The following represents a summary taken from our Church Bylaws
and is intended to acquaint the viewer with our formal
organization. For more detailed information, a copy of the Church
Bylaws will be made available to members by contacting the Church
Office. Officers, Board and Committee members are part of the
election process held during our annual meeting in May.
The Church Officers are
- President of the Congregation, Bill Goss
- Vice President, Billye Auclair
- Clerk, Bill Ketchabaw
- Treasurer, Jim Trimble
- Senior Minister, Jonathan Morgan
All corporate officers with the exception of the Senior Minister
are elected.
The Executive Council shall be the primary
policy-making, strategic planning and operational oversight body of
the Church. Represented on the Council are the President,
Vice President, Treasurer, Clerk, Senior Minister and the
chairpersons of the Boards of Mission and Outreach, christian
Education, Trustees, Elders, Stewardship, Music, Personnel,
Nominating, Deacons, Communications and Public Relations, and the
Panel of Delegates. The Council meets monthly or as
needed.
The Board of Mission and Outreach shall
identify, interpret, and implement the outreach mission of the
Church. This role includes the identification of social and
moral issues or practices with which Christians should be
concerned. Further, the board shall recommend to the Church body
various programs of mission and benevolent giving. It shall consist
of fifteen adult members and one youth member.
- Chairperson: Roger Auclair
The Board of Christian Education shall provide
and maintain an effective program of Christian education. This
responsibility includes oversight of the Christian Education staff,
establishment of policy, development of curriculum, definition of
space and equipment needs, and enlistment of workers in the
Christian Education function. The board shall consist of eighteen
adult members and two youth members.
- Chairperson: Susan Mueller
The Board of Elders, with the ordained
ministers, shall lead the spiritual life of the Church.
Included in that responsibility is the provision of public worship,
the administration of the sacraments, fellowship for the
congregation, and approval of applications for membership. The
board shall consist of twelve adult members (six women and six men)
and one youth member.
- Chairperson: Chris Morkan
The Board of Finance shall be responsible for
supervision of the management and expenditure of funds necessary
for operation of the Church and for maintenance of appropriate
records of all financial transactions. Further, the board is
responsible for establishing the investment policy for endowments
and other major monetary assets, for interpreting and safeguarding
endowment fund restrictions, the preparation of an annual budget,
and the coordination of Church Office administration and automated
systems. The board shall consist of nine members plus the
Treasurer who shall be Chair of the committee.
The Board of Music Ministries shall be
responsible for the development and maintenance of music programs
as an elemental part of the spiritual life of the Church. In
addition to establishing policy, curriculum and programs, and
overall supervision of the music ministry staff, the board has
oversight responsibility for the music ministry programs including
the Choirs, music education and camps, and in conjunction with
Elders, all worship service music. The board shall consist of
nine adult members and one youth member.
- Co-Chairs: Diana Rutherford and Jane Hadley
The Board of Trustees shall be responsible for
managing and maintaining all the real and personal property of the
Church. Upon the authorization of a two-thirds vote of the
members of the Church present at a duly-called meeting, it shall
have the power to hold, sell, borrow, pledge, mortgage, and in
connection therewith, to convey, assign, transfer, buy or lease any
real property. Additionally the board is responsible for
rental of Church facilities, overall supervision of the custodial
staff, and shall have authority for leasing personal property. The
board is composed of nine adult members and one youth
member.
The Board of Stewardship shall be responsible
for raising the resources to meet the Church's budget and providing
education and communication with the congregation on ways of
faithfully giving one's time, talent and treasure for Christ's
work. The board shall organize and conduct the annual stewardship
campaign, and develop, implement, and maintain an educational
ministry focused on faithful stewardship. The board shall
consist of eleven members of the Church, with nine elected members,
one member designated by the Board of Finance, and one member
designated by the Board of Elders.
- Chairperson: Tyler Westoctt
The Personnel Committee shall be responsible
for maintaining all employment records and shall develop personnel
policies for all Church staff, including procedures for hiring,
evaluation and termination of non ordained Church staff. The
committee will determine salary ranges and recommend to the Board
of Finance salary adjustments for the annual budget, and will be
available as appropriate to discuss performance of the professional
and other staff. The committee is composed of six members
plus the Vice President.
- Chairperson: Manny Psarakis
The Nominating Committee, appointed by the
Executive Committee, shall propose for election nominees for all
offices and board positions for consideration at the annual Church
meeting. In addition, it will submit nominations to the
Executive Committee for vacancies which may occur.
- Chairpersons: Dane Woodberry
The Pastoral Relations Committees, shall
serve as standing committees to support and maintain an open and
healthy relationship between each Pastor and members of the
Congregation. To assist in developing solutions to areas
of potential conflict between the ministry of the ordained
ministers and that of the Congregation; counsel the ordained
ministers as requested in their personal and financial concrs,
support the ministry of the ordained ministers in the community and
the denomination, and provide feedback to the ministerial staff
obtained from the Congregation regarding programs or strategies
proposed by the ministerial staff.
The Panel of Delegates shall represent the
Church at all ecclesiastical bodies and functions to which the
Church is entitled and invited to send representatives. The panel
is composed of eight delegates with staggered terms.
The Committee of Deacons, consisting of five
members, is responsible to disburse Deacon's Funds in accordance
within the terms of the endowing bequests.
- Chairperson: Peter Kalika
Members at Large serve on the Church Council
representing the congregation. Three members of the Church
are elected to this position.
The Historian shall be responsible for
developing programs to increase the Church's awareness of its
history and memorabilia, and for leading efforts to preserve
records and other artifacts of the Church. The Historian is
elected.
Several other organizations involved in the life of First Church
exist and include:
- Advisory Committee on Church Development
- Memorial Garden Committee
- Financial Review Committee
- Communications and Public Relations
Committee
Each of these organizations is overviewed in the bylaws.