The governing body of the church is the Session. Its work is augmented by the efforts of the Deacons, the Board of Trustees, and the Council on Community Concern. The congregation elects members for all of these boards at the annual meeting held each spring. Terms are for three years. A Church Nominating Committee is responsible for recommending members for each of the boards.
Volunteers offer invaluable hours supporting the work of the church. They serve as ushers and greeters, serve at coffee hour, and donate flowers each Sunday.
For more information about the roles of each the boards, details about volunteer opportunities, and schedules for volunteer service, please see the below.
the session
As in all Presbyterian (U.S.A.) churches, the congregation is governed by a group of elders elected by the congregation and known as the Session. Individuals elected by the congregation to the office of elder are ordained
Elders currently on the Session are “serving” elders. The church's pastor is the moderator of the Session.
As the church's spiritual leaders, elders are responsible for nurturing the members of church. The Session authorizes and arranges worship services, develops the church's mission outreach opportunities, arranges stimulating programs of Christian education, and informs and welcomes new members.
Elders participate in the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper (communion), approve marriages and baptisms, and approve the church budget. It is also an honor for elders to assist the ministers in the distribution of communion to shut-ins. Much of the Session's work is done through the Session’s committees.
The First Presbyterian Church in Philadelphia has the following committees that oversee specific areas of our church's life: Worship and the Arts, Mission and Benevolence, Stewardship, Communications, Personnel, Membership and Evangelism, and Christian Education.
the deacons
The Board of Deacons at First Church is composed of fifteen men and women responsible for ministering to the physical needs of our members and promoting fellowship within the life of the congregation. They are elected to this ordained office by the congregation. Their work lies in three major areas:
First, the Deacons actively assist in the worship of the church by organizing and training the ushers, preparing and serving communion, providing flowers for the sanctuary, and preparing the sanctuary for special holy seasons.
Second, they nurture and strengthen the bonds of fellowship among our members by sponsoring regular congregational gatherings and providing Sunday morning Coffee Hour Hospitality.
Third, and most important, the Deacons provide an active care-giving ministry for our congregation, by maintaining relationships with homebound members, accompanying clergy on homebound communion visits, responding to the needs of members in crisis or transition, and raising awareness of care needs within the congregation.
the trustees
The Board of Trustees has responsibility for effectively managing the assets of the church, both financial and physical.
The wise management of our church’s financial assets is key to First Church’s future vitality. Trustees activities include:
• oversight of endowment investment decisions
• day-to-day management of church bank accounts and cash flow
• counting of weekly offerings
• having periodic independent audits performed
Of equal importance is the management of the physical assets of the church. Some of these responsibilities include:
• oversight of routine and emergency building and equipment maintenance
• ensuring adequate insurance coverage exists
• management of energy use, including periodic efficiency reviews
• thorough preparation for recommendations to Session for any major
capital programs
Regular Trustee meetings are held on the first Thursdays in September, November, January, March, and May. Special meetings are called as necessary.
Click here to learn more about the agencies we currently support and any related volunteer opportunities.