Session Boards & Committees

To meet the needs of a dynamic, faithful and growing congregation, SPC relies on its many active members to serve in a variety of ways. Our congregants’ talents, experiences and interests are vast, and we are always looking for ways to enrich our committees with fresh faces and new ideas. Below is a list of SPC’s boards and committees. Take a closer look and see where you might find your place.

Session

Our Session, or “Ruling Elders,” is made up of 24 members of the congregation, plus the Moderator and Clerk of Session. Our Session governs both the spiritual and programmatic life of the congregation, actively guiding all our affairs and activities within the church. Each member of Session, referred to as an “elder,” leads or sits on one of our church committees. In addition, elders are trustees of the corporation and are responsible for the fiscal and property aspects of the Church.

Session Committees

  • Adult Education CommitteeThis committee is ideal for anyone who loves to teach others and enjoys learning! Members of this committee oversee and coordinate all our adult educational programs. They develop ideas and content for our Sunday morning education classes, working hard to create classes that span a variety of spiritual and contemporary topics.
  • Children’s Ministry Committee – At SPC, our goal is to build a strong spiritual foundation for our children that will help guide them in their adult life. Members of this committee work closely with the Children’s Ministry Coordinator on Sunday School programming, including the recruitment and training of teachers, and choice and implementation of curriculum. They also develop other ways outside of Sunday morning to have children involved in the life and ministry of the church.
  • Financial Stewardship Committee Committee members are responsible for all aspects of SPC’s annual giving campaign. Through this campaign, the Financial Stewardship Committee works hard to gather the financial resources our church needs to carry out its mission.
  • Membership Committee To help our church grow, we must have new members! This committee is tasked with expanding our family of faith through activities designed to seek out new members, and to ensure that all current members are fully engaged in SPC’s faith community.
  • Nominating Committee As you can see, we have lots of committees! It is the job of this committee’s members to secure the nominees for Session, Deacons, and Commissioners to represent SPC at Presbytery meetings. They also assist the Session committees in the process of recruiting their new members.
  • Outreach Committee SPC strives to be missional, in all that we do. This important committee is responsible for raising awareness of our call to serve one another and to offer support, hope, and encouragement to a broad spectrum of people, both locally and worldwide. Outreach recommends the mission budget for the church and decides on mission funding allocation for organizations. They also seek to get to know our mission partners and together work to fulfill their goals.
  • Parish Life Committee We believe that fellowship is an important part of creating a healthy church. At SPC, we offer many opportunities throughout the year for our members (and guests) to spend time together in fellowship. It is this committee that is responsible for organizing these social events, which include Sunday morning coffee and Fellowship Hour, our annual welcome-back picnic, Advent supper, and much more.
  • Personnel Committee Our Personnel Committee works with Session to oversee our relations with and employer responsibilities to the church staff. They are also responsible for recruiting all non-clergy staff and for making recommendations to Session for hiring and compensation for all employees.
  • Property Committee Given that our church has been in the same location for 120 years, this committee is a busy one! Members are responsible for the physical facilities of the church, monitoring the condition of the buildings, and overseeing capital improvements.
  • Worship & Music Committee To create a worship service that we feel is worthy of our members, our pastors need some help. These committee members help prepare communion, schedule acolytes and other worship volunteers, and maintain the materials used in worship services. They also review forms of worship and offer suggestions to the pastors and music director.

A Note from the Nominating Committee:

In the fall, our Nominating Committee actively solicits suggestions for people to serve on the boards and committees, and are always eager to involve new members and younger members in leadership activities. If you are interested in serving on one of our committees, or would like to suggest someone the committee should reach out to, please contact our Nominating Chair at nominating@swarthmorepres.org.

Once called, (and in the case of elders and deacons, elected), members usually serve 3-year terms. One-third of each board and committee retires annually. Most committees meet monthly on Tuesday nights, September through June. The Nominating Committee itself meets weekly on Mondays throughout the fall and as needed the rest of the year. Personnel generally meets the third Wednesday of the month.

Contact Us! We Would Love to Hear From You

Week-at-a-Glance

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March 21, 2024
  • March 21, 20249:30 am - 11:00 am

    HOE Volunteers (Memorial Garden)

    The "Holy Order of Environmentalists" (HOE) welcomes all who have a heart for tending to our green spaces.  This morning's gathering will be the first in a weekly series of cleaning up the memorial garden after a long winter's nap.

  • March 21, 202410:15 am - 11:15 am

    Bell Choir rehearsal (Loeffler Chapel)

    Weekly rehearsals to prepare music for sharing in worship once a month.
    Interested?  Contact Minister of Music, Meghan Meloy Ness.

