 Church Use Policies
Church Use Policies
TABLE OF CONTENTS
For Funerals
Introduction
The United Church of Christ in North Hampton has two buildings used by its membership and the community for fellowship, meetings, and worship. The main church building is located at 295 Atlantic Avenue and is used ten months a year (September through June) for Sunday worship and all twelve months for various meetings. Sunday worship services, during July and August, are held in the church known as the Little River Church, located at 95 Atlantic Avenue.
There are frequent requests to use these facilities for weddings, funerals, and non-church functions, both on a regular and single event basis. The Church Council has established the following policy to provide a ministry to the wider community and accountability for these buildings as well as the contents within them.
Space Use Policies
Who Qualifies and Who Fills Out What?
For holy unions:
Members and Associate Members
Non-members who are sponsored by a Member or an Associate Member
Special exception by the Minister or the sitting Church Council
Anyone being married in the church must fill out a Space Use Request form. There are two separate documents: one for members and associate members and one for non-members.
For funerals:
Members and Associate Members
Non-members with familial relationship to an individual who is a church member or associate member
Special exception by the Minister or an emergency meeting of the sitting Church Council
Space Use Request forms are not used here, unless the persons involved have no affiliation to the church and fall under the “special exception” category.
For general events:
(the sanctuary may not be used without the specific prior approval of the Minister or the Church Council in accordance with the Church By-Laws)
Church groups (do not fill out a Space Use Request form unless the activity is non-church related)
Groups sponsored by a church member or an individual on the Participating/Active List* (fill out a Space Use Request form)
Church members and those on the Participating/Active List (do not fill out a Space Use Request form unless the activity is non-church related)
Nonprofit organization support groups (must have IRS designation as a non-profit and fill out a Space Use Request form)
Nonprofit organizations (must have IRS designation as a non-profit and fill out a Space Use Request form)
Special exception by the sitting Church Council (fill out a Space Use Request form)
*Sponsorship by a member or an individual on the Participating/Active List means that this person will sign the Space Use Request form along with the person using the space and/or equipment within the space and will be accountable for any cleanup needed or damage done to space or equipment.
Priority for use in general is listed above and scheduled events will usually take priority over non-scheduled events. The Building Use Coordinator/Office Manager (OM) will use her/his discretion and consult with the Church Council when needed.
The church many not be used by any profit making group or individual, unless there is a special exception granted by the sitting Church Council.
The Space Use Request Form - Explanation
There is a Space Use Request form for holy unions, funerals, and for general events. For holy unions and general events, there are two separate forms: one for members/participating/active people and one for non-members. This distinction is signified at the top of each form as “Church Family” or “Non-Church Family”. For funerals, a Space Use Request form is not generally required as the majority of funerals would be for church family (who do not fill out a form). In the case of a special exception, there is a Space Use Request form for funerals for non-church family.
See section “Who Qualifies and Who Fills Out What?” to determine in what situation a Space Use Request form needs to be filled out.
Where specified, users of space shall agree through the appropriate signed form that they will return the space and any equipment within the space to its original condition and to repair/replace any damages at the their own expense. Failure to do so may lead to future refusal by the church to rent space to the user and/or a financial charge to the user and/or sponsor so as to put the space and/or equipment back into satisfactory condition.
Suggested Donations from Non-Church Family for Use of Space
The church will encourage and accept donations for the use of its space in amounts that do not exceed operating costs. Although, the church welcomes all donations, it does not expect donations from church members and those on the Participating/Active List who use part of the building for family-related functions. It is appropriate for other users to make a donation based upon the use of the following:
Sanctuary $200
Vestry with kitchen $100
Vestry without kitchen $50
Classroom $25/each classroom
Budd Room $25
Charrier Hall $25
Little River Church $100
Checks should be made out to: United Church of Christ, North Hampton.
Other Fees for Church Family and Non-Church family
The money paid for space usage does not include whatever fees shall be paid to the minister, organist, or for cleaning. For non-church family, it is suggested that fees be paid when the church is reserved.
