Ministry Teams at the United Church of Christ in Bayberry

 

The following lay-led teams carry out various ministries of the church under the auspices of the Church Council, who annually appoints a chair for each team.

 

 

 The Christian Development Ministry Team focuses on the Christian education and development of Children and adults by conducting church school and Vacation Bible School for the various age groups.

 

The Worship and Music Ministry Team coordinates the provision of all Services of Worship, including necessary bulletins, communion and pulpit supplies, banners and other sanctuary decorations.  This Team also focuses on the broader content and spiritual atmosphere of Worship services and Music. 

 

The Missions Ministry Team focuses on the Church’s broader outreach ministry to the world around us, including the UCC National missions programs, our Church’s local food pantry, local ecumenical programs with other area churches and missions-oriented organizations. 

 

The Evangelism Ministry Team will focus its energies on evangelistic outreach to the local community in the world around us.  It will organize various outreach programs to the local community as a basis for spreading the good news of the Gospel of Christ to a local community that is in need of God’s love and our care.

 

The Nursery School Advisory Board is charged with overseeing the operation of the United Church of Christ Nursery School.  Responsibilities include the hiring and supervision of the Nursery School Director, setting of school policies, developing an annual budget for the nursery school to be submitted to the Church Council for approval, and other responsibilities as designated by the Church Council. 

 

The Buildings and Grounds Ministry Team focuses on all aspects of the real property of the Church, including repairs and maintenance to the property, supervising use of building and grounds, evaluating renovations or expansions to facilities, analyzing property insurance coverage and costs, and evaluating potential sales, purchases or mortgages on Church real property. 

 

The Finance Ministry Team focuses on stewardship and fund-raising, authorization of expenditures in accordance with the annual budget, review of the operating budget vis-à-vis actual expenditures during the year, preparation of the annual Church budget for submission to the Church Council, conduct annual audits of the Church financial records at the end of the year, ensure that all Church funds are safeguarded by establishing and maintaining proper cash controls, internal accounting controls and financial controls and through the maintenance of proper insurance coverage. 

 

In addition to these teams, the Diaconate assists the Pastor in ministering to the physical and spiritual needs of the Congregation.  Deacons will visit sick and shut-in Members, ascertain how Members with physical or spiritual needs can be best served, assist in the service of Communion and anointing, and assist in counseling Members on spiritual matters.  Nine deacons, each serving staggered three-year terms, are elected by the congregation.  The Diaconate is the only Ministry Team which operates independently of the Church Council (except for budgetary authority).