Organization

The First Presbyterian Church of Elk Rapids is a member of Presbyterian Church, U.S.A.

 .Meet our Staff      Officers      Ministry Teams       Small Groups

Meet our Staff

	Reverend Andrew (Andy) Martinez, Senior Minister revandrew@erfpc.org
	“Reverend Andy” or just Andy was born in Temple, Texas and grew up in Dallas as one of seven children. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Gordon College, a Christian school in Hamilton-Wenham, Mass.; a Master of Divinity degree and a Doctor of Ministry degree, Church Growth concentration, from Fuller Theological Seminary, Pasadena, CA More about Reverend Andy and his family
	Christian Johnson, Associate Pastor christianjohnjohnson@gmail.com
	Christian is from Meridian, Idaho, a small town near Boise, where he served his home church as the adult discipleship elder. After seminary, he held positions as a Bible Teacher, Chaplain and a Staff Intern for Young Life. He holds a B.A. from Whitworth University, a Certificate of Ministry as well as a Masters of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary.
	Wayne Potter, Director of Youth and Family Life Ministries wayneraypotter@gmail.com
	Wayne comes to us from St. Charles, Illinois and is very excited to get started with our youth activities and begin the new Sunday School year in September. He embraces the concept of combining youth, Christian Education, and family life responsibilities in one position.
	Wayne Shuler, Treasurer wshuler@erfpc.org
	Wayne is a graduate of Ohio Northern University with a Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering. For 30 years he ran his engineering and architectural design firm in Cincinnati as well as serving as Chairman of the Board of BMF Savings Bank. Wayne then retired to Elk Rapids where the family has had a home for several years. In 2002 he was appointed Church Treasurer and in 2008-2011, he took on the additional responsibility of Director of Operations. Wayne and his wife Pam celebrated 40 years of marriage in September, 2009. They have two sons and a daughter who are all married and have four children.
	Liz Atkinson, Financial Secretary latkinson@erfpc.org
	Educated at Schoolcraft College majoring in Business Administration and Accounting. Liz spent 16 years as the Operations Manager for an Accounting/Data Processing firm before moving north to Torch Lake with her husband, Robert. Liz and her husband have been married for 30 years and have 3 children. She divides her time between her financial duties at FPC and her position of Milton Township Treasurer.
	Cheryl Knight, Director of Music cknight509@charter.net
	Cheryl is a graduate of Oakland University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in vocal music education, grades K – 12. She taught elementary vocal music in the Detroit metropolitan area as well as in northern Michigan. Cheryl is a past choir director at the Traverse City Presbyterian Church. She has been directing the Elk Lake Community Choir for a number of years and has participated in the Elk Rapids Rotary Show as well. Cheryl and her husband, George, live on Elk Lake. They have two daughters and a son living in the immediate area as well as one son residing in Boston.
	Sandra Lake, Church Office Administrative Assistant and Newsletter Editor slake@erfpc.org
	Ronnie Blackmore, Custodian of Church Property

Officers

Church officers serve on the Session, the Board of Deacons and the Board of Trustees.

The Session

The session is responsible for the mission and government ofthe Elk Rapids First Presbyterian Church. For details, see the Book of Order, G-10.0102

The session created Vision 2020, a church document that defines our priorities for the next several years.

The Board of Deacons

It is the duty of deacons, first of all, to minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress both within and beyond the community of faith. They shall assume such other duties as may be delegated to themfrom time to time by the session, such as leading the people in worship through prayers of intercession, reading the Scriptures, presenting the gifts of the people and assisting with the Lord’s Supper. Book of Order, G-6.0402

The Board of Trustees

Trustees have authority to receive, hold, encumber, manage, and transfer property, real or personal, for the church; to accept and execute deeds of title to such property; to hold and defend title to such property; and to manage any permanent special funds. Book of Order, G-7.0402

Trustees Committees

Ministries

The church engages in several important ministries to our members and to the community.

• Ministry Teams
• Presbyterian Women
• Sanctuary Choir
• Stephen Ministry
• Youth Ministry

Ministry Teams

Our church has many and varied Ministry Teams.

