Facility Rental and Usage

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We love to see our facilities being utilized by members and non-members alike. Below are links to pages with some guidelines around using them. Please feel free to reach out to the church office via our contact form or the information at the bottom of this page if you need additional help.

Weddings

Your wedding is a sacred occasion which involves you and many of your family and friends in a Christian ceremony with lifelong implications. Because of the nature and importance of the occasion, careful planning is necessary to ensure that the event is conducted smoothly and meaningfully. Since there are so many details, the following guidelines and procedures have been formulated and adopted by the church to assist you in your planning.

Wedding Fees

Wedding fees are divided into two categories, depending on whether the bride or groom, or their parents are members of the church. A “non-member” refers to the bride or groom who is not a member of First Baptist, nor are his or her parents. A $150.00 damage deposit* must be paid at the time of booking in order to reserve a date. All other fees are to be paid to the church office at least 30 days in advance of the wedding. Please see the wedding coordinator concerning the payment of fees. In the event of cancellation, the deposit and part or all of the fees (depending on the situation & time frame) are refundable up to two weeks before the wedding.

	Fees for Members	Fees for Non-Members
Sanctuary	Custodian: $250	Custodian: $250 Utilities: $300
Fellowship Hall / Kitchen	Custodian: $250	Custodian: $250 Utilities: $200
Nursery	Custodial Fee: $50 Nursery Workers: If FBC workers are employed, they must be paid at their current hourly rate and will be paid for a minimum of two hours	Custodial Fee: $75 Nursery Workers: If FBC workers are employed, they must be paid at their current hourly rate and will be paid for a minimum of two hours
Professional Fees	Pastor(s): $500 honorarium; additional accommodations to be covered: mileage and per diem at current government rates Sound System Operator: $200 (mandatory fee) Pianist: $200 Organist: $200 Vocalist: $200 Wedding Coordinator: $250 (mandatory fee)	Pastor(s): $500 honorarium; additional accommodations to be covered: mileage and per diem at current government rates Sound System Operator: $200 (mandatory fee) Pianist: $200 Organist: $200 Vocalist: $200 Wedding Coordinator: $250 (mandatory fee)

* $150.00 damage deposit is to be paid at the time of booking to the church office. Five to seven days after the wedding the deposit will be reimbursed, provided there has been no damage incurred to the facilities, all fees have been paid, and the sanctuary, DRESSING AREAS and/or kitchen have been left in proper order and all personal belongings, decorations, etc. were removed within one hour after ceremony/reception (if at FBC).

Use of the Church Facilities

No utility fees are charged for the use of the church facilities when either the bride or groom or their parents is a member of First Baptist Church. However, a deposit, professional and custodial fees will be charged. Non-members are charged these fees as well as a fee to cover the cost of utilities.

The sanctuary may be used for wedding ceremonies when available. If a previously scheduled church event requires the use of the same facilities following the wedding, the wedding should be scheduled early enough to allow for rearrangement of the room without undue pressure on any individual or group. The facilities may not be scheduled for Sundays, holidays, during weeks of special services or during the month of December. All weddings must take place no later than 7:00 p.m. and if the reception is to be in the church fellowship hall, the wedding must be scheduled before 5 p.m. No slide shows or PowerPoint presentations of any kind may be shown in the sanctuary on a projector brought in or on any of the church’s equipment, and the drop-down screen may not be used. Observance of the Lord’s Supper is not permitted during wedding ceremonies unless a minister of First Baptist Church officiates.

Only the pulpit, ministers’ chairs, handbell tables and communion table will be removed from the stage area for wedding ceremonies. All other stage furniture will remain in its place. Furniture in the church’s hallways or classrooms may not be moved.

