Deacons Ministry

• The Deacons, having been called to serve with the Pastor(s) in the common ministry of the Christian faith, shall have charge of the spiritual life and welfare of the church. They shall consult with the Pastor(s) on all matters relating to the pastoral office.

• The Deacons shall prepare and help administer the sacraments and receive new members.

• The Deacons shall conduct a review of the Senior Pastor and Associate Pastor at least every two years.

• The Deacons shall review the church membership list at least every two years to ensure its accuracy. Changes will be communicated to the Clerk to update the church’s records.

• The Deacons shall be composed of at least six members of the congregation. A balance of men and women is desirable.

 

Facilities Ministry

• Facilities shall be charged with being good Christian stewards of all church property (including grounds and all buildings), its maintenance, improvement/restoration, and budgets.

• Facilities shall be responsible for the job description of the Custodian, defining duties, hours and pay. They will recommend to the Cabinet the hiring and firing of the custodian.

•  Facilities will be responsible for managing routine building rentals and building rental agreements. See section E, paragraph 2 regarding contracts.

• Facilities shall be responsible for periodic reviews and updates of any rental agreement.

• In addition Facilities will oversee the unique requirements and condition of any specific spaces such as classrooms, playground, bathrooms, etc. used by renters.

• Facilities shall be composed of at least four members (It is desirable to have a Trustee as one of these members).

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Beautification Ministry

• Beautification is charged with the stewardship and caring of the gardens, shrubs and trees on the grounds of the church.

• Beautification is responsible for altar flowers and seasonal decorations.

• They should coordinate with the Facilities Ministry on major landscape planning and be consulted on major decorating changes to the interiors.

• Beautification shall be composed of at least four members.

 

Trustees Ministry

• The Trustees are charged with being good Christian stewards of all aspects of church finances, investments, insurance, and capital fundraising.

• The Trustees will have the authority to enter into contracts on behalf of the church after contracts are approved by the Church Cabinet.

• The Trustees will work with ministries with related staff positions to determine appropriate compensation (pay and/or benefits) to be approved by Cabinet.

• The Trustees shall prudently manage the assets gifted to the Church for the purpose of providing a current income stream and modest long-term capital appreciation. The

• Trustees will assume a fiduciary responsibility in their role as investment managers.

1. The Trustees shall manage the investment of the long-term financial assets of the church (Endowments Fund) including the Church-Designated General Endowment, the Donor-Designated General Endowment, the Music Endowment, and the Organ Fund, the latter two in consultation with the Music Ministry. Although these funds may be consolidated for investment purposes, internal records will be kept to document donor restrictions and wishes. The Trustees shall manage The Wing Endowment as a separate and distinct account.

2. The Trustees shall have no power to buy, sell, mortgage, or transfer real property without specific authority by a majority of the church members. The Trustees will make investment decisions, but it will be the responsibility of the Treasurer to execute trades in the accounts.

3. The Trustees shall guide potential donors who are considering planned giving contributions to the church. Donors should be encouraged to consider a “sunset” date for any provisions on their contributions.

4. Trustees shall manage a Church-Designated Endowment Fund. With the exception of the annual earnings that are transferred to the General Account, no portion of the Church-Designated Endowment Fund can be used without the a three-quarters majority vote of those members present at a duly warned special meeting in accordance with Article VII:B:1.

• The Trustees shall have the responsibility of keeping a record of all Memorial Gifts, assuring their use for fitting purposes and carrying out the wishes of the donor when so specified in writing. The Bookkeeper will assist in maintaining this record.

1. The funds shall be organized by unrestricted and restricted purpose according to the intent of the donors.

2. The Trustees shall submit a report of all memorial gifts for each annual meeting.

• Each year the Trustees shall prepare a church budget to be presented at the annual meeting.

• The Trustees, in consultation with the Senior pastor, will be responsible for the job descriptions of the Bookkeeper and Administrative Assistant defining duties, hours and pay. They will recommend to the Cabinet the hiring and firing of these employees.

• The Trustees shall be composed of the Treasurer and at least three members.

