Committees
Worship, Music, and Communion Committee top >
The purpose of this committee
of the session is to promote the worship of God in the Reformed tradition
at First Presbyterian Church.
We work closely with the pastoral staff and the Director of Music to ensure
that appropriate worship is held both on a regular basis and on special
occasions throughout the year. Our many responsibilities extend into the
small details of the following broad categories:
- Worship: consulting with pastoral staff regarding Sunday worship;
assisting in preparing services for special occasions; ensuring that the
sanctuary provides an atmosphere conducive for worship; providing opportunities
for members of all ages to learn about the theology, content, and traditions
of Reformed services; developing and administering policies for special
services, such as weddings and funerals, and
for baptisms; encouraging worship activities in the homes of members by,
for example, preparing an Advent booklet for members.
- Communion: helping the pastor and Session to schedule quarterly
observations of The Lord’s Supper; coordinating the arrangements
for communion, including the preparation of the elements and cleanup afterwards;
coordinating efforts to serve communion in the homes of members who are
unable to attend regular worship services.
- Music: Advising and assisting the Director of Music in providing music that enhances worship; facilitating the activities of choirs, which allow members of the congregation to participate in the Music Program; and supervising the work of the Church Organist.
We have subcommittees that focus on the needs of the sanctuary and that coordinate memorial and honorary flowers in the sanctuary during worship. See the pages on Worship and Music for more information about these aspects of our work.
Christian Education Committee top >
Our purpose is to teach the Word
of God; to bring people into a meaningful relationship with God as revealed
in Jesus Christ; to help people grow in that relationship through study
and worship in fellowship with others; to encourage people to live their
lives in turn with God's teachings; and to spread God’s word through
our own words and deeds.
We help to direct existing Christian Education programming and to initiate
new programs. We help with or are responsible for the curriculum, administration,
resources, and leadership for the FPC Church School programs. To accomplish
our goals and complete our responsibilities, we have occasional task forces
and the following ongoing subcommittees:
- Church Nurseries
- Children and Worship
- Presbyterian Pathfinders
- Vacation Church School
- Christmas Pageant
- Family Ministry
- Bible Study and/or Small Group Ministry
- Youth Committee
- All–Church Retreat Subcommittee (see below for more information)
- Child Development Center Advisory Committee
- Confirmation Class
Our committee is responsible for designing and directing the Christian Education program at First Presbyterian. Therefore, we are expected to aid with curriculum selection for Church School classes; to find and coordinate opportunities for teacher training within our community or in the larger Presbytery or General Assembly; and to plan and oversee the Christian Education budget.
The FPC Foundation top >
The First Presbyterian Church
Foundation of Raleigh, Inc., was incorporated on April 30, 1991, as a non–profit
entity to better support the mission of the Church through special gifts
and bequests. Income from these donations is used by the Foundation Board
of Directors to help the Church broaden and accomplish its mission. The
Foundation corpus is invested and managed in perpetuity to provide a continuing
and growing source of income to support special benevolences and church–related
capital needs. Under the Foundation By–laws, the corpus must be preserved,
and none of the income to the Foundation may be used to support the general
operating expenses of FPC.
As of October 31, 2005, the value of the Foundation Sustaining Fund was
$915,220. Since its inception, the FPC Foundation has provided from earnings
a total of over $552,000 for the Church's interests: $400,000 to the Capital
Campaign; $25,000 to Union Theological Seminary/PSCE; $25,000 to Peace College;
$47,000 to the FPC Child Development Center; $48,765 for FPC capital needs
and historical renovation; and $7,000 to several smaller–scale FPC
projects. The Foundation also made loans of $12,200 to the Visions
of Tomorrow Campaign.
Growing the corpus of the Foundation through special bequests is important
because such gifts extend the mission of the Church beyond the offering
plate, which meets our daily operational needs. The Foundation does not
compete with pledging or with targeted gift appeals like the Visions Campaign.
Perhaps the greatest value of a bequest to the FPC Foundation is that it
is a gift that keeps on giving. Because each donation is invested in perpetuity,
the income from the donation provides a legacy of continuous support for
the mission of the Church.