The fellowship hall and kitchen may be used for wedding receptions provided such usage does not conflict with regular church use and fees are paid in advance. It is understood that the persons using these facilities will be responsible for the removal of flowers, decorations, food and washing dishes. (The church dishwasher may not be used.) The use of a DJ is not permitted at receptions held in the fellowship hall and dancing is not allowed. The Music Minister shall have final authority over all music at the reception. The wedding party is responsible for ensuring that caterers provide at least one week’s advance notice concerning the desired room arrangement for receptions held in the fellowship hall. Caterers must provide all items necessary except tables and chairs. The church does not provide punch bowls or cups, coffee service, tablecloths, dishes, trays, ice chests or silverware. The kitchen may only be used for serving and cleaning up following receptions; cooking is not permitted. Banquet style dinners and/or dinner parties are not permitted due to the time needed to clean and setup for other church activities. The caterer, under the supervision of the wedding coordinator, is responsible for cleaning and caring for the kitchen facilities.

** SMOKING IS PROHIBITED INSIDE THE CHURCH BUILDINGS AT ALL TIMES**

Consultation with Pastor

Marriage is a lifetime commitment. To help the bride and groom with life adjustments that come with marriage, they must go through a program of premarital counseling with a certified marriage counselor, the officiating minister, or some other certified Christian counseling professional. If the officiating minister is not a member of the Pastoral Team of First Baptist Church, the minister and/or counselor must submit a letter to the Pastor verifying the couple has participated in a program of premarital counseling.

Employing the Wedding Coordinator

The coordinator must be employed for all weddings. She will be available in the months before your wedding to answer questions, provide names of support people if needed, assist with plans for the facilities, and will be present during the rehearsal and wedding. She will be responsible for opening and closing the facilities, maintaining temperature in rooms to be used, coordinating set up and clean up with maintenance personnel, and assisting the wedding party if needed. All requests to the church by the wedding party will be directed to the wedding coordinator.

If our Pastor is to perform the ceremony, consultations should be arranged with him at the time you are setting the date for the wedding. At these meetings, attended by both the bride and the groom, the form of the ceremony and other details may be discussed. First Baptist Church’s Pastoral Team has final authority over the content of your marriage ceremony and the worship experience. The content of the wedding service must conform to the church’s beliefs. Wedding ceremonies that are conducted as a social event or in the same manner as a civil ceremony will not be allowed.

Employing the Organist

A First Baptist organist shall be employed for all weddings where the organ will be played in order to protect this sensitive instrument. Exceptions are only made with the Minister of Music’s approval and require attendance by the potential organist to an organ orientation session (a fee applies). The Music Minister and Pastor are available for consultation on all matters pertaining to the wedding music.

When there are to be vocalists, it will be the responsibility of the bride to see that they contact the organist or pianist for music selections and rehearsals. These rehearsals must be during normal church office hours (8:30 a.m.-5:00 p.m.) only Tuesday through Friday.

Employing the Housekeeper/Custodian

The church housekeeper shall be employed for all weddings. He/She will prepare the facilities and clean them following the wedding.

Employing the Sound System Operator

A First Baptist sound system operator shall be employed for all weddings (which require microphones, speakers, etc.) in order to protect church equipment and to ensure that you fully utilize the equipment to enhance your wedding. The Wedding Coordinator will schedule an operator.

Your Wedding Music

It is most important to keep in mind that a church wedding is a service of the church, and the music should be in harmony with the reverence that is observed upon entering the house of God. All ceremony music selections must be approved by the Music Minister of First Baptist no later than 30 days prior to the ceremony.

“Live music” (piano, organ, instrumental) must be used for all ceremonies. NO tapes or CD’s can be used in the sanctuary. All instrumentalists and vocalists MUST attend the wedding rehearsal.

Photographers

In keeping with the reverence of the wedding service, no flash pictures may be taken once the ceremony begins (pictures of the bride entering and leaving excepted). Photographers shall not stand on pews. Only the first two rows of hymnals may be removed from the pew racks while taking pictures.
Video taping of the ceremony is permitted if no special lighting is used and the camera operator is inconspicuous. All technical support personnel (e.g. photographers, videographers, etc.) are under the authority of the wedding coordinator.

