Our congregation is led by a group of 15 Elders and 15 Deacons, who are elected by vote of the congregation. Like the minister, these leaders are ordained into office. The committees that oversee and support the work of the church include Worship and Music, Witness and Outreach, Christian Education, Budget and Finance, Congregational Life, Adult Education, Administration and Physical Plant, and Stewardship.
Entering the 21st Century, the congregation continues to flourish and prosper.
The Reverend Dr. Richard D. Sweeney was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and grew
up on that city’s North Side. His father, whose religious faith was the foundation for Rick’s own, was a steelworker; Rick himself worked in the steel mills for several summers while a student. Rick graduated with a degree in secondary education from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1974. He taught middle school history for two years and was involved in an inner-city youth program through his home church before sensing a call to ordained ministry.
Rick has two degrees from Pittsburgh Theological Seminary: a Masters of Divinity (1980) and a Doctor of Ministry (1989). Among other topics, his continuing education has focused on homiletics (preaching), leadership in times of change and adult mourning. He also has taught philosophy at the college level as an adjunct professor.
All of Rick’s pastoral calls have been with Presbyterian churches in Pennsylvania, as follows:
• Pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Crafton Heights, 1979-86. 250 members in Pittsburgh;
• Pastor, First Presbyterian Church of Oil City, 1986-89. 500 members in a small town;
• Interim Pastor, New Wilmington Presbyterian Church, 1989-91. 700 members in a small town;
• Pastor, Elderton Presbyterian Church, 1991-2000. 400 members in a small town; and
• Pastor and Head of Staff, Mechanicsburg Presbyterian Church, 2000 to present. 850
members in a suburban setting outside of Harrisburg, the state capitol.
Rick’s involvement in the Presbyterian Church includes chairing Carlisle Presbytery’s
Committee on Preparation for Ministry for the last six years, touring Honduras as a member of a pastor mission/study team and serving as a commissioner to the General Assembly of the PCUSA.
Rick is married to Prudy who is an educator and reading specialist. They have seven children and three grandchildren. Rick and Prudy enjoy movies, wood-working and being Steelers fans.
