photo above: Share the Light event sponsored by the Arts Ministry Committee. photo below: Board of Trustees
the old meeting house committees
The Old Meeting House depends on both the continued financial support of the congregation and the contribution of time and talent from its members. Both are necessary to carry out the church's programs and mission.
The Old Meeting House is governed by a committee structure that has responsibility for the operations of the church, its religious services, physical facilities, and educational, mission and outreach programs.
Most committees meet monthly. About half of each committee's positions are up for election each year at the Annual Meeting at the end of January. New committee members join the committees in February. Generally, committee terms are for two years. People are welcome to serve on committees whether or not they have formally joined the church.
The Old Meeting House is governed by a committee structure that has responsibility for the operations of the church, its religious services, physical facilities, and educational, mission and outreach programs.
Most committees meet monthly. About half of each committee's positions are up for election each year at the Annual Meeting at the end of January. New committee members join the committees in February. Generally, committee terms are for two years. People are welcome to serve on committees whether or not they have formally joined the church.
descriptions of the major committees of the church
The Executive Board: The Executive Board establishes policies and programs to carry out the Constitution and Bylaws and sets policies for the operations of the Old Meeting House. The Executive Board serves as the ongoing operating group of the church, proposes the annual budget (drafted by the Finance Committee and submitted at the Annual Meeting of the Congregation), approves expenditures throughout the course of the year, and makes decisions on items and issues significant to the operation and development of the church that are not assigned to other church committees. The Executive Board plans the future ministry of the church and annually sets up ad hoc committees such as the Nominating Committee. The Board is composed of the moderator, treasurer, representatives from Spiritual Life, Christian Ed committees, Trustees, Arts, Justice in Action Ministry and 3 members elected at large.
The Spiritual Life Committee: The Spiritual Life Committee meets monthly and is primarily responsible for setting policy and making recommendations and decisions with respect to worship services and the spiritual life of the church. A Spiritual Life Committee representative is present at new member sessions, at baptisms, and the reception of new members. The Spiritual Life Committee is made up of at least eight members plus a representative from the Christian Education Committee.
The Christian Education Committee: The Christian Education Committee is made up of at least seven individuals who set curriculum goals, plan for confirmation and other youth programs, set education policy in the Sunday School and direct educational initiatives and special projects designed to enrich the congregation’s spiritual life. The Committee acts in consultation with the pastor and the Sunday School teachers.
The Justice in Action Ministry: The Justice in Action Ministry is responsible for helping the church recognize its responsibilities to the greater community and for developing and maintaining a program of financial assistance to organizations that are consistent with our mission. Responding to the needs of the community and the world, the Justice in Action Ministry will lead and support the congregation in direct service and advocacy initiatives to address issues such as food insecurity, homelessness, refugee and migrant assistance, racial, social, economic, educational and environmental justice. Members of the Ministry inform the congregation of work within and outside of the church, submit an annual budget and distribute the budgeted monies to local, national and world-wide missions. The Missions Committee consists of at least seven members.
Trustees: The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance of the buildings and grounds. They also oversee the rental of the buildings. There are at least five Trustees, each of whom serves a two-year term. The Trustees meet as needed. They do some maintenance work themselves and recommend to the Executive Board projects for which the church needs to hire someone. The Trustees organize workdays to enlist the help of others in the church to clean and maintain the buildings and grounds. The time each Trustee spends varies, depending on the tasks each person is willing to do.
The Finance Committee: The Finance Committee helps ensure the ongoing financial stability of the Old Meeting House. Its main responsibility is to plan, develop and administer the church budget, which is ultimately presented to the congregation. The Finance Committee also assists the Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer (members of the Committee) in maintaining the church’s accounts, safeguarding the church’s financial assets, planning for stewardship and providing leadership in the fiduciary responsibility. The Finance Committee consists of at least four members plus the Treasurer and Asst. Treasurer.
