First United Methodist Church, Sullivan

Our building has been dedicated to the glory of God.  Its purpose is to provide hospitality, beauty, and functionality for worship, fellowship, Christian growth, and service.

We welcome people from the community who wish to use our facilities, as we are able to share such hospitality.

The church administrator shall use the following order of priorities when scheduling building use:

1. Groups, committees, staff, and officers of the First United Methodist Church, using the facility for ministries of the church, shall have first priority in using building spaces.  No charge.  Must schedule space with the church administrator.
2. Groups and officers of the Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference and other United Methodist organizations may use the church facilities for conference, district, and denomination related activities.  No charge.  Must schedule space with the church administrator.
3. Groups organized for service, justice, charitable, education, and promotion of the arts, and civic groups may use the facility.  Must fill out application and sign the building use contract.
4. Regular participants in the ministries of the church may use the church facility for personal events. Donations are appreciated.  Must fill out application and sign the building use contract.
5. Others may apply to use the building for a reimbursement fee of $100.  Must fill out application and sign the building use contract.

Who may not use the church facilities:

1. For-profit groups or individuals using the church for monetary gain
2. Those holding partisan political meetings or activities
3. Groups promoting opinions contrary to the United Methodist Social Principles

Procedures for scheduling facilities:

1. Those wishing to use the facility shall contact the church office for a building use packet (this document)
2. Submit the building space application form from the packet (see below.)  
3. The church administrator will assign a host from the church (someone to lock and unlock the building and be available for emergencies) for all outside groups and individuals
4. No outside group may reserve the church more than 180 days prior to the event.  
5. All reservation decisions will be made by the church administrator after approval by the pastor or the chair of the trustees.
6. All outside groups using the facility will need to sign a “building use contract” and a “hold harmless agreement.” All incorporated groups must provide a copy of their “declaration of policy” page from their own insurance contract.
7. Groups may decorate and set up rooms up to 36 hours before the event, if the room has not been scheduled for other use during that span of time.
8. Funerals and funeral dinners will take priority over all other scheduled events.  In the eventuality that a funeral occurs at the same time as a group has reserved either the sanctuary or the fellowship hall, every effort will be made to accommodate the group in within the building, or the deposit will be refunded.

Prohibitions:

1. Alcohol and illegal drugs are not permitted in the church building.
2. Use of tobacco products is not permitted anywhere on church grounds.
3. No red colored drinks are to be served (the red dye used in those drinks leaves a stain that cannot be cleaned)
4. Children are not permitted to roam freely in the building, but must be supervised and must stay in a part of the building reserved for the activity.
5. No candles, fire hazards, or weapons may be brought into the building.
6. Nothing may be taped to the walls.  
7. During weddings, rice and runners are prohibited.

Care of the facility:

1. Groups are responsible for their own clean-up:
   1. Floors with carpets vacuumed; hard floors swept and spills mopped.
   1. Trash placed outside in the bin, east of the church building.
   1. Toilets flushed.
   1. Any dishes and utensils cleaned and put away, kitchen counters and sinks cleaned. If those cleaning up afterward do not know where something goes, leave those items on the kitchen counter.  We prefer to put items away ourselves rather than hunt for them.
   1. Remove all left-over food removed from the building. 
   1. Any chairs or tables or other items set up by the group/individuals put back where they were found.

Damages:

1.  Any property damages shall be paid for by the group or individuals reserving the facility, starting with forfeiture or partial forfeiture of the deposit.
2. Any clean up not done will be the financial responsibility of those reserving the facility, starting with forfeiture or partial forfeiture of the deposit.

Fees:

1. For activities sponsored or co-sponsored by First United Methodist Church, or its staff or its various groups and ministries:  no charge.
2. For activities related to the district, conference, or general church of the United Methodist church, no charge.
3. For non-profit groups, $25 per hour to pay the host, unless suspended by the pastor or the trustees.
4. For individuals, $25 per hour (to pay the host) and $200 refundable deposit.
5. The following costs will be incurred for those wishing to use the sanctuary, fellowship halls, kitchen, or nursery:
   1. $200 for use of the sanctuary, plus $200 deposit, plus $25 per hour for the host
   1. $200 for use of the fellowship hall and kitchen, plus $200 deposit, plus $25 per hour for the host.  
   1. $50 for use of the nursery, plus $100 deposit.  If the nursery is used, an adult supervisor provided by the church (at a cost of $25 per hour) must be in the room while children are present.  All toys and equipment must be put back in place before leaving.  Clean up rules that apply to the rest of the building also apply to the nursery.
   1. The church administrator will determine whether to refund deposits upon inspection of the facility.  If the space has been cleaned and nothing is damaged, refunds will be available within one week of using the facility.
   1. All fees and deposits shall be paid at least one week prior to the event.

Building Use Application and Contract

Group/Individual requesting building use:

Which rooms are requested:

Dates and times:

Contact person (plus phone and email) from the group:

Describe what will take place:

To be signed by person making reservation:

I have read the rules and requirements in the building use policy and take full and personal responsibility for them.  The church takes no responsibility for actions or activities occurring during this event, including injuries, loss of personal property, or damage to personal property.

____________________________________  (signed)  ______________________  (dated)

For office use only:

___  reservation approved and put on calendar

___  host assigned:  _____________________________________________

___  approved by pastor or trustee (circle which one)

___  fees and deposit paid

___  space inspected and deposit returned

Or

___  the following problems were found and handled in the following manner:  (please describe)