Candidating Weekend at FPC: October 16-17

First Presbyterian Church invites you to join us for this long-awaited weekend in the life of our congregation. Following more than a year of prayer and discernment, the Pastor Nominating Committee is eager to introduce you to Pastor Justin Hylden, our pastoral candidate. Members are encouraged to come to the Meet the Candidate Open House on Saturday afternoon, which will be a time to get to know Pastor Hylden and enjoy refreshments. Join us Sunday morning to hear Pastor Hylden preach his candidating sermon. Our congregational meeting will be held immediately following worship.

Meet the Candidate Open House
Saturday, October 16
2:00 pm to 4:00 pm
FPC Lounge

Meet the Pastor Luncheon
Sunday, October 17
Following Congregational Meeting
FPC Fellowship Hall

Pastor Hylden will also join us for the following:

Harvest Festival at First UMC
Saturday, October 16
11:00 am to 2:00 pm

Chinese Church at FPC
Saturday, October 16
4:00 pm

Pastor Hylden grew up on a small family farm in North Dakota, attended college in Illinois, and graduated from Princeton Theological Seminary in 2019. In his current pastoral associate role at Pleasantville Presbyterian Church in New York, Pastor Hylden has gained experience to become a faithful minister in the Presbyterian Church.

The word on the street is that Pastor Hylden is an excellent baker and gardener, with years of experience on his family's flaxseed farm. He enjoys gathering people together for good food and conversation and looks forward to gatherings with new friends from FPC!

Congregational Meeting
Sunday, October 17

Session has called for a special meeting of the congregation after 10:00 am worship on Sunday, October 17.

The purpose of the meeting is to hear and act upon the final report of the Pastor Nominating Committee and to elect Justin Hylden as pastor of First Presbyterian Church.

The church office sent a mailing to all active members with information about Pastor Hylden. Materials are also available in the main office area and in the narthex.

Members are encouraged to attend in person. There will be a Zoom option for those who need to attend remotely. To request the Zoom invite, please contact the church office: office@ashlandfpc.org or 419-289-6205.

Plan to join us for this important meeting in the life of FPC.

FPC's Pastor Nominating Committee

Over the past year, our Pastor Nominating Committee worked hundreds of hours, often gathering several times per week to research and interview candidates and pray and discern who God was calling to be the next pastor of First Presbyterian Church. Once the PNC connected with Justin Hylden, everything "clicked" in a way it hadn't before then. The PNC is excited for the congregation to meet Pastor Hylden this weekend and believes that he will lead FPC toward a bright, hopeful future.

Our committee was varied in age, gender, background, and ministry interests. Our congregation extends its deepest thanks to the PNC for their service.