|
Ministries of UUMC
Click here for an updated list of Church Leaders
Administrative Board is the governing body of the church, meeting in odd-numbered months on the third Monday at 7:30 p.m., or as needed. The annual Church Conference in the fall elects leaders for the church and sets the pastors’ salaries and benefits. The Administrative Board meets between those church conferences and receives reports from the Staff-Parish Relations Committee, Finance Committee, Council on Ministries, Trustees, and Lay Leadership (Nominating) Committee. It adopts the budget and elects church leaders between church conferences. Chair – Kris Mellon
Adult Education [web page] coordinates education classes for adults on Sunday mornings and at other times in the week. The council plans a variety of classes, including Bible study, social issues, and ministry. Its mission statement is “The Adult Council initiates, encourages, and administers opportunities for adult education for UUMC members and friends.” The council meets on the second Monday of the month at 7 p.m. Chair – Margery Schleicher
Annual Conference Lay Members attend the West Michigan Annual Conference at Calvin College, Grand Rapids, for four days the first weekend of June, and make a report to the congregation from that conference. They vote on issues related to the life of the church, representing UUMC. They may also be voting members of any special sessions of the conference held between the annual meetings. There are currently two lay annual conference members from UUMC, the same as the number of appointed pastors. One of them serves on each of the following committees: Administrative Board, Finance Committee, Staff-Parish Relations Committee, Council on Ministries, Lay Leadership. Lay conference members are Sarah Musson and Jack Jones
Archives Committee works to remember the past and inspire the future. Its projects include preserving and maintaining the archival materials of UUMC, promoting interest in the history and heritage of the denomination and UUMC, helping those who need information, and maintaining an exhibit case that displays materials from the church archives. It plays a major role in historical celebrations, such as the 50th anniversary of the church in 2007. It meets at various times, as needed. Church historian – Emma Reardon
Children's Ministries has a mission of providing families with opportunities to learn, grow, and develop a commitment to Christian growth and continuing education. It plans Sunday morning classes for children and their families and coordinates events such as Vacation Bible School in the summer. The Christian Education Committee meets on the third Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. Chairs - Leslie Bartlett and Jen Scholes
Church and Society Committee [web page] advocates for peace and justice in our community and world. It works to achieve long-term social change in the root causes of our world’s problems. The committee educates the congregation about current social issues, provides opportunities for social witness for justice and peace, and encourages the congregation to actively participate in social action. Projects include providing copies of The United Methodist Social Principles in the pews, investigating a Green Roof project, advocating on gender orientation issues, promoting peace and justice; providing fair trade coffee for the church, and promoting environmental issues. The committee meets on the third Tuesday of at 7:00 p.m. Chair – Susan Stahl
Communications Committee coordinates the quarterly Tower Bells newsletter, the weekly Tower Alert news summary, the church website, church bulletin boards, periodic pictorial church directories, interior and exterior church signage, and other means of keeping church members and friends informed and active. The committee meets on varied dates. Chair – to be named
Concessions Committee coordinates volunteers from UUMC serving at the MSU football games, and administers the funds earned from that work. Currently, the funds are used for church camp scholarships and our softball team. Chair – Pete Marvin
Council on Ministries - The purpose of the Council on Ministries is to coordinate the ministry areas of the church. Programming areas work together as a council to consult with each other, give and receive advice, and communicate about the programs and ministries of UUMC. The Council on Ministries is a supportive body to the decisions of work areas, and makes decisions by consensus when programs cross more than one work area, or when no specific area is responsible for a ministry activity. It meets on the fourth Tuesday at 7 p.m. Chair – Jackie Hinchcliff
Elderberries [web page] is a group of persons fifty five and older who serve God by providing a ministry by, with, and for older adults, and extend a welcome and provide enrichment and socialization to others. They are a fellowship and support group that holds a monthly potluck meal and program on the third Tuesday at 11:45 a.m. A monthly newsletter is published. Chairs – Joan McComb and Audrey Durkin
Endowment Committee administers endowment funds, bequests and memorial gifts to the church. In July and December, it makes grants to church ministries from the endowment income. It also promotes gifts to the Endowment Fund, both designated and undesignated and acknowledges all gifts. It meets as needed. Chair – Ben Eichler
Family Camps are held three times each summer at Lakeview and Lake Michigan (Pentwater). Coordinators are Jim and Karen Firos (Lakeview) and Kelly Wheaton and Bruce Wheaton (Lake Michigan). A winter retreat is held in January at Lake Louise, coordinated by Kelly Wheaton.
