POLICIES FOR THE USE OF THE FACILITIES OF
THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
McALESTER, OKLAHOMA
GENERAL
1. USE OF FACILITIES
1.1 The following are rules concerning the use of all property of the First Presbyterian Church of McAlester, Oklahoma. There shall be no exceptions to this policy without the specific approval of the Session or Pastor.
1.2 Scheduling of functions shall be coordinated through the church office.
1.2.1 Sponsors of functions not directly related to the church and its mission shall be subject to the approval of the Session (Maintenance Committee).
1.3 The Little Chapel on the Hill is the original home of the First Presbyterian Church. It was, and remains a house of Christian worship. Only services of worship, reconciliation, and restoration are appropriate within the chapel. Its use is subject to the oversight of the pastor and session but is not restricted to members of the Presbyterian denomination. Cleanup and the removal of trash from the Chapel after a service is the responsibility of the person hosting that event.
2. USE OF CHURCH EQUIPMENT
2.1 Ordinary church equipment such as tables and chairs may be borrowed by members if checked out through the church office. Audio visual equipment, musical instruments, and similar items are not generally loaned. Application for exemption to this rule may be made to the chairperson of the appropriate committee.
2.2 Borrowed equipment shall be returned clean and in working condition equal to the condition in which it was loaned.
3. MISCELLANEOUS
3.1 All church facilities are smoke-free. The use of tobacco is prohibited anywhere within the facilities.
3.2 At least one adult over the age of 21 shall be present at all activities.
CEREMONIES AND OTHER SPECIAL OCCASIONS
4. WEDDINGS
4.1 Weddings are religious ceremonies and will be conducted with the respect and honor due them. Every effort will be made to accommodate special requests of the wedding party, however, the pastor is the final authority as to the order and content of the entire wedding proceeding.
4.1.1 The pastor shall have the right of first refusal to perform the ceremony. The participation of any other persons in the ceremony will be only with the pastor's approval.
4.1.2 Any ordained minister may perform wedding ceremonies in the Little Chapel on the Hill. The presiding minister shall have the final authority as to the order and content for weddings conducted in the Little Chapel on the Hill.
4.1.3 Flash photography shall not occur during the ceremony. Video recording equipment, if used in the Sanctuary, shall be placed only in the balcony.
4.2 Weddings may be performed in the Sanctuary, Chapel, Parlor, or Chapel on the Hill.
4.3 Music at weddings shall be appropriate for a religious ceremony.
4.3.1 The church organist shall have the right of first refusal in the performance of music during the wedding.
4.4 Bird seed or soap bubbles may be used only outdoors. Confetti or rice shall not be used due to the litter and danger to wildlife.
4.5 It shall be the responsibility of a member of the wedding party to make arrangements with the church custodian for cleaning of the facility after the ceremony. The responsibility of cleaning of the kitchen and washing of dishes shall belong to the wedding party host unless specific arrangements are made with the custodian.
4.6 No fixture or furnishing shall be removed for any service without prior approval of the Session or pastor.
4.7 The wedding party shall bear all responsibility for the restoration of any damage or alteration that might occur as a result of the actions of them or their guest.
5. RECEPTIONS
5.1 Receptions for weddings, anniversaries, etc. may be held in Westminster Hall, in the Parlor, or in the Little Chapel on the Hill. Receptions involving the servicing of refreshments shall be conducted only in Westminster Hall or Little Chapel on the Hill unless otherwise approved.
5.1.1 Wine and champagne may be served during wedding receptions and other celebrations but only in Westminster Hall and in the Little Chapel on the Hill. No other alcoholic beverages may be served at any time.
5.2 All dishes, kitchen equipment, etc, shall be washed and returned to the appropriate storage area immediately following the reception.
6. FUNERAL SERVICES
6.1 Funeral service will be conducted by the pastor or a designated alternate as necessary to honor the deceased. The service shall be a service of worship in which God's people witness to their faith in the communion of all saints, the resurrection of the body, and the life everlasting; and in which assurance of God's love and salvation in Christ is ministered especially to the bereaved.
6.2 The music of the service is under the direction of the pastor in consultation with the church organist.
FEES FOR USE OF FACILITIES
7. FEES TO MEMBERS
7.1 No fees for use of the facilities will be assessed to members of the First Presbyterian Church..
8. FEES TO NON-MEMBERS
8.1 No fees will be assessed to approved non-profit organizations for the use of the facility provided that they have a sponsor within the church membership. (Boy scouts, girl scouts, civic clubs, etc.)
8.2 Fees to non members shall be $200 in addition to the fees for the service of church staff listed elsewhere.
8.3 The fee for the use of the Chapel on the Hill is $200 per event.
FEES FOR SERVICES
9. ORGANIST
9.1 Wedding service, including one rehearsal: $125
Additional rehearsal, including soloist accompaniment: $25 per occurrence
Funeral service: $709.2 The suggested honorarium for soloist is $70.
10. CUSTODIAN
10.1 Fee for custodial services for weddings is $200. This cost includes cleaning services before and after the rehearsal and event. The custodian shall be contacted at least 14 days for clarification on set-up requirements.
APPLICATION FOR USE OF FACILITIES
11. Application for use of any facility shall be made through the church office during normal business hours. A formal application for will be required for the use by non-members. Applications forms may be obtained through the office.