Listed below are the committees, councils, and ministries at West U Methodist. If you are interested in playing an active role, please contact Rev. Carol Bruse, cbruse@westumethodist.org.
Staff-Parish Relations Committee
Members are professing members of the local church or charge or associate members elected annually by the charge conference. The committee shall reflect biblically and theologically on the role and work of the pastor(s) and staff as they carry out their leadership responsibilities. The committee shall assist the pastor(s) and staff in assessing their gifts and setting priorities for leadership and service. It is the responsibility of the committee to communicate with the committee on lay leadership and /or the church council when there is a need for other leaders or for employed staff to perform in areas where utilization of their gifts of the pastor(s) and staff proves an inappropriate stewardship of time.
Board of Stewards
Members are professing members of the local church or charge or associate members elected annually by the charge conference. The committee shall serve throughout the year to guide the church council, or alternative structure, on matters regarding the leadership (other than employed staff) of the congregations so as to focus on mission and ministry as the context for service; guide the development and training of spiritual leaders; recruit, nurture, and support spiritual leaders; and assist the church council, or alternative structure, in assessing the changing leadership needs.
Lay Leadership “Nominating” Committee Members are professing members of the local church or charge or associate members elected annually by the charge conference. The committee shall recommend to the charge conference, at its annual session, the names of people to serve as officers and leaders of designated ministries of the church council, or alternative administrative body required for the work of the church and as the law of the church requires or as the charge conference deems necessary to its work.
Finance Committee
Members are elected annually by the charge conference upon recommendation by the committee on lay leadership or from the floor. This committee is charged with responsibility for developing and implementing plans that will raise sufficient income to meet the budget adopted by the church council. It shall administer the funds received according to instructions from the church council. The committee shall carry out the church council’s directions in guiding the treasurer(s) and financial secretary.
Board of Trustees
Members are elected annually by the charge conference upon recommendation by the committee on lay leadership or from the floor. This committee shall have the supervision, oversight, and care of all real property owned by the local church and of all property and equipment acquired directly by the local church or by any society, board, class, commission, or similar organization connected therein. This committee will also review annually the adequacy of the property, liability, personnel and crime insurance coverage on church-owned property, buildings, and equipment.
Children’s Council The Children’s Council is made up of twelve laity, chair and Director of Children’s Ministry. The council has a Board of Stewards representative. This council is responsible for planning, visioning, and advocating for the children within the congregation, the community, and the world. They oversee the planning of and execution of short-term events, Sunday School, etc. The council is accountable to the Children’s Director, Pastor and Board of Stewards. Members are nominated by the Nominating Committee yearly. Laity may ask to join the council and serve at anytime a vacancy comes available.
Outreach Committee (Evangelism) This council is responsible for overseeing a number of programs to promote the church in the community.This includes welcome of new visitors, visitation, coordination with communications staff to promote the church in local publications (events, worship services, bible studies, etc.)This council is responsible for the enlisting of greeters and ushers.
The School of Fine Arts Board The Fine Arts Board supports the operation of the School of Fine Arts. Normally meeting 1-2 times per year, they have input in teacher’s salaries and general policies of the school, and help to interview potential teachers. Another important function of the board is to provide support for the annual recital in May.
We like to have members that have some interest in music – perhaps people who have had or currently have children in the program. They need to be willing to come to meetings when they come up – however many times issues are addressed by email and meetings are not necessary. Willingness to participate in recital planning/execution is important.
Church School Board
A Board of Directors shall establish policy for and oversee all operations of The School. The Board shall:
Oversee all programs and activities in The School, be responsible for hiring the Director provided that The Board’s nominee for Director is approved by the Committee of Staff-Parish Relations (SPR). The Board shall set the Director’s salary. The Board will also determine teacher qualifications and approve job descriptions and personnel policies for all volunteers and paid employees of The School. Publish, and periodically update, written policy, procedures and operating guidelines for staff and participants in The School, establish guidelines for enrollment, submit an annual operating budget and financial plan for The School’s fiscal year, to The Church’s Financial Committee, coordinate with the Director to oversee that The School complies with the laws, ordinances, and licensing requirements of the City of West University, Harris County and The State of Texas and their respective regulatory agencies, approve all fee schedules, interpret the work of The School for the Board of Stewards and Council on Ministries, and publicize the activities of The School within The Church and the community.
The Board shall be composed of 11 voting members. Nine Board Members shall be elected by The Church Conference. Eight members of the Board shall be members of West University United Methodist Church The ninth member may or may not be a member of The Church.
Bereavement Ministry
A part of Funeral Ministry. It is organized in the model of Christ Care Ministry.The Bereavement Ministry serves members of WUUMC and the greater community that have suffered loss. The loss is most often the death of a loved one in the family; however, the loss can be a job, divorce, major illness, or severe family issues that result in loss. The groups are 4-12 in size with the average around six persons. The groups meet 6-8 weeks. At this time the groups are organized on an “as needed” basis. Funding for this ministry allows us to purchase books and many other sources of bereavement material that we mail or provide when members of the church need encouragement.
Joy Hall and Karen Vine Fuller are the contact members for this ministry.
Altar Guild
This lay ministry coordinates with the ministry staff to provide the very best possible environment for the worship of God by the people of God. The guild is responsible for preparing communion and assisting in serving communion when needed. We give attention to the furnishings, linens, symbols, paraments, and banners that are used in sacred ways. We purchase the communion elements, candles, and special items used in regular and seasonal worship. There are about 10 members that serve in teams of two. We report to the Worship Committee and the chairman serves on that committee.
Joy Hall is currently in charge of this ministry.
Men’s Breakfast
This activity is a ministry of food, fellowship and study that meets each Wednesday morning. We serve breakfast at 6:30 am, eat and fellowship until 7 am, then gather for Bible or religious study until 7:30 am. This activity is open to any man who desires to join. We average 16 men ranging in age, occupation and levels of education. We often perform fund-raising drives for charitable causes. Charlie Schwab and 5 assistants provide the preparation of the breakfast. Our program leaders vary within the group, and our council is governed by Charlie Hall, Tommy Thompson, Bert Palmer and others.
Elder Care
This is a ministry by women of our church who focus on caring for the elderly members of the church who are homebound, unable to attend services, and live away from our church community. We have a list of approximately 65+ who we keep track of by phone, letter, visitation, etc. Leaders in this ministry are Ms. Barbara Ownby, Ms. Robert Todd, Ms. Tracey Everist, Ms. Diemer, Jim and Jean Todd, Joy and Charlie Hall. This team also provides worship services at Holly Hall every 5th Sunday assisted by Ms. Pat Sellers and Ms. E.J. Hall.
Prayer Ministry
This ministry team involves approximately 20 volunteers that gather weekly to pray in small groups for the prayer requests turned in weekly in the worship services. These teams meet at various times but meet one every month for a council meeting. On special occasions the church is open to the public for prayer. We offer prayer training, prayer retreats, and prayer enrichment sessions throughout the year. Led by Charlie Hall.
Funeral Ministry A volunteer ministry where we provide food and services for families when thee is a death of a church member, or a death of a church member’s family. We make available a meal for the family before or after the service. Ms. Sandy Allen provides the food services, and volunteers from the church assist.
