Officers

Financial Reviewer

The Auditor shall audit the previous year’s financial accounts of the Church Treasurer, Financial Secretary, Diaconate, Youth Group, and any other group with finances under the name of the Church to present to the Church Council at its February meeting.

Clerk

The Clerk shall, with assistance of the Church Secretary

• Keep a register of the names of members with dates of admission and termination and active non-members and issue Letters of Transfer.
• Keep a record of baptisms, dedications, weddings, and funerals.
• Be secretary of the Church Council.
• Keep all important communications and reports on file in the Church office.
• Issue the Call for all Church meetings as per Article XI, a) and b) three consecutive Sundays before the assembled congregation.
• Notify all officers, members of committees, and delegates of their election or appointment.
• Provide a written report of the annual meeting.

Financial Secretary

• Receive all monies given to the Church for local expenses and missions.
• Keep a detailed and complete record of all monies received with duplicate receipts to the Treasurer.
• All gifts and donations, as well as Faith Promise offerings given for the regular support of the Church are to be recorded in the Financial Secretary’s books so that those accounts will reconcile with those of the Treasurer, both of which will be audited annually at the end of the fiscal year.
• Forward names of memorial gift donors to the Diaconate.
• Be ex-officio member of the Finance Committee.

Head Usher

• Be responsible for selecting at least four adult and four youth ushers and several acolytes.
• Train ushers and acolytes in their duties.
• Maintain a record of attendance for each worship service.

Historian

• Maintain a journal of all occurrences of interest to the Church to include newspaper clippings, photographs, regular and special Church bulletins and other material relevant to the history of the Church.
• Provide a written report of significant events during the past year for the annual meeting of the Church.

Moderator

The Moderator responsibilities include:

• Be the business representative of the Church.
• Be Chairperson of the Church Council and preside at all Council and Church meetings.
• Be the official signatory of all contracts, employee and otherwise, for the Church.
• Participate in the annual evaluation of the Pastor and Secretary and review all other completed employee evaluations.
• Provide a written report for the annual meeting.

Co-Superintendents of Church School

Serve a three year term beginning August 1 of the year following election.

• Direct the Church School and conduct its affairs upon such plans and such methods as approved by the Christian Education Committee, of which the Superintendent shall be a member ex-officio.

Treasurer

• Keep separate totals of monies received from the Financial Secretary of all monies raised for the support of the Church and monies raised for the object of Church mission.
• Render payment of all financial obligations of the Church.
• Disburse memorial gift funds at the direction of the Diaconate.
• Maintain accurate accounting system for all matters pertaining to the Church income and disbursements.

Treasurer responsibilities include:

Vice Moderator

In the absence of the Moderator, the Vice Moderator assumes the duties of the Moderator. In the absence of both, a Moderator pro tem shall be chosen by those present and voting.

Church Council

Consists of all Church officers, the Pastor, ex-officio, a representative from each standing committee, all council members to be members of the Church. A simple majority of the members of the Church shall constitute a quorum.

• Visualize the entire task of the Church and advise the Pastor in the formulation of a well rounded program.
• Oversee operation of the Church between meetings.
• Prepare a proposed budget based upon the recommendation of the Finance Committee, no later than the last Church Council meeting prior to the Annual Meeting.
• Act upon the recommendations of the Nominating Committee per Article IX, Section 6c. Act on the recommendations of committees for employees.
• Meet monthly and as needed. All meetings are open to the public, but the right to convene into executive sessions is reserved.
• Select an interim Pastor in cooperation with the affiliated denominations.
• Periodically review and update all policies.
• Appoint ad-hoc committees, Media Coordinator, and other positions as the need arises.
• Authorize delegates, as needed, to represent the Church at the regular and special meetings of the council, Associations, Conferences, and Conventions of which the Church is a member.

Committees

General Guidelines

• Be publicly charged with their duties.
• All committees except temporary, Pastoral Relations, and Nominating shall meet monthly, and as needed.
• Each committee shall elect its own chair. No person shall serve as a chair for more than two years.
• Each committee shall select a Church member to be its representative to the Church Council.
• Each committee shall elect a secretary to record minutes of every meeting.
• All committees shall be responsible to the congregation through the Church Council.
• A member of a standing Committee, having served two full terms, shall not serve on the same committee until after a lapse of one year, except to fill an opening of an unfinished term.
• Each committee, except Pastoral Relations, may have one non-voting youth member.
• Except for Diaconate, a majority of each committee shall be members.
• All committees requiring funding shall submit a budget proposal to the Finance Committee on a date set by the Church Council.
• A simple majority of the members shall constitute a quorum.
• The chair of each committee shall provide a written report for the annual meeting of the Church.

