EASTMINSTER CLERKS OF SESSION

SARA LYNN CURTIS' STORY

BY ANNA MILLS COX

The role of a clerk is a unique calling and one that deserves celebrating. Many know the clerk of session as one who is responsible for preserving the minutes of the session and the congregation and for maintaining rolls, and one who serves as secretary of congregational meetings. Although those administrative duties are part of the clerk’s responsibility, a clerk’s role is very important. A strong and wise clerk can contribute immensely to the ministry of the pastor and of the church. A clerk, who possesses wisdom, integrity, discipline, and a devotion to Christ, is a gift to not only the pastor, but also to the congregation and presbytery.

Most recently, from 2020-2022, Eastminster was blessed to have Sara Lynn Curtis serve as Clerk of Session. Senior Pastor, Brad Smith, said, “Over my nearly 14 years as Eastminster’s senior pastor, I’ve had the privilege of serving with seven different clerks of session. In each case, I feel like God provided the right person for the right time. Particularly in the face of the Coronavirus crisis, how various groups of people were impacted in such different ways, and how the stress of it all triggered some intensely emotional responses, Sara Lynn’s prayerful spirit, careful listening, calm demeanor, and Godly wisdom provided a wonderful example for all of us who compose the session to follow. In addition to keeping careful minutes and other duties, each clerk of session has been an invaluable help and resource to me in my work as pastor. Sara Lynn’s willing ear and wise counsel were a great gift, and her willingness to serve a third year to help the church family return fully to being back together in person was an example of her servant heart."

He continued, "Sara Lynn embodies Ephesians 4:29 which says, ‘Let no evil talk come out of your mouths but only what is good for building up, as there is need, so that your words may give grace to those who hear.’”

As Sara Lynn passes the torch to our newest Clerk of Session, Jimmy Long, we say best wishes and thank you, faithful servant.

Eastminster has been blessed with extraordinary clerks of session. Thank you to all of the clerks for the critical work they have guided our session through to completion, and for their continued leadership at Eastminster.

CLERKS OF SESSION: (1994-present)

Julian Jacobs Nexsen, 1994-1996

Nancy Morton Scott, 1997-1998

Robert Ferguson Fuller, 1999-2001

Lucie Barron Eggleston, 2002

Julian Jacobs Nexsen, 2003

Nancy Townsend Carpenter, 2004-2005

Gary Alan Schraibman, 2006-2007

John Barron McArthur, 2008-2009

Scott Anderson Elliott, 2010-2011

Emma Isabelle Bryson, 2012-2013

David Clay Robinson, 2014-2015

Pamela Williams Halligan, 2016-2017

John Barron McArthur, 2018-2019

Sara Lynn Curtis, 2020-2022

James Grant Long, III, 2023-current