Committee Duties

It is my profound belief that every Christian disciple should be actively engaged in each of three Christian endeavors: Worship, Learning, and Service.

- Glenn Seefeld, Pastor

Duties of Administrative Committees

(Paragraph references are to the 1996 and 2000 editions of
The Book of Discipline of the United Methodist Church)

The Administrative Board has general oversight of the administration and program of the local church. It shall initiate planning, establish objectives, adopt goals, authorize action, determine policy, receive reports, evaluate the church's ministries, and review the mission and ministry of the church (Par. 247). The Board meets bi-monthly on the second Tuesday.

The Audit Committee annually inspects the books and verifies the accuracy of the accounting of church funds by the Church Treasurer and Financial Secretary and verifies proper financial procedure is followed. An Audit Report is filed annually with the District Office.

The Bart Smith Scholarship Board consists of three members divided into three annual classes with one member each year appointed anonymously by the Chairperson of the Administrative Board. Each April the Board receives applications for scholarship assistance from members of the church who will attend institutions of higher learning and selects recipients and disperses funds according to the guidelines on file with the Administrative Board. The Board is convened by the chairperson of the Administrative Board.

The Board of Trustees consists of nine persons (divided into three annual classes) and is entrusted with all the real and personal property of the local church, including maintenance. Membership must be at least one-third laymen and at least one-third laywomen and all members must be of legal age (Par. 2524-2526). The Board meets on the second Monday of each month.

Church Historians regularly compile records and pictures of church events and incorporate these into the ongoing history of the church. The also maintain the church History and Prayer Room. They are available to share with individuals the history of First United Methodist Church and its contribution to the life and history of Greenwood.

The Committee on Lay Leadership is to identify, develop, deploy evaluate, and monitor Christian spiritual leadership for the local congregation. (Par. 258). This committee serves the Charge Conference by nominating persons for office. The Committee is comprised of 9 elected members (divided into three annual classes) plus the pastor and the lay leader. The pastor is Chair.

The Endowment Fund Committee is charged with promoting, receiving, and investing funds given to the Endowment Fund. Interest from this fund shall be dispersed by this Committee for maintenance of the church facility and other purposes as provided by the charter adopted in 2005 by the Administrative Board or as amended.

The Finance Committee is responsible for compiling the annual budget and developing a plan to raise funds for its support. It is also responsible for counting the weekly offering according to provisions of The Book of Discipline, for an annual audit of church finances, for selecting the repository of church funds, and for preparing an annual report to the Administrative Board of all designated funds separate from the annual budget. The committee is comprised of the indicated ex-officio members and nine at large members divided into three annual classes.

The Foundation Board consists of nine members elected in three-member annual classes. The Board confidentially considers requests for financial aid, both from the church and the community, and administers funds from the First United Methodist Foundation according to the directives on file with the Administrative Board.

The Landscape Committee designs and maintains the landscape of the church and parsonage grounds subject to approval by the Trustees.

The Lay Leader is the primary representative of the laity of the local church. Duties include informing the Board and Council of opportunities for ministry within the community, informing the laity of opportunities for training and service in the mission of the church, and counseling with the pastor concerning the state of the church and needs for ministry.

The Lay Member of Annual Conference shall represent the local charge to the Annual Conference and serve as an interpreter to the local church of the actions of the Annual Conference. The Lay Member shall report the Administrative Board not more than three months after Annual Conference.

The Memorials Committee shall administer memorial funds received by the church. This shall include the selection of appropriate memorial purchases for use by and within the church. The committee may respond to inquiries by families and others wishing to choose appropriate memorial projects needed by the church if asked. Membership consists of three members serving in three annual classes.

The Parsonage Committee looks after maintenance, renovation, and improvements to the interior of the parsonage subject to approval by the Trustees.

The Pastor-Parish Relations Committee shall confer and counsel with the pastor and staff and interpret to the congregation the nature and function of ministry. It shall annually recommend salaries to the Charge Conference for the pastor and staff. It shall provide time and funds for continuing education for the pastor and staff. It shall recommend adequate staff needed to carry on the work of the local church. It shall advise the bishop concerning the appointment of the pastor. It shall enlist, interview, review, evaluate, and recommend to the Charge Conference persons for candidacy for ordained ministry. They meet quarterly or as needed.

The Pastoral Advisory Committee is charged with conferring and counseling with the pastor and staff with regard to matters pertaining uniquely to First United Methodist Church, whereas the Pastor-Parish Relations Committee fulfills a similar responsibility with regard to the entire Charge.

Duties of Program Committees

The Adult Ministries Committee provides programs and activities that include a variety of opportunities for adults to learn and grow in spirit and faith and in service to others as Christian disciples. They organize activities to have fun and build relationships. They provide for the needs of our older adults by providing needed resource materials and by helping with their everyday needs (transportation, help at home, etc.).

The Council on Ministries is responsible for programs related to the church's mission. (Par.258). It shall consider, develop, and coordinate goals and program proposals for the church's mission. All Chairpersons of programmatic committees serve as members of the Council on Ministries. The Council meets on the second Sunday at 5:00 p.m.

