First Presbyterian Church

Member Groups

A Church Community That Cares

Members of First Presbyterian Church enjoy communal connections that support individual needs as well as the greater mission of the church, just as each of Jesus’ twelve disciples found a greater purpose through a shared connection.

 

If you’d like more information on how to become involved in one or more of the groups below please call the church office at 203-324-9522.

Church Support

Board of Deacons

Modeled after Jesus Christ’s “compassionate hospitality” the Board of Deacons ministry is designed to extend the fellowship of the body and love of Christ beyond the Sunday service.

Class of 2027

Lew Clark
Margarita Ferguson
Katie Kennedy
Tim Abbazia
Karen Gonillo
Jamie Goodwin Melecio

Class of 2028

Mandy Leatherman
John McDonnell
Alina Petroni
Dee Raffington
Jim Wetherald

Class of 2029

Jasmine Blennau

Olivia Blennau

Matthew Moulin

The Board has three specialized committees that serve the church and its members.

Fellowship and Involvement Committee

This committee works to present the church as a warm and friendly community. Its goal is to encourage and assist church members in becoming actively involved and feeling included in the worship and programs of the church. This goal is attained through a variety of activities conducted by the members of the committee including:

  • Organizing and conducting key seasonal events such as Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, Shalom Breakfast, and Pentecost Picnic, and Christmas Brunch.
  • Arrange Greeters to welcome all attendees at each Sunday service
  • Host Coffee Hour following each Sunday worship service
  • Send birthday greetings to church members over age 65; and congratulatory, get well, and condolence cards to all members
  • Organize and conduct memorial receptions

Visitation and Support Committee

The members of this committee offer personal contact and comfort for the ill or recovering church members, whether at a hospital, nursing home, rehabilitation center, or home.

Congregational Outreach Committee

Outreach or zone deacons are each charged with serving, care-giving, ministering and communicating with the church families within a designated geographic zone. They act as the eyes and ears of the church, charged to communicate with families and keep them well advised on church events, using the phone, mail, email and personal visits.

 

Each zone deacon is additionally responsible for managing the visitors’ kiosk in the narthex during the month that corresponds to their own zone number. They welcome visitors and invite them to complete an information form that is passed to the church office and ministers. They encourage visitors to attend coffee hour so they may be introduced to other church members.

Session

The Presbyterian Session is the governing body of a local congregation, comprised of the pastor(s) and ordained ruling elders elected by the congregation. Responsible for spiritual oversight, they oversee worship, sacraments, membership, and church property. They typically meet monthly, are accountable to the Presbytery, and focus on both church mission and governance.

Class of 2027

Pete Bauers
Asa Hazen
Mark Leatherman
Andrew Persaud
Geralyn Plomitallo

Class of 2028

Sarah Avellino
Jaimie Charles
Tobias Peltier
Lauren Scopaz-Daunais
David Vargas

Class of 2029

Jane Love
Ellen McDonnell
Roberta McFadden
Megan McGrath
Marco Michael

The Gathering

The Gathering meets on the second Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m. in the Church Lounge to knit and crochet together. Knitters and crocheters of all skill levels are welcome, and members are happy to teach individuals with no prior experience these wonderful art forms.

Beyond the fellowship of knitting together, the group’s mission is to share hope and comfort. Over the course of the yea, the group works together on needlework projects including:

  • Prayer Shawls for individuals dealing with sickness or grief
  • Afghans for hospice patients, the Veterans Home, and Kids in Crisis
  • Hats and scarves for clients of the Homeless Shelter
  • Baby blankets to welcome the new babies in our church family