A PLACE TO BELIEVE, BELONG, AND BECOME

Plain Grove Presbyterian Church

www.plaingrovepresbyterian.com/

Plain Grove Presbyterian Church was established in 1799, in what is now Plain Grove Township, Lawrence County, PA. We were the mother church of five other churches in the area.

In June, we celebrated the 25th anniversary of the dedication of our current church building. We’ve recently completed a remodel of the kitchen and installed central air conditioning.

HISTORY & FACILITIES

COMMUNITY

COVENANT PARTNERS

Plain Grove Township is a quiet, rural community with easy access to shopping, schools, and Interstates 79 and 80.

Our church is located about 10 minutes south of the Grove City Premium Outlets, which boasts 130 stores and services. Slippery Rock is 12 minutes from the church and offers groceries, pharmacies, auto parts, and dining opportunities. Pittsburgh is only about an hour south.

There are four school districts, one Christian school, two colleges, and one university within a 15-mile radius:

We have 204 covenant partners on the roll. Average in-person attendance so far in 2021 is around 85, prior to the pandemic we averaged around 120.

1799 1805 1834 1896 1996

We are close to McConnell’s Mill State Park and Moraine State Park which offer opportunities to hike, kayak, swim, fish, and enjoy the outdoors.

HIGHER EDUCATION ◦ Slippery Rock University ◦ Grove City College ◦ Westminster College

CHRISTIAN SCHOOL ◦ New Castle Christian Acad.

SCHOOL DISTRICTS ◦ Laurel ◦ Slippery Rock ◦ Wilmington ◦ Grove City

COMMITTEESCHRISTIAN EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Children’s ProgramsPrior to the Covid Pandemic we had the following programs and children participating in our church:

◦ Children’s Sunday School had 5 classes with an average attendance of 20 children in total. ◦ One-week VBS each summer for ages 2 thru grade 6 with an average attendance of 50. ◦ The entire church gets together at Halloween and has a “trunk or treat” for the community

with an average attendance of 90 children. ◦ The church holds an annual roller-skating party early in the year. ◦ There is an annual Children’s Christmas program. ◦ The last Sunday of the year there is a family game day for all Sunday school classes. ◦ Annually we have Sunday School in the Park for children and families to start the new

Sunday School year.During the Covid pandemic:

◦ Our numbers and activities dropped, we are currently planning on relaunching our Children’s Ministry programs in the Fall of 2021.

◦ We were able to start a new program for our children in grades 2-6. This Kids’ Club was started virtually and then moved to the church.

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COMMITTEE (continued)

Adult Programs ◦ We have one Adult Sunday School class with an average attendance of 15. ◦ Prior to Covid pandemic, we started a new prayer group and were about to begin Family

Ministry events. These programs were postponed. Once the church opens fully, we look forward to launching this new ministry.

FELLOWSHIP COMMITTEE

◦ Our focus is to bring unity and togetherness among our church family. ◦ We gather monthly for either Coffee Hour, Breakfast, or Lunch ◦ One of the highlights of our year is our annual Christmas party ◦ In 2021 we modified our fellowship by serving a brown bag lunch which led to also having

a brown bag Sonrise service breakfast.

COMMITTEES

“For where two or three are gathered in my name, There am I among them.” ~ Matthew 18:20

COMMITTEESMISSION COMMITTEE

Our passion is to focus on mission giving.

Some missions we support are: ◦ The New Castle City Rescue Mission ◦ Crisis Shelter ◦ A.W.A.R.E. ◦ Several local food banks. ◦ A special Mother’s Day offering is collected and given to the Shenango on the Green

home. ◦ The Walker House ◦ In 2020, we reached out to our neighbors and provided Thanksgiving meal dinner boxes. ◦ Angel Tree for the New Castle Crisis Shelter ◦ Advent bags to local shut-ins, and giving food and gifts to local families in need. ◦ Heifer Project ◦ Harvest Bridge ◦ Hosanna Industries (financially and physically on build projects) ◦ We support several foreign and national missions with monetary gifts

COMMITTEESWORSHIP COMMITTEE

The Worship Committee works with the pastor, music leaders, and administrative assistant to create a meaningful worship experience for all members of the congregation and visitors. The Committee is committed to provide meaningful worship experiences so that we all grow in faith.

In addition to regular Sunday services, the Committee organizes and coordinates special worship services including Come and Go Ash Wednesday communion, Maundy Thursday service, Easter Sonrise service, and Christmas Eve service.

OFFICER NOMINATING COMMITTEE

This committee is responsible for electing officers to the boards of the church such as Elder, Trustee, Deacon, and Auditor.

ADMINISTRATION AND FINANCE COMMITTEE

This committee oversees the work of the treasurer, as well as reviews the monthly treasurer’s report. They come up with yearly budget and make any recommendations regarding any non-budget expenditure. They also conduct yearly reviews with each church employee and make any recommendations to those employees that we may see as beneficial to the growth of the church. They also maintain clearances for all teachers and those that work directly with our youth in the church.

HISTORY COMMITTEE

The History committee was assembled to take on the task of updating the history of our church. Past clergy and members have published histories that cover the years from 1799 through 1974. The committee’s goal is to capture what has happened from 1974 to present. In 3 years, Plain Grove Presbyterian Church will be celebrating our 225 year anniversary!

DETAILS OF THE CALLCHURCH GOALS

◦ Reinvigorate our covenant partners of all ages. ◦ Grow our outreach to local, national, and world missions. ◦ Offer more opportunities to gather, teach, learn, and share through retreats, lock-

ins, small group, Bible study, and other faith-based experiences outside of our regular Sunday programs.

We are seeking to welcome a full-time pastor to our church whose responsibilities will include:

◦ Delivering relevant, engaging, inspiring, and biblically based sermons. ◦ Teaching, guiding, and advising our covenant partners both from the pulpit and

individually. ◦ Reinvigorating our youth by championing, leading, and attending new programs. ◦ Counseling our covenant partners when they are struggling personally or spiritually. ◦ Serving as Moderator and collaborating with Session to maintain and develop programs

which allow the church to grow in its mission. ◦ Making in-person visits to Covenant Partners upon request as available. ◦ Overseeing adult Sunday School program or equivalent. ◦ Full and active participation in Rivers of Life Presbytery.

QUALIFICATIONS

◦ Have a deep and abiding faith in Jesus Christ and a commitment to the authority of scripture

◦ Master of Divinity, or its equivalent, from an accredited seminary ◦ Committed to Christian Reformed Theology and ECO Essential Tenets and Confessional

Standards ◦ Be ordained by ECO, or be eligible for ECO ordination

COMPENSATION

The salary of the pastor will be commensurate with education and experience. A competitive benefits package will be offered, as well as a housing allowance.

HOW TO APPLY

We ask that all candidates submit the following for consideration:One-page letter introducing yourself to our committee. Include the reasons you are exploring our opening. ◦ Statement of Faith ◦ Resume ◦ 3 to 5 references who can speak to your character, gifts, and relevant experience ◦ Links to 3+ recent video and/or audio sermons

Please email the above as PDF files to Lisa Sotter: lisasot1@hotmail.com or mail to:

Plain Grove Presbyterian ChurchATTN: Pastor Nominating Committee626 Plain Grove RoadSlippery Rock, PA 16057

Reverend Bill Hoffman is a local non-Plain Grove Presbyterian Church affiliated resource whom has agreed to be a liaison if you would like additional information on the area. His contact information is: bhoffman@eastmainpc.org

DETAILS OF THE CALL