Facility Usage


GUIDELINES FOR THE USE OF THE CHURCH’S PREMISES


1. THE SANCTUARY


With the approval of the Board of Governors, the sanctuary may be used for activities that do not interfere with normally scheduled services. Members of the church are entitled to sponsor or request the use of the sanctuary. Such proposals or requests are to be submitted to the Board in writing.


A fee of $50 per hour with a minimum of $150 shall be charged. The fee may be waived or reduced at the discretion of the Board.


Smoking in the sanctuary or its immediate vicinity (entrance and hall) is prohibited. No food or beverages shall be consumed in the sanctuary. except the elements of communion.


2. THE OUTCALT CHAPEL


With the approval of the Board of Governors, the Outcalt Chapel may be used for activities that do not interfere with normally scheduled services/activities. Member of the church are entitled to sponsor activities in the chapel. Request for the use of the chapel shall be submitted to the Board in writing.


A fee of $20 per hour with a minimum of $40 shall be charged. At the discretion of the Board the fee may be waived or reduced.


Smoking in the chapel or its immediate vicinity is prohibited. No food or beverages shall be consumed in the chapel, except the elements of communion.


3. WOODHULL HALL


Woodhull Hall is for the purpose of providing the members of the church with a place of fellowship. Any member may sponsor or request use of Woodhull Hall for activities which will contribute to the fellowship among the members of this congregation and their families.


The use of the hall by members and their families is basically free. However, a voluntary donation to defray the costs of heating, light, water and the wear and tear of equipment is recommended.


Occasionally and with the approval of the Board, the hall may be used by non-members providing the time of usage does not interfere with any scheduled use by church members, committees, or church activities. Requests for hall use are to be submitted to the Board in writing.


The use of the hall by non-members shall be subject to the following conditions:


  • The use may not in any way, directly or indirectly, discredit our church, our beliefs or the congregation as a whole.
  • The users shall be responsible for the proper use of the facilities, any damage caused is to be repaired at the expense of the users.
  • The facilities, after having been used, shall be left in as clean a state as they were prior to the use.


When the Board permits the use of the hall for non-members, a fee of $25 per hour with a minimum of $100.shall be charged. In addition a damage deposit of $75 shall be required to be paid prior to the use of the hall. When the kitchen is used a $100 cleaning deposit is required. Deposit will be refunded after the kitchen and hall are inspected by the Fellowship Chair and/or Property Steward. Any cleanup or repair required will result in a lesser refund.


4. THE LIBRARY


The Library is for use by members of the congregation and their families. In addition, the library may be used for Board and Committee meetings. The office secretary shall coordinate scheduling to avoid conflicts of meeting times.


Occasionally and with the approval of the Board the Library may be used by non-members providing the time of usage does not interfere with any scheduled use by church members, committee, or church activities. Requests for Library usage by non-members are to be submitted to the Board in writing.


When the Board permits the use of the Library for non-members a fee of $25 shall be charged to cover heating, lighting and wear and tear. If the library is used by non-members during normal working hours the Board may reduce or waive the usage fee.


5. ELKINTON ROOM /SUNDAY SCHOOL ROOM


The Elkinton Sunday School room is for use by members of the congregation and their families. Occasionally and with the approval of the Board, the Sunday School room may be used by non-members provided the time of usage does not interfere with any scheduled use by church members, committee, or church activities. Requests for Sunday School room usage are to be submitted to the Board in writing.


When the Board permits the use of the Sunday School room for non-members a fee of $20 per hour with a minimum of $50 shall be charged to cover heating, lighting and wear and tear. If the Sunday School room is used by non-members during normal working hours the Board may reduce or waive the usage fee.


6. OFFICE AND OFFICE EQUIPMENT


The office and office equipment is exclusively for the purpose of administration of the church’s affairs. The Board delegates the authority for the use of the office and its equipment to the Property Steward/Church Secretary.


7. THE GROUNDS OF THE CHURCH


The grounds of the church shall be exclusively for use by the congregation and their families for picnics, barbeques and similar functions. The Labyrinth is a community resource and is always available free for the public.


Request for the use of the grounds are to be directed to the Board.


8. SPECIAL GUIDELINES


  • In all cases not covered by these guidelines, the Board of Governors shall decide, and their decision shall be final.
  • If non-members use several areas, such at Elkinton/Sunday School Room, Library, Woodhull Hall etc., the fees listed shall apply unless modified by the Board.
  • The Board of Governors has the right to waive all or part of the fees to be charged for the use of the church’s premises in such cases where, in the opinion of the Board, the congregation at large, and the primary purpose of our church is served.
  • Church facilities will not be offered for use on a regular on-going basis. Such use is not compatible with the physical plant isolated location, and lack of regular custodial or security personnel. Applications are to be resubmitted quarterly.
  • The use of church facilities by outside groups will not be approved if the scheduled activity conflicts with any church planned events.
  • Use of church facilities by non-members shall require a member of the church to sponsor them. The sponsor shall be responsible for the requirements set forth in paragraph eleven (11) below. The Board may waive this sponsor requirement if in their opinion the congregation at large and the primary purpose of our church is served.


9. SUPERVISION AND RESPONSIBILITY


The member(s) who sponsor an event requiring the use of the church’s facilities shall be responsible for the following:


  • Ascertaining with the Church Secretary and/or Minister that the proposed use of the facility(ies) will not in any way interfere with other scheduled or planned church activities.
  • Opening the church’s gate and the facility to be used.
  • Cleaning the facility(ies) used and premises used.
  • Seeing to it that the lights are turned off, the heat is turned off, the facilities and the church gates are properly closed and locked.
  • Reporting to the office as soon as possible any damage or loss that has been caused and arranging for payment of the required repair(s) or replacement.
  • Occasionally, the Board may approve a non-member to perform the duties listed in 1-5 above when the church sponsor is not available.



Attached to these Guidelines for use of the church’s premised is a form for requesting use of the facilities and a list of duties/responsibilities of the sponsor.


Download PDF Form: Request for use of church facilities

Download PDF Form: Premises use policy guidelines