Please consider making a gift to the FPC Foundation as you review your personal
annual charitable giving. In the process of your estate planning, whatever
your age, consider the FPC Foundation when writing your will. An estate
gift to the Foundation would leave a wonderful legacy and complete your
lifelong cycle of stewardship to God through His Church.
If you have any questions or would like more information about the FPC Foundation,
contact:
- Michael F. Yarborough, or
- Beth Wise.
Congregational Unity and Well–Being Committee top >
This committee works through
several subcommittees to promote and strengthen the family ties among the
members of First Presbyterian; to foster spiritual well–being and
a sense of oneness within the congregation; and to minister to all members
by seeking to meet their spiritual, physical, emotional, and relational
needs as members of a community of faith.
We work closely with the Associate Pastor for Nurture and Outreach to appoint
ad–hoc taks forces and special event committees, coordinate the activities
of our subcommittees, and report information, motions, and budget requests
to the Diaconate and/or Session as appropriate. The Associate Pastor for
Youth and Young Adults serves on our Recreation and Fellowing subcommittee.
In addition to planning and organizing several congregational gatherings,
such as church night dinners, we also oversee the following:
- The Kate C. Sprunt Library
- Presbyterian Men
- Presbyterian Women
- Singles
- Recreation and Fellowship
- Stephen Ministry
- New Member Mentor Program
- Health Ministries
- Archives
- Adult Fellowship
And as if all of those activities weren't enough, we also serve as an advisory group for matters regarding the church newsletter. Information about many of our projects and programs can be found on the Activities and Ministries pages.
Evangelism Committee top >
Our purpose is to lead the congregation to invite others to come to Christ or to join our church (or both). We support and plan a variety of ongoing church activities, such as the following:
- A regular visitation effort directed toward visitors to our worship services and to other potential members.
- Occasional services and programs devoted to deepening the congregation’s faith in and understanding of Christ’s invitation to come to Him.
- Programs and courses of study aimed at supporting those who would seek to become stronger and clearer witnesses of Christ’s love.
- Other activities consistent with our purpose.
Welcoming and encouraging new
members is our particular responsibility. We are also charged with planning
the annual First Presbyterian Church Spiritual Enrichment Weekend, held
in early November. This weekend of spiritual renewal, fellowship, and faith
includes a guest speaker, usually a pastor from another church, and a 24–hour
prayer vigil. This year’s guest speaker was Richard Boyce, a pastor
turned professor with an extraordinary gift for teaching.
Stay tuned for information about next year's Spiritual Enrichment Weekend.
The Memorials Committee top >
The Memorials Committee meets on a quarterly basis to complete or review
work concerning the money that has been given in memory or honor of members
of our church.
We also do other kinds of work related to memorials around our church.
As an example of the kind of work we do, we
update the four Memorial Books found in the church and have plans
to complete more in the near future for the Dames Den, the Kitchen Parlor,
the Penick Classroom, and the Brides' Parlor.
We are responsible for the section that appears periodically in the church
bulletin that highlights entries from the Books of Remembrance.
We have added to the Sanctuary Endowment Fund; used the Outlaw Preschool
money for new equipment for the Child Development Center; used interest
from the Mary Romefelt Medical Mission to support the Medical Ministry Alliance
and the Mulanje Mission in Malawi, Africa; used the Louise Hester Memorial
and the Paul Hoover Memorial to replace the sanctuary doors. We have drawn
from the Wilks Hiatt Prison Ministry Memorial several times this year for
worthy causes in our ministry to newly released prisoners.
We have organized the silver closet and acquired new pieces to be used at
our receptions. And from time to time, we review and revise the guidelines
for our committee.
We all enjoy our work with this group and thank you for the opportunity
to serve the church in this important capacity.
Our officers are as follows:
- Dixie Crew, Moderator
- Houston Black
- Susan Davis
- Lisa Ham
- Charlie McEwan
- Nat Sparrow
- Ruth Williams
Budget and Finance Committee top >
We aid the church staff and the
session in formulating the annual budget, a sizeable and significant undertaking.
It is our duty to help the church leadership balance the ministry we hope
to accomplish and the resources that will be available to us.
