Presbyterianism in Summerside 1853—2003 MEMBERS OF KIRK SESSION 2003 Lucy Bishop David Buell* Dr. Scott Cameron* Edith Carruthers Donald Craig* Jane Dunn* John K. Ellis Susanne Essensa Dr. Thomas Hall Frank Harvey* Nancy Harvey* Keith Johnston Grant Mollison Bruce Montgomery Sharon Montgomery* D. R. Morrison Byron Murray Peter Murray* James Paynter* Laura Paynter* Susan Perry* Earith Ramsay Hazel Ramsay Debbie Richard* Donald Ross* Leonard Russell Dr. J. Paul Schaefer* Katherine Schaefer* Elva Shewchuk Kevin Simmons* Ken Targett Howard Waite Andrew Walker _ Gregory Walker* Kenneth A. Walker Doris Warren* Marilyn J. Waugh* Rachel Waugh* Mary Wilcox* *Denotes the active elders of Session dren with the only stipulation be- ing that they were baptized. The second change, term eldership, required more detailed discussion. The number of elders comprising Kirk Session from 1922 to 1951 averaged 5—10 members. After 1951 the number rose stead— ily and presently there are 21 mem— bers in Session (See chart). His— torically, church elders had been elected to Kirk Session for life but since 1998 they have been elected for a six year term. Elections for eight new elders are held every two years. Elders who are no longer ac— tively serving on the Kirk Session remain as elders but are classed as inactive. At the end of a six year term an inactive elder may offer for re-election as an active elder. On June 28, 1998 the first eight elders to be ordained under the guidelines of the new policy were: Edith Carruthers, Susanne Essensa, Frank Harvey, Laura Paynter, Kevin Simmons, Doris Warren, Marilyn J. Waugh, and Rachel Waugh. The major physical changes to Summerside Presbyterian Church during Rev. Mr. Vancook’s ministry involved the assembly hall where walls and washrooms were relo- 67