Christ Presbyterian Church is governed and cared for by the Session (the Board of Elders). The Session consists of Ruling Elders and the Teaching Elder (the Pastor). Elders are elected by the congregation to oversee and supervise the entire life of the congregation. Ruling Elders are elected for life but can only serve on the Session for 2 consecutive 3-year terms in a row.
According to Scripture, those who bear the office of the Elder should be mature believers, led by the Holy Spirit, who exhibit a manner of life that conforms to the biblical description of an officer in Christ’s Church.
Serving as an Elder is not an indication of special pre-eminence, but rather indicates a call to service, to ministry, to special discipleship, and the evidencing of the fruit of the Spirit in every part of life.
I am a life-long resident of the greater Springfield area. Born in Springfield in 1956, I spent most of my youth in East Longmeadow and had short stays in Chicopee and West Springfield during college. I graduated from Mass College of Pharmacy (Hampden Campus) in 1978. After college, I moved to the Forest Park area of the city where I still reside today. I married my beautiful wife, Elizabeth on April 30, 1983. I struggled with drugs and alcohol through my twenties, but in 1989, by the grace of God, obtained sobriety when God reminded me that I was a child of God, His child. His grace saved me and our marriage. Since 1983 I have been following the Lord wherever He has led our family. We started at a UCC church until God led us to an Advent Christian Church and finally here to Christ Presbyterian Church where we finally found our church forever home. Eliz and I try to stay involved in passing on the story of how God changed our lives by telling our story whenever and wherever we can. We are currently involved in the REC (Residents Encounter Christ) ministry at the Chicopee Women's jail and also serving meals at the Rescue Mission every other month. My passion is talking about Jesus and how he changed my life and the life of countless others. Our family has grown appreciably over the years and our 4 children have graced us with 11 grandchildren with promises of more on the way.
We love this church and serving its members. I am a member of the session, the clerk of the session, and have served for several years at the presbytery level as a member of the stewardship team and the executive council. Our story is not finished. As long as there is breath in my lungs, I will worship our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and continue to tell His story and praise His name.
My name is Dora A Boaten- Adusei. I was born in Ghana in West Africa. I am the second of three children. I graduated from Akrokerri Teacher Training College in the Ashanti Region, Ghana in 1975. I was an all-around athlete throughout my schooling and after. I competed in Track and Field and also was on the National Field Hockey team. In addition to playing Field Hockey, I was a teacher. I taught for 25 years.
In February 2000, I moved with my four children from Ghana to the US, after my husband passed away in 1996. Moving to the US with my children was an answered prayer as I was not sure how I was going to raise my four children after losing my husband so suddenly. I was received by my older sister, who lived in Windsor Locks, CT with her family. After a month, I moved with my children to Springfield, MA. My first plan once I settled in was to find a Presbyterian Church. When I found CPC several church members provided me and my children with transportation to and from church every Sunday until I was able to purchase a car of my own. Through the years, I have served as a deacon and currently serve as an Elder. Christ Presbyterian Church has been a blessing to my family and I since March 2000 and will forever be my home church.
I was born in New London, CT, and grew up in Waterford, Ct. I graduated from Eastern Connecticut State University with my elementary teaching certification. My husband, Al, and I were married in 1974, moved to New Britain, and then to Feeding Hills, MA. We were blessed with two daughters. Jessica is now married and living on Long Island. Amy has special needs and lives at home with me. When I was 30 years old, I accepted Christ as my personal Savior. God was definitely with me during the very challenging years with Amy, and, of course, He is still with me (as is she)! He called me to teach in Christian schools, which I loved doing for 28 years. My husband passed away in 2010. Through God's love, comfort, and guidance, I maneuvered through the grief process. I am also fortunate to have a wonderful, supportive family and friends.
I love spending time with God every day. In addition, my hobbies include reading, gardening ( love it!),decorating, going to tag sales, and doing puzzles in the paper. I'm not sure that is keeping my mind sharp, but I enjoy doing it!
