The Kirk Session:
The Presbyterian Church in Ireland traces its roots to Presbyterians in Scotland. As such, the Church Leadership within a local Presbyterian Congregation has historically been known by an old Scottish term, ‘the Kirk Session’. Literally this means, ‘the church council’.
The Kirk Session is a group of leaders democratically elected by the church members of a local congregation. It has responsibility for the whole life and service of a local congregation within its Parish. Its spiritual responsibility involves “leadership, nurturing the spirituality of the congregation and its members, caring for the spiritual welfare of the parish and parishioners, encouraging members to participate in the worship and life of the congregation, and promoting mission and evangelism in the parish.” (Weatherhead). The minister acts as chair and one of our elders, Mrs. Emily Kearon acts as clerk.
At present Arklow Presbyterian Church has 7 elders. They are in alphabetical order:
Rev. Michael Anderson (Minister and Chairperson)
Mrs. Edna Crammond
Ms. Aleida van der Flier
Mrs. Sandra Hall
Mr Brian Kearon
Mrs. Emily Kearon (Clerk of Session)
Mr. Philip Whelton (Irish Mission Worker)