By the end of August each year, we formulate a Challenge Budget for the
following year. In the final quarter of each calendar year, we consider
the Estimate of Giving and Time and Talent cards that church members return
on Consecration Sunday (the last Sunday in October). Based on your pledges
of financial support, on the annual budget requests of each committee and
each program, on the past year’s budget, and on many other considerations,
we work to formulate a tentative budget. Then, once final end–of–year
receipts and carryovers are in, we finalize the budget and present it to
the congregation.
We consult with the pastors, Session, and Diaconate to present goals to
the congregation during Stewardship Season. We also work closely with the
Treasurer and with the church financial staff to monitor the budget throughout
the year and to decide whether adjustments should be recommended to the
Session. We also nominate candidates for appointment to the post of Director
of the FPC Foundation.
Long–Range Planning Committee top >
Our purpose is to aid the Session
in its duties of leading the congregation continually to discover what God
is doing in the world and to plan for change, renewal, and reformation under
the word of God.
More specifically, we perform the following functions:
- Study changes in the environment that will have an impact on FPC.
- Study changes within the congregation that will require changes in programs, facilities, and personnel, and discuss ways to take advantage of opportunities.
- Identify needs for replacement of equipment and alterations in buildings.
- Identify mission needs and opportunities for us as a downtown church and as a member of our denomination.
- Develop a five–year, long–range plan for the church.
To perform any of our duties, we solicit and incorporate input from the congregation, staff, and Session.
Mission Committee top >
Inspired by the words of theologian
Dr. Emil Brunner, we believe that "the Church exists for mission as
fire for burning." Our purpose is to increase congregational awareness
of and involvement in the mission of the church.
We specifically encourage congregational support in the following areas:
- Local congregational projects.
- Ministries within Raleigh and ecumenical ministries.
- Denominational mission projects sponsored by the Presbytery, Synod, and General Assembly.
Our long list of responsibilities
includes interpretation of and publicity for mission projects of the Presbytery,
Synod, and General Assembly; support for the mission work of the Presbyterian
Women (such as the Birthday Offering and Medical Mission); support for the
works of the Capital
Area Presbyterian Council (CAPCI); support for the Friendship
Fund and the Presbyterian
Homes of North Carolina; support for our historical ties to Peace
College; coordination of special offerings
that have been approved by the Session; development of special–emphasis
programs that focus on local, ecumenical, and denominational activities
and new mission and outreach programs; and recruitment of volunteers to
assist in various mission and outreach ministries.
We also work to support the various downtown mission programs that use our
facilities, such as the Wake Interfaith Hospitality Network, Linen Closet,
AA, GED Program, etc.
To further our goals, we make presentations during worship services called
"Minutes for Mission"; write articles for the church newsletter;
and create displays for bulletin boards in the church buildings. See our
Ministries page for more information about
what we do.
Stewardship Committee top >
Our purpose is to awaken and
increase in all members of the church an awareness of their responsibility
to use their time, talent, money, and resources to further the Kingdom of
God and to minister to all people in need, and to encourage their desire
to do so.
To accomplish our goals and those of church ministries and programs, we
work closely with the Finance Committee, the Church Treasurer, and the church
Financial Secretary to develop and conduct a Pledge Campaign each year.
And as needed, we conduct other stewardship–related programs to encourage
stewardship of time and talent.
All–Church Retreat Committee top >
Charged with planning the annual
First Presbyterian Church All–Church Retreat, we are anticipating
a deeply inspirational, meaningful weekend of spiritual renewal.
This year’s all–church retreat is scheduled for March 6 - 8,
2009, in Montreat, NC. We have engaged Rev. Gary W. Huffman, Interim Pastor of First Presbyterian
Church in Paris, KY and Retired Pastor at First Presbyterian Church, Shelbyville, IN, to present the
weekend’s theme: Make Mine Vanilla.
More information is available here, at the
Registration Booths in the main church building
near the Library, or in the Stock Building.
Join us for a weekend of fellowship and fun!
Disaster Committee top >
We plan FPC’s response
to natural disasters, such as last year’s Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane
Rita. The Presbyterian Church (USA) has a long and proud history to responding
to disasters with monetary relief, willing hands and strong backs, and spiritual
support for those who have often suffered devastating loss.
