Committees

Worship

Responsibilities: The committee accomplishes its objective by recruiting and organizing members to lead in worship through:  Communion preparation; Ushers; Recruit, train, and schedule Acolytes;  Provide robes, and lighters; Baptism; Recognizing births and provide a honorary rose; Sanctuary appointments (altar coverings, candles, flowers); Spiritual Renewal; Adult and youth choir programs; The committee also manages the current year budgeted Worship operating expenses and estimate expenses for next year’s budget.

Personnel

Responsibilities: To become knowledgeable of the current Personnel Policies of the First Presbyterian Church and provide a copy to each employee; To be aware of salary scales for similar positions in the Columbia area and to make recommendations to the Session for appropriate changes in the annual budget process (salary changes must be voted on by the Session);  Make recommendations for compensation of ordained staff members to the Session to be acted on by the congregation; Conduct an annual performance review jointly with the Senior Pastor as head of staff;  Lead the committee, when required, to hire a new employee with proper advertising of the position, interview of interested candidates, making necessary background checks, and selecting the successful candidate; To oversee and maintain a productive and collegial staff environment to support the work of the employees of the church; To review and recommend to the Session all policies related to the employment, dismissal, evaluation, discipline, salary and benefits of the support and program staff of First Presbyterian Church; To administer, and implement the personnel policies of the church;  To consult with and advise the Senior Pastor of First Presbyterian Church in the performance of the role of Head of Staff.

Mission

Responsibilities: Attend monthly meetings; Plan programs and speakers to educate the congregation about mission opportunities and needs in the local community, other locations in the US and abroad; Sponsor and promote our congregation’s participation in PCUSA Special Offerings for:  Presbyterian Disaster Assistance; Presbyterian Hunger Program; Organize and support mission activities that involve the congregation, in groups, or as a whole; Be informed about the local mission activities of the Deacons and support their efforts by encouraging church members to participate as volunteers with area non-profit groups to raise funds, distribute food, provide transportation, etc. Develop an annual budget with the help of the Finance Committee, to support mission projects and activities Work with church staff members to incorporate mission activities in the church calendar and make them aware of needs such as publicity, meeting spaces, and transportation.

Discipleship

Responsibilities: To plan for Christian Educational needs and promote educational programming; To recommend the annual budget for the Committee; To oversee Sunday school programs, including research and recommendation of curriculum, recruit, and support Sunday school teachers; To oversee Children’s Church program, including, research and recommendation for curriculum and adult leaders; To oversee Vacation Bible School, including, recruit and support director, teachers, and helpers, select VBS curriculum, recommend dates for VBS to the session and purchase necessary materials for VBS (within the parameters of approved budget); To coordinate and support annual activities including, Genesis Sunday, Seasonal Workshops, Camp and retreat opportunities and Wednesday night programming; To work with the pastor to organize Confirmation class as needed, including recommending curriculum and identifying all eligible youth; To assist the pastor in training new elders and deacons and assist with the Officers manual, as needed; To assist the pastor in planning for Adult Bible studies, as needed; To assist the pastor and membership committee with new member classes, as needed; To oversee the Church library and recruit volunteers for upkeep, as needed; To communicate with the congregation and the session components of the Christian Education program; To oversee, implement and make modifications as needed to the Child Protection Policy, including training of all volunteers that work with children and youth; The Committee Chair (appointed by the session) will contact all volunteers (taken from the annual stewardship card) and invite them to serve on the committee.

Property

Responsibilities: Create and maintain a comprehensive list of church property;  Establish annual goals and maintenance requirements;  Prepare annual budget and maintenance schedules and monitor monthly;  Maintain and preserve the integrity of all buildings, including appearance, roofs, ingress and egress, security, repairs, and improvements; Maintain and preserve all grounds including landscape, parking lots, sidewalks, lighting, security, garages, vacant lots (Randall Hotel), and property leased to others (Boys and Girls Club), and playground equipment; Ensure compliance with all local and national  ordinances and codes; Ensure all utilities are provided and useable in a safe manner, including water, electrical, gas, and sewage;  Provide for and ensure the cleanliness of all external and internal facilities;  Provide for Environmental Comfort including heating, air conditioning, air quality, and lighting; Ensure maintenance, cleanliness, and provisioning and renovation of educational rooms;  Ensure emergency equipment is available in accordance with codes and is functional; Perform periodic inspections and repairs as required on Fire Alarms, Fire Sprinklers, and emergency Generator for Lighting, Elevators, emergency ladders, and emergency Egress signs; Ensure proper provisioning, functioning, maintenance, replacement, and cleanliness of kitchen equipment; Ensure availability, maintenance, and licensing, of transportation equipment including the church bus; Ensure availability of emergency medical equipment and devices including first aid equipment, defibrillators, and the training of personnel to use them;  Ensure appropriate property and liability insurance is in place to cover all the above items; Ensure all periodic and emergency repairs are accomplished as required; Select contractors and enter into contracts as required to perform the above items. Seek Session approval as required; Provide leadership, delegation, and support to the church Sexton in accomplishing the above tasks. Provide accountability, accolades, and evaluations on a periodic basis.

Congregational

Life

Responsibilities:

  1.  Actively welcome visitors and new members, encouraging them to become involved in the life and ministry of the church.  Establish and bring to their attention dates for the reception of new members. 

  2. Assemble information describing the committees and other service opportunities in the church and make this available (preferably online) to the congregation.  The committee should encourage church members to serve and help link them with opportunities where their abilities are needed.    

  3. Oversee fellowship kitchen, storage room and supplies. 

  4. Provide food for fellowship time on Sunday mornings. 

  5. Plan Wednesday night suppers including menus, catering, reservations and finances. 

  6. Coordinate the food ministry for bereaved families.  

  7. Coordinate Special Events including:

    1. Easter Egg Hunt

    2. Genesis Sunday

    3. Fall Festival

  8. Prepare and serve hot chocolate for the community at the annual Main Street Christmas Parade. 

  9.  Plan and carry out the first fellowship dinner or the new member picnic each year. A new member event may be done in cooperation with the Membership Committee. 

  10. Coordinate and carry out receptions as needed for staff retirements, new staff welcomes and other special occasions. 

  11. Staff the registration table for NaCoMe Sunday – provide nametags, check reservations, collect money. 

  12. In collaboration with the Pastor, Discipleship, and Worship and Music Committees plan and make arrangements for Spiritual Renewal Weekend. 

  13. Coordinate with deacons to provide meals for families with new babies and, when needed, those who are ill, using Meal Train or other modalities.