practiced serving communion. Each participant did extensive homework that included writing a Great Prayer of Thanksgiving.
The ruling elders participated for a variety of reasons. Most were from small churches without installed pastors while others wanted to have elders available in case the pastor was absent due to vacation, study leave, sabbatical leave or an unexpected illness.
The ruling elders who participated and who are approved to preside at the Lord’s Supper are: Barry Parks, Barbara Flynt, Samuel Kirton, Joyce Medley, Frank Grier, Deb Ellenberg, Debby McNeer, Tonya Bowen, Susan May, Linda Coye, Kenneth Brown, Laverne Johnson, Thomas Kendzia, Amy Stills, Jennifer Weddle, John Garrett, John Archer, Gary Smith, Ann Smith, Paul Carter, and Kent Flippen.
Each person was endorsed by their church’s session. The churches who sent elders were Brandermill, Byrd, King’s Chapel, Kirk O’ Cliff, Oak Grove, Saint Andrews, Saint James, Southminster, and Swift Creek.