  • March 21, 20247:15 pm - 9:00 pm

    Chancel Choir Rehearsal (Fellowship Hall)

    Weekly rehearsal to prepare for music for offering in worship Sunday mornings.  New singers always welcome! 
    Led by Minister of Music, Meghan Meloy Ness.

  • March 21, 20248:00 pm - 9:30 pm

    AA (McCahan Hall)

    Swarthmore Presbyterian Church welcomes AA participants to weekly meetings in McCahan Hall. Entrance is via a door on the west end of the parking lot (across from the ABC House) under a covered walkway there.
    For those who are fully vaccinated against COVID, masks are optional. For those not yet fully vaccinated, or working with children, masks are required. Seating/distancing is at the comfort level of the individuals attending.

March 23, 2024
  • March 23, 20248:30 am - 12:00 pm

    Campus Cleanup! (check-in in Fellowship Hall)

    The days are getting warmer, signs of God’s re-creation are poking up in our beloved green spaces, and the afternoon sun shines brightly on many cloudy windows and dusty surfaces.  We are eager to look our best for Easter, so the Property Committee has scheduled a spring cleanup this morning. All are welcome! 
    This is a fun way to work alongside other churchgoers with a similar goal. Check-in will be in Fellowship Hall, where you may also enjoy a cup of coffee or tea and some breakfast snacks. 
    Interested in helping? Click here to let us know. Walk-ins will be welcome of course!

March 24, 2024
  • March 24, 20248:00 am - 9:00 am

    Early Worship (Loeffler Chapel)

    This 45-minute service allows worshippers to engage with scripture through guided discussion in lieu of a sermon. Communion is served on the 1st Sunday of each month.

  • March 24, 20249:30 am - 10:00 am

    Choir rehearsal (Sanctuary)

    Sunday morning preparation for worship

  • March 24, 202410:00 am - 11:00 am

    Parade of Palms (Sanctuary)

    Palm Sunday Procession!
    We begin Holy Week just like Jesus did – with a parade.  Our children will gather at 10:00 a.m. in the large transept (Sanctuary), and from there, will head outside to the covered sidewalk to lead the procession into the Sanctuary.  Walkers of all ages are invited to join them.  Together we will wave palms and be part of the procession with our choir and pastors, coming into God’s presence with singing.

  • March 24, 202410:15 am - 11:15 am

    Lord's Day Worship (Sanctuary and Livestream)

    SPC's Lord’s Day services embody a classic reformed worship tradition. The Word is proclaimed through liturgy, song, and preaching. Scriptures are generally read by lay liturgists. Music leadership is anchored by our choir. Our pastors share leadership and preaching responsibilities from week to week. Communion is offered on the 1st Sunday of each month.

    Services are livestreamed via YouTube beginning at 10:15 a.m. Sunday morning.

  • March 24, 202411:15 am - 12:00 pm

    Sunday Fellowship (Fellowship Hall)

    Our Parish Life team provides beverages and snacks every Sunday following the 10:15 worship service and invites everyone to enjoy one another's company in Fellowship Hall. Please make a point of saying hello to someone you don't yet know!

  • March 24, 20244:30 pm - 6:00 pm

    Middle School Youth Group (Fellowship Hall)

    Middle Schoolers gather Sunday afternoons for play, fellowship, service, and learning. All are welcome.  We conclude with dinner, shared with high schoolers.  Suggested donation $5.00.
    Weekly notes about plans for the upcoming Sunday are shared by text from Rev. David Norse Thomas. The registration form is available here: Youth Registration 2023-24

  • March 24, 20245:30 pm - 7:00 pm

    High School Youth Group (Fellowship Hall)

    High Schoolers gather Sunday afternoons for play, fellowship, service, and learning. All are welcome.  We begin with dinner, shared with middle schoolers, at 5:30.  Weekly notes about plans for the upcoming Sunday are shared by text from Rev. David Norse Thomas. The registration form is available here: Youth Registration 2023-24

  • March 24, 2024

    Palm Sunday

March 25, 2024
  • March 25, 20247:00 pm - 7:45 pm

    Holy Week Taize Service (Loeffler Chapel)

    Services held in the Taizé style, with a mix of music, silence, Scripture, and prayer, will be offered each weekday evening of Holy Week leading up to Maundy Thursday. This evening's service will include a liturgy of healing, with an opportunity to receive oil for anointing as we hear of Jesus' own anointing by Mary.