First Christian Church of Sherwood

General Policies

1. Arrangements are made with the Property or Outreach Committee regarding the unlocking and locking of the facilities.

2. All areas must be left clean and orderly upon departure. No food is to be thrown outside the facilities; trash cans are provided. Trash is to be taken to the dumpster.

3. No property belonging to First Christian Church will be loaned out/borrowed without full board approval.

4. Illegal drugs, smoking and profanity are not allowed and violations will result in cancellation of reservations and revocation of any fees and deposits.

5. Prior board approval is required regarding the use of alcoholic beverages.

6. Speech and conduct of all participants should reflect the highest Christian standards. Appropriate clothing must be worn at all times including shorts modest in length and shirts/tanks that fully cover chest and torso.

7. Any rearranging of furniture must be approved in advance. If approval is obtained, furniture is to be restored to its original configuration by the user immediately after the event.

8. No nails, tacks, screws, staples or paint-damaging tape may be used on any woodwork, on the walls and/or ceilings regarding decorations. Painter’s tape is acceptable.

9. Users are responsible for any damages to the building and/or its contents that occur as a consequence of the event. These include repairs and/or replacement costs.

10. No firearms or concealed weapons are allowed on the premises at any time.

11. Service animals are the only pets allowed in any of the facilities.

12. If candles are to be used, special permission must be obtained from the Property Committee or Outreach Committee and usage outlined. At all times, candles must be enclosed in glass chimneys or have plastic under the holders to eliminate wax on carpet and/or floors.

13. All heat/air conditioning temperatures are set from the master calendar. Make sure your event is on the church calendar.

14. Children must have adult supervision at all times. If they are not accompanied by family members, a minimum of 2 adults will be designated by an appropriate church officer. If both genders of children are present, both genders of chaperones are also to be present. For overnight functions, groups must have a ratio of 1 adult to every 7 children/youth less than 16 years of age. An adult family member must accompany children who are 16 or under unless they are participating in supervised activities. In some cases, nursery services can be provided through the church’s administrative staff. The playground area is available at own risk.

15. Users are required to park in designated spaces without blocking the driveways.

16. Any proposed usage of the facilities that exceeds multiple uses over extended periods of time must be approved by the church board.

17. In the event that the church determines at any time any violation of the terms of agreement between it and the user has occurred, the church reserves the right to cancel the function and shall not be liable to the user or any vendor for such cancellation.

18. If inclement weather causes cancellation of events, the user and the administrative staff should be in contact with one another to confirm such cancellation.

19. If the group cancels an event for any reason, it must give notice to the church as soon as possible. Any deposits given may be subject to loss.

20. A Calendar Event Request Form must be completed by users (must be 18 years of age or older) and approved by administrative staff before event is placed on the calendar. Any fees/deposits required must be received with the completed Calendar Event Request Form.

Wedding Policies

First Christian Church of Sherwood is honored to share this special day with you andpray for God’s continued presence and grace throughout your years of marriage. While premarital counseling is not required to use the facilities, it is strongly encouraged. The minister of First Christian Church is available or referrals can be made upon request. A member of the church staff is required to be involved with the wedding and the minister of First Christian will invite others as appropriate. Below are guidelines specific to wedding ceremonies.

Decorations:

1. Floral arrangements should not obstruct the view of the cross or the Lord’s Table. The candles on the Lord’s Table may be used.

2. Florists and decorators are asked to schedule a convenient time with the church staff to decorate for the ceremony. All flowers and decorations should be removed from the Sanctuary before leaving the church premises at the end of the festivities.

3. No nails or tacks are to pierce any woodwork in the Sanctuary. No wires or other materials may be used that might scratch or otherwise deface the woodwork.

Receptions:

1. If available, the Fellowship Hall or Chalice Hall may be used for a wedding reception. Church staff will coordinate with caterers to determine times needed to access the space and set up for the event.

2. If florists and/or decorators need access to the space, they will schedule a time with church staff. The space should be cleaned after the reception concludes.

Music and Sound Technicians:

1. While it is customary to first invite the music staff of the church, it is not mandatory. If using any sound equipment belonging to First Christian Church, a sound technician from the church must be employed to operate the system.

Photography and Videotaping:

1. Groups are encouraged to take photographs before and/or after the ceremony. Photographers and videographers are asked to respect the sanctity of this holy service and act unobtrusively.

Rehearsal:

1. Allow at least one (1) hour for rehearsal. The wedding coordinator (if retained by the wedding party) will need to meet with the minister conducting the ceremony.

Other:

1. While throwing birdseed or blowing bubbles is allowed OUTSIDE the buildings, none should be thrown or blown inside any structures.

2. Rice is not allowed to be thrown anywhere on the premises, nor are sparklers allowed.

3. Children should be supervised by an adult at all times.

Ready to Reserve a Space?

1. Users requesting utilization of any church facilities must complete a Calendar Event Request Form (located below) at least four (4) weeks prior to event date. A cleaning deposit is required and will be refunded* accordingly.

2. If the event is a wedding, the party shall schedule a meeting with the Minister of First Christian Church. Details of facility usage and fees will be discussed during that meeting.

3. The church administrative staff* will review all requests for facility usage and confer with appropriate church committees when necessary.

4. If approved, appropriate fees/deposits are to be submitted with the Calendar Event Request Form. Reservations are not guaranteed until fees/deposits are received.

5. Once paperwork and fees have been received and approved, events will be placed on the church calendar.

6. Users will meet with church Property or Outreach Committee to review all aspects of facility usage including, but not limited to, lighting, door access, trash containers/dumpster, emergency procedures, etc.

7. Any questions or concerns regarding Facility Usage and/or Reservation Procedures should be directed to the church Property or Outreach Committee.

*Church Administrative staff includes the church secretary and the church board.

*Refundable deposit – A portion of or all of the required deposit may be reimbursed once the reserved facilities space has been inspected by Administrative, Property, and/or Outreach staff. The space must be clean and orderly with all fixtures, furniture, and other reserved equipment in good working order and returned to the original location. Administrative staff will get in touch with the contact person as completed on the Calendar Event Request Form with the purpose of notification regarding the refund status. If there are monies to be reimbursed a correct address will be verified at that time and a check mailed within 2-3 weeks.

a. No dunking of basketballs or hanging on the rim or throwing balls at the ceiling.

b. If chairs and tables are set up on the gym floor, they should not be taken down or moved without permission of the church Property or Outreach Committee.

c. Food and drinks may be served and eaten in the gym area.

d. Requests for use of video and/or audio systems belonging to the church shall be made to the Property Committee or Outreach Committee. If groups wish to provide their own technical equipment, details should be provided to staff to ensure success and safety.

e. Cups, plates, silverware, pans, serving utensils, etc. are available for use.However, a fee will be required to pay church staff to wash items in industrial dishwasher.

f. Soap, paper towels, and toilet paper are provided in restroom facilities.

g. Use of shower facilities requires permission from Property or Outreach Committee. A fee is also required. Towels, soap, shampoo, etc. are not provided.

a. Food and drinks may be served in the library.

b. Use of the whiteboard is allowed.

a. Food and drinks may be served.

b. Soap, paper towels, and toilet paper are provided in restroom facilities.

a. No food allowed in the Sanctuary. All drinks must have spill proof lids.

b. Requests for use of video and/or audio systems belonging to the church shall be made to the Property or Outreach Committee. If groups wish to provide their own technical equipment, details should be provided to staff to ensure success and safety.

c. All decorations must be removed at conclusion of event.

d. Soap, paper towels, and toilet paper are provided in restroom facilities.