Information about Elizabeth Guillan Walker
HER FAITH AND PERSPECTIVES
Liz believes that every person possesses a unique complement
of gifts and limitations that God wants us to use in ministry. One
role of the church is to help members identify, claim, and invest
those gifts, so that together members become the love and light
that Jesus asks us to be in the world.
EDUCATION
As
a Denison University graduate with a major in biology, she studied
for a Ph.D. in immunological genetics at the University of Virginia.
She eventually left the world of science to raise her two daughters.
Later, she earned her Master of Arts in Theological Studies from
Eastern Theological Seminary, with a specialty in pastoral care
and counseling. She earned her Master of Divinity degree
at Columbia Theological Seminary in 2000.
CHURCH EXPERIENCE
After earning her Master of Arts in Theological
Studies, Liz immersed herself in chaplaincy work, interning
at several large Philadelphia hospitals and serving
as an interim chaplain at two retirement/extended care
homes. Her first call was as Associate
Pastor to North Presbyterian Church in Western New
York. Here she led a multi-modal pastoral care
program which included pastoral counseling and visitation,
moderating the deacons board, supervising a lay care
committee, the parish nurse program, 19 neighborhood
groups, and the memorial reception committee.
FAMILY AND PERSONAL LIFE
Liz grew up in the Quaker town of Moorestown,
NJ. As
a member of a deeply involved Presbyterian family,
she is the granddaughter of a minister and daughter
of an elder. She is a mother
of 2 adult daughters, Christine and Elise. Christine
lives in London with her husband David Gluck, their
3-year old son Gabriel, and is expecting a baby girl
in December. Christine and her husband both work in
theater arts. Elise and her husband Mark Wilson
live in Washington, DC, where Elise currently works
for Bread For the World. Elise also has served
in the Peace Corps as a workstation director in West
Africa. |
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LIZ'S THOUGHTS AND EXPERIENCE ON HER PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES
CARITAS CARE TEAMS
Similar to First Presbyterian’s Caritas Program, Liz’s
Pastoral Care ministry included practical care to members in
transition or facing challenges. She sees Caritas as another
exciting opportunity for members to share cooperatively in strengthening
the body of Christ, while bringing physical relief to those in
need. By following Paul’s command to “bear
each other’s burdens and share each other’s joys,” members
of First Presbyterian continually proclaim Christ’s Gospel
by living it.
DEACONS
As advisor to the Deacons at her former church, Liz organized
and supervised a comprehensive pastoral care program to insure
that all members of the congregation were supported during times
of crisis and need. A strong focus was care for seniors,
especially those home or institution bound. Liz offered special
worship opportunities for those suffering, including healing
and prayer services, a “Blue Christmas,” and labyrinth
walks. A unique part of her care ministry included
organizing and providing care for 42 refugees from Columbia and
Peru.
SMALL GROUP MINISTRY
Liz particularly enjoys developing and facilitating small
groups. As a family systems counselor, Liz believes that
effective pastoral care includes helping people to understand
human development and improve their relationships, while developing
skills to discern the promptings of the Spirit. Such work
she supports through Bible study that highlights God’s
care perspectives. Favorite small groups she’s taught
have been “Composing a Spiritual Life” and “Spiritual
Disciplines for The Stressed.” Liz enjoys exploring
the exciting connections between spirituality and the arts. Another
strong interest is in encouraging families to care for the planet. Her
environmental fair won a Presbytery award.
STEPHEN MINISTRY
Liz is a trained Stephen Ministry Leader who looks forward
to working with the dedicated and highly effective Stephen Ministry
team already in place at First Presbyterian. She enjoys
educating and empowering leaders for nurturing ministries, while
helping congregants to understand the dynamics of God’s
call for us to both care for and be cared for by each other. She
has found that those cared for often become “wounded healers,” passionate
about caring for others.
RETENTION MINISTRY
Liz is excited about working with the staff on a new venture
at First Presbyterian – the “Retention Ministry.” This
initiative involves inviting members to become more fully integrated
in the life of the church. She looks forward to working
with members in identifying their unique gifts. As Dietrich
Bonhoeffer put it: “A spiritually healthy church or member
is engaged not only in worship, but also in study, fellowship,
and service.”
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