Committees

Athletics Committee

The Athletics Committee plans and oversees intramural sports involvement and maintains the gym and sports equipment. The current chairperson of this committee is Matt Greer.

Bereavement Committee

The Bereavement Committee exists to comfort and care for families in our church who have experienced a loss. Typically, a meal is provided for the family immediately prior to, or after, the funeral. Please notify the church office immediately if you have had a death in your family, or become aware of a church member who has.

The current chairperson of the Bereavement committee is Susan Baird. Current members of the committee are Sue Coggins, Pat Teat, Dot Nichols, Jewell Hunt, Patti Bowers, Nancy Neal, and Mildred Pollard.

Church Council

The Church Council (formerly known as the Administrative Council) is comprised of a Chairperson, heads of all committees within the church, the Pastor, the church staff, and five members at large. The council meets monthly to discuss the business affairs and ministry functions of the church and, on an ongoing basis, provides for the organization and administration of the church, and evaluates the mission and ministry of the church. Meetings are held on the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 6:30.

Currently, the BFUMC Administrative Council chair is John Disher. Members at-large are Willie Nalley (2009), Nancy Neal (2009), Adam McCloud (2009), Jim Humphreys (2009), and Bobby Taylor (2010).

Communications Committee

The Communications Committee works with other church committees to communicate information creatively and effectively to potential visitors, visitors, new members, and established members via print and electronic media. This includes the church web site, ministry brochures, and monthly newsletter. This committee includes the Pastor, the Administrative Assistant, the Webmaster, the Publicity Director, and other members as needed.

The current Communications Chairperson is Debbie Capps. The current Publicity Director is Jayne Ferrer.

Education Committee

The Education Committee oversees the Sunday School program for all ages, plus Vacation Bible School and holiday celebrations for children's classes. If you have an interest in teaching Sunday School, being a substitute teacher, or assisting with the Valentine's, Easter, or Christmas party, please contact the church office.

The current chairperson of this committee is Jayne Ferrer. Other committee members include:

Church School Superintendent & Literature Secretary - Andy Vaughn; Preschool Coordinator - Lucy Hughes; Elementary Coordinator - Sonya Evans; Youth Coordinator - Patti Taylor; Older Adult Ministries - Blanche Creswell; UMYF President - Jeff Gould; Campus Ministries Chair - James Ferrer; CDC Director - Shannon Finley-Newbill

Finance Committee

The Finance Committee proposes, raises, manages, and distributes the resources of the congregation. Members of this committee include the Chairperson, the Pastor, the Church Financial Secretary, the Church Treasurer, the Stewardship Chairperson, the Church Council Chairperson, the Lay Leader and Alternate Lay Leader to the Annual Conference, and three members at large.

The current chairperson of this committee is Garl Revis. Current at-large members are Martha McWhite (2008), Gene Bondurant (2009), and Tony Earnest (2010).

Health & Welfare Committee

The Health and Welfare Committee provides information and opportunities related to the health and well-being of our church members. Typical activities include blood drives (church members can receive blood for free when needed in medical situations), blood pressure checks, and periodic updates on disease research and prevention.

The current chairperson of this committee is Jan Smith.

Higher Education and Campus Ministries Committee

The Higher Education and Campus Ministries Committee, better known as the College Committee, exists to stay in touch with church members who are enrolled in a college or university and living away from home and to actively involve college-aged young people in the life of the church.

If you are a college student living at or away from home, or if there is a college student in your family, please call the church office at 246-4311 to provide us with current and correct contact information.

The current chairperson of this committee is James Ferrer.

History Committee

The History Committee records and preserves details about BFUMC's activities and growth and makes that information available as necessary.

The current chairperson of this committee is Becky Philpot and, as she is fond of saying, "We're making history every day!"

Lay Leader

The Lay Leader gathers the hopes and concerns of the congregation and works with the pastor and the church leadership to plan and support programs which will address these hopes and concerns. As such, the Lay Leader is an ad hoc member of all church committees and is encouraged to attend all committee meetings.

The current Lay Leader is Wilson Creswell.

Lay Leadership Committee

The Lay Leadership Committee (formerly Nominating Committee) discovers, invites, nominates, and supports persons for leadership positions in the ministry of the congregation. The committee presents a slate of officers at the Annual Charge Conference each year.

