Special music from 9/6/09

Bob Stewart, Christine Beam and Ben Stewart singing "Some Walls."

Responses to the Church Survey 2009

The following graphs and charts reflect the responses by congregation Members who participated in the survey. Our thanks go to all who took the time. This resulted in a 50% response which is quite significant. We hope this will be of help in church planning and programming as well as the direction our congregation takes on relevant matters.


Length of church attendance:




Frequency of church attendance:




Are you a member of AFPC? (1) Yes (2) No (3) Not Attend




What are most effective leadership styles for AFPC? (1) Take charge, (2) Take charge and Inspire, (3) Leader act on member goals, (4) Members initiate, (5) Don't know




How often do you experience the following during worship service?










Please rate the following statements about AFPC.










Adequacy of physical plant:




In your opinion, is seated communion or communion by intinction more meaningful?




Balance in support of local and global missions:




Rate importance of local benevolences:




Rate the importance of the global missions we support:




Programs that would help AFPC grow:




Don't attend Sunday School:




Involvement in AFPC Family:




Has your involvement in the life of the congregation increased, decreased or stayed about the same?




To what do you attrbute your increased congregational involvement: time availability, children, office held, groups, better health, stronger faith, spouse more involved, or other?




If you decreased church involvement, do you attribute it to: decreased availability of time, decreased responsibility, insufficient childrens programs, less positive attitude, health problems, decreased faith, spouse at other church, spouse less involved, or other?




Congregation makes visitors welcome:




Congregation makes me feel welcome:




What would draw others to AFPC?




How many persons or families have you invited to AFPC this past year?




How familiar are you with the church's operating budget and fiscal reports?




How familiar are you with AFPC's endowments?




How do you receive information from church?




Gender of respondents.




Age of respondents.

Earth Justice Group to Meet on 6/21

The Earth Justice group at First Presbyterian Church will meet on Sunday, June 21 following the church service in the library. We'll be discussing future projects and plans for moving forward. If you have an interest energy use, ecology, or just want to learn more, please join us - this is a great time to get involved!

Carol Kuhre sermon, Earth Sunday '09

This sermon was part of Earth Sunday '09 at First Presbyterian Church (April 19, 2009).



The entire service can be heard on the church podcast page.

500th Anniversary of John Calvin's Birth

2009 marks the 500th anniversary of the birth of John Calvin. Calvin is the founder of the Presbyterian Church. A video on John Calvin's life and legacy will be shown at First Presbyterian Church next Wednesday evening at 6 p.m. A free supper will be served at 5:30 p.m. All are welcome.

Teacher was also first Athens Businesswoman

Mrs. Sally Foster, one of the original nine founders of First Presbyterian Church, moved to Athens in 1809 with her husband, Zadoc Foster, and two sons. They owned a tavern and she opened the first "select school" for young children in Athens. She continued operation of the tavern following her husband's death, thus becoming the first businesswoman in Athens.

Ohio U. Prez Did What?

Jacob Lindley, first president of Ohio University, organized the First Presbyterian Society of Athens in 1809. He served as Moderator and Pastor until 1827. First Presbyterian is celebrating its Bicentennial and will be announcing events throughout the year. Lindley also played a significant role in the establishment of the Alexander Presbyterian Church.

FPC Bicentennial Focus

Members of First Presbyterian Church, since its founding in 1809, have been involved in the life of the community and have contributed to a legacy of service. Two Local Mission Projects have been selected for funding in honor of the service members have provided throughout the years. Funds for the selected projects will be presented to the recipient organizations at the Bicentennial Luncheon on September 27, 2009.

Bicentennial Celebration

First Presbyterian Church is celebrating its Bicentennial year. The First Presbyterian Society of Athens was organized in autumn of 1809 by Jacob Lindley, the first President of Ohio University and eight other individuals. Watch this space for upcoming celebratory events throughout the year.