For Funerals
The family shall pay the minister as they can afford and for the others, under the guidance and consultation of the funeral director, the minister, the organist, any soloist or special music, and the OM (to relate the fee for cleaning).
For Weddings
The family shall pay the minister as they can afford and for others in consultation with the minister, organist, any soloist or special music, and the OM (to relate the fee for cleaning).
Conditions for Use of space for church and Non church family
The use serves the needs of the church family, the needs of the church, or the greater community needs of the North Hampton area.
Sponsorship by a member or friend of the UCC in NH means that this person will sign the Space Use Request form along with the person using the space and/or equipment within the space and will be accountable for any cleanup needed or damage done to space or equipment.
The users of space do not charge a mandatory fee or sell tickets at the door. It is acceptable for the user to suggest a donation, as long as it is equally acceptable to enter without making one. (CLARIFICATION OF THIS STILL IN PROCESS)
The church organist reserves right of first refusal, i.e., the user cannot hire another organist without the prior approval of the church organist.
In cases where a meal is served at an event that is not directly related to the church, and if a donation is suggested, it must be reasonable and disclosed on the request form.
The event will not be closed to church family.
No alcoholic beverages are allowed on church property except for sacramental purposes.
No smoking is allowed in the buildings. Outside smoking is permitted as long as smoking remnants are not left on the ground.
All trash generated by a general function (not a wedding or funeral) must be removed from the premises by the user, unless otherwise arranged through the Office Manager with the Buildings and Grounds Task Group Chair.
If the church encounters additional cleaning expense as a result of a general function, the user will be responsible for this expense.
If space is used without the kitchen, no food or refreshments may be served.
All users of space will return the space and any equipment within the space to its original condition. Cleaning supplies are kept in the closets in the hallway next to the kitchen.
If the kitchen is used, the user must clean it. This includes washing, drying, and putting away all utensils and wiping down the counters.
No tacks, glue or putty may be used on the walls, doors, or ceiling. Tape that does not leave a mark may be used.
The user will ensure before departure that all people have left, all lights are out, and the heat has been returned to recommended setting.
If meeting outside of usual church hours (every day, 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM), the user must ensure that the doors are locked upon departure by having the sponsor, sexton, minister or another church member with access to keys agree to lock up the space.
If there is a suggested donation, the church requires the full amount of payment upon reservation of the space.
Conditions for Use of space for General Events
The use serves the needs of the church family, the needs of the church, or the greater community needs of the North Hampton area.
If the user is not a member or associate member of the United Church of Christ in North Hampton (UCC in NH), a member or associate member of the UCC in NH must sponsor the event. Sponsorship by a member or associate member of the UCC in NH means that this person will sign the Space Use Request form for the person using the space and/or equipment within the space and will be accountable for any extra cleanup needed or payment for damage done to space or equipment.
The users of space do not charge a mandatory fee or sell tickets at the door. It is acceptable for the user to suggest a donation, as long as it is equally acceptable to enter without making one.
In cases where a meal is served at an event that is not directly related to the church, and if a donation is suggested, it must be reasonable and disclosed on the request form.
The event will not be closed to church family.
No alcoholic beverages are allowed on church property except for sacramental purposes.
No smoking is allowed in the buildings. Outside smoking is permitted as long as smoking remnants are not left on the ground.
All trash generated by a function must be removed from the premises by the user.
If the church encounters additional cleaning expense as a result of a function, the user will be responsible for this expense.
If space is used without reservation of the kitchen, no food or refreshments may be served.
All users of space will return the space and any equipment within the space to its original condition. Cleaning supplies are kept in the closets in the hallway next to the kitchen.
If the kitchen is used, the user must clean it. This includes washing, drying, and putting away all utensils and wiping down the counters.
No tacks, glue or putty may be used on the walls, doors, or ceiling. Tape that does not leave a mark may be used.
The user will ensure before departure that all people have left, all lights are out, and the heat has been returned to recommended setting.
