Ministry Teams
The Session is the governing body of the church. They oversee matters related to the life of our congregation including church membership, overseeing of membership, supervision of leadership and other matters. This board of 18 Elders is elected by the congregation for a three-year term in which members have approval over events occurring within the church and outside and with all proposals brought to them from the various ministry teams of the church.
The Session of Canonsburg United Presbyterian Church meets the fourth Monday of the month for their regular stated meetings and for special called meetings when needed.
In addition to working within the Church, Session continues to reach out to the community and beyond to reach those in need and to spread the Word.
Once again, without all the loyal volunteers and the trust and support of the members of the Congregation, it would be very difficult for Session to carry out their responsibilities to further the work God has planned for Canonsburg United Presbyterian Church.
The Buildings and Grounds Team, a nine-member Board, meets on the first Monday of each month.
The Trustees have the following responsibilities: to receive, hold, encumber, manage, and transfer property, real or personal, for the church; to accept and execute deeds of title to such property; to hold and defend title to such property; to manage any permanent special funds for the furtherance of the purposes of the church, all subject to the authority of the session and under the provisions of the Constitution of the Presbyterian Church (USA), provided further that in buying, selling, and mortgaging real property, the trustees shall act only after the approval of the congregation granted in a duly constituted meeting.
The Deacons are a group within our church who provide care, love and service to those in our church and community. They strive to be His hands and feet in our area serving with compassion and concern. The group meets monthly and holds several service projects and community outreach initiatives throughout the year.
Deacons provide visitation and cards to those who are grieving, ill, burdened or home-bound. They also provide transportation and home communion to those in the congregation who may have a need.
The Deacons also are host to several special ministries throughout the year including sending Valentine’s boxes full of cookies, snacks and other goodies to college and military personnel and collecting shoeboxes for Operation Shoebox, a Samaritan’s Purse mission that provides Christmas gifts and the Good News around the world to those children who are less fortunate.
All this is done joyfully to serve our God!
The Worship and Music ministry team oversees all activities related to the worship services and music ministry of the church.
We have many wonderful volunteers who serve in various capacities of worship including setting up for communion, providing devotionals at Lent and Advent, supporting our many choirs (Bell Choir, Chancel Choir, Wind Ensemble and Cherub Choir), media and the coordinating of the ushers and greeters. In all we do, we pray we glorify God and lead all who attend worship to the Lord.
Our Family Ministry team is responsible for coordinating and equipping ministry aimed at children, students and families. They are tasked with empowering leaders and equipping parents to disciple the children of our community through Sunday school, youth groups, Children’s church, Vacation Bible School and summer camp opportunities.
Our Gather to Grow team is in the process of revitalizing our process for developing mature followers of Jesus Christ. They oversee Adult Sunday School classes, small groups, and various special discipleship events.
The team also creates an atmosphere of Christian fellowship by overseeing and organizing a variety of church events and programs. Many of our members also participate or support other events sponsored by other groups of the church. This team meets the third Monday of the month and always welcomes new members.
Some of the events that this team hosts include organizing Fellowship Hours after Sunday services, Lenten Potluck dinner, Mothers & Fathers Day appreciation, Annual Church Picnic, and the Advent dinner.
The Christian fellowship we enjoy is a gift from God. There are many blessings given and received when we meet, share our lives and minister to each other. It is awesome to serve the incredible people that make up the congregation at Canonsburg United Presbyterian Church.
The Personnel team oversees all of the personnel hired by the church. This includes the pastors, office staff and janitorial staff. Personnel team members work closely with the staff and the congregation to provide the best possible service to our church and community.
This ministry team meets to appropriate funding for missions and ministries approved by Session and adopted by the Church. The funding supports specific ministries each year but reviews those ministries periodically to be sure they are in line with the CUPC Mission Statement. Many other requests are received throughout the year. Each special request is researched and if deemed appropriate and valid, the team awards a portion of the ministry budget reserved for that purpose.
This team continues to serve joyfully in the community by providing clothing and other needs for local families in our area during the Christmas Season.
The Mission & Stewardship team meets monthly and members of the congregation are always welcome to join and share in the pleasant task of passing along God’s blessings.
The Nominating team is made up of selected representatives from Session, Deacons and congregational members. The business of the Nominating team is the creation of a slate of candidates to serve as elders, deacons, auditors and nominating team members. This new slate of incoming officers is decided each year and presented to the congregation for election at the congregational meeting. Most officer positions are served in three year terms.
This ministry of the church calls together members who wish to put into practice the power of prayer as a healing agent. It recognizes that healing involves the body, mind, spiritual and an emotional aspect of a person’s being. The group’s purpose is to be available to offer prayers of healing, wholeness, and thanksgiving in a variety of settings. Prayer Teams of one or two members of the group are available in the Prayer Chapel after both Sunday services to pray with those having special concerns or joys. The Prayer Group continues to collect pew prayer cards and places those concerns in prayer. Prayers of joy or concern can be requested by filling out the card and placing it in the prayer box by the Prayer Chapel. The Prayer Team also conducts Services of Prayer and Thanksgiving at the church a few times throughout the year. These services are comprised of music, a message, communion, and prayer, either privately or with small prayer teams located around the Sanctuary.