Heart to SERVE
Our Beliefs
We believe that together we can do more. Our ministries provide something for everyone at any and every stage of life. Whether you have been attending our services for years, or you are new to First Presbyterian Church of Cody, we challenge you to get involved.
Presbyterian churches are unique in that much of the work of the church is done through volunteerism within our many committees. The majority of our committees are known as a whole as Session. Committees are made up of Elders, members of the church, and anyone attending our church that wants to be on the committee. The Session is made up of those Elders and the pastor, who is also the moderator, or chairman. Presbyterian theology typically emphasizes the sovereignty of God, the authority of the Scriptures, and the necessity of grace through faith in Christ.
If you are interested in learning more about our church and it's structure and beliefs we offer a New Members Class usually twice a year, depending on interest. Please call (307.587.2647) or email us (fpcc@fpcc.email) if you are interested in taking this informative and interesting class! Below is our Organizational Chart. Click to view.
ORGANIZATIONAL CHART 2023
YEAR 2023 NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Kerry Murphy, Elder
Kathy Wormald, Elder
Anita Kellerby, Deacon
Roy Bruce, Member at Large
Patty Brus, Member at Large
TRUSTEE OFFICERS
President, Michael Thomas
Vice President, Dave Kewitt
Secretary, Betheny Nieters
Presbytery Rep., Lejean Mitchel (commissioner)
Treasurer: Quincy Sondeno
OTHER ORGANIZATIONS
*Presbyterian Women
*Presbyterian Men
CONGREGATION
SESSION
Moderator & Elders
BUILDING & GROUNDS
Dave Kewitt (25)
Hugh Currah (23)
*Building Maintenance
*Grounds Care & Upkeep
*Building Rent Arngmnts.
*Long Range Planning
*Van Maintenance
*Signage
Innovation & Outreach
Betheny Neiters (23)
Tyler Henry (25)
*Promotion of church activities to community'
*Create awareness amongst committee
*New member integration
*Advertising
*Evangelism efforts to community
*New member nurture
*Mission Programs
-Local
-Worldwide
*Mission Education
*Visitor Letters
STEWARDSHIP
BUDGET & PERSONNEL
Michael Thomas (23)
Bret Reed (24)
*Receives and Acknowledges Memorials
*Memorial Subcommittee
*Preparation of Annual Budget
*Reviews Financial Conditions
*Financial Polices/Procedures
*Stewardship Drive & Education
*Counsels with head of staff on all personnel matters
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
Kathy Wormald (24)
Sean Murray (24)
*Children's Holiday Programs
*Church School
-Children
-Adult
-Youth
*New Member Class
*Seasonal Events
-Palm Sunday Kids
*Mid-Week Program
-Children
-Adult
-Youth (Mission Trip)
*Small Groups
*Camps
CLERK OF SESSION
Cathy Aardema
*Communication with Session
*Connection to Presbytery
*Maintain Session Records and Correspondence
*Maintain Membership Records
*Update Bylaws and Administrative Manual
*Scholarships
*Responsible for all formal communication by Session
CONGREGATIONAL LIFE
Nancy Horn (23)
Kerry Murphy (24)
*Wednesday Evening Meals
*Kitchen Supplies
*Fellowship Times
*Congregational Dinners
*Pictorial Directory
*Picnic
-games
*Older Adult Ministries
WORSHIP
Tammy Scott (25)
Fred Hynek (25)
*Scheduling Communion
*Sound/Projection
*Seasonal Services
*Sanctuary Supplies
*Aesthetics in Sanctuary
*Sunday Services
*Music
*Children's Worship
*Wedding/Funeral Policies
*Ushers
BOARD OF DEACONS
Karen Samuels (24) - Moderator
Anita Kellerby (24)
Janalyn Shultz (24)
Bonnie Johnsey (23)
Julie Wilson (23)
Sandi Yager(23)
Mackenzie Scott (25)
Marilyn Spicer (25)
Kim Fletcher (25)
*Visitation
*Worship
*Cards
*Prayer Line
*Worship
-communion servers
*Communion
-preparation of elements
-notify servers
-organize care for home-bound
*Special Services
-funerals
*Individual requests for Aid Assistance
*Barnabas Program
*Cody Cupboard
*Transportation
*Chuck Wagon
Session
Who, What, When, Where,
Why?
How Presbyterian Churches are Organized...largely based on John Calvin's ideas.
The Session of First Presbyterian Church of Cody consists of Pastor Pat, and the twelve Ruling Elders in active service. The Ruling Elders in active service are church members nominated by the Nominating Committee and elected by the congregation. Ruling Elders are representatives for the people of the church, active in various committees, and oversee all aspects of our church. All members of the Session are entitled to vote on issues presented to them.
They meet the third Wednesday of the month at 6pm in the parlor. (See chart of structure above.)
