Facility Usage and Rental Policies

 

The intent of this policy to encourage the use of the Church facilities by the membership for Church purposes and for the benefit of the community. Fees for nonmembers are positioned to be on a par with similar venue. The Community Center Gym and Kitchen areas are available to rent for members and non-members for private use. The Church’s Sanctuary is available for weddings, funerals and other events per guidelines in this policy. At this time the Community Center is not available to rent for basketball leagues, practices or other athletic endeavors.

 

No approvals or paperwork are required for Moss Bluff United Methodist Church (MBUMC) or United Methodist Church groups, events and activities with the exception of those requiring use of the sanctuary. However, all groups, events and activities must be scheduled and cleared with the Church Office to insure no conflicts exist.

 

Usage of the church facilities for all other (not MBUMC or United Methodist) groups, events and activities with the exception of those requiring use of the sanctuary requires the approval of the Board of Trustees Chair or his designated representative. Approval will be given by the signing of a completed rental/usage form.

 

Usage of the sanctuary requires the approval of the Pastor or his designated representative. Approval will be given by the signing of a completed Sanctuary Rental / Usage form.

 

The Board of Trustees must approve regularly scheduled events by non-MBUMC groups. Such events shall be subject to cancellation in favor of MBUMC events with a minimum of one weeks notice to the scheduled group.

 

A reservation form and payment must be submitted upon application for use of the facility. Applications must be made to the church secretary or Pastor. Confirmation of approval must be received from the church prior to using the facility.

 

The local church’s on-going programs, special programs, and other groups within the church will always be given first priority in scheduling. Church members and others may also reserve the facility for private use consistent with the requirements of this policy. In the case of scheduling conflicts, the reservations as listed on the church calendar will take precedence. Events requiring a Usage/Rental Form will not be scheduled until a completed form is approved.

 

·         Tobacco and Alcohol Use – Tobacco and / or alcohol shall not be allowed at any time in any of the buildings.

·         Attachment to Walls – Attachments to walls of the buildings will not be allowed on the plywood walls.

·         Closing Time – The facility shall be closed by 10:00 pm unless prior agreement is made with the Pastor and /or Board of Trustees Chair.

·         Supervision – Youth groups under twenty – one (21) years of age must have adult supervision. Supervision must consist of one adult for every ten youth.

·         Reserved/Off Limit Areas – Usage will be restricted to the area(s) reserved. All other areas will be “off limits”.

·         Use During Church Services – The facility shall not be available during church services.

·         Sub-letting – A group shall not be allowed to “sub-let” the facility to another group. Each group must be individually scheduled.

·         Pets – No animals are permitted inside any of the buildings with the exception of guide dogs for those with visual impairments

·         Storage Approval – Due to limited space available, storage approval must be obtained from the Pastor or Board of Trustees Chair.

 

The kitchen can be used only if requested on the reservation form. When non-members use the kitchen, food must be cooked off-site. The stove and microwave may be used for warming but use of the gas oven is prohibited except for MBUMC groups. The church’s cooking and serving pieces, utensils, and flatware shall not be available for use by outside groups. Use of the freezer and refrigerator will be permitted. All leftover food and garbage must be bagged in plastic garbage bags and deposited in the dumpster located adjacent to the building.

 

The party making arrangements will be responsible for any damages incurred during or in connection with the usage / rental of the Church facilities.   Deposit are required as shown in the Fees section below. Deposits are applied against any damages to furnishings and equipment. All or a portion of this will be refunded by mail after an event.

 

No fee shall be charged for the use of any or all portions of this facility, provided it is being used for one of the following functions:

 

·         MBUMC/United Methodist groups or events sponsored by the church.

·         In support of community non-profit organizations with IRS 501 (c) statuses. For example organizations would include Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, Red Cross, Special Olympics, and Habitat for Humanity etc… other not for profit events will be considered on a case by case basis. Athletic Leagues and other sports organizations will not be considered under this no fee clause. 

 

Fees are to be charged for the duration of the event. Fees will not be charged for setup and after event cleanup and take down time totaling 4 hours or less. The appropriate rates will be charged for setup, takedown and cleanup hours in excess of 4 hours.  Janitorial fees with the exception of weddings may be waived by members wishing to provide these services on their own.

 

The type of event, not the attendees will define “Private Use”. All parties, showers, and social events along with all athletic league events will be deemed “Private Use”.

 

Rental Member (Private Use): $10/hr

Rental Non-member: $100 for up to 3 hours, $25 dollars thereafter up to $200 for full day use.  

Janitorial Fee: $75

Damage Deposit: $100                                                                                                  

 

·         All trash must be picked up and placed in trash containers.

·         All equipment must be returned to its storage area.

·         Turn off heating / air conditioning units.

·         Turn off all lights.

·         Lock all doors upon leaving.

 

Use of the church shall be granted upon a request through the church office with the approval of the pastor.

 

Unless the bride, groom, parents or legal guardians of the bride or groom are members of Moss Bluff United Methodist Church for at least six (6) months prior to the wedding, the wedding is regarded as one of non-members. In cases of conflicting dates, members will be given priority. Non-members may not book a wedding earlier than 6 months before the wedding date.

 

When it is the wish of the couple to have another Methodist pastor officiate their service, they may do so only through the invitation of the pastor. If the minister is a former pastor of Moss Bluff United Methodist Church, please consult first with the current pastor. If they wish for a minister of another denomination to officiate, the pastor from Moss Bluff United Methodist Church must be present and assist in the service.

