Meeting Our 2018 Elder and Deacon Candidates
As you know, over the last nine months, City Church has undertaken a process of identifying, nominating, and training both elders and deacons to lead and serve our church. The Session has tested and approved three men as eligible candidates for the office of elder: Frank Allen, George Davis, and Stefan Kling; and four men for the office of deacon: Alex Brito, Eric Morgan, and Carter Neal. We will hold a congregational meeting immediately following our worship service at Grace Covenant on October 21, 2018, so that the congregation can elect elders and deacons from among these candidates. The election will be held by anonymous paper ballot and each elder and deacon candidate will be elected individually. All communing members of City Church are eligible to vote.
Over the next five weeks please pray for these seven men and for this process at City Church. Also, talk to the elder and deacon candidates: ask them questions about their desire to serve the church, encourage them as they prepare for this office, raise any concerns you might have about their fitness for leadership and service. To help introduce these men to you we’ve put together a brief biographical sketch of each—you can read those below.
During the congregational meeting we will also elect City Church Trustees for the first time. Trustees serve the church by representing it in any issues pertaining to the civil government, including those related to property or special funds. Trustees are subject to and act according to the instructions of the congregation. Mark Kronenthal, Emily Sanfratella, and Barrett Clark are members of the church who have been identified by the Session to stand for election as Trustees.
If you have any questions, please feel free to talk to any of the City Church elders. We realize that some of this congregational meeting business may be foreign to you, but we want to make it as simple and transparent as possible. These meetings are one of the important ways that you demonstrate what it means to be the Church in and for the city of Richmond.
2018 Elder Candidates
Frank Allen has been a member of City Church since 2013. He’s married to Kate, and they live in the West End with their three children: Jack (9), Eleanor (8), and Adeline (5). Frank received a bachelor’s degree from University of Richmond and a master’s degree from Vanderbilt University. In 2012, Frank and his family moved back to Richmond from Atlanta where he worked in banking. He now serves as Director of Employer Relations at his undergraduate alma mater. Frank is currently deacon and treasurer of City Church, serves as a City Group leader and has been a key leader in Men’s Ministry–and we are particularly thankful for the work he’s done in organizing our annual men’s overnight.
George Davis has been a City Church member since 2012. George and his wife Julie live in the Northside with their three girls: Savannah (4), Lydia (2), and Evelyn (7 months). He is an attorney at McGuireWoods in the IP Litigation department. George has helped co-lead City Groups, served in nursery and Children’s worship, and been a part of the mercy and justice ministry.
Stefan Kling has been a member of City Church since 2010. He’s married to Lara, and they live in Church Hill with their two children: Sally (2) and Charlie (6 months). Stefan attended the College of William and Mary and works as an Engagement Manager at Ivy Ventures. During his time here at City Church, Stefan has served as a Deacon since 2013. He currently leads the Welcome Team and leads worship. He also previously served as a City Group leader and as part of the Mercy Fund and Facilities teams.
2018 Deacon Candidates
Alex Brito joined City Church in 2015. He grew up in Stafford, Virginia, attended the University of Mary Washington where he earned a B.S. in Computer Science, and works as Digital Director at Native Collab. In addition to serving Young Life Capernaum Director in Hanover County, Alex serves on City Church’s music and sound teams.
Carter Neal grew up in Richmond and graduated from JMU in 2010 with a Bachelors of Business Administration. He’s been working in construction for the last four years and recently started working at Hourigan as a Project Engineer. Carter first became involved at City Church in 2015 when he joined the music team. He joined the church in 2016 and started leading a City Group in 2017. He and his wife, Steph, live in the Northside and are expecting a daughter in November.
Eric Morgan became a member of City Church in 2013. Eric previously volunteered on the facilities team and currently serves as a Children’s Worship teacher. He also helps lead City Church’s work with CARITAS as Jobs for Life.