The current committee is as follows:

Lay Members to Annual Conference

The Lay Members of Annual Conference link the congregation and the connectional church by participating in the Annual Conferences sessions and interpreting its actions to the congregation. They attend the South Carolina Annual Conference sessions in June and make a report to the congregation.

The current Lay Members are Marsha Disher and Terri McCloud (alternate).

Nurturing/Family Ministries Committee

The purpose of the Nurturing/Family Ministries Committee is to plan and foster activities to encourage fellowship, support, and relationships among the members of Berea Friendship UMC. It sponsors a variety of events such as covered dish dinners, picnics, holiday celebrations, game and movie nights, youth/adult basketball games, prayer vigils, and other special events. Members of this committee include the Chairperson, the Athletics Committee Chairperson, the Head Usher, the Worship Committee Chairperson, the Director of Music, and two members-at-large.

If you're creative, enjoy planning parties, have a knack for organizing, think preparing dinner for fifty is a piece of cake, or just make great coffee, this is the place for you!

The current chairperson of this committee is Terri McCloud. The members at-large positions are currently vacant.

Outreach/Evangelism/Missions Committee

The Outreach/Evangelism/Missions Committee works to identify and understand and the needs of people throughout our community and world and implements programs and ministries that encourage our members to address those needs. Outreach activities include member visitation, welcoming visitors, spiritual renewal activities, and revivals. Berea Friendship? annual Fall Festival is the main event sponsored by this committee; proceeds from this event support a variety of mission projects ranging from local nonprofit groups and Methodist relief organizations, such as UMCOR, to missionaries around the world.

The chairperson of this event is Lisa Nichols. Current members of the committee are Jayne Ferrer, Becky Philpot, and Janet Stone.

Staff/Parish Relations Committee

The Staff/Parish Relations Committee (formerly known as Pastor/Parish Relations Committee) is responsible for overseeing church staff performance, education, and compensation; working with the District Superintendent to determine and direct the ministry of the church; and recognizing and supporting anyone in the church who feels called to ordained ministry. This committee has between 5 and 9 members elected to 3-year terms. Members should include a young adult and may also include a youth. The lay leader and a lay member of the annual conference area are required to be members of this committee. The committee must not include an immediate family member of the pastor or staff or more than one person from the same household. At the end of their term, committee members cannot immediately serve again.

The current SPRC committee is as follows:

The current chairperson of this committee is Janet Stone.

Stewardship Committee

The Stewardship Committee encourages members to support Berea Friendship with their prayers, presence, gifts, and service by sharing information about our church and its needs.

The position of chairperson for this committee is currently vacant.

Trustees

The Board of Trustees in the United Methodist Church has the responsibility to manage, supervise, oversee, and care for the property of the church. Additionally, the Board of Trustees must ensure the adequacy of property, liability, and crime insurance and receive and administer all bequests and trusts given to the church. The Board of Trustees is composed of not more than nine nor fewer than three members. Members of the committee are elected by the charge conference to serve a term of up to three years. At least one-third of the trustees shall be laywomen, one-third laymen, and two-thirds must be members of the church. A provision in the Book of Discipline allows for up to one-third of the trustees to be nonmembers.

The current chairperson of the Board of Trustees is Jim Rawson. The 2008 Trustees for Berea Friendship United Methodist Church are as follows:

The Trustees ask that all church members and visitors help them keep the church property in good condition by treating it with respect. If you know of problem that needs attention, please notify the Trustees by filling out a form that is located in the holder on the church office door.

Worship Committee

The Worship Committee acts to support and enhance Berea Friendship's worship experiences. This includes preparation and planning for such special services as Maundy Thursday, Pentecost, the Hanging of the Greens, and other significant occasions. The Worship Committee works with the pastor, the music director, and others to ensure that opportunities for worship are provided that will assist the congregation in developing and strengthening their relationship with God. The Altar Guild, which attends to elements of worship such as paraments, altar flowers, and banners, reports to this committee, as do ushers, acolytes, communion stewards, liturgists, and lay speakers. This committee also coordinates and staffs Children's Church.

The current chairperson of this committee is Bobbie Bogan.