The role of the Presbytery Council is to provide leadership, guidance, and support for PEVA's life and witness, to care for the body as a whole and for its particular ministries. The Presbytery Council's responsibilities include oversight, coordination, planning, personnel, budget formation and making recommendations to PEVA for priorities, policies, and other matters as needed.
It shall be comprised of nine individuals elected by PEVA. Members shall include the Council Moderator (ordinarily the immediate past PEVA Moderator), Moderator of PEVA, Vice Moderator of PEVA, and six at large members to include both ministers and ruling elders, with at least one member reflecting the African-American constituents of PEVA or other racial ethnic groups consistent with the principles of unity and diversity. The General Presbyter and Stated Clerk are ex-officio members without vote.
Council Members
Ruling Elder Dianne Schoonover (Yorkminster), Moderator
The Reverend Dr. John E. Morgan , PEVA Moderator
Ruling Elder Joyce Melvin-Jones, PEVA Vice Moderator
Elder Jaime Ambrose (Lynnhaven Presbyterian Church), Member at large
The Reverend Dr. Garrett B. Bugg, Member at large
The Reverend Debra D. Dail, Member at large
The Reverend Brian Harroff, Member at Large
Elder Larry Hull (Second Presbyterian Church, Member at large
The Reverend Libby Rollins, Member at Large
The Reverend Elizabeth G. Hendricks (Gen. Presbyter), Ex-officio
The Board of Trustees shall serve as the Directors of PEVA, Inc. and as delegated by the Presbytery shall have such limited power, authority, and responsibilities of and shall perform the functions provided by a board of directors under the Virginia Nonstock Corporation Act (hereinafter the "Act." Except as otherwise provided by the Act, the Articles, the Bylaws, the Constitution or this Manual of Operations, the authority to carry out the business affairs of PEVA shall be exercised by the Board of Trustees. The Board shall fulfill the functions required by civil law and those that the Presbytery assigns to it. It shall be responsible for implementing the policies of the Members related to investments, financial guidance, and property; and shall arrange for an annual financial review.
The Board of Trustees shall be comprised of at least six and no more than eleven individuals including its moderator and be elected by the Presbytery. The Trustee Moderator shall be recommended by the Trustees for PEVA election. Trustees shall include both ministers and ruling elders and normally be divided into three approximately equal classes. They shall normally serve a three-year term and may be elected for one additional three-year term. No trustee shall serve on the Board of Trustees for more than six consecutive years. The General Presbyter and Stated Clerk shall be ex officio members of the Board of Trustees without vote.
PEVA's Board of Trustees
Elder Marc Steiner (Green Acres Presbyterian Church), Class of 2025, Moderator Board of Trustees/President of Corporation
Elder Sandra Poole (Saint Andrew Presbyterian Church), Class of 2026, Treasurer of the Corporation
Elder Pax Goodson (Hilton Presbyterian Church), Class of 2024
Elder John Keifer (Royster Memorial Presbyterian Church), Class of 2025
Rev. Liza Hendricks (GP), Ex Officio
Ms. Regan Knutson (PEVA Business Admin.,) Ex Officio
Rev. Clint Mithcell, Class of 2024
Elder Lorri Richardson (Community Presbyterian Church, Hampton) Class of 2025
The Commission on Ministry (COM) is governed by the Book of Order (G-3.0307) and shall serve as pastor and counselor to ministers, ruling elders commissioned to pastoral service, and to certified Christian educators of the Presbytery; to facilitate the relations between the Presbytery and its congregations; and to settle difficulties on behalf of the Presbytery where possible and expedient; to ensure the annual certification of the Sexual Misconduct Policy; and to annually develop the Compensation Guidelines; with specific authority:
To dissolve pastoral relationships and dismiss ministers to other Presbyteries when both ministers and congregation agree
To examine and receive ministers into Presbytery without further examination on the floor of Presbytery unless an examinee declares a scruple concerning a tenet, and if COM concludes that the examinee is otherwise ordainable, commissionable, or transferable. COM shall then refer the issue of ordination, commissioning, or transfer to the next convened PEVA meeting without recommendation
To validate the work of its ministers
To approve calls and covenants of ministers
To approve temporary relationship agreements
To approve ruling elders for commissioning to pastoral service
To grant permission to labor within and outside Presbytery bounds
To approve moderators for congregations in transition
To approve persons requesting to be added to the pulpit supply list
COM Members
Elder Roxie Holder (New Horizons Presbyterian Church), Class of 2024, Moderator
Rev. Dr. Jeffrey Bell - Vice-Moderator (Transitions), Class of 2024
Elder Leslie Brooks (Hidenwood), Class of 2026
Rev. Clark DeSarro-Raynal, Class of 2026
Elder Stacy Fuqua (First Presbyterian Church, Virginia Beach), Class of 2024
Elder Kelley Gangwer (Wycliffe Presbyterian Church), Class of 2024
Rev. L. Monica Gould, Class of 2025
Rev. Liza Hendricks (GP), Ex Officio
Rev. Elizabeth Hilkerbaumer "Beth", Class of 2026
Elder Charity Houghton (Wythe Presbyterian Church), Class of 2025
Rev. Valena Hoy - Vice-moderator (Examinations), Class of 2024
Rev. Pamela Hrncir (Vice-Moderator (Commissioned Pastors), Class of 2025
Elder Shirlene Imperial (Lynnhaven Presbyterian Church), Class of 2025
Elder Alyce Jones (Grace Covenant Presbyterian Church of Princess Anne), Class of 2025
Elder Bruce Knight (KirkWood Presbyterian Church), Class of 2024
