A Brief DESCRIPTION of each of our church ministry teams is featured below, as well as their members and church counsel liasons. If you are new to our church, feel free to e-mail any of our staff members to introduce yourself, or just to ask a question. Also, click 'Council Members' above for photos and names of our church officers and Church Council representatives.


The Care Ministry Team

This team provides care through the Stephen Ministry, the Parish Health Team, and remembrances with cards.

Members:

  • Council Liaison - Susan Chandler
  • Parish Health - Betty Caulkins
  • Stephen Ministers - Cheryl Schmeling
  • Greeting Cards - Joyce Litteer
  • Homebound CD Ministry - Gary Bratton
  • Homebound Visits - WELCA/Pastor Poole


The Education Ministry Team

This ministry team shall oversee the conduct and promotion of the school(s) and other educational activities of the congregation.

Members:

  • Council Liaison - Kathy Lyons
  • Bible Studies - Pastor Poole
  • Catechism Studies - Pastor Poole
  • Sunday School Superintendent - Stan Schaetzle
  • Nursery Attendant- Cathy Epps
  • Library - Becky Marshall
  • Archives - Lu Davenport and Helen Bultman
  • Vacation Bible School - Kathy Lyons & Christine Poole
  • Graduation/Confirmation - Chris Monroe

The Fellowship Ministry Team

The mission of this team shall be to assist the pastors and Congregational Council in nurturing a Christian atmosphere of care, love, and fellowship within the congregation.

Members:

  • Council Liaison - Gary Bratton
  • Young Adults - Kathy Lyons
  • J.O.Y. Group - Carol Ziecker
  • Women of the ELCA - Karen Hesselbart
  • Lula June Circle - Carol Ziecker
  • Suber-Bultman Circle - Judy Lessard
  • Rebekah Circle - Susan Keefe
  • Lutheran Men in Mission - Mike Stewart
  • Softball Teams - Eric Hutchison

The Mutual Ministry Team

This team supports the ministry of the pastors and members by providing a forum for discussion and mutual accountability.

Members:

  • Counsel Liaison - Karen Hesselbart
  • Committee Chair - Reba Mahaffey
  • Council Nominating Committee - TBD

The Property Ministry Team

This ministry team shall maintain and plan improvements to the church facility.

Members:

  • Council Liaison - Betty Harvin
  • Maintenance - Bryan Workman & Ray Zeicker
  • Sexton - Rebecca Sylvester
  • Administrative/Office Work - Shannon Morris

The Spiritual Growth Team

This ministry team enhances spiritual growth through retreats, Via de Cristo, and an Intercessory Prayer Ministry.

Members:

  • Council Liaison - Hugh China
  • Prayer Fellowship - Judith Terry
  • Via de Cristo:
    • Men's Group - Vacant
    • Women's Group - Vacant
  • Retreats/Workshops - Pastor Poole
  • Wonderful Wednesday - Pastor Poole
  • Small Group Leadership - Vacant

The Stewardship Ministry Team

This ministry team shall provide support to the congregation on all financial matters and stewardship. The Treasurer shall be a member ex-officio.

Members:

  • Council Liaison - Bob Bessel
  • Stewardship - Ray Davenport, II
  • Finance/Budget - Bob Bessel
  • Audit - TBD by Council

The Witness Ministry Team

The mission of this team is to assist the pastors and the Congregational Council in informing the congregation, community, and church-at-large of the mission and ministries of St. James Lutheran Church. This team shall also extend Christian compassion and helpfulness to the ill, the aged, the orphaned, the underprivileged, the imprisoned, and, in general, to persons of all ages in need of aid in body and soul. It shall strive to enlist in these efforts as many as possible of the individual members and organizations of the congregation. This team shall further have the duty to study social conditions, primarily in the local community, in order to bring the cleansing and healing light of Christian truth to bear upon critical problems through thoughtful Christian discussion of facts and issues. This committee shall provide information about, and encourage support of this congregation's local, national, and worldwide ministries.

Members:

  • Council Liaison - Ford Kamin
  • Communications Team Leader - Marjorie Regan
  • Webmasters - Jim Bradshaw
  • Evangelism Liaison - Ford Kamin
  • Evangelism Team Leader - Michelle Moses
  • Missions - Vacant
  • Kairos (Prison Ministry) - Harold Chandler & Glenn Hesselbart
  • Food/Clothing Distribution - Judy Lessard
  • Habitat for Humanity - Susan Chandler
  • Sumter Community Groups:
    • United Ministries - Judy Lessard
    • Shepard Center - Vacant
    • Light of Hope - Vacant
    • Community Care & Counseling - Vacant

The Worship Ministry Team

The mission of this team shall be to assist the pastors an Congregational Council in providing for the highest quality in the congregation's worship, and to involve as many members as possible as participants and leaders, according to their spiritual gifts.

Members:

  • Council Liaison - Joyce Diehl
  • Team Leader - Janet Turner
  • Sunday Mornings:
    • Altar Guild/Sacristans - Judy Pollock
    • Acolytes/Crucifers - Becky Marshall
    • Children's Sermons - Karen Hesselbart
    • Lay Readers - Dot Weishuhn
    • Liturgist/Communion Assistants - David Armstrong
    • Greeters - Theresa Diven
    • Sound System - Gary Bratton
    • Ushers - Tim Tidwell (8:00a.m. Service), Tony Myers (10:30a.m. Service)
  • Music:
    • Choir - Bill Scobee
    • Handbells - Cheryl Schmeling
  • Wedding Coordinator - Susan Keefe
  • Funeral Coordinator - Lu Davenport or Helen Bultman
The Youth Ministry Team

The mission of this team shall be to assist the pastors and Congregational Council in nurturing a Christian atmosphere of care, love, and fellowship within the youth of the congregation.

Members:

  • Council Liaison - Elton Hallman
  • Youth Ministry:
    • Children's Ministry - Vacant
    • Kids of the Kingdom - Kathy Lyons
    • Junior & Senior Youth - Elton Hallman & Brenda Jamison

It takes a lot of great people to make a great church.
We are fortunate to have some very dedicated folks providing leadership at St. James.
 Meet Our Church Officers & Church Council