About Us
Our Statement of Purpose
Penfield Presbyterian Church exists to be a healthy, vital congregation addressing the impacts of poverty, especially food insecurity in our local community; and providing meaningful worship that facilitates and encourages connections with Christ’s teachings and nurtures spiritual and emotional well-being.
We show we are a healthy and vital congregation by:
-
Caring for one another and building relationships by performing acts of loving service, sharing our joys and concerns, and praying for one another.
-
Providing opportunities for sacred music through choir, hymns, special music, and instrumental music.
-
Supporting our ministries through gifts of time, talent, and treasure
-
Participating in fellowship events, passing of peace, coffee hour, personal communication among members before, in and after worship.
We work toward alleviating the impacts of poverty and food insecurity through:
-
Mission giving of at least 10% of annual pledges
-
Offering and publicizing opportunities for mission education and participation
-
Supporting and celebrating individuals and groups involved in causes that address poverty and food insecurity
-
Upholding our commitment to the Matthew 25 initiative
We show connections with Christ’s teachings through:
-
Fostering a sense of belonging for all
-
Connecting faith and scripture with daily life through preaching and teaching in worship and Christian Education opportunities for all ages
-
Worship that includes traditional experiences, creative elements, and flexible structure
-
Involving children and youth in worship
Our Pastor
The Rev. Twyla Boyer was raised Presbyterian. As a child she enjoyed singing in the choir, attending Sunday School, and participating in youth group activties; however, it wasn’t until she was in her thirties that she felt called to ministry as a vocation. Pastor Twyla was installed as the pastor of PPC in May 2020. Click below to read Pastor Twyla's full bio.
Our Worship
We gather for worship in the sanctuary and online each Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m.  Adults and children of all ages are invited to participate in worship.
​
Our Sunday worship is liturgical in style yet relaxed and welcoming, rather than formal. During the summer months we occasionally gather for worship on the front lawn. For those who would prefer to worship at home, we livestream the Sunday service on our YouTube page. Recordings of past worship services are also available.
We follow an order of worship that includes prayers, scripture readings, music, and litanies. We sing hymns that are generally considered traditional. Preaching is scripture based and may be thematic, or lectionary centered. We typically celebrate the Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper on the first Sunday of each month and welcome all to participate as guided by our Presbyterian Church (USA) Book of Order. Our Pastor collaborates with the Seasonal Teams to plan special services or to add creative elements to our worship within a traditional Presbyterian context. Our gifted Church Musician, Chancel Choir, and occasional soloists or Bell Choir share their gifts to enhance our worship of God.
Children are precious members of our church family. Children of all ages are always welcome in worship with their families. We are grateful for their authentic enthusiasm. Worship bags and quiet activities are avaiable at the rear of the sanctuary.
Following the Children’s Message children are also invited to participate in Church School two (2) Sundays per month.
​
How We Serve Others
Sharing God’s love in the world through our giving and service takes many forms. We serve our community as individuals, in small groups, and as a congregation through intentional actions of hands-on service, generous giving of goods and funds, and acts of compassion.
Some of the organizations we are active with include Habitat for Humanity, Penfield Ecumenical Food Shelf, REACH Advocacy, and Cameron Community Ministries. We continue to commit at least 10% of our pledged giving for mission and throughout the year we have many special collections of funds and goods for our neighbors in need. We also offer a Little Free Pantry and Little Free Library for our neighbors.
Organizational Structure
Everyone is welcome to participate in worship and in the work of the church. Membership is not a requirement and there are no conditions to be met for fellowship. Individual differences are respected, and each person decides for themselves what is meaningful and important for their faith journey.
Our church is a member of the Presbytery of Genesee Valley in the denomination of the Presbyterian Church (USA). The Presbyterian Church (USA) is Reformed in its theology and Presbyterian in its church government. The word, “Presbyterian” refers to our representative form of government which emphasizes that the leadership of the church is shared between minister and church members. Our church elects its governing leaders from among the congregation.
We also use the Seasonal Team Model of church organization to share the work of the church. The Seasonal Model is one type of church organizational structure that offers many benefits for a small church. Instead of long-term committees each of the four (4) liturgical seasons is planned and overseen by a short-term seasonal team with the pastor. Each seasonal team is responsible with the pastor for creative interpretation of the respective season through worship, mission/community service, hospitality, fellowship, and learning. Everyone is invited to participate on a seasonal team.
At the core of Presbyterian identity is a secure hope in the grace of God in Jesus Christ, a hope that, by the power of the Holy Spirit, empowers us to live lives of gratitude: “In affirming with the earliest Christians that Jesus is Lord, the Church confesses that he is its hope, and that the Church, as Christ’s body, is bound to his authority and thus free to live in the lively, joyous reality of the grace of God.” (Book of Order F-1.0204)
​
Our Building and Grounds
Our accessible facility is located on 5 acres of land in a quiet and convenient neighborhood setting with easy access from Whalen Rd. or Atlantic Ave. (Rt. 286) - just west of Rt. 250 in the Penfield School District.
The sanctuary, fellowship area, and adjacent restroom are fully accessible. We have a canopy at the drive-up entrance, automatic doors, and very slight threshold - which allows easy access for most everyone. There are multiple parking spaces near the front door.
During the week much of our facility is used for the activities of the Penfield Presbyterian Early Learning Center.
If you are interested in using space at Penfield Presbyterian Church for weddings, funerals, or other ceremonies please contact the Office (see bottom of page)
Our Staff
Brenda Tucker
Office Administrator
Brenda Tucker began working at Penfield Presbyterian in June 2015. Office Hours for Brenda are M-F from 12:30-4:30 pm. Brenda holds a B.S. Degree from SUNY Buffalo in Accounting.
Tiffany Mowers
PPELC Director
Tiffany Mowers is PPELC Director. To speak with Tiffany about our childcare program call 377-0122.
Christine Stevens-Schwind
Music Director
Christine began leading congregational worship through music and the Chancel Choir in Spring of 2015. She holds a Bachelor Degree in Music Education (emphasis on voice, piano and clarinet) and a Master of Education Degree from Graceland University.
Our Location
1881 Jackson Road, Penfield, NY 14526