Boards and Committee Service Descriptions
May 2008
Diaconate:
The Diaconate is responsible for the spiritual life of the Church. The twelve members of the Diaconate work with the ministerial staff in an advisory and approval ole regarding all aspects of the worship services. They also assist the ministers in some specific parts of the worship service such as preparing and serving communion and presiding over baptisms. The Diaconate is the forum where new proposals and policies relating to any spiritual aspect of the Church are discussed prior to being presented to the congregation for approval.
The Diaconate consists of 12 members serving staggered 3-year terms. The body meets monthly, generally on all-Committee night and on an ad hoc basis as required.
Trustees
The Trustees are responsible for managing, on a day-to-day basis, the financial affairs of the Church and the care of the Church building and property. The body consists of three sub-committees: Finance, House and Endowment. Though the Trustees meet as a whole body on a monthly basis, much of the detailed work is done by the sub-committees.
- Finance Sub-Committee: Works closely with the Treasurer, the Collector and the Investment Treasurer to manage the Church’s checkbook. They take the lead on developing the annual Church budget, which is presented to the congregation for approval at the Annual Business Meeting.
- House Sub-Committee: Works closely with the Sexton to insure that the Church property is properly maintained. They make recommendations to the full committee for needed major repairs or replacements and oversee their completion.
- Endowment Sub-Committee: Oversees the management of Church endowment funds.
The Board of Trustees consists of 12 members serving staggered 3-year terms. The body meets monthly, generally on all-Committee night and on an ad hoc basis as required.
Christian Outreach
The Christian Outreach Committee’s mission is to provide outreach services to three important communities: Central Church congregants, Newburyport and our surrounding communities and the global community. To advance this mission, the committee typically divides into four “passion” teams that focus on specific initiatives. These are:
- Food projects
- Housing projects
- Family projects
- Spiritual Endeavors
Funds to support this work are provided through Christian Outreach pledges and extra gifts of clothing and food. Volunteer support with any of these projects is always welcome.
The Christian Outreach Committee consists of 9 members serving staggered 3-year terms. The body meets monthly, generally on all-Committee night and on an ad hoc basis as required.
Christian Education
The Christian Education Committee oversees the following areas:
- Sunday School – helps coordinate Sunday School and Nursery by recruiting teacher recruiting and coordination, curriculum selection and purchase, chapel and children sermon coordination and superintendent and acolyte coordination
- Youth Group – Oversees Youth Group Director and parent volunteers.
- Adult Education – helps to provide opportunities for adults to explore faith based topics through viewing videos, discussions and Bible Study.
- Supervision of Christian Education/Youth Director – ensure that groups and leadership are working together to successfully meet agreed upon goals.
- Other Special Events Related to the Above – such as Rally Day, Friendship Bags & Boxes, Christmas Pageant, Heifer Project, First Communion, Children’s Sunday
The Christian Education Committee consists of 6 members serving staggered 3-year terms. The body meets monthly, generally on all-Committee night and on an ad hoc basis as required. The Committee is especially busy in August as it prepares the Sunday School curriculum, recruits teachers and volunteers and organizes Rally Day.
Music Committee
The Music Committee supervises the Music Director and all aspects of the music program at Central. Among other things, the Committee is responsible for:
- Negotiating the Music Director’s Contract
- Monitoring the condition of the organ and pianos
- Paying for new music and special holiday music
- Working with the Diaconate on special programs and issues of mutual interest
The Music Committee consists of 6 members serving staggered 3-year terms. The body meets monthly, generally on all-Committee night and on an ad hoc basis as required.
Stewardship Committee
The Stewardship Committee is responsible for the year-round education of the congregation relating to the faithful and responsible use of our resources of time, talent and treasure.
Historically, the committee has focused on the annual Stewardship Pledge Drive, during which all congregants are encouraged to consider their individual financial commitment to the Church. This is a critically important component of the Church’s annual budgeting process.
The Stewardship Committee consists of 6 members serving staggered 3-year terms. The body meets on an ad hoc basis as required.
Leadership Development
The Leadership Development Committee strives to link people, their passions and their ideas to service opportunities that are spiritually fulfilling. The Committee works with the existing Board and Committees to understand staffing needs and identify volunteer resources who can help each group achieve their goals. The Committee generally recruits volunteer energy in 1-2- and 3 year increments.
The Leadership Development Committee consists of 6 members serving staggered 3-year terms. The body meets on an ad hoc basis as required.
Gifts and Memorials
Generally speaking, the Gifts and Memorials Committee allocates funds dispersed annually from the Trustees for needs not otherwise budgeted. Requests must be made in writing and are decided upon by simple majority vote of the committee. The committee grants requests for purchases (Bible, altar ware, teacher appreciation gifts), social events (Bus to baseball game), church functions (Women’s Spirituality Retreat)), scholarships (for conferences, camps or education) as well as childcare for annual meeting.
The Gifts and Memorials Committee consists of 6 members serving staggered 3-year terms. The body meets on an ad hoc basis as required and does most of its work electronically.
Endowment Fund
The Endowment Fund Committee works closely with the Investment Treasurer in order to study the income producing aspects of the Church’s endowment funds and the performance of its investment agency. If required, they recommend changes in investments and/or the agency to maximize the income growth from these investments.
The Endowment Fund Committee consists of 6 members serving staggered 3-year terms. The body meets on an ad hoc basis as required.
Delegates
Delegates represent Central Congregational Church at al United Church of Christ association meetings and events. These include our local association, (the Essex Association of the MA Conference of the UCC), all meetings of the combined associations and the annual MA UCC Conference. Delegates are members of the Essex Association Ecclesiastical Council. They are elected for a one-year renewable term of office.