Setting the Time of Your Wedding

Planning your wedding as far in advance as possible will help minimize the demands on your time at this busy juncture in your life. It also facilitates arranging for the use of church space and avoiding conflicts in schedules. Careful attention should be given to setting a convenient time for the wedding. It is important that the exact time indicated for the rehearsal and wedding be observed in order to avoid conflicts with other church activities.

You may submit the date of the wedding to the church wedding coordinator, who in turn will clear the date with the church calendar of events. The Wedding Reservation Form (see page 7) should be filled out as soon as possible. The church wedding coordinator will confirm the wedding date after this form has been completed in full, submitted and processed, and a security deposit paid. Individuals wishing to use the church facilities for weddings must read and agree to all parts of this policy before a wedding will be placed on the church calendar. A consultation time should be set with the coordinator at this time to discuss church policies and ceremony arrangements. Attention brides: To ensure the coordinator’s availability, please call ahead to make an appointment before dropping by the church.

The Wedding Party

It is expected that members of the wedding party will recognize the fact that the church is the house of God and will conduct themselves at all times in a manner befitting the atmosphere of a place of worship. No alcoholic beverages may be served on the church premises at any time. Smoking is not allowed inside the church building at any time, nor are food or drinks of ANY KIND allowed in the church sanctuary.

Confetti, rice and birdseed are not to be thrown in the church building. Only birdseed may be thrown outside the church building.

It is the obligation of the bride and groom to make certain that these rules are made known to ALL members of the wedding party. By agreeing to these policies, you are held responsible for all damage done by the wedding party.

Flowers & Decorations

(Please Note and Give to Florist and Caterer)

In the church sanctuary, there exists a setting for a sacred service which is dignified and beautiful. Decorations should be carefully planned to enhance this setting.

Whenever candles are used, they must be of the dripless and smokeless variety and (just in case) must be in a candelabra which will catch and contain all drippings, and the floor should be thoroughly protected. Candles may be used in windows only when enclosed in globes. However, only greenery may be used to decorate the ledges (both the vestibule and sanctuary sides) of the Rose Window. The florist or decorator will be held directly responsible for the cleaning of wax from all floor coverings and furniture in every case. He/She shall be liable for any damage done to church properties through negligence. The wedding deposit may also be retained if candle or decoration damage occurs. The florist must provide their own labor for setting up and arranging decorations.

Under no circumstances shall decorations be attached to the pews or other furniture (such as fellowship hall tables!) by pinning, gluing, nailing or taping.

Church decorations that are in place for seasonal celebrations (e.g. Easter, Christmas, etc.) will remain in place and will not be moved. The wedding party must accept the church as decorated. During these special seasons, any decorations brought in should be coordinated with existing decorations.

All decorations, flowers, plants, and other equipment shall be removed from the church building immediately following its use (within one hour after the ceremony). The wedding deposit will be retained if these arrangements are not made known to the coordinator by the Friday before the wedding, or if the coordinator is left with removal/disposal. (Flower arrangements may be left for the next worship service. Please arrange this through the church wedding coordinator.) All facilities must be left “broom clean” after removal of flowers, candles, etc.

Air conditioning or heating will be turned on only at a reasonable time before any scheduled event (in any case, not more than four hours in advance). Florists should note this and not bring flowers too early.

Furniture may be moved ONLY BY THE CUSTODIAN. IF ANYONE ELSE MOVES ANY PIECE OF FURNITURE THE DEPOSIT WILL BE RETAINED.

