Committees

 

The following information is provided to give you an idea of the ministries of this church and the committees and boards that develop and promote the varied work areas of this congregation. We hope it will be a reference for you if you have a question, need, or desire to serve and are wondering what committee or work area to turn to. In most cases a position on a committee is for a three-year term. Officers and committee chairs are elected for one-year terms. Re-elections to positions are possible with the exception of the Lay Leadership and Staff/Pastor Parish Relations Committee. We encourage you to take your membership promises seriously and to serve in a ministry area – using your gifts and graces to strengthen the church and to grow as a faithful disciple! It is also one of the best ways to meet people and to make life-long friendships with others in the church fellowship.

 

Outreach & Social Concerns Committee

 

Mission and outreach are very important to United Methodists – right from the time of John Wesley! This committee supports missions locally and globally by: preparing and presenting the annual mission budget that provides funding for a variety of mission projects, sponsors volunteers on mission trips in the U.S. and around the world, hosts receptions and meetings for mission speakers, promotes Six Special Sunday offerings for missions, brings to the attention of the congregation emergency mission needs and offerings (such as Katrina, the tsunami, etc.)

 

 

Membership Committee

The mission of the Membership Committee is one of hospitality and fellowship. We are the hospitality team. We really serve two distinct audiences – members and prospective members. Our goal is to make both of these audiences and their guests feel welcome, invited and included in the life of Park Avenue United Methodist Church.

The Membership Committee also works to dovetail its efforts with related initiatives spearheaded by other committees. Some activities of the membership committee are as follows:

  • Provide greeters to welcome people to the 11am Sunday worship
  • Celebrations on special Sundays, like Mother’s Day and Father’s Day.
  • Name tags for members
  • Participation in the “Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors” Igniting Ministries marketing campaign
  • T-shirts and pins for new members
  • Pens for visitors and members
  • Print advertising, yellow pages, and banners
  • Annual All-Church Picnic & the Fall Picnic
  • Hosting of events such as the annual Pancake Breakfast held on Palm Sunday
  • Quarterly discussions of the health and trends of PAUMC’s membership
  • Concerted effort by Membership Committee to reach out to members, prospective members, guests and visitors throughout PAUMC activities

The membership committee is co-chaired by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. , and This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. . Contact them regarding getting involved in this organization.

 

Christian Education

This committee works with the pastor, other staff members and volunteers to develop and evaluate all areas of Christian education for children, youth, and adults in the congregation including: keeping a kinder roll, early childhood program, Sunday School that is age-appropriate, youth programs and classes, Vacation Bible School, adult studies and classes.

 

Worship Committee

This committee works with the pastor and the church music staff to assure that the church provides a welcoming and meaningful worship experience. The committee is responsible to keep the sanctuary in good order, provides communion stewards, ushers, greeters, and is involved in discussing and planning for special worship times or implementing new or alternative worship services.

 

Stewardship Committee

Everything we have is a gift from God.  And we are called upon to be good stewards of these gifts.  Good stewardship means using our time, talent and treasure in ways that extend the hand of God. 
 
The role of the Stewardship Committee is to encourage our members and visitors to share generously and joyfully their God-given gifts.  Beyond their time and talent, members are asked to make a financial commitment called a "pledge."  These gifts are used to support the ministries of our church. 
 
The Stewardship Committee is expected to help promote giving and pledging, as well as educate those within the church about stewardship principles.   John Wesley said, "Gain all you can, save all you can, and give all you can."  He believed if we spent less, saved more, and managed our money well, then there would be more to give and use for God's purposes.  The Stewardship Committee advocates these values and reminds our members and visitors that pledging involves making a commitment to God, a commitment to our church family, as well as giving as they have been blessed. 
 
The Stewardship Committee coordinates closely with the Finance Committee and Board of Trustees because pledging is a key financial tool for church planning.  Each pledge helps in the budgeting process by allowing church leaders to estimate reliably which ministries can be funded that year.
 
The committee holds approximately 6-8 meetings a year to develop a program to meet the funding requirements of our church's ministries, as well as everyday budgetary needs.  For the most part, the meetings are held early in the year to put together the pledge campaign. 
 
There are no upcoming meetings on the calendar at this time.
 
 

Church Council

This body sees that the work areas and ministries of the church are carried out during the year and is accountable to the Charge/Church Conference (the annual congregational meeting of the church). Members are welcome to attend the Church Council meetings. (meets at least 4 times a year)

 

Day School Board

The Day School Board of Directors consists of church members with a mission to give advice and support to the Day School Director. The board provides general oversight for the school as well as define staffing needs, manage and give oversight to the Day School Scholarship and Nannie Funds, coordinate fundraisers and assist with Day School parent’s involvement in these events. The board also works to maintain communication and cooperation between the Day School and the Church, especially in regard to finances and policies.

The board meets formally five times per year, plus occasional sub-committee meetings, as necessary.

The school year ends on Thursday, May 26th, and the summer camp program runs in June and July.  The next Board meeting is scheduled for June 7th at 6:30 pm in the 4th floor library. Fall Board meetings are currently scheduled for September 27th and November 9th.

 

For more information about the school, please contact:

Pamela J. Melasky, Director
212-289-6997
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Ellen Siesel, Assistant to the Director
212-289-6997
This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Tony Hooper, Day School Board Chairperson
tony.hooper@leadershipstrategygroup.com

 

 

 

Board of Trustees

The Board of Trustees is tasked with the maintenance and upkeep of all of the church's physical assets.  Chief among these is the church itself and the parsonage.  The Trustee's projects can be as large as replacing the roof or restoring the organ and as small as repainting an office.  In addition, the Trustees manage the church's endowment which provides the primary source of funding for such projects.

Membership for the the Board of Trustees is handled by the Nominations Committee.

Meetings are held monthly.

Please contact  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for more information.

 

Staff/Pastor Parish Relations Committee

This committee acts as an interface for the congregation and staff/pastor when questions or concerns arise. SPPRC also assesses the needs of the church for paid personnel and makes recommendations for positions to the Charge Conference or Church Council. The committee creates job descriptions and proposes salaries for all paid staff. The committee also works with the District Superintendent to see that the needs of the congregation are considered in the pastoral appointment process. (Meets 4 times a year and additionally, as needed.)

 

Finance Committee

 

This committee prepares the annual church operating budget (income and expense) and presents it to the Church Council for review and adoption. They also assure that church monies are handled appropriately, work with the church business administrator to assure proper accounting of all funds, supervise the weekly counting of the offering, assure that monies are properly deposited, and that an annual audit is completed and filed.

The Finance Committee meets quarterly and at least 3 times in the Fourth Quarter in order to compose the annual budget for the Church for the next year.

Those interested in joining or interested in gaining more information should contact the Chair, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or they may call the Church office and speak to Peggy.

 

Nominations & Lay Leadership Development Committee

This is the committee on nominations who work to match the gifts and graces of the congregation with the various ministry areas so that positions on committees and boards are filled with persons who will find joy in serving! Elections are held at the Charge/Church Conference. Meets as needed through the year.

 

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