Left to right: Jim Gillespie, Lee Eakins, Becky Chapman, Sharon LoCasio, Doug McFarland, Deniece Gibbs, Joe Arnold, Pastor Dennis Kizziar; not pictured: Bill Gardner, Pete Severin, Mike Wilson, Susan Preston
Doug McFarland
At its annual meeting, the congregation of PebbleCreek Community Church (PCCC) elected new elders, deacons and trustees. Each group serves both the congregation and other people in PebbleCreek and the surrounding community in differing ways.
The elder board is the governing body of the church and its members are also spiritual leaders for the congregation. Joining the board to start three-year terms are Joe Arnold, Becky Chapman and Bill Gardner; returning for a second term is Doug McFarland. All have long histories of Christian commitment. Each elder has an area of responsibility for the life of the church. In addition to Pastor Dennis Kizziar, the other elders and their responsibilities are the following: Joe Arnold (education), Becky Chapman (fellowship), Keith Easley (trustees), Bill Gardner (missions and chaplains), Ray Hadden (worship), Jan Kirk (deacons), Doug McFarland (finance), Hal Merwald (chair of the board and membership) and George Thomas (communications).
PCCC is non-denominational and welcomes all Christian believers. Current members of the elder board have personal backgrounds in Baptist, Church of Christ, Evangelical Covenant, Lutheran, Methodist and Reformed Pentecostal churches. The mission statement is “PebbleCreek Community Church is a caring, loving church that proclaims the Bible message of the living Christ.”
The deacons care for those in need, doing such things as providing meals and visiting the sick. Newly-elected deacons are Deniece Gibbs, Sharon LoCasio and Susan Preston who join Leota Easley, Barbara Klaessy, Judy Merwald, Joan Olson, Taz Raza and Ruth Walters.
The trustees provide the setup for our worship services and other logistical support. Newly-elected trustees are Lee Eakins, Jim Gillespie, Pete Severin and Mike Wilson who join Paul Alex, Don Klaessy, Darrel LoCasio, Patricia Martin and Roberta Thompson. Continuing in their PCCC positions are Secretary Marsha Lyons, Treasurer Syd Mersereau and Director of Music Donna Giocomo.
Our community church has experienced a welcome period of growth in attendance, membership and outreach since the arrival of our Pastor Dennis Kizziar and his wife Joan in late 2014. Attendance at our weekly service every Sunday at 9:00 a.m. in the Eagle’s Nest Ballroom now approaches 200. Everyone is welcome to join us on Sunday morning. Stay for coffee and fellowship after the service.
Information about PCCC, including belief statements, past sermons, Bible Studies, fellowship events, mission outreaches and associate membership for snowbirds can be found on the PCCC website, www.pebblecreekchurch.org.