Grace Presbyterian Church Session Members

 
In the Presbyterian Church (USA), the Session is the group of ruling elders, elected by the congregation, who make decisions for the administration of the church and who serve as spiritual leaders of the congregation. Session members divided into two categories plus a Clerk of Session.
  • Teaching Edlers (Ministers of Word and Sacrament) are people who display gifts for teaching, preaching, and presiding over the Sacraments. At Grace the teaching elders are our pastoral staff. Grace’s teaching elders are:
    • Rev. Dr. Tracey Davenport, Moderator
    • Rev. Cara Ellis, Associate Pastor of Family Ministries
    • Rev. Wilson Nicholson, Associate Pastor for Discipleship and Nurture
  • Ruling Elders Ruling elders have responsibilities in leadership, governance, and worship. They discern God’s calling for the life of a congregation and measure its faithfulness to that call. A ruling elders serve as the moderator for the committee that governs their respective position. They serve rotating 3-year terms, called classes. The “year” of the class is the final year of the elders service.
Session meets in the second Sunday of every month
 
 
Class of 2026
Ann Boles
Fellowship
 

Responsibilities:

  • Organizes opportunities for sharing of stories around meals, potlucks, ice cream trucks, and other delights

Favorite musical group or artist as a teenager:  Madonna

John Moser
Worship & Music
 

Responsibilities:

  • Moderator or the worship and music committee, which meets monthly
  • Oversees elements of weekly worship, along with music activities at Grace

Favorite musical group or artist as a teenager:  Beach Boys

Gary Ford

Property and Grounds

Responsibilities:

  • Responsible for the physical property and upkeep of the church grounds
  • This includes electrical, A/C, landscaping, plumbing among others
  • Works to ensure parishioners have a pleasant and safe environment in which to worship

Favorite musical group or artist as a teenager:  The Beatles

Bryan Raaum

Christian Formation, Youth

Responsibilities:  

  • Oversees the discipleship of youth, through Sunday school classes, curriculum, and youth activities

Favorite musical group or artist as a teenager:  Rush

Class of 2027
Wes Durow
Personnel 
 
Responsibilities:
  • Moderator the HR Committee, responsible for establishing policies for both church and Day School staff 
  • Collaborates closely with the Finance Committee on all personnel-related budget matters 
  • Benchmarks salaries to ensure Grace remains competitive within the local market
  • Identifies opportunities for the congregation to actively support and uplift staff

Favorite musical group or artist as a teenager:  U2

Bryan Haworth
Mission
 

Responsibilities:

  • Oversees Graces’ mission opportunities, from larger engagement efforts to small community based initiatives

Favorite musical group or artist as a teenager:  Elton John

Bill Miranda
Finance
 

Responsibilities:

  • Moderator of the finance committee, which works closely with the director of finance and the treasurer to ensure Grace is maintaining appropriate finances
  • Overseeing and helping set the yearly church budget with input from other Elders

Favorite musical group or artist as a teenager:  The Beatles

Teri Waite
Christian Formation Young Adults
 

Responsibilities:

  • Engaging the young adult community at Grace, serving as a focal point to offer support and community building
  • Scheduling monthly activities for the young adult community to engage in

Favorite musical group or artist as a teenager:  Rolling Stones

Class of 2028
 
Pedro Bertran
Day School
 

Responsibilities:  

  • Moderator of the Day School Committee, which facilitates communication between Grace PC and Grace Christian Day School. The day school operates part-time and full-time preschool programming on the Grace PC campus Monday-Friday

 

Laurie Kneeland
Membership Engagement
 

Responsibilities:

  • Engage the congregation in various activities of the Grace community, often involving fun.  
  • Also serves as Moderator of the Officer Nominating Committee (ONC)

 

Portia Stephens
Christian Formation – Adults

 

Responsibilities:

  • Oversees the discipleship of adults, through Sunday school classes and curriculum, and short studies

 

Caroline Werner
Christian Formation – Children

 

Responsibilities:

  • Oversees the discipleship of children (K-5), through Sunday school classes, curriculum, and children’s activities

 

Paris Valenta Youth Elder. 1 year term

 

Responsibilities:

  • Liaison with the youth of the church, and provides input around engagement activities for middle school and high school youth
Clerk of Session
Laura Jones
Clerk of Session
 
Responsibilities:
  • ·Records the proceedings of session meetings, and keeps an account of discussions, decisions, and actions taken
  • Prepares and distributes materials for session meetings, including agenda and reports
  • Handles correspondence to session
  • Tracks attendance, baptisms, marriages, and other vital records
  • Serves as a liaison between the session and presbytery, communicating information and ensuring compliance with presbytery guidelines
Favorite musical group or artist as a teenager: Prince