SESSION

The members of the congregation of First Presbyterian Church of Allentown elect Elders to serve on the Session, which is the governing body of the local church. The Pastors of the church also serve as members of the Session. The membership of the Session includes 27 Elders, each serving a three-year term, one Youth Elder serving a one-year term, and the Pastors of the church. The 28 Elders are elected by the congregation.

Although it delegates certain responsibilities to the Board of Trustees and the Board of Deacons, the Session is designated by the Book of Order of the Presbyterian Church (USA) (which, with the Book of Confessions, is the Constitution of the church) as the body having authority over all affairs and activities of a particular congregation, except such matters as may be specifically accorded to the Pastor, the congregation, or a higher body of the Church.

Generally, the Session meets monthly, except during the summer. Much of the preparatory work for these meetings is done by committees of Session. The standing committees include: Christian Education, Communications, Congregational Nominating Committee, Mission, Membership, Staff, Stewardship and Worship. The membership of these committees is composed not only of members of Session, but other members of the congregation who can provide resources for the responsibilities of the committee.

You should feel free to contact any member of Session with regard to issues you have concerning the governance of the church.  Click here to access Session minutes.

TRUSTEES

The Board of Trustees of First Presbyterian Church of Allentown has the responsibility for the preservation and maintenance of the material resources of the church so that they may be available for the mission and ministry of the church. There are presently 21 members on the Board of Trustees divided into three classes with seven members elected each year by the congregation. No more than two consecutive terms may be served by a trustee.

 

In particular, the trustees are responsible with the land and building and its preservation and repair, the investment of church funds not necessary for immediate use, the insurance of the church assets and operations, the supervision and recommendation for policies for the use of property which the church holds. The trustees meet on a monthly basis. Much of its work and preparation for these meetings is done through committees such as Financial Resources, Investments and Insurance, Planned Giving, Collection Processing, Legal, Personnel and Benefits, Nominating, Office, Property and Safety.

 

 

BOARD OF DEACONS

The Book of Order of The Presbyterian Church provides that it is the duty of deacons, first of all, to minister to those who are in need, to the sick, to the friendless, and to any who may be in distress. They shall assume such other duties as may be delegated to them from time to time by the Session.

Thus, the Board of Deacons is a body with the continuing responsibility of directly ministering to those in our own church and the community and it does so with a broad range of activities for which it is responsible or which it supports.

The Board of Deacons consists of 30 members, 10 of which are elected annually by the congregation to a three year term. Generally, the Deacons meet on a monthly basis except in the summer, but their responsibilities cover year round tasks in support of the mission of this church.

Much of the work of the Deacons is carried on through its committees such as Community Service (audio room, dial-a-ride, ushering, worship/communion) , Fellowship (blood drive, country fair), Flower Delivery, Parish Life, as well as through liaison with other church committees.