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Christian Education Ministry

• The Christian Education Ministry shall challenge itself to inspire the congregation to learn about God’s Word and God’s Love, with emphasis on educating people of all ages in the Christian faith.

• The ministry shall have general responsibility for the educational program of the church, securing leadership and staff, selection of curriculum and providing equipment. The Pastor(s) shall provide support to the ministry.

• The Christian Education Ministry, in consultation with the pastor(s), will recommend to the Cabinet the hiring or termination of the Director of Families, Children & Youth and be responsible for the job description defining duties, hours and pay.

• The ministry shall provide support and direction and shall share supervisory responsibility for the Director with the Pastor(s).

• Director of Families, Children & Youth shall be an ex-officio member of the ministry and shall not count toward the number of ministry members outlined below.

• The Christian Education Ministry shall be composed of at least five members.

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Missions Ministry

• The vitality of any congregation is related to how it reaches beyond itself to the needs of others. The Missions Ministry shall inspire this congregation to examine and act upon this outreach. The role of this ministry shall be to serve the community, while modeling the Christian values of peace, justice, community and reverence for creation.

• While often locally focused, the scope of the Missions Ministry may include local, state, national and global concerns.

• The Missions Ministry shall consist of at least three members.

 

Social Justice Ministry

• The Social Justice Ministry strives to deepen and promote the Christian values of peace, justice, community, and reverence for creation by identifying social and environmental issues, stimulating study, dialogue and prayer, and inviting action.

• The Social Justice Ministry shall consist of at least four members.

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Welcome and Outreach Ministry

• Welcome and Outreach Ministry will be responsible for welcoming visitors and prospective members and providing opportunities for all to truly connect. It’s important to consider the changing needs of our local and church communities. The activities of this ministry may include such things as:

1. Planning church-wide, fun-filled, inter-generational events;

2. Coordinating Coffee/Fellowship hour following Sunday worship (setting up the schedule) and checking the kitchen to make sure supplies are on hand.

3. Overseeing the publication of materials (brochures, welcome cards, etc.) that introduce people to the church, the church to visitors, and prospective members and members to each other.

• The Welcome and Outreach Ministry shall consist of at least five members.

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Conference and Association Delegates

• Delegates shall be elected each year to represent this congregation at the Annual Meeting of the Vermont Conference of the United Church of Christ as well as meetings of the Champlain Association.

• Delegates shall familiarize themselves with the issues presented at the Conference’s Annual Meeting and the Champlain Association meetings and report back to the congregation on the significant happenings, actions and pronouncements of the Annual Meeting.

• The number of delegates is determined by the guidelines of the UCC.

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Pastoral Relations Ministries

• A Pastoral Relations Ministry may be chosen by the Senior and/or Associate Pastor(s) and the President, with the approval of the Cabinet.

• The Senior Pastor and the Associate Pastor can each have their own Pastoral Relations Ministry.

• Three members are suggested for each Pastoral Relations Ministry.

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Music Ministry

• The music ministry of the church is integral to the harmony of the service of worship by complementing the spoken word. Music “leads us sunward in the triumph song of life.”

• The Music Director shall be an ex-officio member of the ministry and shall not count toward the number of ministry members outlined below.

• The Music Ministry Committee is charged with the following responsibilities:

1. Work with the Music Director and Pastor(s) in developing and implementing the music ministry of the church.

2. Coordinate all music programs, secure substitutes for the organist and/or choir director when necessary and to supervise the purchases of music supplies.

3. Ensure church property relative to the ministry of music (instruments, sheet music and robes) is properly cared for.

• In the event that the present church organ needs extensive repairs (beyond the scope of the yearly budget for its maintenance), refurbishing, enhancement or replacement, the Music Ministry shall study the need and make specific recommendation(s) to the Cabinet.

• The Music Ministry, in consultation with the Pastor(s), will recommend to the Cabinet the hiring or termination of the Music Director. The job description for the Music Director will define duties, hours and pay.

• The Music Ministry shall consist of at least four members, with two members being from the church choir.

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