Opportunities

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Session
Elders are elected by the congregation, usually for a three-year term, and are ordained to serve in that position. Currently elected elders make up the Session. Our congregation has 18 elders actively serving on the Session at any time. All committees and organizations of the church are responsible to the Session, except for the Nomination Committee and a Pastor Nominating Committee, which are committees of the congregation.

Deacons
Deacons are elected and ordained by the congregation to minister to those in need. Among their duties is distributing flowers to members who could use a pick-me-up, using the flowers that adorn the chancel on Sunday morning. They also distribute plants at Christmas and Easter time to our shut-ins and members who are in long term care facilities. Board members meet monthly and on as needed basis. They accompany the minister when providing communion to those who are unable to attend church. Deacons are readily available to offer assistance where needed, including transportation and food. They also host the receptions following memorial services at the church. It is a very busy board with lots of opportunities for spreading the love of God. There are 15 deacons and 5 honorary deacons serving at the present time.

Sarah Circle
Sarah Circle is an opportunity for women to participate in Fellowship and Bible Study. We meet once a month in the homes of participants. The responsibilities for hosting and leadership are shared. Presbyterian Women’s Horizon magazine Bible Study is used as a guide. Email reminders are sent out monthly about the meetings. Sarah Circle is open to all adult women of the church and all are warmly welcomed and encouraged to attend when they can.

Workshop Rotation Method (WoRM)
WoRM is Sunday School for children in Kindergarten-5th Grade during the worship service after the children’s message. Our program includes three workshops that teach the same Bible story from three perspectives: Joyful Noise, the dramatic recreation of the story; Creations, an artful expression of the story; and The Moral of the Story, using science and food to demonstrate present day applications to children. Teacher commitment is 3 weeks. Curriculum and support provided by the Christian Education Director. Volunteer to model God’s love – you will make a difference in the life of a child!

Middle and Senior High Sunday School
Meets after 10:00AM service. Teachers and assistants are needed to connect with the youth of our church.

Adult Education
Adult Sunday School is offered before worship at 9:00AM. Frequently, there are additional Bible study offerings throughout the year, usually on Monday evenings.

Vacation Bible School
One week per year, our church transforms into a magical adventure with Vacation Bible School for approximately 80 children! Volunteer opportunities are available Monday-Friday from 9AM-Noon. This is truly a fun experience that will leave you excited and energized!

Women’s Small Group/Prayer Group
A more personal gathering for women. Discussions on applying the Word of God and prayers using relevant resources and scriptures. Meets mornings as announced.

Communion Workshops
Communion Workshops are provided once a year to teach children 3rd Grade and older about participating in the Lord’s Supper at our church. Children learn about the sacrament then prepare the Communion bread for Sunday’s worship.

Children’s Choir
Open to ages 5-fifth grade. Meets weekly on Sunday mornings at 11:00 AM throughout the school year. Sings several times a year during worship services as well as at occasional community events.

Concert Series
Offered October-May at 7p.m. Offers a wide variety of performances such as jazz, classical, dance, ethnic, drama, etc.

Chancel Choir
Adult choir meets every Thursday evening in the sanctuary for rehearsals as well as Sunday morning for warm up for the 10:00 service. Chancel Choir has July and August off.

Drama/Soloists/Musicians/Musical Offerings
Opportunity to play or sing at various times of the year, especially needed in the summer months. Additional musical/drama offerings including Boar’s Head Festival, ecumenical services, Lent or Advent services, and musicals occur throughout the year on a regular basis whereby you can be involved without making a weekly commitment.

Business Committee
Coordinates the maintenance of the buildings and grounds including the church, manse, and surrounding property. Is responsible for upkeep of properties and landscaping. Makes recommendations regarding office equipment as well as insurances. Meets once a month in the evening.

Church and Society Committee
Plans and coordinates mission projects such as Crop Walk, Habitat for Humanity Work Days, Relay for Life, NOAH (Niagara Organizing alliance for Hope). and Soup Kitchen volunteer outings for the church as well as informing congregation of any needs in the community or world. Recommends to Session the disbursement of funds to outside missions on behalf of the church and keeps the congregation informed of current missions that we support. Meets monthly.

Hospitality Committee
Coordinates Sunday coffee hours and occasional other functions and luncheons. Meets on an as needed basis.

Nominating Committee
Nominates officers for the coming year. Meets several times in the fall of the year and on an as needed basis. This is an elected position.

Church Library Advisory Committee
Responsible for the organization, maintenance and purchasing of books for the library as well as the cataloging and displaying of materials. Meets as needed.

Finance Committee
Develops yearly budget for approval by Session. Works closely with the Treasurer of the Church to recommend distribution of funds for the financial needs of the church. Manages the financial assets of the church.

Christian Education Team Committee 

This committee plans and coordinates Christian Education and Youth Programs for children from birth-12th grade. Meets once a month.

Friends and Members Committee 

Assists the congregation as it seeks to welcome visitors and newcomers. Assists pastor for new members orientation classes and dinners. Collects friendship folders on Sunday and replenishes pew cards as needed. Keeps visitors table up to date with current information. Visits new parents after the birth of a child.