The Arts Ministries Committee: This committee was founded upon the belief that the arts are an integral part of religious experience. Through art, literature, music, theater, and movement human beings grow, explore their spiritual needs, and express their deepest feelings. The arts also bring people together, creating and strengthening ties that enhance personal, social, and spiritual lives. For a generation, the OMH has provided strong support to the creative energy and artistic expression of the community served by the church. This support has nurtured a strong and diverse music program, the periodic production of musical theater, a concert series, visual arts exhibits, variety shows, creative worship services, and the integration of the arts throughout the OMH Sunday school curriculum. The Arts Ministries are organized to provide the infrastructure, administrative support, and organizational context for this arts programming. The Arts Ministries are a group of eight people elected for two-year terms, plus representatives from the Trustees and Finance committees.
Personnel Committee: The Personnel Committee is responsible for providing guidance and support in all matters pertaining to OMH personnel. The committee consist of three members elected for 3-year terms, one each year
The Spiritual Life Committee: The Spiritual Life Committee meets monthly and is primarily responsible for setting policy and making recommendations and decisions with respect to worship services and the spiritual life of the church. A Spiritual Life Committee representative is present at new member sessions, at baptisms, and the reception of new members. The Spiritual Life Committee is made up of at least eight members plus a representative from the Christian Education Committee.
The Christian Education Committee: The Christian Education Committee is made up of at least seven individuals who set curriculum goals, plan for confirmation and other youth programs, set education policy in the Sunday School and direct educational initiatives and special projects designed to enrich the congregation’s spiritual life. The Committee acts in consultation with the pastor and the Sunday School teachers.
The Justice in Action Ministry: The Justice in Action Ministry is responsible for helping the church recognize its responsibilities to the greater community and for developing and maintaining a program of financial assistance to organizations that are consistent with our mission. Responding to the needs of the community and the world, the Justice in Action Ministry will lead and support the congregation in direct service and advocacy initiatives to address issues such as food insecurity, homelessness, refugee and migrant assistance, racial, social, economic, educational and environmental justice. Members of the Ministry inform the congregation of work within and outside of the church, submit an annual budget and distribute the budgeted monies to local, national and world-wide missions. The Missions Committee consists of at least seven members.
Trustees: The Trustees are responsible for the maintenance of the buildings and grounds. They also oversee the rental of the buildings. There are at least five Trustees, each of whom serves a two-year term. The Trustees meet as needed. They do some maintenance work themselves and recommend to the Executive Board projects for which the church needs to hire someone. The Trustees organize workdays to enlist the help of others in the church to clean and maintain the buildings and grounds. The time each Trustee spends varies, depending on the tasks each person is willing to do.
The Finance Committee: The Finance Committee helps ensure the ongoing financial stability of the Old Meeting House. Its main responsibility is to plan, develop and administer the church budget, which is ultimately presented to the congregation. The Finance Committee also assists the Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer (members of the Committee) in maintaining the church’s accounts, safeguarding the church’s financial assets, planning for stewardship and providing leadership in the fiduciary responsibility. The Finance Committee consists of at least four members plus the Treasurer and Asst. Treasurer.
The Arts Ministries Committee: This committee was founded upon the belief that the arts are an integral part of religious experience. Through art, literature, music, theater, and movement human beings grow, explore their spiritual needs, and express their deepest feelings. The arts also bring people together, creating and strengthening ties that enhance personal, social, and spiritual lives. For a generation, the OMH has provided strong support to the creative energy and artistic expression of the community served by the church. This support has nurtured a strong and diverse music program, the periodic production of musical theater, a concert series, visual arts exhibits, variety shows, creative worship services, and the integration of the arts throughout the OMH Sunday school curriculum. The Arts Ministries are organized to provide the infrastructure, administrative support, and organizational context for this arts programming. The Arts Ministries are a group of eight people elected for two-year terms, plus representatives from the Trustees and Finance committees.
Personnel Committee: The Personnel Committee is responsible for providing guidance and support in all matters pertaining to OMH personnel. The committee consist of three members elected for 3-year terms, one each year