Memorial Services

› Memorial Reception

You are invited to have your memorial reception in Fellowship Hall after the service. Although families are responsible for providing food with help from friends or a caterer, hospitality is provided by SPC’s “Marthas,” volunteers from our church family who will help you with the reception. They were named in honor of Jesus’ friend Martha, who showed him warm hospitality.

We know that the reception becomes an important part of the mourning process and often turns into a meaningful reunion of family members and friends. The Marthas set up before the reception, arrange the buffet tables for food and beverages, serve during the event, and clean up afterward. They also provide hot and cold beverages, including coffee and tea, lemonade, cider or iced tea, and water. The church provides linens, paper napkins, candles, silver service, punch bowls, service plates, and cups and saucers.

After consulting with the church office (610-543-4712) or one of the pastors to arrange for the memorial service and deciding to have a reception in Fellowship Hall, the pastor will contact a Martha to work directly with you on the arrangements.

› Memorial Garden

Our Memorial Garden was created for rest, meditation, prayer, and the interment of cremated remains of active and former members and clergy who have been active in our congregation. This beautiful spot is located next to the church and adjacent to the Church Garden and is designed as a special resting place for the mortal remains of those whose spirit has been received into God’s eternal care. We hope that our Memorial Garden provides comfort to the bereaved by keeping the memory of loved ones alive in the place where they worshipped God and experienced the joy of shared life in the community of faith.

› Interment & Markers

Remains may be poured or scattered in the Memorial Garden or interred in a biodegradable container. Although interment locations may be chosen by the family, they will not be recorded or marked.

In keeping with the spirit of the Memorial Garden, all markers will be brass plaques of the same design, placed on the memorial wall of names. Each marker will include name and years of birth and death. No titles will be included. SPC will arrange for opening the interment site as well as ordering and installing the marker.

For additional information, please contact the church’s business office at 610-543-4712, which is responsible for processing applications and fees.

Regulations for the Administration of the Memorial Garden

Memorial Garden Rules and Application

For additional information, please contact the church’s business office at 610-543-4712, which is responsible for processing applications and fees.

Contact Us! We Would Love to Hear From You

Week-at-a-Glance

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March 11, 2025

  • March 11, 20257:30 pm - 9:00 pm

    Session Committee meetings (various)

    Most Session committees and our Board of Deacons meet monthly.  Following a brief service of invocation in the Sanctuary at 7:30pm, committees gather in spaces throughout the building.

March 12, 2025

  • March 12, 202510:15 am - 11:30 am

    Bell Choir rehearsal (Loeffler Chapel)

    Our Bell Choir rings for worship about once a month.  The ensemble always welcomes short- and long-term substitutes who enjoy ringing for rehearsals and worship. 
    Directed by Meghan Meloy Ness, Minister of Music

March 13, 2025

  • March 13, 20257:00 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! 
    Please note the time!  We begin at 7:00 these three Thursdays to allow time to rehearse for the March 29 concert with Mark Miller.
    Led by Minister of Music, Meghan Meloy Ness.

  • March 13, 20258:00 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.

March 15, 2025

  • March 15, 202511:00 am - 12:00 pm

    Memorial Service (Sanctuary)

    A Service of Witness to the Resurrection and Thanksgiving for the life of Suzanne Welsh.
    Parking is available on Harvard Avenue and in the lot across the street from the church.
    Please use the Sanctuary entrance facing Harvard Avenue.

    Guests are invited to a reception in Tarble Hall (Swarthmore College campus) following the service.

March 16, 2025

  • March 16, 20258:00 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 16, 20259:30 am - 10:00 am

    Choir rehearsal (Sanctuary)

    Sunday morning preparation for worship.

  • March 16, 20259:45 am - 10:15 am

    Hosanna! Singers (Sanctuary)

    Our Hosanna! Singers will be sharing their music in worship this morning!
    Please note the adjustment to our rehearsal time and place for this day.

    Who? K-2nd Grade 
    Where? (normally) "Pink Room" across from Godly Play room
    Led by Meghan Meloy Ness, Minister of Music

  • March 16, 202510:15 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 16, 202510:40 am - 11:20 am

    Godly Play (Godly Play room)

    Following "Time with Children" (which happens just before the Sermon) children age 3 through 5th grade are invited to attend Godly Play, a Montessori-based method that engages children through their innate meaning-making language: Play.

  • March 16, 202511:15 am - 12:00 pm

    Sunday Fellowship (Fellowship Hall)

    Please join us for beverages and snacks every Sunday following the 10:15 worship service.  Enjoy one another's company in Fellowship Hall and make a point of saying hello to someone you don't yet know!

  • March 16, 202511:30 am - 12:00 pm

    Alleluia! & Agape Singers (Loeffler Chapel)

    Our Alleluia! Singers deepen their sense of discipleship and faith through singing and develop their capacity for strong musical leadership for worship!  They will share for worship in October, November, and December.
    Who? Grades 3-5  

    Our Agape Singers spread God’s love through singing and share strong musical leadership for worship. They sometimes sing by themselves and other times with one of our other choirs.  They will share for worship in October, November, and December.   
    Who? Grades 6-8

    Led by Meghan Meloy Ness, Minister of Music

  • March 16, 20254:30 pm - 6:00 pm

    Youth Group: Getting to Know Ourselves (Fellowship Hall/kitchen))

    We are fearfully and wonderfully made. In this second part of the “Getting to Know Ourselves” series, you will continue to explore who you are, and how to love and care for yourself like God does. We will also play and eat because those are important parts of us too!