Congregational Care

2008 Elders: Barbara Packard and Carole Sue Graves

This committee encourages church members to be faithful stewards of their time, abilities and possessions. They help confirmed members of the church deepen their commitment to Christ and his service. The committee also works extend the warm expression of the church's care to all its members-new and old, strengthening the bonds community and fellowship.

Congregational Care Committee Responsibilites

This committee has three areas of responsibility:

Fellowship

• Supervise the registration of persons present at worship, using a ritual of friendship, keeping a church worship roll, and informing the pastor about persons who are absent from worship for more than four Sundays.
• Develop and activate lines of communication within the congregation, making use of the church newsletter and other means.
• Supervise and assist in the production of the church newsletter, as well as publicize the church’s programs through signs, brochures, advertising, and news releases.
• Periodically update and distribute a church directory.
• Plan and direct activities that bond church members together, including Family Night suppers and programs, church picnics, parties and outings.
• Host coffee hours after worship and at other special occasions. The committee shall also ensure that coffee is available at fellowship opportunities.
• See that members get special recognition for things they have accomplished or attained, for awards they have received, for anniversaries, graduations, births and similar events.
• Provide receptions for new members of the church and assign new members to sponsoring families who will help bring them into the church’s fellowship, life and work.
• Schedule and organize small group gatherings in the homes of members and retreats for the church families.
• Promote and support church sport teams.

Pastoral Care

• Support the pastoral efforts of the church’s minister.
• Assist in coordinating the church’s response in situations of crisis for members, including deaths, illnesses, accidents, divorces and births.
• See that church members are nurtured personally, especially those who are home-bound, infirm, or have special needs.
• Encourage members who have moved away to transfer their membership to another church.
• Recommend to Session in December, per the Book of Order, the name of those who should be placed upon the church’s inactive roll.
• Develop and oversee a group that will make follow-up contacts with those who visit our church.

Stewardship

• Develop annually a program to educate and encourage the congregation in its financial stewardship, and in October conduct an Every Member Canvas.
• Maintain an up-to-date file on the talents and interests of all members.
• Prepare annually a budget for the support of the committee’s programs to be submitted to the Finance Committee.