Christian Education Committee

Shall consist of at least six members and the Superintendent of the Church School ex-officio.

• Direct and supervise the education ministry of the Church.
• Appoint adult advisors for the youth group.
• Select materials used in the Church school and Vacation Bible School.
• Appoint and remove Church School teachers and Vacation Bible School Director.
• Evaluate, negotiate, and propose annual employment contract(s) for the childcare provider(s) to be provided to the Church Council prior to their September meeting.
• In the event of a new or vacant position during the calendar year, provide a recommended negotiated contract as soon as possible.
• Organize the participation and enrollment in funding for Christian Camps.

Diaconate

Shall consist of twelve members of the Church.

• Determine with the Pastor the order of worship for regular and special services of worship.
• Assist the Pastor in the administration of Sacraments/Ordinances.
• Make preparations for the services of worship in the Church.
• Arrange for sort term pulpit supply.
• Recommend candidates for Church membership to the congregation.
• Cooperate with the Pastor in promoting the spiritual activity of the Church.
• Maintain membership roles as per Article IV.
• Select a treasurer to administer with the Pastor, the Diaconate Fund, and make monthly reports to the Diaconate.
• Acknowledge memorial gifts, direct the expenditure of memorial fund monies and see that names are entered in the “Book of Remembrance”.

Finance Committee

Shall consist of at least three members.

• Reallocate funds within the budget subject to the approval of the Church Council.
• Purchase, transfer, and sell securities in the name of the Church with approval of the Church Council.
• Recommend an annual budget to the Church Council.

Missions & Outreach Committee

Shall consist of at least three members.

• Be responsible for the participation of the Church in organizations and ideas that lie beyond the immediate congregational needs.
• Coordinate programs and projects which involve the Church in service to the larger community.

Music Committee

The Music Committee at the United Church of Penacook is an enjoyable way to share your gifts with God and your brothers and sisters in Christ. The committee is made up of a group of three or more individuals who are not necessarily musicians but enjoy the social aspect of the music in our Church. The committee meets once a month in addition to coordinating refreshments for the enjoyable receptions after the Continuing Concert Series.

The Director of Music/Organist is an Ex-Officio member of the committee as a resource for the committee members.

Music Committee responsibilities include:

• Evaluate the Director of Music and recommend a contract.
• Oversee the maintenance of the Church musical instruments.
• Recommend music budget which includes salary of the music director, substitute organists, maintenance of instruments and purchase of new music.
• A Music Committee member represents the committee at Council meetings once a month.
• Coordinate refreshments for the Concert Series.
• Meet once a month on the second Sunday of the month.

Nominating Committee

Shall consist of at least three members.

• Prepare a list of nominees for Officers, and other elected positions for the annual meeting.
• Nominate to the council persons to complete unexpired terms and additional committee members.

Pastoral Relations Committee

Shall consist of at least three members.

• Convene as necessary as determined by the Pastor or any committee member.
• Discuss the congregation's response to Pastoral leadership, the Pastor’s concerns with individuals of the congregation.
• Consider matters of both a positive nature and constructive criticism.
• Mediate conflicts between the Pastor and members of the Church.
• Discuss with the Pastor plans for continuing education.
• Strengthen relationships between the Pastor and Church members.
• Assist, when necessary, with relationships of professional Church staff and the Pastor.
• Conduct, with the Moderator, an evaluation of the Pastor.

Property Committee

Shall consist of at least three members.

• Have custody of and be responsible for the care, maintenance and alteration of the Church, Parsonage, and other related structures and their equipment.
• Evaluate, negotiate, and propose annual employment contract(s) for Sexton to be provided to the Church Council prior to their September meeting.
• In the event of a new or vacant position, provide recommended negotiated contracts as soon as possible.

Stewardship Committee

Shall consist of at least three members.

The Stewardship Committee is responsible for

• Plan for, educate the congregation, and conduct the annual Faith Promise program.
• Consider ideas for additional fundraising and plan and support the chosen projects and programs.
• Plan, organize, and support public suppers including tracking expenses and proceeds.
• Discuss ways to educate the congregation regarding Biblical stewardship.
• Meet regularly to plan and review upcoming events and ongoing education efforts.

Youth Group Leaders Committee