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. People may reserve rooms inside the church building, property, and the pavilion.
2. Groups, committees, staff, and officers of the First United Methodist Church, using the facility for ministries of the church, shall have first priority in.  Must schedule space with the church administrator.
3. Groups and officers of the Illinois Great Rivers Annual Conference and other United Methodist organizations have second priority.  Must schedule space with the church administrator.
4. Groups organized for service, justice, charitable, education, and promotion of the arts, and civic groups have third priority.  Must fill out application and sign the building and property use contract (see below.)
5. Regular participants in the ministries of the church have fourth priority. Must fill out application and sign the building and property use contract (see below.)
6. Others are fifth in priority.  Must fill out application and sign the building and property use contract (see below.)

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. The following are not permitted inside the church building:  Alcohol, illegal drugs, use of tobacco products, vaping, gambling, skateboards, roller blades, and heal wheels. 
2. 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.
3. Only pre-approved candles may be brought into the church.
4. No fire hazards or weapons may be brought into the building.
5. Items may only be attached to the walls using command strips (not tape.) 
6. During weddings, rice and runners are prohibited.

Directions for the care of the facility and guests:

1. Guests are responsible for the following:
   1. Cleaning, vacuuming, or mopping spills.
   1. Emptying trash in the outside bin, east of the church building.
   1. Flushing toilets.
   1. Cleaning and putting away any dishes and utensils used, wiping down kitchen counters and sinks. (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. Removing all left-over food from the building.  
   1. Returning chairs or tables or other items set up by the group/individuals to where they were found.
   1. Those using the facility must be aware of where mops, brooms, and vacuum cleaners are located.
2. If the kitchen is used, Moultrie County health codes must be followed.
3. Those using the facility must be aware of locations and instructions for AED equipment and fire extinguishers.
4. Those using the kitchen must be aware of the kitchen cleaning check-out manual found in the kitchen.

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, donations are appreciated ($25-$50 per hour norm)
4. For individuals who participate regularly in the life of the church and wish to use the church for private/personal events, donations suggested.
5. For all others, use of fellowship hall is $250, use of the kitchen is $150, use of the sanctuary (for religious ceremonies only) is $500.  An additional $100 custodial fee is added for each room used and a refundable deposit (if there are no damages) of $200 is required.  
6. The church administrator will determine whether to refund deposits upon inspection of the facility.  Refunds will be available within one week of using the facility.
7. All fees and deposits shall be paid at least one week prior to the event.  First to make a deposit has priority.
8. If the nursery is used, a First United Methodist Church approved nursery worker must be hired at $30 per hour per worker.
9. If computer or audiovisual equipment is used, a First United Methodist Church operator must be hired at $30 per hour.
10. Fees may be adjusted at the discretion of the pastor or by vote of the trustees.
11. The user will pay for repairs or replacement (at the discretion of the trustees) of any church or individual property that is lost or damaged as a consequence of the event.

Building and Property Use Application and Contract

Group/Individual requesting building use:

Which spaces or property are requested:

Dates and times:

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

Describe what will take place:

Will you be cooking, preparing, or fixing food in the kitchen?

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.

I have noted the locations of the AED equipment and the fire extinguishers and have read their instructions.

I take responsibility for my group complying with all the prohibitions and following all the directions for the care of the facilities and guests.

I agree to show proof of current comprehensive general liability insurance if requested by the administrator.

I agree to the terms of this contract and understand that any violation of the terms may result in the cancellation of this agreement and forfeiture of fees and deposits. 

____________________________________  (signed)  ______________________  (dated)