ARTICLE V Standing Committees 

Standing Committees. Committees of the Church shall be elected at annual meeting; shall be the following: Bylaws, Christian Education, Fellowship, Finance, Just Peace, Mission and Social Action, Music, Nominating, Pastoral Relations, Personnel, Publications, Senior Outreach, and Stewardship.

Section 1. General Guidelines for Standing Committees. It is suggested that standing committees meet to elect a chairperson and a clerk in time to report those elections to Council by March 1. Each standing committee shall send a representative (Church member) to Council. All committee meetings shall be conducted according to guidelines of the Church bylaws, the United Church of Christ Manual on Ministry and Leaders’ Guide, and Roberts’ Rules of Order. A majority of committee members shall constitute a quorum. All committee meetings except those of the Nominating, Pastoral Relations, and Personnel shall be open to Church members and friends. Committee meetings should be announced and reported in the Church newsletter. Vacancies on committees due to members’ resignation or death shall be filled by Council on recommendations of Nominating Committee. All committees with budgets shall submit an annual budget request to the Finance Committee by December 1. All committees shall submit an annual report to the Church clerk at least two weeks prior to the annual meeting.

Section 2. Bylaws Committee

A Terms of Office. Three members shall be elected for a three year term, and may be elected to not more than two consecutive terms.

B. Responsibilities. The Bylaws Committee shall clarify on request the Church Constitution and Bylaws, shall receive from any member of the church suggestions for changes or amendments to the bylaws, shall annually review the bylaws, shall present proposed changes or amendments in writing at the annual meeting or at a special meeting called for that purpose, shall provide updated copies of bylaws amendments to all members annually.

Section 3. Christian Education Committee

A. Terms of Office. The Christian Education Committee shall include all Christian education teachers, and at least four others.

B. Responsibilities. The Christian Education Committee shall direct and supervise all Christian education of the Church designed for children and youth, including nursery care. Church Sunday School, youth fellowship, Vacation Church School and all special events and social programs for youth where there is a Christian education emphasis.

Section 4. Fellowship Committee

A. Terms of Office. At least six members shall be elected annually.

B. Responsibilities. The Fellowship Committee shall provide hospitality for Church events on personal request or as requested by Church boards and committees

Section 5. Finance Committee.

A. Terms of Office. Eight members shall be the five trustees, the treasurer, the financial secretary and the chairperson of the Stewardship Committee.

B. Responsibilities. The Finance Committee shall receive budget requests from all boards and committees, shall prepare the annual budget of the Church for presentation and action at annual meeting, shall have authority to reconsider the budget for presentation and action between annual meetings, if necessary.

Section 6. Just Peace Committee. 

A. Terms of Office. At least five members shall be elected annually.

B. Responsibilities. The Just Peace Committee shall organize educational programs on peace and justice; shall remind the Church that a peaceful and just world begins with the work of God, as is manifest in each individual.

Section 7. Mission and Social Action Committee

A. Terms of Office. At least five members shall be elected annually.

B. Responsibilities. The Mission and Social Action Committee shall plan, execute, and coordinate the mission and social action activities of the Church in the local community, the state, the nation, and throughout the world, shall make decisions on request to the Church for funds for mission and social action.

Section 8. Music Committee

A. Terms of Office. Three members shall be elected annually, and shall include the music director and a deacon.

B. Responsibilities. The Music Committee shall select a music director and/or an organist, and any other personnel needed to maintain the year-round ministry of music; shall submit names of music personnel candidates to the Personnel Committee for appropriate action, shall procure and maintain a music library, choir vestments, and any musical instruments. .

Section 9. Nominating Committee

A. Terms of Office. Five Church members shall be nominated by Council and elected at annual meeting for a term of two years, two shall be elected in even years, three elected in odd years. May serve two terms, and may be eligible for re-election after one year interval.

B. Responsibilities. It is the goal of the Nominating Committee to encourage all people, within the congregation, to share in the organized work of the church. The Nominating Committee shall provide nominations to all elected positions in the Church: officers (except pastor), trustees, deacons, delegates, members of all committees, the committee shall seek suggestions from all committee chairpersons and shall encourage suggestions from Church members and the pastor; shall furnish nominees the current Church bylaws that include terms, duties and responsibilities of elected positions, shall submit nominations in writing to the clerk by the first Sunday in January, shall present the slate of nominees for election at annual meeting; when necessary, shall recommend successors to serve un-expired terms of committee members, who shall then be appointed by Council. Nominating Committee meetings shall be closed to all but elected members and the Pastor.

Section 10. Pastoral Relations Committee

A. Terms of Office. Three members shall be elected at annual meeting for one term of three years, one member to be elected each year, shall be eligible for re-election after a one-year interval; Members of the Pastoral Relationships Committee shall be members of the Church; one shall be a deacon.

B. Responsibilities. The Pastoral Relations Committee shall meet at least quarterly or as called by the chairperson; shall be ombudsmen responsible for communicating to the Church officers, boards, committees, and members those matters pertaining to the welfare of the pastor and the pastor’s family, shall be responsible for seeking and receiving from the membership their opinions regarding the pastor’s service to the Church. and any matters of concern or controversy; shall respond appropriately to the member who brings a grievance; may make recommendations to the appropriate board or committee as issues arise that require resolution, shall covenant with the pastor and the Church for acceptance of differences, understanding, the spirit of reconciliation, absolute trust and confidentiality; shall at least annually assess the relationship between the pastor and the Church; shall communicate with the Personnel Committee an assessment of the pastor. Committee meetings shall be closed to all but elected members; the pastor may attend meetings on his/her request, or at the request of the committee.

Section 11. Personnel Committee.

A. Terms of Office. Three members, one of whom shall be a trustee, shall be elected for a term of one year, may serve two consecutive terms, shall be eligible for re-election after a one-year interval. Members of the Personnel Committee shall be members of the Church.

B. Responsibilities. The Personnel Committee shall hire all employees, except the pastor, shall write all contracts including that of the pastor, shall annually review contracts and assess the performance of all Church employees except the Pastor, shall receive the Pastoral Relations Committee’s assessment of the pastor; shall suggest appropriate remuneration to the Finance Committee in December.

Section 12. Publications Committee

A. Terms of Office. At least five members shall be elected for a term of three years, and may serve consecutive terms.

B. Responsibilities. The Publications Committee shall receive announcements and reports from all Church officers, boards, and committees, including special notices of Church business and activities, for printing in the Church newsletter. The Committee shall print and distribute the Church newsletter, print the Sunday Church bulletin and submit notices to local newspapers.

Section 13. Senior Outreach.

A. Terms of Office. At least five members shall be elected each year.

B. Responsibilities. The Senior Outreach Committee shall plan and organize activities and events for the education, enjoyment and benefit of senior citizens of the Church and the wider community, including Senior Fellowship meals.

Section 14. Stewardship Committee

A. Terms of Office. At least five members shall be elected for a term of three years and may serve only two consecutive terms.

B. Responsibilities. The Stewardship Committee shall organize the annual pledging by members; shall plan and supervise fund-raising activities to support the Church budget; shall appoint ad-hoc committees as needed to help with these activities; shall develop and maintain a file on members’ talents and interests. The Stewardship Committee chairperson shall serve on the Finance committee.