Christian Education
(Generally meets on the first Monday of the month at 6:30 p.m.)
Chair: Erin Veliquette

• Sunday School
• Vacation Bible School
• Nursery
• Library
  More about Christian Education

Communications
Chair: Sarah Miller

• Team member
• Write articles for paper or newsletter.
• Graphic designer
• Edit publications.
• Web developer
• Create bulletin boards.
• Proofreader

More information

Fellowship

Chair: Myrta Keelan
General Information

Nomination

Information

Nurture
(Generally meets on the second Monday of the month at 2:00 p.m.)
Chair: Joanne Teague
Elder: Don Reynolds

• Stephen Ministry
• Coffee Central
• Moms in Touch
• Small Groups
• College Care
• Care Team
• Parish Nurses      More Information

Outreach
Chair: Barb Cole

This team inspires us all to give more, and it is a faithful steward of the resources entrusted to the Outreach Ministry Team from the general operating fund budget. More information…

Personnel
Co-chairs: John Werner, Charlene Hansen

Responsibilities

• Implement a system of evaluation for all paid church personnel
• Propose annual staff salaries to Board of Trustees
• Review and update the Personnel Policy Manual on an annual basis
• The chairperson or designee joins the immediate supervisor in annual job evaluation review of paid staff persons
• A majority or quorum must decide on any personnel matter
• Provide input for annual operating budget by August 1
• Control and approve budgeted expenses incurred in Ministry Team’s area of responsibility
• The chairperson shall provide a written Annual Report of the current year’s activities due by mid-January of the subsequent year

Presbyterian Women
Chairs: Jennifer Haskell, Cheryl Knight

Presbyterian Women (PW) offers women in the church meaningful ways to live out their faith in the midst of a caring community of women. Our local Presbyterian Women’s Group meets the second Thursday of every month at the church. In January – March, we meet at 1 p.m. and April – December at 7 p.m. The group is co-moderated by Cheryl Knight and Jennifer Haskell and if anyone has questions they can call Jennifer at 599-2946 or email her at torchmjm@gmail.com

More information…

Stewardship
Chair: Stan Holzhauer
Elder: Garry Sumerix

The Stewardship Ministry will begin planning for the fall campaign as well as for giving opportunities throughout the year. We would love to have you join us or hear your comments on your vision for stewardship. Please contact Dale Wagner or Pam Shuler.

Responsibilities

• Continue development of the new Stewardship program
• Income generation to support the Session approved budget of the church
• Maintain awareness to support levels during the year and find creative ways to address shortfalls
• Annual Time/Talent survey; (willingness to serve)
• Special giving: Christmas Joy Offering (last Sunday before Christmas); One Great Hour of Sharing; Offering (Easter Sunday)
• Designated/Un-designated memorials
• Provide input for annual operating budget by August 1
• Control and approve budgeted expenses incurred in Ministry Team’s area of responsibility
• The chairperson shall provide a written Annual Report of the current year’s activities due by mid- January of the subsequent year.

Transportation Micky Kuite has volunteered to be the Care Team Transportation Coordinator. If you are in need of a ride to the doctor, hospital for tests, grocery, etc., call Micky. She will gladly arrange your ride. Please, if possible, give her a few days notice. Micky can be reached at 231-264-6722.

Worship
Chair and Elder: Kathy Moore

The Worship Committee works hard to create a welcoming atmosphere in which we, as a faith community, proclaim and praise Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior through various forms of worship.

Prayers
In the quiet of Pastor Andy’s office during each service, people are praying. Jan Bellingham and Carol Sinclair are asking people to donate one Sunday Service a month to pray for our church and any other needs that are brought to our attention just before each service begins.
Are you shy and private in your praying? That is perfectly all right. You may sit quietly, praying by yourself. There is no format. It is the gift of your presence that Christ desires.

Youth Ministries
Chair: Nancy Muhlig

Responsibilities

• Develop, plan and direct the Christian Education programs, outreach programs, fellowship activities and mission projects for grades 6 through 12 and college.
• Recruit and train volunteers for Youth Ministry programs
• Provide guidance and support for the DYM
• Assist with job evaluation for the DYM
• Represent the session to youth ministry
• Provide regular reports to Session
• Provide Youth Camping Ministry
• Develop and plan the confirmation program
• Provide input for annual operating budget by August 1
• Control and approve budgeted expenses incurred in Ministry Team’s area of responsibility
• The chairperson shall provide a written Annual Report of the current year’s activities due by mid-January of the subsequent year.