The Committees of First Presbyterian Church of Haverhill meet bi-monthly on the Third Tuesday of the month at 7:00 pm unless a special meeting is called. They meet in the months of January, March, May, July, September, and November. The Session and Deacons will meet on the opposite months of the Committees in February, April, June, August, October, and December.

 

SESSION

    Clerk: Shannon Croteau

     

    The Session is the ruling body of the church. This 13 member (12 Elders and 1 Youth Elder) are responsible for everything that happens at FPC, the building, the finances, personnel, and all of the committees at the church. The Elders are elected by the congregation at the Annual Meeting in January and they, in turn, elect the chairpersons of the different committees. They serve a 3 year term and can serve 2 consecutive 3 year terms before they have to take a year off.

 

TRUSTEES

    Session Members: Lynne Jeffries (Chair), Shannon Croteau, Gene Harding

    Congregational Members: Paul Fleming

     

    The Trustees are responsible for the church building. They organize all of the general and special maintenance that needs to be done on the building and are responsible for negotiating any current and new leases for renting the building. There are 3 members elected from the Session and 3 members elected from the congregation at the Annual Meeting and serve a 3-year term. They are also eligible to serve 2 consecutive 3-year terms before having to take a year off. 

 

DEACONS

    Chair: Rob Heinze

     

    The Deacons are responsible for the spiritual well being of the congregation. They reach out into the congregation and help wherever they are needed. They are in charge of the Card Ministry, taking Communion to the Shut-Ins, coordinating meals to members who are in need, praying over the congregation and many other duties. The Deacons consist of 13 members (12 members and 1 Youth Deacon) who are elected by the congregation at the Annual Meeting. They serve the same terms as the Session and Trustees.

 

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

    Chair: Bob Armstrong

    Superintendent: Sharlene Weeks

    Deacon: Rob Heinze

     

    The Christian Ed (CE) Committee is responsible for all of the education the church offers for both the children and the adults. The Adult Bible Study and the Sunday School are the primary focus of this committee. This committee sets the Sunday School schedule and curriculum for both the Adult Bible Study and the Sunday School. The Youth Group also falls within this committee.

 

EVANGELISM

    Chair: Dorayne Passler

    Deacon: Tamara LaFrancis, Dawn Lafond

     

    This is a new committee of the Session, which is responsible for the spiritual outreach of the church. It is charged with making sure that the church is a friendly, welcoming place for everyone. It is also charged with spreading the good news of Christ and the church to members of the community. This committee is currently looking for members who will help to further define the purpose and actions of this committee.

 

FINANCE

    Chair: Lynne Jeffries

    Treasurer: Wayne Forsythe

     

    This committee is true to its name. It is responsible for all of the financial aspects for the church. It makes sure that we are fiscally responsible and reports the monthly income and expenses of the church to the Session. This committee conducts an annual audit of the books each year.

 

MISSION

    Chair: Janet Brodie

    Deacon: Diane Archambault, Dawn Lafond

     

    One of the comments that we hear often is that new members felt drawn to this church because of all the mission outreach that is done. We are a “Five for Five” church supporting all four special Presbyterian collections (Pentecost Offering, Christmas Joy Offering, One Great Hour of Sharing and the Peacemaking Offering). We support a number of local and international missions. The mission committee is blessed with many hard working committee members and the love and support of the congregation.

     

    Missions we support:

      Basic Mission Support to the Presbytery

      Clean Water Project

      One Great Hour of Sharing, and special disaster collections

      Auld Memorial (Sister Church in So. Africa)

      Emmaus House Homeless Shelter

      Ruth's House

      Community Action

      Open Hand Pantry

      Sudanese Fellowship in Portland, Maine

      U Lowell Protestant Campus Ministry

      Fair Trade Coffee Project to support small coffee growers

      Pregnancy Care Center

      Camp Wilmot, Inc.

 

NOMINATING

    Co-Chairs: Victor Kwo & Gene Harding

    Deacon: Dawn Lafond

    Congregational Members: Hilary Benson

     

    This committee is responsible for nominating members of the congregation to the Session, Trustees, Deacons and the Nominating Committee itself. Each member of the committee seeks out interested candidates to fill the open seats. The committee usually works during the fall months in preparation of the Annual Meeting.

 

PERSONNEL

    Chair: Ann Locniskar

     

    The Personnel Committee is involved with the personnel issues of the church. It does not hire or fire the Pastor or other staff, but is involved with any other issue that could come up regarding the Pastor or any other church staff member.  Current activities include (but are not limited to): Annual reviews of the paid staff, formulating job descriptions for staff (current and potential) and obtaining security checks for the Sunday School teachers.  Currently, the committee meets a few times during the year

 

STEWARDSHIP

    Chair: Shannon Croteau

    Deacon: Paul Fleming

     

    Stewardship is "what we do with what God has given us".  God has given us all that we have and all that we are.  Stewardship is using the abilities and talents that God has given us to do His work.  A Christian steward serves God out of love and gratitude for these gifts.  We give of our time, use our talents, and share the Gospel. Giving money to the church is a symbolic act, the offering of ourselves in service and devotion to God.  Our offerings make it possible for the church to pay its bills and carry out its mission in Christ's name.  Stewardship is the responsibility of the Christian life.

 

WORSHIP & MUSIC

    Chair: David Weidner

    Deacon: Jan Ferguson

     

    The Worship & Music Committee (W&MC) places its main focus on the Worship Services and the Music Programs of the Church.  The Committee works to ensure worship services reach all in the congregation is inclusive of all and is welcoming.  This year, particular emphasis will be placed on making worship a multi-cultural experience to enhance the vitality of worship and to emphasize the all inclusive, worldwide love of God.  The W&MC also ensures that our worship contains the essential elements of worship as outlined in the Book of Order.  We will also be placing great emphasis on revitalizing the joy in worship, including musical selections which are tied to the message/lectionary and incorporate musical variety.  The main goal of the W&MC is have our worship enhance our journey to God, re-center our lives to do God’s work in the world, and refresh and renew us for facing the world in the coming week.  Congregational participation in the committee and the worship service (including the choir) is welcome.

     

COMMUNICATIONS TEAM

    Co-ordinator: Ruth Ann LeHane

    Members: Sally Casey, Shannon Croteau, Jim Greico, George Wakim

 

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First Presbyterian Church - 346 Broadway - Haverhill, MA 01832 - Telephone (978) 374-8029