This fall, we made a trip in support of the cleanup efforts of several
Presbyterian churches in the St. Bernard Parish of New Orleans.
Click here to read about it.
Scholarship Awards Committee top >
A subcommittee of the Mission
Committee, we are charged with overseeing and awarding church–sponsored
scholarships to qualified church members who are enrolled in academic programs
leading to associate’s, baccalaureate, or graduate degrees.
Early each year, we place information in the church newsletter or bulletin
announcing the availability of scholarship funds and inviting members to
apply for them. In April, we meet to consider the applications we’ve
received and award scholarships.
Finally, we maintain contact each year with scholarship winners as they
pursue their degrees. Scholarship awards are made on the basis of financial
need and academic performance.
Church Officer Nominating Committee top >
As set out in the Presbyterian
Church (USA) Book of Church Order, this committee is responsible
for developing a slate of nominees for the Session (elders) and the Diaconate
(deacons). We present this slate of nominees to the congregation for approval,
and we oversee the balloting process. In addition, we may recommend changes
in the nominating and/or election process as we see fit and put forward
the names of individuals who we think should be considered for the office
of Elder or Deacon Emeritus.
When we develop our slate of potential elders and deacons, we consider every
member of the congregation. We also encourage the congregation to submit
names of appropriate persons who would be likely to serve well in these
roles. We meet with potential nominees to gauge their abilities and willingness
to serve. And we gather biographical sketches of each nominee to better
inform the congregation about the persons they are voting for. Finally,
we prepare, collect, and tabulate the ballots before notifying all nominees
and the Session of the results.
Personnel Committee top >
This committee establishes and
administers personnel policies for the church. In this capacity, we approve
job descriptions for each employee; review salaries and benefits and recommend
changes to the Session; consult with the supervisor of all employees to
develop a performance review for each employee; receive and act on all requests
by employees to terminate their employment or to terminate the employment
of another employee; make recommendations for new hiring and develop job
descriptions and salary and benefit recommendations for any new positions;
review and revise policies in the Personnel Handbook at least every 3 years;
provide management training for supervisors, as needed; grant absences due
to illness; and schedule employee vacations.
It is the policy of First Presbyterian Church to consider candidate for
employment without regard for race, ethnic origin, sex, marital status,
or physical handicap.
Technology and Television, Lights and Sound Committees top >
The Technology Committee researches,
suggests, and spends available funds for any technological components the
church needs, such as new computers and servers, new recording equipment
to record the weekly worship services, and professional advice or expertise,
when needed.
During the second half of 2005, we undertook a largescale project when we
decided to renovate and expand the existing church Web site. Knowing that
we had neither the time nor the required expertise to bring De Dollar’s
design for the new site to life, we engaged the services of a professional
Web site programmer, Elena
Galanova. We hope you’re as pleased with the results as we are!
The Television, Lights and Sound Committee recruits, trains, and schedules
volunteers to operate the sound, lights, and video equipment used for each
Sunday worship service. Members of this committee must also make sure the
necessary equipment is in good working order.
Pastoral Care to Congregation Committee top >
This committee works to foster
unity as a church family, to identify the individual needs of members, and
to minister to one another through personal contact and concern for each
other. We are looking for volunteers to expand our ministry. See the
Ministries page for details.
Our duties entail dividing the congregation into groups known as districts
and assigning deacons to personally contact each group member; developing
and maintaining a sense of fellowship within each district; and updating
membership information records as a result of visitations to track the needs
and concerns of members. We work closely with the Associate Pastor for Nurture
and Outreach.
Property/Insurance Committee top >
We are responsible for all matters relating to the physical church plant, including improvements, maintenance, repairs, inventory, and insurance. We also oversee the following subcommittees:
- Operations
- Food Service
- Television, Lights, and Sound
- Parking and Landscaping
We work closely with the Church Administrator and the Director of Maintenance on all matters relating to church buildings and property and play a leading role in understanding all such projects and advising the Session and Diaconate about them. We work to ensure that all required work is done at a reasonable price and completed as agreed. And we work with the church’s insurance consultant to make sure the church and its activities are fully covered by appropriate insurance.
