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Committees & BoardsThe church is a very special organization. You will find that it
is like other groups that you have known, but also unlike them. It
is unlike them primarily in the way it is governed. Who does run
this place? With the exception of the Session, it is not necessary to officially join the church to serve on a board or committee. If you are interested in joining a group, please contact the office to be put in touch with the appropriate Chair or Moderator. SessionThe Session is the ruling body of the Church. All of the administrative boards and organizations are technically under the oversight of the Session. Session members, ordained as Elders, serve for one or two consecutive three year terms. Meetings are usually held on the third Wednesday of each month (except July), and are open to all church members. Only Session members are allowed to vote. Elders are also responsible for serving communion. DeaconsThe Board of Deacons is the working arm of the church, seeing to the basic humanitarian needs of the congregation and friends of the church. That translates to providing transportation to and from worship, providing hospitality via coffee hour after worship (including cookies!), delivering flowers after worship. Special delivery duties occur around Christmas - poinsettias, cookie tins and small Christmas gifts to "special" folks - and Easter - Easter lilies. Our fund raising events are special Presbyterian bingo and a pancake breakfast. Deacons serve for one or two three year terms. Meetings are usually held once a month and are open to all church members (only Deacons are allowed to vote). TrusteesThe Trustees are responsible for maintaining the church facility and approving requests for renting meeting rooms. The Trustees also take turns leading the collection counting team. Church LifeThe Church Life Committee is the social and fellowship arm of the church, planning and holding special events and speakers. Our annual Strawberry Festival and Thesbyterian Players dinner theater productions fall under their domain. FinanceThe Finance Committee is responsible for building our annual budget each spring, and works closely with the Church Treasurer. MembershipThe Membership Committee oversees the new member classes at Roland Park Presbyterian Church, as well as the assimilation of new members into the full life of the congregation. MissionThe Mission Committee meets several times a year to decide how best to disperse Mission funds, which are a significant percentage of RPPCs budget. They typically support a blend of local, national and international initiatives. Christian EducationThe Christian Education Committee oversees the many Schools of the Church such as Sunday School, our Youth Group and Program, and the Adult Forum. It also assists Church Life in events with an educational component, such as our annual Christmas Dinner. NominationsThe Nominating Committee meets periodically to decide on church members to nominate to fill vacant Elder, Trustee, or Deacon positions. The committee presents the slate of nominees to be voted on at Congregational meetings. An Elder serves as chair of the committee. Other committee members are the head of the Trustees, the head of the Deacons, and two members at large. PersonnelUnder the guidance of the Session, the Personnel Committee has broad responsibility for all matters concerning the employees of the church. Among its duties are establishing appropriate policies, guidelines, procedures and position descriptions for the staff; completing annual reviews of staff members (assisted by the head of staff, the Pastor); overseeing the hiring and separation of staff members (although in deference to the Session and the Book of Order with respect to calls for pastoral staff); addressing staff concerns and grievances; and recommending to the Session changes in salary for staff members, on an annual basis. StewardshipThe Stewardship Committee plans and executes our Annual Campaign for pledges, which allows the church to establish a budget in which to plan its income and expenses. WorshipThe Worship Committee works with the Pastor and Director of Music in matters concerning the planning of worship services. |