THE SESSION is the governing council of First Presbyterian Church. Elders, who are elected by the congregation to serve a 3-year-term on the Session, guide the church’s witness to the sovereign activity of God in the world, so that the congregation is and becomes a community of faith, hope, love, and witness. They oversee the work of the church, including Christian Education, Worship, and Mission.
THE BOARD OF DEACONS carries out the ministries of compassion, witness, and service. Deacons, who are elected by the congregation to serve a 3-year-term on the Board, share in the redeeming love of Jesus Christ for the poor, the hungry, the sick, the lost, the friendless, the oppressed, those burdened by unjust policies and structures, or anyone in distress.
The Staff
Rev. Hyiwot Teshome
Pastor
Reverend Hyiwot Teshome joined First Presbyterian Church as its pastor and head of staff on 12/01/2022. Reverend Hyiwot Teshome is married to Yeketenesh Wolderguiorguis, his wife of twenty seven years. They are proud parents of two boys, Noah and Lucas.
William A Williams
Choir Director
Bill Williams has been the director since the fall of 2016 when he took the reigns when his dad, William H. Williams, Jr., retired after over 40 years as the Director of Music.
Pat Betts
Parish Nurse
Widow with 2 sons, Tom and Dave, 4 grandchildren, and a great-grandson, Pat graduated from Huron Road Hospital School of Nursing and Cleveland State University in Cleveland, Ohio, in 1958. Pat worked at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center for 42 years, most of them in psychiatry, and retired in 2014. She has been the Parish Nurse at First Presbyterian since 2000.
Caroline Goller
Administrative Assistant
After 25+ years in the printing industry, Caroline found her new home as Administrative Assistant at First Presbyterian in February 2019. She’s always thrilled to see your smiling faces and ready to help with any request.