Ruling Elders are active members, both men and women, elected to be the spiritual and organizational leaders of the church. They make decisions regarding policy, finances, trusteeship, personnel, program, and the vision of the church.
Teaching Elders/Ministers of Word and Sacrament are men and women called and ordained to serve local congregations as pastors or in other specialized ministries. Generally, ministers have completed three years of seminary and hold a Master of Divinity degree. Ministers moderate the session, officiate in the sacraments, and are members of the local Presbytery.
Session
Church Government Structure The Session is the governing body of the local church, made up of ruling and teaching elders elected by and from the congregation to usually serve a three year term. The session is moderated by the Pastor. The Session is responsible for the mission and the government of the church including oversight of staff, programs and the annual budget of the church. Responsibility for planning and executing most programs is delegated to Councils and Committees which report to the Session. The Session is also responsible for receiving new members and ordaining new officers.
Moderator of Session: Rev. Dr. Bryan Burton Clerk of Session: Darilyn Waterson
Current Elders
Darilyn Waterson
Rick Nelson
Jerry Prescott
Fred Beasley was born in Roanoke, Virginia, and raised in Knoxville, Tennessee, where his parents still live. He is the oldest of 3 boys and feels blessed to have been raised in a Christian home. Through a basketball scholarship, he attended and received his bachelor’s degree in business from Brevard Jr. College and Limestone College. At present, he is the Director of Operations for Rooms to Go and has been employed by them for 30 years. Fred has been married to Cille Beasley for 31 years, and they have two beautiful daughters, Kaitlyn Beasley and Caroline Giroux, and one son-in-law, Jaron Giroux. They are the proud grandparents of Eli, who is 8, and Jackson, who is 4. Cille and Fred are charter members of their church and have a great love and appreciation for their church family. Fred looks forward to helping his church continue the mission of Jesus as they navigate through the challenges that lie ahead.
Elizabeth Lee Clark is the second oldest of six children. I grew up in Beverly, Massachusetts, 40 miles north of Boston, with first generation parents from Swedish decent. Swedish was the language of choice at home, with extended family and in church. I attended the Evangelical Covenant Church, where conservative and Biblical values matched my parents values. Mother was the church organist and Dad the “head usher”. In College I studied Elementary Education and Music. When I graduated I taught Fourth Grade. During that time woman were building their career outside the home after marrying. However. I stayed home with 2 young sons and taught music. I enjoyed teaching and continued that arrangement for many years, never returning to the classroom. Married life centered in the neighboring town of Hamilton. My teaching career lasted 30 years there. Boys active in Scouts, sports, church and school. My husband had a long career as a mechanical engineer with shoe machine-making company (USMC) and coached sports-youth and town organized teams… baseball and ice hockey. He was an excellent teacher/coach. During my time, serving in my church , I sang in the choir, served on the Board of Deacons and other committees. In the area of ministry to women. I was on the leadership team for bible study and speaker/ Mentor Mom for MOPS. Also, I hosted a “Care Group” in my home for young women. My church home was First Congregational Church of Hamilton. It has stood in the same corner of town for more than 300 years. During that time it has surely experienced its ups and downs of church membership. Thoughts of shutting down have been entertained. The light of faith flickered but never went out. The church stands today as a witness to God’s faithfulness. “Glory and praise to the Triune God who has blessed and kept his people throughout the centuries.” From: A Story of God’s Faithfulness. By David Horn (Dedication)
Bob Stover was born and raised in a small town in central Pennsylvania by Frank and Sandy Stover. His parents were Methodist, and he was confirmed in their small church. Bob graduated with an engineering degree from Pennsylvania State University where he met his wife Joanna. Prior to being married, Bob converted to Catholicism. It was important to Bob and Joanna to be married in the church and both took communion. They moved to Florida in 2002 and attended St Anthony’s. He served as one of the leaders for the children’s church and lead their elementary program during church at least once per month. He was also one of the ushers nearly every week. Bob and his wife started looking at other churches to find a better program for their children. They wanted them to be excited for church and youth group while maintaining the values of the church in which they were raised. In 2006, they became members of NLPC. Outside of his church life, Bob served as a board member for Florida Youth Soccer Association, coach for youth baseball and soccer, and committee member for FYSA TOPSoccer. Joanna and Bob have also volunteered as buddies for six-night to shine events. Bob looks forward to serving in any way he can to help maintain and grow our church and its programs.
