Congregation Council

Our congregation council is the governing body of St. Luke Lutheran Church between congregational meetings. 

It is comprised of members dedicated to the ministry and mission of our congregation.


The Congregation Council functions to oversee the life and activities of St. Luke Lutheran Church and to ensure that these reflect the purpose and faith of this church. The council consists of the three elected officers of the congregation (President, Vice-President and Treasurer), six counselors who serve as liaisons to the Purpose and Support Teams, a Council Secretary, and the Pastor(s).


Congregation Council Members' Responsibilities: Attend monthly Council Meetings, special Council meetings, regular and special meetings of the congregation. Care for and pray for the work of Christ in the Congregation, the community, and the whole world. Help assure the coordination of all the programs and ministries of St. Luke Lutheran Church. Participate in the development and management of long-range planning and the annual budget adopted by the Congregation.


*** Currently the Liaison to the Facilities Support Team is an open position on council. If you are interested in this position, please contact our Church Office.

  • Marty Wood

    Congregation President

    The President of this congregation presides over meetings of the congregation and of the Congregation Council. In conjunction with the Senior Pastor, he or she prepares and ensures distribution of the notice and agenda for such meetings. Also, in conjunction with the Senior Pastor, he or she approves all official correspondence of this congregation. The President is also a member of the Executive Planning Team and has ex-officio membership on all other standing and ad hoc teams of the congregation. (With the exception of the Nominating Team and Audit Group.)


    Marty, Pat and family have been members of St. Luke since 1972 and Brian, Matt and Karen were confirmed at St Luke. Marty continues to be active in church and community activities. He has served as President of the Congregation, served on several Building Renovation/Addition Committees, taught Sunday School with Pat and been a member of the Facilities support team. Marty is actively involved in the Ledyard/Gales Ferry Community as a member of the Ledyard Planning and Zoning Commission.


      

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  • Leigh Sammons

    Vice President and Liaison to People Support Team

    The Vice-President of this congregation shall, in the absence of the President, assume the President’s responsibilities. They are the Liaison to the People Support Team and ensures that its duties and responsibilities are carried out. The VP notifies Officers, team members, and delegates of their election or appointment, and ensures they are provided with the necessary documents required for the performance of their duties. He or she furnishes delegates with credentials, signs all certified copies of acts of this congregation unless otherwise specified in the Constitution or bylaws. He or she is also a member of the Executive Planning Team. 


    The PEOPLE SUPPORT TEAM shall recruit, develop, coordinate, and administratively supervise all paid staff in the congregation; it shall also develop, recommend, and maintain appropriate personnel practices, procedures and policies.  The chair of this team shall be the Vice-President of the congregation. This team shall consist of other interested members of this congregation as needed to fulfill its duties and responsibilities. The leader of each group within this team shall be a member of the PEOPLE SUPPORT TEAM.


    I have been a member at St. Luke since its very beginning, over 55 years. My parents were founding members of St. Luke, so I've been around for awhile!

    ~Leigh


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  • Fawn DeMello

    Treasurer and Liaison to Finance Support Team

    The Treasurer of this congregation is responsible for all financial transactions of this congregation. He or she is liaison to the Financial Support Team and ensures that its duties and responsibilities are carried out. The treasurer makes a written summary report of all financial transactions to the Congregation Council monthly, and to the congregation annually. He or she also takes monthly remittance of benevolence receipts to the Treasurer of the Synod. They are also a member of the Executive Planning Team.


    The FINANCIAL SUPPORT TEAM shall develop, recommend to the Congregation Council for approval, and administratively supervise the congregation’s financial policies, practices and procedures. It shall provide opportunities for Christian stewardship. The team shall develop and administratively supervise the receipt, accounting, and disbursement of all funds within the congregation in accordance with generally accepted state and federal accounting practices.  The chair of this team shall be the Treasurer of the congregation.  This team shall consist of other interested members of this congregation as needed to fulfill its duties and responsibilities. The leader of each group within this team shall be a member of the FINANCIAL SUPPORT TEAM.


    I have been a member of St. Luke Lutheran Church since February 1975. Involved in numerous volunteer positions, on the Congregation Council twice, and on staff three times. My background is in the accounting field for over 40 years and have worked with the youth for over 30 years.

    ~Fawn


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  • Dyann Baker

    Council Recording Secretary

    The Secretary ensures that minutes are recorded for all official meetings of this congregation and the Congregation Council. The minutes are retained in a permanent file and sent to the council for approval and record keeping. 


    Dyann is serving as Council Secretary and Stewardship Chair and has also served in the role of Treasurer and Vice President over her life with St. Luke.  She has been with St. Luke since 1995 and is active in other roles such as Assisting Minister, Communion Deacon and Usher. Dyann and her wife, Grace have lived in Connecticut most of their lives and have called Gales Ferry home for over 25 years.  They raised three boys together and they are excited to be part of the growing family with two grandchildren. Over her professional life, Dyann has over 20 years of experience in financial leadership roles in academic institutions and town government.  She is a graduate of the University of New Haven and is a CPA. 


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  • PamELA Gray

    Councilor and Liaison to Evangelism Team

    Evangelism is an integral part of all the ministries at St. Luke. This team supports initiatives and activities lead by other teams. A primary focus of the Evangelism team is continuing our church’s growth in understanding and practicing inclusion and diversity.


    The EVANGELISM PURPOSE TEAM shall invite those outside our community to join us in worship and in service to God’s people. It shall extend hospitality to those who respond to this invitation. This team shall consist of a chair and other interested members of this congregation. This team may foster any focused ministries that are necessary to fulfill its stated mission. The leader of each focused ministry within this team shall be a member of the EVANGELISM PURPOSE TEAM.