 

Non-members must use the pastor from Moss Bluff United Methodist Church to perform the ceremony.

 

No wedding or rehearsal may be scheduled on holidays, during Holy week or on Sundays. Saturday weddings shall not begin later than 7:00 p.m. Everything should be vacated from the Sanctuary by one hour following the end of the ceremony.

 

Sanctuary seats approximately 100 people comfortably. Community Center gym, kitchen and the nursery are available for use and rental per this document.

 

The decision to perform the ceremony is the right and responsibility of the pastor, in accordance with the laws of the state and The United Methodist Church. The pastor must approve all plans. The Pastor will conduct counseling sessions with you prior to the marriage. The pastor's counsel with the marital couple prior to marriage, will include, in addition to premarital counseling, discussing and planning the service with them and informing them of policies or guidelines established by the congregation on such matters as decorations, photography, and audio or video recording. Any leadership roles taken by other clergy should be at the invitation of the pastor. The Pastor will work with the couple in these sessions to make final decisions on music selection.

 

We recommend simple decorations to emphasize the natural beauty of the sanctuary. All ceremonies are to be held on the lower level, and the Chancel furniture (i.e. pulpit, communion table, baptismal font, etc.) is not to be moved. Seasonal church decorations may not be removed, and must remain in place. A wedding held near Christmas when the poinsettias are in place, no plants should be moved from their place. Nails, tacks, staples, pins or anything, which can mar the woodwork or walls, must not be used. Only wrapped wire, ribbon, rubber bands, or reusable adhesive putty such as “Fun Tak” may be used to fasten bows or markers to pews. Protective coverings must be placed over the floor under all candelabras or candles and all floral containers.

Live floral arrangements from a Saturday wedding may be left for the Sunday worship services, and the church is appreciative of such. The church office should be advised, in advance, of such arrangements. Florist must plan to decorate:

 

Weekdays: Between 8 a.m. and noon

Saturdays: Between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m.

(Please notify the Church office of when the decorators are to arrive.)

 

Florists must remove all floral arrangements and accessories (except those being left for the Sunday worship service) immediately after the wedding.

 

If keyboard is to be used in the service it is expected that a Moss Bluff United Methodist Church Keyboardist will be used for all weddings.   The keyboardist should be contacted directly by the weeding party after consultation with the pastor.  Keyboardist fees can be found under the fee sections of this policy.   

 

Music for the wedding should be in keeping with the sacredness and dignity of the wedding service. Vocal texts should be judged on the basis of their appropriateness for a service of Christian worship. The pastor must approve all music. You will be asked to provide the sheet music for preview if the keyboardist does not already have a copy.  

 

The use of the sanctuary’s audio (sound board) and/or video systems requires a church person to operate this equipment. Fees can be found under the fee sections of this policy.  

A professional photographer may take pictures from the back of the sanctuary during the service and may take pictures of the wedding party as they enter and recess.

 

Video services may be done from the back of the sanctuary. No standing on church furniture is allowed, and only stationary cameras in the back and/or side of the sanctuary or choir loft may be used. No moving around which may detract from the service is allowed. Use of extra lighting for videotaping is prohibited.

 

The following individual or group is hereby granted use privileges by the Moss Bluff United

 

Methodist Church for its Community Center ____________________________________________

 

the purpose of _______________________________________________. Use is to begin

 

___________________________ and end___________________________.

 

This agreement is subject to the following requirements and by executing this agreement, the user /renter accepts all responsibilities identified or implied herein.

 

1.    The Moss Bluff United Methodist Church’s Community Center Usage Policy will be complied with at all times.

2.    It is expressly agreed that, in exchange for the ability to utilize the facilities of the Moss Bluff United Methodist Church Community Center, the renter, accepting responsibility for it’s guest shall hold Moss Bluff United Methodist Church, it’s members, and it’s staff harmless in the event of injury to any member or guest.

3.    The Moss Bluff United Methodist Church shall not be liable for any costs incurred for medical treatment arising out of injury sustained while utilizing the Community Center or for injury sustained while on any other parts of the church property. The renter agrees to accept all responsibility for such cases.

4.    The user /renter is responsible for supervising all activities related to renter’s event and acknowledges that the church has no responsibility for supervision whatsoever.

5.    The user /renter acknowledges that it has inspected the premises and accepts them in its “as is” condition and that the premises is satisfactory for Renter’s intended use.

 

 

Agreed to and accepted this date________________ by

Name: ____________________________________________

 

 

 

 

Today’s Date:_______________________ Event Date:______________________

 

Time of Event: From____________(a.m./p.m.) to ______________(a.m./p.m.)

 

Type of Event: _________________________________________________________

 

Group Requesting Reservation: ________________________________________

 

Person Responsible: _________________________ Phone No.: ______________

 

Areas Needed:

 

Equipment Needed:

Need access to areas for set up at _____________________ (date & time)

 

·         This form must be filled out and returned to the church office with your rental fee and deposit before your event can be placed on the calendar.

·         Deposits will be returned one week after the event if the area is left as clean as it was originally and undamaged.

·         Cancellation must be made seven days prior to the reserved date or deposits will be forfeited.

·         For additional information or questions, please call the church office at 855-6241.

 

I, the undersigned requestor declare that I have read and understand the building use policy relating to the use of this facility.

 

Fill in or circle applicable fees:

 

Rental Member (Private Use):   ________

 

Rental Non-member:                    ________          

Janitorial Fee:                                 $ 75

Damage Deposit:                             $100