Session meeting December 2021: Elders Michael Thomas, Dave Bensink, and Patty Brus.
Building & Grounds Committee
Who, What, When, Where,
Why?
This is a very active and necessary committee being charge of the care of our big building and large grounds.
Building and Grounds Committee ensures that our building and grounds are safe, in good repair, are clean and in good appearance.
They meet once a month on the first Wednesday of the month at 6pm.
Old windows in Buswell Hall at top and new windows in Buswell Hall at bottom.
Congregational Life
Who, What, When, Where,
Why?
Activities they help immensely with include Camp Wapiti, the All-Church Camp, and Wednesday Night Meals.
Congregational Life, through providing fellowship activities on a regular basis, facilitates interaction among members and friends.
They meet once a month on the first Wednesday of the month at 6pm.
Nancy Horn helps Jack Leong prepare his s'more at Camp Wapiti.
Christian Education
Who, What, When, Where,
Why?
The C.E. Committee does their best to offer educational opportunities on Sundays for every age group.
The Christian Education Committee provides educational opportunities on a regular basis on Sundays and Wednesdays. These opportunities provide a great way to grow deeper in our faith as we get to know one another and who we are as the body of Christ.
They meet once a month on the first Wednesday of the month at 6pm.
Mary Burgin, Bonnie Capron, Jo Ann Rickell, Marilyn Montville, Bonnie Johnsey, and Mary Bingley.
Innovation, Mission & Outreach
Who, What, When, Where,
Why?
This committee looks for ways to be God's hands and feet in our own community, as well as taking missions nationally and internationally.
Through contributions of time and finances, the Innovation Mission, and Outreach Committee physically and spiritually nurtures the family of God locally, regionally, and globally.
They meet once a month on the second Wednesday of the month at 6pm.
2022: Innovation Committee's first event: Dinner and A Movie last May.
Stewardship, Budget, Personnel
Who, What, When, Where,
Why?
This is the hard working committee that crunches the numbers. They also help to oversee staff.
How the church uses monies, the education of its members in the matter of stewardship, and the procurement and day-to-day interaction of its personnel are the venue of the Stewardship, Budget, and Personnel Committee.
The committee meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 5:30 in the Treasurer's office.
Previous Christian Education Director staff person Tammy Scott directs traffic on the slip-n-slide at an all church picnic.
Worship Committee
Who, What, When, Where,
Why?
Making worship relevant, meaningful, and engaging to a wide range of people of all ages and all kinds of church backgrounds.
Worship of God is central to the life of the church. The Worship Committee works with Pastor Pat to create a worship experience that meets the needs of our congregation.
The committee meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 6pm.
Pastor Pat Montgomery prepares to baptize baby Cyrus Grover, son of Anna Reed and Chase Grover.
Deacon Board
Who, What, When, Where,
Why?
Some monthly missions of the Deacon Board include a once a month meal at Jubilee Ministries, preparing communion, and transporting Cody Cupboard items.
Deacons are the "servants" and "caregivers" of the congregation. Deacons show compassion, witness and serve, sharing the redeeming life of Jesus Christ to the sick, the lost, and the friendless. Their hearts, hands, and feet go out to those who have suffered loss, to neighbors in the hospital, to prisoners, to friends who have lost their jobs, to new parents who are confused by a wonderful, sudden, and challenging change in the responsibilities of life, to new members who need a word of welcome, to members who are shut-in and lonely and cannot leave their homes, to people in the community who have lost their way and can no longer have adequate places to live or enough to eat, and to any people who need to experience the love of Christ in concrete ways.
The Deacon Board meets on the first Wednesday of the month at 6pm in the church parlor.
Deacons Janalyn Shultz, Karen Samuels, Bonnie Johnsey, and Sandi Yager help to prepare Thanksgiving Meals for DFS.
Presbyterian Women (PW)
Who, What, When, Where,
Why?
The Presbyterian Women raise money to donate to local non-profits and offer a college scholarship to a high school senior or current college student.
Presbyterian Women (PW) meet monthly September through May for Bible study and fellowship.
Meetings are typically held in the church parlor on the second Wednesday of the month at 1:30 or 6:00pm. Additional meetings during the year include a Birthday Brunch in May, a summer picnic and a Christmas celebration. All women of the church are welcome to participate in PW activities.
PW fund raising events include the annual Fall Festival and a biennial garage sale that enable the PW to support a number of local non-profits, award a scholarship to a graduating senior or college student, and assist with various projects and programs of the First Presbyterian Church.
If you have questions or want to join please contact the church office: 307.587.2647 or fpcc@fpcc.email.
Presbyterian Women Carol Leach and daughter Cathy Aardema during the PW Christmas celebration (photo courtesy of Nancy Horn).