    Pam is a 6 year member of St. Luke. She lives in Ledyard, recently retiring from UConn Extension as the NLC 4-H Educator. She serves as Evangelism Team chair and loves being the ‘flower lady’ for the church. She is also co-coordinator for the Trans/Gender Non-conforming support group hosted by St. Luke.

         

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  • John Perkins

    Councilor and Liaison to Fellowship Team

    The Fellowship Team might just be the most popular crowd at St. Luke! Celebration and event planning, food preparation and coffee-making are among the top skills needed for those who serve in Fellowship. Whether it’s bringing in food, setting up tables and chairs or meeting to plan the Fellowship budget and events for the year – there are big and small opportunities to serve the church through Fellowship. Through Fellowship, members and guests of St. Luke strengthen relationships and become more connected to the church. 


    The FELLOWSHIP PURPOSE TEAM shall promote the bond of companionship among Christian believers. This team shall consist of a chair and other interested members of this congregation. This team may foster any focused ministries that are necessary to fulfill its stated mission. This team may foster any other focused ministries that it considers necessary to fulfill its duties and responsibilities.  The leader of each focused ministry within this team shall be a member of the FELLOWSHIP PURPOSE TEAM.  


    John is 61 years of age and comes from a small town in South Dakota. He is a proud father and grandfather. For St. Luke Lutheran Church, he is a Councilor and Liaison to the Fellowship Team


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  • Bill Kracke

    Councilor and Liaison to the Outreach Ministry Team

    Outreach Ministry is a dedicated group that organizes programs and volunteers that reach out to others. They have three distinct but overlapping ministries: lay pastoral care, community outreach, and global outreach.


    The OUTREACH MINISTRY TEAM shall fulfill the Ministry Purpose by promoting the congregation’s care for the sick, its companionship for the lonely, its support for the troubled, persons in crisis, persons with disabilities, the hungry and the poor, and its sustenance for the aged. It shall direct this care inward—toward members of the congregation—and outward—toward the community and globally. This team shall consist of a chair and other interested members of this congregation. This team may foster any focused ministries that are necessary to fulfill its stated mission. The leader of each focused ministry within this team shall be a member of the OUTREACH MINISTRY PURPOSE TEAM. 


    Bill and his wife, Carolyn, live in Gales Ferry and are longtime members of St. Luke, having joined in the late '70s. They have two grown children who were confirmed at St. Luke: Bill and Amy. Bill (Sr.) has served on several committees and the Church Council, including President, Vice-President, and Treasurer. He is currently the Outreach Team Leader and leads our annual Outreach Meal Assembly Event. 


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  • Brad Dame

    Councilor and Liaison to the Worship and Music Team

    The Worship Team is responsible for overseeing the worship experience and music program at St. Luke.  The following ministries are included under Worship Team support: 

    • Music program
    • Acolytes
    • Altar guild
    • Assisting ministers
    • Communion deacons
    • Lay readers
    • Ushers
    • Worship Tech Team

    The WORSHIP PURPOSE TEAM shall promote individual and corporate devotion to our God in Christ.  It shall promote opportunities for personal prayer and piety. It shall also assist the Pastor(s) and the professional staff in providing opportunities for corporate worship suited to the needs of the congregation. This team shall consist of a chair and other interested members of this congregation. This team may foster any focused ministries that are necessary to fulfill its stated mission. The leader of each focused ministry within this team shall be a member of the WORSHIP PURPOSE TEAM.


    Brad Dame was originally at St. Luke as a toddler and was baptized there in 1973.  He returned as an adult in 2002 and has been a member ever since, along with his wife of over 20 years Crystal and his three children Jessica, Logan, and Nathaniel.  All three children have been baptized, attended Sunday School, and played handbells at St. Luke.   Brad has been the Worship Team Lead for many years and has served a few different stints on the council.  He enjoys singing with the Celebrate Team and being a part of the Worship Tech Team.

     

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  • Erica Aberle

    Councilor and Liaison to Lifelong Learning Team

    The Lifelong Learning Team plays a vital role in nurturing spiritual development. This team provides learning opportunities for all ages - from birth through adulthood. The Lifelong Learning Team needs enthusiastic, passionate members to help guide our disciples.  


    The LIFELONG LEARNING TEAM shall fulfill the Discipleship Purpose by promoting individual and corporate spirituality.  It shall promote educational opportunities for all levels of Christian maturity. This team shall consist of a chair and other interested members of this congregation.  This team may foster any focused ministries that are necessary to fulfill its stated mission.  The leader of each focused ministry within this team shall be a member of the LIFELONG LEARNING PURPOSE TEAM.


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  • Alan Portofee

    Alan Portofee, The Property and Grounds supervisor,  maintains all congregation owned property and equipment unless otherwise designated by the Congregation Council, recommends for Council approval necessary improvements to Church property, and supervises approved maintenance and improvement projects.  This team shall consist of a chair and other interested members of this congregation.  This team may foster any other groups as are necessary to fulfill its stated mission. 


    Email Property and Grounds

  • Executive Planning Team

    The PLANNING TEAM shall develop, review, and propose to the Congregation Council church a long-range strategic plan and annual goals to meet that plan.  It shall consist of the Senior Pastor (chair), Associate Pastor (if assigned), the congregation President, the congregation Vice-president, and the congregation Treasurer.  This team may foster any other groups as are necessary to fulfill its stated mission.  The leader of each group within this team shall be a member of the PLANNING TEAM.