Rev. Lyndsey McCall-Gilliam, Class of 2025
Elder York Poole (Green Acres Presbyterian Church), Class of 2025
Commander Jeffrey Quinn, Class of 2024
Rev. David Rollins - Vice-Moderator (Liaisons), Class of 2025
Elder Chip Shefelton (Hilton Presbyterian Church), Class of 2025
Elder Q. John Tamm (Stated Clerk), Ex Officio
Rev. Veronica Thomas - Vice-Moderator (Wellness), Class of 2026
Rev. Charles Tucker, Class of 2026
Rev. Gillian Weighton, Class of 2025
Elder Ken Wheeler (Providence), Class of 2026
Elder Marcy Wright (Carver Memorial), Class of 2026
The Commission on Preparation for Ministry (CPM) is governed by the Book of Order(G-3.0307) and guides, nurtures, and oversees the process of preparing one to become a minister. The Commission has oversight of all inquirers and candidates, receives inquirers, and makes recommendations to the Presbytery on those to become candidates, holds annual consultations, and certifies candidates ready for ordination as a minister with the authority to:
Accept applicants for the office of minister as inquirers
Transfer the Covenant Relationship of Candidates for the office of minister to another Presbytery when requested by the other Presbytery, when such transfer is deemed to be in the best interest of the Candidate and the Church
CPM Members
Rev. Emma Ouelette, Class of 2024, Moderator
Rev. Michelle Burcher "Mike", Class of 2024
Elder Karen Harris (First Presbyterian Church, Virginia Beach), Class of 2026
Rev. Liza Hendricks (GP), Ex Officio
Elder Charlie Reece (KirkWood Presbyterian Church), Class of 2025
Elder Judi Rogers (Great Bridge Presbyterian Church), Class of 2024
The Committee on Representation (COR) advises the Council regarding the implementation of principles of unity and diversity, advocates for diversity in leadership, consults with the Council on the employment of personnel, in accordance with the principles of unity and diversity and completes an annual report in accordance with Synod of the Mid-Atlantic guidelines.
The Nominations Committee nominates persons to serve in positions requiring election by the Presbytery ensuring that nominations are made by an entity broadly representative of the constituency of the council and in conformity with the church’s commitment to unity in diversity (F-1.0403).
Nominations Committee Members
Rev. Elnoria Harrison, Class of 2025, Moderator
Elder Jaime Ambrose (Lynnhaven Presbyterian Church), Class of 2024
Elder Mike Fore (KirkWood Presbyterian Church), Class of 2023
Rev. Liza Hendricks (GP), Ex Officio
Rev. Walt Hunting, Class of 2024
Rev. Libby Rollins, Class of 2023
Elder Linda Marley Smith (Simonsdale Presbyterian Church), Class of 2023
The Personnel Committee provides counsel, support, and accountability to foster a healthy, thriving Presbytery staff. Their responsibilities include making recommendations to Council for: policies and procedures that define expectations and obligations, equitable and fair compensation and benefits, and up to date position descriptions. The committee ensures fair, regular, and consistent evaluation support for professional growth, and recognition of staff achievements.
The Sessional Records Committee reviews the minutes of sessions and congregations for administrative review and makes recommendation that they be received with or without exceptions to the Presbytery.
The purpose of the PEVA Compassion Peace and Justice Ministry Teams (CPJ) is to inspire, equip, and mobilize congregations to respond in faith to contemporary human and environmental realities. The Ministry engages with Presbyterians and partners across the Presbytery to:
End poverty and hunger
Promote peace and transform cultures of violence
Promote solidarity with all people
Promote solidarity with Creation
CPJ-Hunger Ministry Team | Elders Kelvin Jackson (First United Presbyterian Church & Gail Schwartzer (Wycliffe Presbyterian Church) - Co-chairs
The Hunger Committee of PEVA, believing that hunger is unacceptable, leads and challenges the churches of PEVA and its entities in Christ’s name to alleviate chronic hunger and its immediate causes at home and abroad through information dissemination, education, advocacy, and the provisions of resources. The Hunger Ministry Team allocates funds allocated through the PEVA budget and special offerings to support hunger ministries and advocacy.
CPJ-Peacemaking Ministry Team | Elder Gerry Ellis (Denbigh United Presbyterian Church) - Chair
The Peacemaking Ministry inspires, equips, and mobilizes PEVA congregations and members to work for peace and social justice. The Peacemaking Ministry allocates funds wisely through the PEVA budget and special offerings to support peacemaking efforts, programs, events, advocacy, resources and may host a PCUSA international peacemaker.
CPJ-Racial Justice Team | Elders Claudette Gravely (New Horizons Presbyterian Church) and Lisa Schlickenmeyer (Hilton Presbyterian Church - Co-chairs
The Racial Justice Team of PEVA educates, inspires, equips, and mobilizes congregations and members to work for racial justice and healing.
The Congregational Vitality Ministry Team (CVT) is a ministry team of the Presbytery organized to provide better support to congregations.
The CVT seeks to equip, nurture and support Presbytery member congregations to renew, recover and live evermore faithfully in our common calling as disciples of Jesus Christ. We do this by developing tools to assess, discern and implement practices that help the congregations deepen their discipleship, so that they may be transformed, and the mission 15 of God spread throughout our community and the world. The CVT may use funds allocated through the budget process or available from the Church Legacies Fund to develop and provide tools, resources, and training for congregations.
