Happy New Year
With the new year comes times of both refection and anticipation for many people. Our prayer is that you consider this to be the perfect time to (re)unite with God, grow in your personal relationship with Christ, and seek discipleship as He calls you. 2026 is shaping up to be a memorable one here at Fairview, and we are excited to see how YOU will be a part of it!
Update from Session
Dear Fairview Family,
As you know, for a number of months your Session has been praying about and wrestling with the challenges presented by our decades-long decline as a congregation. We have sought help from both the Presbytery of the East and the national EPC office, but those doors ultimately ended up closing. Now, God has graciously opened a new door for us. As has been shared in meetings and letters, we are moving forward on this path. To keep everyone informed, we will be sending monthly updates regarding our adoption by Providence Church to become a new entity: Providence Fairview.
Congregational Meeting – February 1
Please note that we will hold our usual annual congregational meeting on February 1 to review the annual reports and to support the proposed 2026 budget.
Dismissal from the EPC
To join with Providence, Fairview must be dismissed from the EPC. Session has sent a letter to the Presbytery requesting that the dismissal process begin. This request will be acted upon at the January 23–24 meeting of the Presbytery of the East.
Presbytery representatives will need to be present at a congregational meeting on the proposed dismissal from the EPC so that we may be adopted by Providence. The request will then be tabled for a mandatory three-month period. After that waiting period, we will convene again to vote on dismissal from the EPC, with Presbytery representatives in attendance. It is our hope representatives will be present at our February 1 annual meeting, however we will not know for sure until after the Presbytery meeting January 23-24. If it is not possible for representatives to attend on that date, we will need to convene an additional meeting.
Worship and Pastoral Leadership
Fairview will continue worship as usual through Palm Sunday, March 29. Palm Sunday will be our final worship service as Fairview Presbyterian Church. Easter Sunday will mark the beginning of our new congregation: Providence Fairview.
From January through March, our transitional pastor, Dan Stewart, will be preaching. Members of the Providence pastoral staff will also guest preach during this time.
Building Use and Transition
Providence will begin using the church building in January. They will be working to improve the Sunday School rooms, update technology, and host group meetings. In March, Providence will begin using the sanctuary for two Sunday evening worship services as a “soft launch,” allowing all technology and systems to be fully tested in preparation for our opening worship on Easter Sunday.
Informational Meetings
Whenever Providence staff members are preaching, we will hold an informational meeting in the parlor following worship so you may ask questions and learn more.
As always, if you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to reach out to any member of Session.
With gratitude and trust in God’s leading,
The Session of Fairview Presbyterian Church
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