The session is the governing board of a Presbyterian church made up of a group of women and men who are elected by the congregation to serve three-year terms as the overseers and policy-makers of a church. Areas of oversight include administration, personnel, missions, education, property, finances, evangelism, worship, and the spiritual development of members. The ZPC Session is comprised of called pastors [teaching elders] who are ordained Ministers of the Word and Sacrament of the Presbyterian Church [Rev Dr. Jerry Deck and Rev. Scott Shelton] and 12 lay church members who have been elected as ruling elders.
Our Session meets the first Tuesday of each month from 6:30–9 pm. Unless an Executive Session is called, these meetings are open to ZPC members and subject to the session's open meeting policy (PDF). Please read this policy prior to attending.
Questions, concerns, and communication from ZPCers are always welcome. To email one of our Session Members, click on the person you wish to contact below or you can always utilize this contact form to contact an individual session member or email the entire session at one time.
Session-related documents, including minutes, are available in the ZPC Library. Select documents are also available at the bottom of this page.
Elders Class of 2021
Marjie and her husband Fritz have been members at ZPC since 1999. They have 3 adult children, two sons and one daughter. Marjie was the Treasurer at ZPC for 5 years.
Marjie's Hobbies include: Hiking with her family. Her greatest hiking accomplishment is Angels Landing in Zion National Park.
Catherine and her husband Mike have been members at ZPC since 1999. They have adult triplets 2 boys and 1 girl.
Catherine choose to serve because she says "God gives us talents, abilities and interests which we use in employment, philanthropic endeavors and when requested in church administration. Our time, energy and very life are gifts and using them for God and his church’s benefits when requested is our responsibility."
Catherine's hobbies include: Yoga and long walks outside with her family and friends.
Stevie and his wife Maidy have been members at ZPC since 2007. Stevie is being called by God to step up and take more active role at ZPC. They have two sons who are involved with ZPCKids.
Stevie's hobbies include: Photography and Travelling.
RJ and his wife Libby have been members at ZPC since 2014. They have two school age daughters. Their family has been involved in several ZPC ministries including the Kentucky Mission Trip and serving homeless folks through IHN.
Why did you choose to serve in the role you are involved with? After much prayer, I felt called to serve on the leadership team for ZPC using my God given talents to help our congregation.
RJ's Hidden Talent: cooking and smoking all types of meats.
Elders Class of 2022
Dave and his wife Terry have been at ZPC since 1995. They have been married for 37 years and have four adult children and four grandchildren.
Dave has been on two ZPC medical mission trips to southern India. He has served on the Food Pantry Team and helped cook food for many Sunday All Church Brunches. He ha also sang in ZPC Christmas cantatas.
Dave says, "I would like to help move our building project forward with a keen ear listening to our membership."
Dave's hobbies: gardening, cutting and splitting firewood, and spending time with kids and grandkids. He also loves to travel to their rustic ancestral home in the Italian Alps.
Cynthia and her husband John have been at ZPC since 2006. They have two college sons, Ryan and Jason. They lived overseas for seven years in both Geneva, Switzerland and Shanghai, China. They have two certified pet therapy dogs, Stella and Louie, a Bernese & Golden Retriever.
Cynthia says her faith journey has been greatly enriched while serving on ZPC's Intercessory Prayer Team, the Great Banquet, and most recently the compassionate Food Pantry team coordinators.
She states, "I pray for opportunities to welcome our neighbors and community of believers to ZPC through hospitality and kindness. I believe God calls us to walk alongside each other in times of sorrow and joy. I welcome the chance to meet you."
Cynthia's hobbies: traveling, bicycling outside with John, cooking and baking for friends and family, and taking lots of pictures to celebrate the memories along the way!
Karen first worshiped at ZPC in 1996. Karen shared, "I have seen God at work at ZPC by guiding us to be a congregation who does as Jesus did. We reach out in many different avenues to love thy neighbor, wherever they are, missions, Kairos ministry, Jeremiah House, small groups, etc."
Karen's Hidden Talent: "I was a butcherette in a grocery store during the summers when I was in college."
Elders Class of 2023
Mike and Karin Berry have been attending ZPC since 1991, but for 5 years when in Missouri. They have 2 wonderful kids Alicia and Wilson. Alicia and Wilson are in college pursuing a Medical Illustration degree and a Biomedical Engineering degree respectively.
Mike states, "I enjoy nearly every moment serving ZPC in the finance Committee, FAAT team, usher ministry, pre-building committee. All with awesome Brothers and Sisters.
I will serve where the Lord wants us to serve, hoping to uphold the ministries of the wonderful ZPC elders who have gone before us. As well as serving as a change agent if and where the Lord needs us to change."
Mike's hobbies: Waterskiing, boating, any activity near the water, jogging, traveling.
Betsy has been at ZPC for 29. She and husband Michal have two grown children, a son and a daughter. Betsy states, “Topher, Sam, and our 2 grandsons live in Zionsville so we are fortunate to see them often. Allie, William, and our granddaughter live in Los Angeles so we depend on FaceTime and the occasional visit to keep close to them I was fortunate enough to be with an amazing small group of women who began a women's Bible study at ZPC which started as ‘Bible Study is Great.’ It quickly morphed into the LifeChanges Bible study which has now become Soul Sisters. In the past I have also been involved with Heart to Heart and served on multiple Great Banquet teams. Most of my time, passion, and effort for 21 out of my 29 years at ZPC has been with the worship ministry. As the past Worship Coordinator, I have been active in most of the Worship Arts ministries and, until the pandemic, continued to serve as part of the Tech team.
Worship has always been important to me. God is worthy of our praise and our gathering on Sunday mornings not only offers us an opportunity to give God all praise and glory but it also offers us an opportunity to grow deeper in our relationship with God and invite others into that relationship. As important as that is, we also have a call to reach beyond our walls and into the community, to share the love and grace of God with those around us.You'll see me out walking in Zionsville when the weather is nice, which is good because I also like to bake and cook. If I do say so myself, I do make pretty yummy chocolate chip cookies (just ask the staff).”
Sharon has been at ZPC for 28 years. She has been married to her hubby, Steve for 48 years! They have twin daughters, a son, and a younger daughter, all of whom are married to amazing Christians. They have seven precious grandchildren who are sheer joy! She has been involved in the Middle School and High School Ministries and VBS; has served as a Lay Director for both the Awakening and the Women's Great Banquet; has served on the Generosity and Jeremiah House Teams; and loves being an Usher and Greeter for ZPC Worship! Sharon states, “I want to be intent on listening for God's discernment in how we should guide our Brothers and Sister in Christ in a Godly way. I also love seeking a compromise, whenever there are differing viewpoints!”
Sharon’s hobbies are: reading, walking, championing the needs of abused and neglected children, and hanging out with our amazing family and friends!
Greg is married to Dinah and they have two young adult children, an older daughter Hadley and younger son Ben. Their family has served together at ZPC for more than 12 years. Greg wants to help people connect at ZPC and find their place to serve.
Greg's Hobby: He loves fishing.