The Bereavement Committee, upon notification of a death within the church, communicates with the appropriate family members to discern the needs of the family. The Committee then organizes volunteers to meet those needs, especially meals at the time of a funeral. The committee also assists in notifying the church office, pastor, and appropriate Sunday school class.

The Children's Ministries Committee develops and implements a plan of ministry for children of the church---age newborn through 6th grade. The committee provides guidance for children and helps them find opportunities for service in the community and the world.

The Church Library Committee organizes, maintains, and receives contributions to the church library. The committee also establishes and implements policies for the use of library resources.

The Communication Team's purpose is to communicate the mission, message, and activities of First United Methodist Church and The United Methodist Church through print, sound, visual, and electronic media. The chairperson coordinates publicity with those responsible for activities in the church and disseminates the plans to team members and sub-committee chairpersons.

The Education Committee shall insure that persons of all ages are provided with opportunities to study the Bible and Christian faith and life. They shall insure that persons of all ages are provided with opportunities to consider their vocation as Christians and particular opportunities to express the vocation of ministry in their chosen careers and occupations. This committee provides organization, volunteer staffing, and oversight to the educational activities of the church.

The Emergency Management Coordinator develops and maintains a plan of response by the church to emergencies or disasters which affect the church or community. The committee will keep the church informed of emergency plans and in the event of need, will coordinate the church response.

The Evangelism Committee works to make evangelism an ongoing priority of the church and to develop plans to share the love of Christ by 1) making the church known and visible in the community, 2) training church members to be open and inviting to those they meet in the community, and 3) responding to new residents and visitors in person with love and the good news of Jesus Christ. The committee meets the first Sunday of each month at 12:15 p.m.

The Family Ministries Committee shall develop and implement a plan of ministry for the local church centered on family activities in the church and home, provide guidance for families for Christian living in the home, and help families find opportunities for service in the community and the world.

The Health and Wellness Committee seeks to emphasize the importance of spiritual, mental, and physical health and to help improve the overall health of the congregation by providing resources in the form of printed material, internet sources, referrals, displays, and activities.

The Kitchen Committee maintains adequate supplies in the kitchen for church functions, prepares menus and meals for Wednesday night suppers and various other church-wide functions, coordinates volunteers for kitchen related events, establishes kitchen use policies and oversees the use of the kitchen by other church groups. Other church committees planning use of the kitchen should work with the kitchen committee to determine availability of the facility prior to scheduling events. The kitchen committee should not be expected to cook for events of other committees.

The Missions Committee provides oversight and organization to implement church programs which provide benevolent assistance to individuals and groups locally and, through the many ministries of the church, worldwide. Mission projects include local missions (support of transients and local needs) and Christmas Every Day Fund (support of church members during emergency situations) and the FUMC Food Pantry. The committee meets the second Sunday of each month at 12:15 p.m.

The Nurture Committee assists new members in assimilating into the life of the church. They prepare and distribute letters of welcome and pictorial directories, as well as inviting and accompanying new members to various church functions. Also, the Nurture Committee endeavors to reach out to members who may have become inactive and reincorporate them into church life.

The Prayer Team prays individually for needs that are brought to their attention. Early each week the team is provided with a list of known needs. New needs and needs of an urgent nature should be forwarded to the chairperson or a team member. These prayer requests will be sent to each team member. Needs of an urgent nature are distributed by phone as soon as possible.

The Shoebox Ministry collects items of personal hygiene and items of interest to children. These are placed in shoeboxes and given to the local food pantry for distribution as needed to clients of the food pantry.

The Shut-in Ministry maintains regular contact with the shut-ins of the congregation, maintaining their relationship with the church and providing them with fellowship and companionship.

The Sunday School Social Time Committee provides and serves refreshments each Sunday between Sunday School and worship services. Different groups in the church participate in serving on an assigned basis.

The United Methodist Men provides fellowship, information, and inspiration to the men of the church and community. The United Methodist Men meet every third Thursday at 6:30 A.M. for fellowship, breakfast, and a program.

The United Methodist Women is a community of women whose purpose is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative, supportive fellowship; and to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global ministries of the church. The United Methodist Women have a general meeting every first Monday. The membership is divided into circles that meet monthly.

The United Methodist Youth is an organization providing discipleship training, Bible study, fellowship, recreation, and encouraging the participation of youth in the general life of the church. It is open to the youth of the church and community. Youth is a term referring to individuals approximately twelve to eighteen years of age in the seventh through twelfth grades. The UMYF meets every Sunday evening at 5:00 for supper, activities and fellowship and every Wednesday evening at 6:00 for Bible study on the third floor of the Education Building.

The Worship Committee aids the congregation in becoming increasingly aware of the meaning, purpose, and practice of worship, and works closely with the pastor, director of music, organist, and others to prepare for worship. The work of this committee includes arrangements, decorations, special preparations, and training of those assisting in worship.