Church Information Form (CIF)
Princeton Memorial ECO Church
The Princeton Memorial Presbyterian Church is a small rural church, not far from New Castle Pennsylvania. We are small but this is not a handicap, since small churches can do things larger churches have less opportunity to do.
People who come through our doors receive a lot of personal attention, ministry and love and become more a part of a family, rather than just a part of a congregation. Our church is nothing less than amazing in its accomplishments. We have often survived
seasons without a pastor, maintained worship, faith and kept our church buildings, despite financial challenges.
Many of our people have had health challenges, others have faced tragic losses of spouses or children, yet they have consistently managed to tap into “the joy of the Lord,”
to help see them through. This attitude “runs over” on Sunday morning.
Our congregation knows how to pray and support each other when it counts and we have had many miraculous answers to prayer.
The Pastoral Search Committee for our church is looking for candidates to fill our pulpit. Having little or no experience in composing a CIF (Church Information Form) we reached out to our ECO advisor, Mr. David Jones, of East Main Presbyterian Church in Grove City, PA. Mr. Jones provided us with a CIF he helped write when they were searching for a minister. Using the East Main CIF as a guide, the committee believes the purpose of a CIF is to answer a series of questions a pastoral candidate would want to know. Those questions are: Why, When, Who, Where, and finally What?
- Why and When?
In October, our minister, Pastor Cheryl Waguespack informed the church of her plan to retire as of December 31, 2013. Pastor Cheryl has been with us for the past 11 years. She has been actively involved in ministry with her husband,
Dr. Gary Waguespack, for over 40 years. We wish them both the very best as they embark on this new adventure together. We will therefore be looking at pastoral candidates beginning in January, 2014.
- Who?
Princeton Memorial Church is one of five (5) Presbyterian Churches in a
four (4) mile area. Three of these churches, Princeton, Center and
Eastbrook have left the PCUSA to join the Covenant Order of Evangelical
Presbyterian churches. Pastor Waguespack was instrumental in this move.
We believe the truth of God’s word as our standard, and look for a pastor
who believes the same. We are an older group of people, but eager to grow
and fulfill God’s plan for us.
Church Information Form
Princeton Memorial ECO Church
- Who? (continued)
We are a church of 40 members with average attendance of 20. We may be
small but greatly believe in the power of prayer. Our Wednesday morning
prayer group offers up prayer not only for members, but anyone in the
community at large with a need. Every Sunday during sharing of joys and
concerns, testimonials are offered to the answers to prayer.
The church as a whole has gone door to door inviting the community to
attend worship armed only with cookies and a smile.
In order to help finance our missions we have gotten together in the
Fellowship Hall to make hoagies.
After two of our members were injured in a house explosion, the members
donated time and materials to organize a soup supper to help defray medical
costs.
A quilt hangs in our sanctuary with the names of 60 families, representing
approximately 140 present and former members. We held a “Homecoming”
event inviting as many of them as possible to fellowship, reminisce and hopefully
return to worship.
This year we helped sponsor one of our members on a Missionary Trip to
the Ukraine. We may be small in number, but large in heart. We’re kind of like the little engine that could!
III.Where?
Princeton Memorial ECO Church is located at 3012 Church Road, New Castle, PA 16101. Our church is in the small community of Princeton. We
have families who have lived here for generations. We are located in
Slippery Rock Township, protected by Slippery Rock Township Volunteer
Fire Department and would be considered a farming community.
Students in our neighborhood attend Laurel and Shenango School Systems
depending on where they reside in the Princeton area. Both are very good
schools.
We are located just off of U.S. Route 422 between the towns of New Castle
and Butler. We enjoy easy access to Interstates 79 and 80. We are 20 minutes
away from Prime Factory Outlets in Grove City, PA and 45 minutes from
Pittsburgh, PA and what that city offers in major sports teams as well as cultural
offerings.
So we are a small community offering all that’s good about small town life,
but we are not far from the big city, as well.
Church Information Form
Princeton Memorial ECO Church
IV.What?
We at the Princeton Memorial Church are seeking pastoral candidates. This is
what we are looking for in a pastor.
In general, the pastor would be responsible to relate to the congregation
in a manner which represents Christian caring. This includes in particular
to our elderly members. We would enjoy sermons based on Scripture and
that would encourage, equip, evangelize, challenge, convict, convert and
nurture the congregation.
If that’s a role you think you may like to fill, please contact any of us:
Pastoral Search
Committee MemberPhone NumberE-mail address
Joseph
Susan
Sally Herold724-924-9170
Debbie Janus724-657-7007
Joni
Russ
Thank you for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Pastoral Search Committee