If meeting outside of usual church hours (every day, 9:00 AM to 9:00 PM), the user must ensure that the doors are locked upon departure by having the sponsor, sexton, minister or another church member with access to keys agree to lock up the space.
The church requires the full amount of payment upon reservation of the space.
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 Space Use Request (Church Family)
General
Please type or print clearly.
Date(s) and Time(s) needed ______________________________________________________________________________________
Which church? Main (295 Atlantic Avenue) Little River
Brief description of the event ______________________________________________________________________________________
Contact person (name, address, and telephone number) ________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
If a meal is served, will there be a suggested donation? Yes $ No
Please indicate (by filling in the date), which spaces you will be reserving.
Sanctuary
Vestry with kitchen
Vestry without kitchen
Class Room
Budd Room
Charrier Hall
Little River
Cleaning ($40)
Cash or check accepted. Please make check out to United Church of Christ, North Hampton.
Signature of Contact Person _______________________________________________________Date: ___________________________
I have read and understand the “Conditions for Use of Space for Church and Non-Church Family”.
Signature of Building Use Coordinator/OM: ____________________________________________Date: __________________________
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 Space Use Request (Non-Church Family)
Funerals
Please type or print clearly.
Proposed time and date for funeral _______________________________________________________________________________
Which church? Main (295 Atlantic Avenue) Little River
Name and last address of the deceased ___________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
How was the deceased affiliated with the church: ____________________________________________________________________
Contact Person (name, address, and telephone number): ______________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Name and address of funeral director ______________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Will donations be paid through the funeral director? Yes No
If no, who will be paying donations? (name, address, and telephone number) ________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Please indicate (by filling in the date), which spaces you will be reserving. The monetary amounts listed are suggested donations for non-church members for use of space. Cash or checks accepted.
Checks should be made out to United Church of Christ, North Hampton.
Checks should be made out to the person performing the service, with the exception of Cleaning and Bulletins,
where the check should be made out toUnited Church of Christ, North Hampton.
*Sanctuary ($200) **Minister
Vestry with kitchen ($100) Organist
Vestry without kitchen ($50) Cleaning ($40)
Classroom ($25) Bulletins
Budd Room ($25) Other expense
Charrier Hall ($25)
Little River Church ($100)
* Sanctuary may be used by non-members only with the approval of the Minister or Church Council.
** Minister must authorize the use of outside clergy.
Signature of Contact Person:
___________________________________________________________________________Date: ______________________________
I have read and understand the “Conditions for Use of Space for Church and Non-Church Family”.
Signature of Building Use Coordinator/OM:__________________________________________Date: ______________________________
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 Space Use Request (Non-Church Family)
General
Please type or print clearly.
Date(s) and Time(s) needed ____________________________________________________________________________________
Which church? Main (295 Atlantic Avenue) Little River
Contact person (name, address, and telephone number) ______________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Person responsible for payment of donations, if different than contact person (name, address and telephone number):
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Organization name ____________________________________________________________________________________________
Organization address __________________________________________________________________________________________
Purpose of meeting ___________________________________________________________________________________________
Why was this church selected? __________________________________________________________________________________
If a meal is served, will there be a suggested donation? Yes $ No
Please indicate (by filling in the date), which spaces you will be reserving.
The monetary amounts listed are suggested donations for use of space. Cash or checks accepted.
Checks should be made out to United Church of Christ, North Hampton.
*Sanctuary ($200) Little River ($100)
Vestry with kitchen ($100) Vestry without kitchen ($50)
Classroom ($25) Cleaning ($40)
Budd Room ($25) Charrier Hall ($25)
* Sanctuary may be used by non-members only with the approval of the Minister or Church Council.
Signature of Contact Person Date:
I have read and understand the “Conditions for Use of Space for Church and Non-Church Family”.
Signature of Sponsor Date:
I have read and understand the “Conditions for Use of Space for Church and Non-Church Family”.
Signature of Building Use Coordinator/OM: Date:
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