Health and Wellness Committee 

The mission of this committee is to support and promote whole person wellness for each member of our church community. It is an active, energetic committee who supports bringing wellness programs to the church and wider community. Meetings are held every six to eight weeks during the school year.

Stewardship/Capital Campaign Committee
Organizes and implements the stewardship campaign in the fall of each year. Also organizes capital campaigns on an as needed basis.

Children’s House Advisory Committee
The Children’s House Advisory Board is a group of church members, parents & community members that work directly with the Director of The Children’s House Montessori Toddler & Pre-K.

Worship Committee
This committee consists of several sub-committees as follows: Lay Leaders Assist pastor in worship by reading scripture and leading prayers. Scheduled a few times throughout the year.

The Flower Committee
This committee is responsible for the floral arrangements in the Chancel area for Sunday worship and other services held in the Sanctuary. It maintains seasonal arrangements at the church entrances and decorates the church for Easter and Christmas. The committee meets as needed.

Music Committee
Plans and implements extra tasks as requested by the music directors as well as coordinates fund raisers if needed for extra equipment not covered by budget. Meets on an as needed basis.

Memorial Fund Committee
Meets on an as needed basis to recommend to session disbursements of Memorial Fund Committee moneys. The committee seeks to find meaningful long lasting memorials to complement our worship experience.

Ushers
Seat members and visitors for worship services as well as collect the offerings. Scheduled on a rotating basis.

Acolytes
Youth who light the candles on the communion table before the worship service begins. Scheduled on a rotating basis throughout the year except July and August.

Worship Planning
This group gathers twice a month to help the pastor plan the worship services, select hymns, and write prayers and litanies for Sunday worship services.

Bell Ringers
Youth who ring the church tower bell before the worship service begins. Scheduled on a rotating basis throughout the year except July and August.

Nursery Volunteers
Assists our permanent childcare provider in the nursery on Sunday mornings at 10:30 AM during worship. Volunteers are scheduled on a rotating basis, approximately four times a year. Sign-up on Rally Day or at the church office to volunteer with our littlest ones

Middle and Senior High Fellowship
Youth in Grades 6 through 12 are encouraged to participate in the church’s energetic youth groups. The middle school fellowship meet weekly at noon. High school fellowship meets as announced. Each meeting is for fun and fellowship as well as mission work and opportunities to help our congregation and our community. Throughout the year activities and meetings may include yard work, lock ins, fund raisers, pool parties, Christmas caroling, and trips to Camp Duffield. A week long summer mission trip is usually a highlight of the year.

Presbyterian Women
PW meets several times a year for business meetings and fellowship, usually on Saturday mornings. PW organizes and coordinates yearly events such as the Rummage Sale and the Harvest Bazaar. We host the Annual Tea in September, the Christmas Banquet, and the “Mother Daughter Sister Friend Banquet” in the spring. We support the Lydia Craft Group and Sarah Circle. All women are welcome to attend any or all of our meetings and events.

Lydia Circle Craft Group
The Lydia Circle Craft Group meets on the fourth Wednesday night of each month for fellowship and to make craft items for the annual bazaar held by the Presbyterian Women’s Association. We are a fun loving group with a flexible membership. We encourage you to come whenever your schedule allows. New members and new craft ideas are always welcome.

Adult Fellowship
Fun activities offered periodically throughout the year offers an excellent opportunity to get to know your church family better in a more intimate setting.

Fix-it Club
Works closely with Business Committee to maintain buildings and grounds. Meets weekly on Wednesday mornings. There is always work to do – come and join us! 

Communion Set-Up
Assists worship elder in the set-up of communion elements the first Sunday of every month and designated holidays.

Additional Christian Ed Opportunities
Additional opportunities for involvement include the Christmas Pageant, Family Outings, Advent Family Workshops, the Sunday School Picnic, and the “Fish Pond” fundraiser for the Firemen’s Labor Day Field Day, and many other projects as well.

Church Historian
The duties of the Church Historian include keeping track of the former history and up-to-date chronicles of the First Presbyterian Church of Youngstown as it develops and changes. A history book was made for the 175th anniversary. In anticipation of our church’s bicentennial yearbook, (2023), anyone who wishes to assist in this project should contact our Church Historian.

The Children’s House
Provides a warm, loving, and nurturing environment for children to grow socially, emotionally, and developmentally. It respects individuality, stimulates curiosity and love of learning, fosters partnerships with families and community and honors diversity. The Montessori program is non-denominational and welcomes all. Available to children ages 18 months – 6 years on weekday mornings and follows the school calendar year.

Office Work
Help with bulk mailings as well as proof-reading and collating newsletters. Needed monthly for newsletters and several additional times throughout the year.

Outside Groups
Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Youngstown Woman’s Club, Youngstown Garden Club,Town of Porter Historical Society, Welcome Wagon, Dancercise, and Niagara School of Music meet at the church on a regular basis.