Fellowship Committee meets as needed to plan social activities so our church members and friends can know each other better. Some activities include the Sunday coffee hour, Lunch Bunch at 12:30 p.m. on the fourth Sunday, Dinner for Eight, potluck dinners, and retreats. Chair - to be named
Finance Committee [web page] receives reports from the church treasurer and the finance administrator. It monitors income and expenses, approves special offerings, and recommends a budget to the Administrative Board. It holds an annual finance campaign. It meets on the second Tuesday at 7 p.m. Chair – David Zimmerman
Helping Hands provides a volunteer each month who determines the needs of UUMC members and friends, such as meals and transportation to appointments. Working with the pastors and other church leaders, they recruit members to meet those needs. Chair – Liz Doyle
Higher Education and Campus Ministry Committee [web page] is a supportive liaison between University United Methodist Church and the MSU Wesley Foundation and encourages young and older United Methodists in the pursuit of a college education. It provides scholarships each spring to UUMC members, provides “goody bags” during finals week for students, holds Connection lunches after worship from time to time to link UUMC members and students, helps support the peer ministers of the Wesley Foundation, supports the van ministry and holds an annual Have a Heart brunch. It meets on the second Monday at 7 p.m. Chair – Christi Harris
Intergenerational Ministries Committee meets the needs of older adults and plans activities that bring the generations together, including Mentoring, a Lunch Buddy program at Red Cedar School, and the Jacob and Samuel annual awards to youth and older adults. Chairs - Gordon Schleicher and David Dekker
Lay Leadership (Nominating) Committee nominates volunteer leaders for the church, with new leaders beginning on October 1 of each year. The committee seeks a 3-year rotation of leaders and committee members. It consults with all church leaders, including committee members, concerning their continuing leadership, and works to include new persons in leadership roles. It meets as needed. Chair – John Ross Thompson
Lay Leaders promote lay involvement in all aspects of church ministry, with representation on various committees. They make announcements during Sunday worship, and advocate for more involvement by lay persons. Lay leaders are Danita Brandt and Don Jost
Library Committee meets periodically to coordinate the UUMC church library, purchasing and cataloguing books and promoting their use. They may also provide computer access in the library and other services as needed. Chair – Jack Jones
Memorial Garden Committee maintains and upgrades the outdoor Memorial Garden, arranges for interment of ashes, and records the names of all interred persons in a Memorial Book and on a memory tree at the garden entrance to the church. They also coordinate Tennant Memorial Chapel furnishings. Chairs – Nancy and John Boyse
Music Ministry [web page] includes a Chancel Choir, Children’s Choir, and Adult Bell Choir. From time to time, youth choirs and other special music are part of our worship services. Music Director and Chancel Choir Director – Kristin Zaryski. Organist – Connie Gamage. Bell Choir Director – Jen Scholes. Children’s Choir Director – Kristin Zaryski.
Outreach Committee helps those that have needs beyond their resources. Its programs and projects include Thanksgiving and Christmas baskets for the needy, a mitten tree at Christmas, coordinating bell ringing volunteers for the Salvation Army, promoting Rebuilding Together (formerly called Christmas in April) to remodel homes of needy persons, supporting The Open Door Ministry for inner city needs at Central United Methodist Church, and supporting United Methodist mission needs and missionaries. It meets as needed. Chair – Dur Efaw
Puppet Ministry [web page] is a group of children and youth who have come together to share the love of Christ through our Puppet Ministry. Puppet Ministry is a fun and exciting way to capture the imaginations of children and youth. Our group meets each Wednesday from 6:30 to 7:30 pm in the Lower Level of UUMC. See Karyn Thrush or Chris Darling (chris.uumc@yahoo.com) for more information!