Non-Church Use

Availability

All facilities at First Baptist Church are intended for the use and benefit of its membership and implementing FBC sponsored ministries.
The church property and buildings are available for use by any non-profit group or church member for church related events or for non-church related events. Non-church related events are defined as events that may occur at this facility but are not a part of the overall ministry of the church. These events may involve church members.
The Properties Committee, under the guidance of the Deacon body, reserves the right to refuse use of its facilities by any group for any reason. The church, specifically, will deny any use it feels is counter to the mission of the church.
No use will conflict with activities of the church or preparation for these activities.
The church reserves the right to cancel any reservation for use with no less than four weeks prior notice in favor of its own need or those of any of its members.
Unfortunately, no items within the church, including folding tables and chairs, dishes, utensils, etc. are available for use outside of the church property, unless for a specific church-related function.
A separate wedding policy is available and should be used for that specific event.
The church is not available on Sunday for non-church related events except for events that are supportive of the mission of our church (i.e., anniversaries, showers, etc.). The church is not available on Wednesday evenings. If the sanctuary is used on Saturday, the event must be completed and the sanctuary cleaned by 8:00 p.m.
All events scheduled should be concluded by 10:00 p.m.

Fees

Usage of the church building is free if events do not exceed 3 hours, with the exception of a non-negotiable cleaning fee of $100 per area used. (For example: Burns Hall is $100, and the kitchen would be a separate $100 if food is to be cooked.) Also, non-profit groups and church members using the facilities are required to submit a $250 deposit, refundable if the facilities used are left in a clean and orderly manner. The church reserves the right to retain this deposit and to require additional fees to be paid to cover any unexpected janitorial or repair expenses.
The Properties Committee will determine if a certificate of insurance would be required for activities that could have some liability exposure. (8/17/99)
A utilities and maintenance fee of $50/hour will be charged for events exceeding 3 hours in duration.
The fee for moving furniture is $100 and must be performed by our maintenance supervisor.

General Use

Arrangements for opening and closing of the building must be made with the church office no later than one (1) business day before the requested use.
All church facilities must be left in same manner as they were before use, as clean and with the original arrangement of furnishings. Furnishings in the Sanctuary and Burns Hall must be moved by church personnel. A $100 fee is required. The furniture in the education building may be temporarily moved. The furniture must be returned to the original location before leaving. All food waste must be disposed in the kitchen trashcans only.
Each group is responsible for cleaning all dishes and utensils used. The kitchen dishwashers are NOT to be used, and if food will be cooked, a separate cleaning fee for the kitchen will be charged.
Each group will be financially responsible for any damage caused. Determining the extent of damage and its expected repair costs is at the discretion of the church.
Candles used in the facilities must be of the dripless variety and must have protective sheets under the candles to prevent spilling wax on the carpet and furnishings. Candles may be used in the windows only when enclosed in globes. (Battery operated candles are preferred.) Any damage caused by candles will be at the expense of the person responsible for reserving the church facilities.

Scheduling Use of Facilities

Call the church office to check on the availability of the facilities.
Complete and submit the approval form to the church office. This form will be forwarded to the chairman of the Properties Committee.
The Properties Committee will discuss, approve or disapprove, and notify the church office.
The Church office will record on the church calendar and contact the requesting party of the approval or denial of the event.
Security deposit will be due at the time of notification.

The Place

The Place houses the Student Ministries of First Baptist Church. The building helps further the youth, college, and other ministries of the church. Therefore, The Place is available for church members to use for church functions when it is not being used by the Student Ministries. The Place is also available for non-church use, by church members and by non-church members for a fee and deposit, when no other church functions have been scheduled. Sunday usage is restricted to church activities. Checking availability, for both church functions and non-church use, and booking may be done by contacting the church office, and completing the reservation/liability forms with deposit if for non-church use.

By using The Place, participants agree to abide by all church policies relating to building usage, including but not limited to the following. When participating in events at The Place, participants and supervisors are expected to conduct themselves in a manner that furthers, and does not hinder, the mission of First Baptist Church and its Student Ministry. Participants, particularly young people, may be asked to leave a function at any time by supervisors. Such participants must be picked up promptly upon dismissal. Furthermore, supervisors have the authority to shut down a function at any time, even without notice, should they deem it necessary to uphold FBC policies.

Food is the responsibility of the party renting The Place. We ask that you avoid foods that could do permanent damage to the facility, as well as food that could stick to the flooring, such as Skittles, Starburst, or gum.

