Officers

Adult Faith Formation focuses on the “Grow Disciples” portion of the First Pres mission statement by offering a variety of faith-based adult educational programs that will engage our membership and attract interest from the community. We do this by developing and supporting programs, seminars, and other educational experiences that encourage and deepen our adult membership’s appreciation of the Bible, our Presbyterian beliefs, and our lives as Christians. Recent and on-going activities include Sunday morning classes, study groups and dinner circles, men’s and women’s groups, retreats, and more.

The Buildings & Grounds Committee of Session provides oversight of all our church’s physical facilities to ensure that we can support the programs that are critical to our church mission to Experience God, Grow Disciples, and Transform Lives. In addition to maintenance and operation of all facilities, the committee is responsible for planning and executing long term capital improvement projects. This committee works closely with the Finance, Budget and Operations Committee (FBO), and also interfaces with staff and other committees to support worship, fellowship, education, and mission.

The Children & Family Committee of Session is charged with guiding the Christian formation of our youngest children, birth through 4th grade, and encouraging and equipping families as they seek to raise children as followers of Jesus. This committee supports opportunities for children and families to learn, worship, and serve together, as we engage children, parents, and other congregation members as disciples of Jesus Christ. The committee works closely with Director of Children and Family Ministry Lindley Traynor and with other committees on collaborative projects.

The Communications Committee of Session champions our congregation’s shared purpose to grow people of faith by participating in God’s love. We seek to deepen the connections within our congregation and with the community at large by developing and maintaining important communication systems and touch points that enhance our ability to spread the good news and build a community of disciples.

The Fellowship Committee of Session seeks to offer our church family, visitors, and those seeking a faith community a way to experience God through fellowship together. To this end, the group offers activities that provide opportunities to encourage one another, deepen relationships, and transform lives. The group supports the work of other groups with fellowship components and plans and hosts a variety of informal get togethers, as well as all-church fellowship events such as the Chili Cook-off and Oktoberfest.

The Finance, Budget and Operations Committee of Session is charged with oversight of the financial and operational health through the faithful stewardship of our church’s financial assets including the endowment, the operating fund and restricted funds. This committee also assumes responsibility for audit, legal affairs, insurance, information technology, and recommendations on capital expenditures. In addition, FBO is responsible for considering and projecting the long-term financial and capital needs of the congregation.

The Giving Committee of Session is focused on our church’s fourth vision statement challenge to “Embrace Generosity as an expression of spiritual growth” by engaging the membership and friends of the church to embrace generosity as part of their own faith journey and, in doing so, to provide the financial means to meet our church’s mission. The committee considers, celebrates, and appreciates all the ways God makes the engaged and committed members and friends of our church into a giving people.

The Membership Committee of Session is charged with developing the membership of First Pres by welcoming visitors, hosting classes for prospective members, integrating new members into our common life and celebrating membership anniversaries. Guided by our vision/mission statement to Experience God, Grow Disciples, and Transform Lives, the committee seeks to support the engagement of all our members in worship, faith formation, mission and care. The committee works closely with Senior Pastor Jeff Lehn and staff on new member hospitality, and with several other committees on member engagement.

The Mission Committee actively engages the congregation in joining God’s work of love, justice, healing, and reconciliation in the world. As Christians, we are called to be the hands and feet of Christ in the world which invites us to “be mission” rather than “do mission,” with the first being transformational and relational and the second being transactional. Responsibilities include directing our church’s financial contributions to mission partners and developing opportunities for church member involvement in mission activities.

The Personnel Support Committee is charged with ensuring that our church’s staff and staffing structure adequately support our ministry and operational needs. This committee works with the Senior Pastor/Head of Staff and is guided by our congregation’s mission and vision statements. The committee provides oversight for annual performance reviews and any interim feedback for staff, develops and implements personnel policies, and develops and oversees the annual personnel budget and the hiring of non-clergy staff.

The Racial Justice Task Force is committed to thoroughly, intentionally, and continuously leading First Pres and the surrounding communities to root out and dismantle the evils of racism and white supremacy embedded in our social structures. Further, we aspire to have First Pres and the surrounding communities become models for inclusive, anti-racist, and multicultural places of worship and living. Nothing is more central to Christian beliefs than the sharing of Christ’s love among all people regardless of their backgrounds or circumstances. Love, in turn, seeks justice for all of God’s children.

The Strategic Planning Committee of Session is charged with encouraging and supporting church leaders in their efforts to discern and plan for future activities. This committee helps the staff and committees to identify opportunities and to incorporate our church’s vision, goals, and objectives in their planning. The SPMG works closely with Senior Pastor Jeff Lehn, staff, and all committees to ensure that our church has a comprehensive and planful approach to carrying out our stated mission and vision as a congregation.

The Worship, Music & the Arts Committee of Session has a major impact on how our congregation experiences God by supporting and enhancing the worship life of our church, the heart of our life together. This committee is responsible for ushers, liturgists, communion service, adornment of the worship space during liturgical seasons, and assistance with special services to engage the congregation. WMA works closely with Director of Music and Worship Peggy Massello and other committees as needed.

The Youth & Family Committee of Session is charged with creating opportunities for the youth of our congregation, 5th grade through high school, to grow in discipleship by facilitating worship, Christian education, mission, and fellowship activities. We accomplish this by working closely with our Pastor’s and Youth staff to provide Christian education and community on a weekly basis, meaningful mission experiences, and guidance for our youth along their faith journeys.