Pastor Aaron Serna received his Masters in Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary in 2010. Aaron has been a part of many different ministries, and most recently has enjoyed serving as the Assistant to the Pastor at South Bay Presbyterian Church. Aaron is originally from the small farm town of Hollister, California. After he accepted Christ in 1998, he served at Hollister First Presbyterian as a part-time intern for 6 years before being called into full-time ministry. During his time working as an intern, Aaron discovered his passion for youth ministry and first felt God’s call to ordained ministry. He still enjoys helping teens discover Jesus and helping them to develop a strong vibrant faith. Aaron also enjoys partnering with parents to equip and encourage them to build a strong spiritual foundation in their own lives and families.

In his spare time, Aaron enjoys board games, bicycle riding, hiking and the occasional good movie. Aaron also likes game nights and the conversations, food and interactions that come with spending time with friends. Aaron’s mother and father are retired and live in California, and his older brother works as an anesthetist in Porterville, California.

Pastor Renn Serna grew up in Monterey, California and is a Northern California girl at heart. She received her Bachelor’s degree in Psychology from UC Davis and completed her Masters in Divinity at Fuller Seminary in 2008. For the past eight years she has been blessed to serve as the Youth and Young Adult Director in a small Asian church in Southern California. During her time in ministry, she has had the opportunity to grow strong relationships in the congregation, to help develop strategic outreach programs in the community and to build a vibrant Mexico missions program. Renn’s greatest joy in ministry is helping people feel welcome in the church and to experience God’s love in a new and tangible way in their lives.

In her free time, Renn loves to cook and bake, and her freezer is often stuffed full of cookies. Renn is always on the lookout for new books to read (especially suspense novels!) and she loves being outside. She has two sisters and a brother and five nieces and nephews.

Aaron and Renn met while in seminary and were close friends for many years before they married in 2010. Aaron and Renn love opening up their home to guests in finding new things to do together as a couple. They are excited about this new adventure that God is calling them to and can’t wait to see what God does next in and through their lives.

How do co-pastor’s work?
Co-Pastors equally share the responsibility of shepherding a congregation. In the case of our church, it means that we would have a married couple each working half time to share the task of ordained ministry in our church. Many churches have co-pastors, and when done in a healthy manner, this model offers many benefits. In the case of Pastors Aaron and Renn, it would mean that each of them would have a greater opportunity to use their individual gifts and to work together as a team to build up our church. There will be some things that they do together, like preaching and working with Session, and other things that they will do separately. Aaron has a particular joy for teaching, discipleship and youth ministry while Renn is passionate about community service, outreach and thinking strategically about where God is leading the church. As we get to know each other better, we will be able to discover where their gifts will best support our church and to continue to develop this exciting new relationship together.

The Christian Education program at the United Presbyterian Church At Whitinsville features a full range of Sunday School classes for all ages – pre-school through adult. Curriculum is Scripture-based and taught by dedicated volunteers who share their gifts of teaching with a yearly commitment. Classes are held in individual classrooms adjacent to Fellowship Hall and in the office conference room beginning at 9:30 A.M. each Sunday morning from the Sunday following Labor Day until the Sunday prior to Memorial week end. Early birds are treated to breakfast of waffles and cinnamon buns between 8:45 and 9:30 A.M., provided by our spin-off Waffle Ministry. Classes finish just prior to the start of the worship service.

The children’s Bell Choir practices weekly at 8:30 A.M. prior to the start of Sunday School classes. The Children’s Bell Choir plays at the Second Sunday Socials and occasionally during the worship service.

Music is included in the Sunday School hour and the children sing during the worship service on several occasions during the program year.

Child-care is provided for infants and pre-school children during the worship service. A Junior Church Program provides additional Bible study and fellowship during the worship service for children through grade 6.

Adult classes are developed around topics of interest and specific Books of the Bible, as requested by participants.

Fellowship groups for middle school students and teens are held on Sunday evenings.

Our church participates in the Northbridge Ecumenical Vacation Bible School Program each summer, providing funds, materials and volunteers.

An additional program of study for young teens interested in church membership is offered every 2-3 years, as the need dictates.

The Sunday School program welcomes all children of the congregation, visitors and friends. Our goals is to carry out the promises made during baptism to raise up and encourage one another in the study and fellowship of Christianity and to reach out in faith and love to others in our community.

For more information regarding our Christian Education Activities please contact the church office.

Thanks,
Claire Lachapelle

Our Bell Choir meets on Tuesdays from 6:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. We perform at Sunday services throughout the year. Players at all levels are encouraged to join.

Our Sunday School Bell Choir is comprised of children from Sunday school. Ms. Marion Boyd leads the group in rehearsal each Sunday morning at 8:30 a.m. and the group performs on the second Sunday of the month just prior to our Second Sunday Social.

Instrumental music is offered on the Skinner pipe organ, Gulbransen grand piano, Yamaha Clavinova, and Deagan marimba. During Easter and Christmas, the sounds of trumpets and timpani can be heard as well.

Soloists offer special music throughout the year as well. This can be any style of music from hymns to jazz to classical to praise band. And the diverse amplification system projects a professional ambience enhancing the quality of performance.
The Sunday school children together with the Adult Choir offer special presentations at Easter and Christmas in the form of liturgical dramas and seasonal musicals.

We are a church of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.). We have been serving the spiritual needs of Whitinsville and the area of the Blackstone Valley for over 125 years. Our mission is to carry the Word of God into the community and also into the world as well.

Please take a few minutes to browse our website and familiarize yourself with the various ministries of our church.