Fees for Non-Church Use of The Place

For all non-church usage, The Place may be rented by a church member for $100 plus a $100 cleaning fee. Non-members may rent The Place for $200 plus a $100 cleaning fee. This cost includes two hours of usage, plus one hour of set-up. Any event lasting over two hours must have prior approval and will incur a fee of $75 for each additional hour. A fee of up to $100 may be charged for moving/removing furniture.

Payments for supervision/instruction of games/audio/visual usage are over and above these usage rates: $50 for up to two hours; $25 each additional hour.

Additionally, a date for a non-church event will be considered “locked-in” for a church member when the church office receives a $100 refundable deposit. For non-members, the refundable deposit will be $500. This deposit will be refunded within seven days after the event, providing the facilities are left in the condition they are found.

A breakdown of fees is as follows

	Member	Non-Member
Deposit	$100	$500
Rental Fee	$100	$200

The deposit is refundable
The rental fee includes one hour of set-up and two hours of usage

	Everyone
Event lasting over 2 hours	$75 / hr
Cleaning fee	$100
Furniture moving / removing	$100
Supervision of games and electronics (first 2 hours)	$50
Supervision of games and electronics (additional hours)	$25 / hr

Special Policies for Non-Church Usage of The Place

Every effort will be made to not move the date of a party, event, or function once it is booked, as doing so would be a great inconvenience. However, under certain circumstances, Student Ministries and church ministries reserve the right to ask that a party, event, or function be moved to another date if the need arises for The Place to be used for a Student Ministry or church event. Again, Sunday usage is restricted to church use only.
Participants and supervisors at The Place must abide by certain guidelines, including but not limited to the following:
- Behavior must be in accordance with the mission of First Baptist Church. As such, profanity and inappropriate speech will not be tolerated.
- Discretion must be used in choosing appropriate ways of showing affection. Adult chaperones and supervisors may address situations of inappropriate displays of affection at any time.
- The use of alcohol, tobacco products, and illegal drugs are not allowed.
- No weapons of any kind are allowed inside The Place.
- Students are not allowed to roam the areas around The Place. Students must be inside the building or on the porch and adjoining yard at all times, unless being picked up by a parent/guardian.
- Safety practices must be followed at all times.
- No audio, visual, or gaming equipment may be used without a church-appointed, authorized individual running such systems. The fee for such an individual is $50 for functions lasting less than two hours and $25 for each additional hour. No audio, video, sound, or game equipment may be used without first checking with the church office about its availability.
The Place is equipped with internet services. The computers in the building are internet-ready and the building is equipped with a wireless internet system.
Usage of any computer or internet service is strictly prohibited unless previous arrangements are made. Such arrangements must be made no less than one week prior to the date of the event.
Entering the electrical room, the unfinished space on the second floor, and administrative offices of The Place is prohibited. The conference room may only be used if prior arrangements are made. The upstairs area should only be used to come in and out of The Place. The downstairs storage room should only be entered if prior access is granted. The warming kitchen should only be used for serving food. Students are not allowed in the warming kitchen.
There must be one adult chaperone (twenty-one years or older) for every seven students.
All decorations must be removed immediately upon completion of the event.
The responsible party, as listed below, must be at The Place at all times.
Generally speaking, The Place is not available for usage on Sundays and Wednesdays.
All events should be concluded by 10:00 p.m., unless other arrangements are made. Such arrangements must be made no less than three business days before the requested use.
Arrangements for opening and closing The Place must be made with the church office no less than three business days before the requested use.
Furniture, equipment, and other items within The Place may not be moved unless prior arrangements are made. A fee of up to $100 may be charged for moving/removing furniture.
All food waste must be disposed in the kitchen trashcans only.
If used, all dishes, utensils, and kitchen items must be cleaned and returned to their proper places.
Be sure all lights are turned off, all doors locked, and air is at appointed level.
Users are financially responsible for any damage caused. Determining the extent of damage and the respective repair costs is at the discretion of the church.