Maple Grove United Methodist Church
Facility Use Policy
Statement of Purpose
Maple Grove United Methodist Church (UMC) facilities are provided through God’s benevolence and by the generosity of its members. The church desires that its facilities be used for the fellowship of the Body of Christ and always to God’s glory. The facilities are available to members and approved non-member persons and groups. However, facility use will not be permitted to persons or groups holding, advancing, advocating, or engaging in belief or practices that conflict with the church’s faith or moral teachings, which are defined in the UMC Book of Discipline. Nor may facilities be used for activities that contradict, or are deemed by the Pastor as inconsistent with, or contrary to the church’s faith or moral teachings. The Maple Grove UMC Administrative Council is the decision-authority on whether a person or group is allowed to use church facilities.
For the use of church facilities, priority shall generally be given to members of the church, their immediate families, and organized groups that are part of the ministry, organization, or sponsored activities of the church. For purposes of this policy, members shall mean those who have formally joined Maple Grove or have been regular attendees for at least one year. Members can request use of church facilities for use by relatives. Such requests shall be considered as member requests. Church facilities and equipment will be made available to non-members or outside groups meeting the following qualifications:
Facility Use Rules of Conduct
Fees
Maple Grove UMC church members will not be charged for use of church facilities. Other individuals/groups will be charged for the use of church facilities in accordance with the current fee schedule. In addition, a security deposit will be assessed and will be refundable based on the condition of the facility subsequent to the event. The facility fee and security deposit should be remitted to the church 21 days prior to the event to ensure that the date desired is held. If an event is cancelled by the requestor through notification to the Facility Coordinator, the Pastor, or Administrative Council 48 hours prior to the event, any fees or security deposits paid will be refunded. If the Pastor, Administrative Council, or their designee, determine that a calendared event must be cancelled or stopped, the church shall refund the money to the user. However, refund may be declined due to a false statement on the application or concealment of a material fact. Requests for any custodial services should be made at the time the application for building use is submitted; an additional fee will be charged for such services.
Church Equipment
Weddings
Members of Maple Grove may reserve church facilities as far in advance of the wedding ceremony as they wish. Others, including members who have been members for less than one year at the time of scheduling, may not schedule their weddings more than six months prior to the ceremony. No weddings or rehearsals, whether for members or non-members, may be scheduled on holidays. No materials (e.g. flower petals, rice) may be scattered inside or outside of the church during or at the conclusion of the wedding ceremony.
Weddings are a state and church institution. All state laws must be followed. The Pastor of Maple Grove UMC shall be the coordinating Pastor for all weddings. The visiting pastor’s name and address should be provided in order that the Pastor of Maple Grove United Methodist Church may extend an invitation and ask his or her assistance in maintaining the traditions of the United Methodist Church. The Pastor has the right to refuse to perform any wedding. Exceptions to this policy are at the discretion of the Pastor of Maple Grove UMC. The marriage license is to be given to the presiding Pastor before the service. The ceremony will not be performed without a valid marriage license.
Funerals
Upon the death of one of our members or constituents, please contact the church or Pastor as soon as possible. Upon receiving your call, arrangements will made to coordinate the Pastor’s schedule and to reserve the Sanctuary for the service. Please note that our Pastor is here to serve and care for you and your family. Our Pastor also earnestly desires to know of those who need comfort and counsel as they face death. By being involved early in situations of death or impending death, the Pastor can help immensely with the necessary decisions regarding arrangements as well as caring for the spiritual needs of those involved.
All services are conducted by the Pastor and are services of worship for the community of faith. While the form of the services may differ, each is a service of witness to the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Memorial Service – The Memorial Service is a service in which the remains are not present. Interment of the remains in a Service of Committal has either preceded the Memorial Service or will take place at a later time.
Funeral Service – The Funeral Service is a service in which the remains are present in either a casket or an urn.
Graveside Service – The Graveside Service is a service that takes place at the burial site.
Fellowship Hall and Kitchen
Users are responsible to return the Fellowship Hall and kitchen to the condition in which they were found. This includes the general cleaning of all surfaces, sinks, and floors as well as the replacement of any items moved from their original location. Specific kitchen instructions are as follows.
Facility Use Fee Schedule
Members: No charge
UMC Related Groups/Activities: At the discretion of the Pastor or Facility Coordinator
Non-members:
*A $100 security deposit is required for small groups; a $150 security deposit is required for large groups. If the facility is appropriately cleaned, the deposit will be refunded.