I first came to CPC after my church in Westfield ( Christ the King) closed. I served as an Elder there also. After visiting a few churches after Christ the King shut its doors, I just knew that CPC is where God wanted Amy and me! I am honored to hold the office of Elder at CPC. It is a sacred duty and blessing to serve Him and the congregation in this way.
I was born the third of six children and raised in Anniston, Alabama. My family and I were active members of Seventeenth Street Baptist Church where I confessed Jesus as my Lord and Savior and was baptized at the age of six. After graduating from high school I attended Talladega College and then moved to Springfield with my husband in 1970. Our daughter Amber was born in 1972. While the early years of marriage were challenging I held to my faith in God but Jesus was not the Lord of my life. Thankfully I had in-laws who encouraged me to attend church services with them at First Presbyterian Church where I eventually became a member. Some years later our family became members of Christ Presbyterian Church.
I have been active in the life of CPC volunteering in vacation bible school, LOGOS, singing in the choir, and serving as a Deacon. Over the years my faith has grown and I have a closer walk with Christ which has sustained me through some difficult times in my life. In 2002 I met Robert, a very caring and loving man, and in 2007 we were married. Robert and I have served together as Deacons at CPC. At an early age, my gift of music was recognized and throughout the many years, my love of music has developed into a passion I have had the privilege of singing with several Symphony Choruses in Western Massachusetts.
Jody was born in Pittsfield MA, but grew up in Windsor, Ct before heading off to Syracuse University for a degree in Music Industry, where he met his wife, Mary. He and his wife are the parents of five daughters and two sons, as well as the grandparents of four. After serving as a saxophonist in the US Army Band at Ft Sheridan, IL, they returned to New England. Jody has been attending CPC since 2016. He has recently been reading a lot about Church History and is interested in studying the roots of the Reformation. His love of jazz (Gerry Mulligan and Stan Getz are his favorites) is surpassed only by his love of ice cream. You can find Jody most Tuesday mornings serving breakfast at the Springfield Rescue Mission, where he was recently appointed to the Board of Directors.
I was born in Boston, Massachusetts, the youngest of two children, and was baptized as an infant at Roxbury Presbyterian Church where I attended until our family moved to Springfield MA in 1959. We attended First Presbyterian Church where I joined by confession of faith at age 12. Our next move was to Washington, D.C. where I spent most of my middle school years. I attended high school in Bangkok, Thailand for two years and graduated from Classical High School in Springfield. Christianity has always been an important part of my life. Our family attended church regularly wherever we lived. Upon our return to Springfield, we returned to First Presbyterian Church and subsequently joined Christ Presbyterian Church in 1980.
I obtained my B.A. degree in Psychology from Boston State College and an M.Ed and CAGS from Springfield College. I was employed by the City of Springfield as Deputy Director of Human resources and retired after 35 years of service. I met my husband Calvin in 1976. We married at CPC in 1985 and have one son and one daughter. Although I have faced challenges and drifted away from church briefly during my early adult life, my faith in God sustained me and my personal relationship with Him has deepened. God is the source of my strength and my foundation.
Since joining CPC, my faith has grown greatly and continues to grow. At CPC, I have served as Nursery Coordinator and Volunteer, Youth Leader, LOGOS and Vacation Bible School Volunteer, Sunday School Teacher, Women’s Association member, Greeter, Fellowship Coordinator, Deacon and Elder. I enjoy working with the CPC Rescue Mission Team by helping to prepare and serve meals to the residents every other month.
Tracy has served CPC with his wife, Jessi, and their four children, Andrew, Joshua, Hannah, and Luke since September 2005. He graduated from Seattle Pacific University, majoring in Educational Ministry and Religious Studies. He graduated with a Masters in Divinity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. If you really want to know him, though, you have to understand his passion for Seattle sports (Mariners, Seahawks, Sonics, Sounders), U2, and really anything regarding Seattle. (He still carries a key ring that he got at his first Mariners game.) To avoid long and boring conversations with Tracy do not mention the Seahawks, Mariners or U2. He also secretly listens to Neil Diamond in the privacy of his home.