Staff-Parish Relations Committee coordinates the relationship between paid staff members and the congregation. It provides committee liaisons for staff members, meet with staff members at least annually for communication and review, and update the personnel policies of the church. The mission is to provide the best possible communication between paid staff and the congregation. Candidates for ministry meet with the committee for approval before action by the church conference and district committee. The committee annually recommends to the church conference the salaries and benefits for appointed pastors. The committee annually evaluates the pastors, provides the district superintendent with a profile of the congregation, and meets with the district superintendent to make recommendations regarding the continuing appointment of the pastors, or the appointment of new pastors. When a lay staff opening occurs, the committee appoints a search committee and hires new staff persons. It can also terminate staff persons. The committee meets on the second Thursday at 7 p.m. Chair – Lonnie Lowery
Stephen Ministry [web page] is a team of dedicated Christians who have agreed to be trained and commissioned to share their time, support, and assistance for others who are experiencing a personal crisis. In most cases, they meet one-on-one weekly with the person to whom they have been assigned to listen, share the concern of the church family, and care. Their work is confidential. They meet on the second and fourth Mondays at 7 p.m. to share their experiences and learn from each other. Educational classes and groups, open to all persons, are provided from time to time. A 50-hour training class is given every 2 years to train Stephen ministers. Stephen Leaders – Barb and Mark Doyal, Kathryn Kilpatrick
Trustees care for the physical property of the church, including the church building, two houses on Sever Drive, and the parking lot. They care for maintenance and suggest needed improvements to the property. They coordinate contracts with groups using our building on a continuing basis, and approve building use policies. They meet on the third Thursday at 7 p.m. Chair – Don Good
United Methodist Men hold a monthly dinner and program to bring men together for fellowship and mission outreach. They meet on the fourth Thursday at 6 p.m. Funds are provided from time to time for various ministries. President – Mike Kelsey
United Methodist Women [web page] encourage participation in mission outreach through The United Methodist Church. This includes the conference School for Christian Mission, quarterly meetings for women, support for United Methodist Community House in Grand Rapids, and an annual United Methodist Women Sunday morning worship service. Pop tops and labels are collected for mission. President – Debby Steele
University United Methodist Center Board – This is a joint operating board between the MSU Wesley Foundation and UUMC, including representatives from both organizations. It deals with all issues of mutual concern, including budget, building, and personnel that relate to both organizations. It on the third Monday of the even-numbered months at 7 p.m. Chair – Kip Grimes
Welcoming Committee focuses on making sure all persons feel invited and welcomed at UUMC. It will develop materials promoting the ministries of our church, have a welcoming presence in our parking area and Gathering Space, and encourage all UUMC members to welcome others. Meeting time – varies Chair – Shirley Lowery.
Women's Fellowship provides an opportunity for women of the church to meet for fellowing in members' homes or for luncheon at a restaurant. They meet mid-week on dates that are announced each month. Chair - Libby Cloud
Worship Committee assists the pastors with all aspects of the Sunday worship services at UUMC, including ushers, acolytes, crossbearers, Holy Communion, baptism, paraments and other chancel decorations, Hanging of the Greens, and special worship services. It meets on the third Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. Chair – Karen Marvin
Young Adult Ministries (also known at TNT, Twenties and Thirties) holds events to bring together young adults for social events, education and service. Contact persons - Lindsay Maki and Rick Erickson
Youth Ministries [web page] are coordinated by Youth Director Chris Darling. Name of Group: Out of Love Youth Ministries. Middle High and Senior High youth group meet Sundays at noon. A work mission team travels each summer to an area of need. Wednesday night youth activities are at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday. Other events are scheduled throughout the year. The Youth Ministry Advisory Committee is chaired by Lisa Berg. Contact Person and Email: Chris Darling chris.uumc@yahoo.com Updated through November 16, 2009
|
