Charge Conference
The Charge Conference is the connecting link between the local church and the general church and has
general oversight of the Church (Administrative) Council. The primary responsibilities of the Charge Conference in the annual meeting is
to review and evaluate the total mission and ministry of the church, receive reports, and adopt objectives and goals recommended by the Church
Council that are in keeping with the objectives of the United Methodist Church (Discipline ¶247.3). All members, organizations, and
agencies of the local church are accountable to the Church Council, except the trustees who are accountable to the Charge Conference.
The membership of the Charge Conference shall be all members of the Church (Administrative) Council (Discipline ¶246.2).
Church Council & Council Members
( Discipline ¶252.1)The Church (Administrative) Council provides for planning and implementing a program of nurture, outreach,
witness, and resources in the local church. It also provides for the administration of its organization and temporal life. It envisions, plans,
implements, and annually evaluates the mission and ministry of the administrative agency of the charge conference ( Discipline ¶244).
Church Council Overview
contains additional information on the Council’s responsibilities. The voting membership of the Church Council is indicated with an asterisk (∗)
∗Church Council Chairperson – Matthew Byrum
The chairperson of the church’s governing body.
∗Recording Secretary – Kathy Brizius
Records and maintains the minutes of the Church Council and Charge Conference meetings.
∗Church Lay Leader – Mary Hundley
∗Annual Conference Representative – Keith Yezdanian & Marvin Ownley
∗Church Treasurer – Ann Butt
Responsible for accounting, reporting, oversight and management of pledges and other contributions to New Hope UMC. Supervises volunteer count
team. Reports weekly cash receipts, makes bank deposits, handles cash receipts from church events, and administers investment accounts. Posts
contributions and maintains financial database. Produces periodic statements of giving to members and constituents. Creates reports as needed by
the Pastor and the Church Council. Handles and resolves questions from members and constituents relating to their contributions and pledges.
Responsible for disbursement of church funds. Is a member of the Finance Committee. The records are preserved in a safe place, outside the church
building, (such as a bank safe deposit box) for at least five years. Each year the oldest set of records are destroyed under the direction of the
Finance Committee.
∗Church Historian – Donna Godfrey (At Large Member)
Responsible for keeping the historical records up to date; serve as chairperson of the committee on records and history, if any;
cooperate with the annual conference commission on archives and history; provide an annual report on the care of church records and historical
materials to the charge conference; and also provide, with the pastor and the committee on records and history, if any, for the preservation of
all local church records and historical materials no longer in current use. Records and historical materials include all documents, minutes,
journals, diaries, reports, letters, pamphlets, papers, manuscripts, maps, photographs, books, audiovisuals, sound recordings, magnetic or
other tapes, or any other documentary material, regardless of form or characteristics...."( The Discipline ¶247.5 a–b).
Additional information on this position can be found at the following web site
Historian Overview
∗UMM President – Phillip Darnell
Responsible for providing a dedicated ministry for building men spiritually and involving the men in the total ministry of the Church.
Hold activities such as Monthly Men's Breakfast, church maintenance, Clean Up Day, and a variety of social events. Responsible for annual
recertification through the General Commission.
∗UMW President – Yvonne Chambers
Responsible for providing opportunities for the women of New Hope UMC to reach out, connect, develop friendships and grow with their faith.
Support missions ministries (such as: Samaritan’s Purse International Relief and Food Lion MVP Card For Missions) by participating in
projects that reach out to those in need–especially women and children .The UMW Board meets monthly to discuss goals and plan activities.
∗Members At Large
| Lindsay Chambers |
Wallace Ownley |
Barbara Winslow |
Mary Ruckle |
| Sally Morgan |
Pat Capps |
Yvonne Chambers |
Those who are elected Members At Large, are chosen to serve as representatives of the congregation. Their vote and voice is recognized as how
the congregation speaks on issues and decisions of ministry. A Member At Large usually serves for a three year term. Those who serve in this capacity
do a valuable service in helping to maintain a check and balance between the needs and voice of the congregation and the leadership of the
committees.
∗Staff⁄Pastor Parish Relations Chairperson – Jenny Eure
Staff⁄Pastor–Parish Relations Committee –
| Class of 2012 |
Class of 2013 |
Class of 2014 |
| Pat Capps |
Donna Godfrey |
Andrew Byrum |
| Kathy Brizius |
Jenny Eure |
Gretchen Ownley |
Responsible for developing and maintaining job descriptions for the lay and clergy staff. Serve as the liaison between the lay and clergy staff and the church. Counsel with the pastor and staff in making an effective
ministry. Keep the pastor and staff advised concerning conditions within the congregation as they affect relations between the pastor/staff and
the people. Responsible for administrative functions relating to the process of hiring, evaluating, promoting, retiring, and dismissing staff
members. Develops and approves job descriptions for Pastors. Responsible for developing proposals for compensation, travel expenses, insurance,
pension, housing, and other practical matters affecting the work and families of the pastor and staff. Make the annual recommendations to the
District Superintendent on the strengths and needs of the church that the cabinet uses in determining clergy appointment/reappointment.
Recommends salaries for the next year to the Finance committee based on the economics of the church and community. Reports to the Church
Council. Members are elected for three year rotating terms. Additional information on this position can be found at the following web site
Pastor–Parish Relations Committee Overview
∗Trustees Chairperson –
Trustees Committee –
| Class of 2012 |
Class of 2013 |
Class of 2014 |
| Lee Stallings |
Phillip Darnell |
Greg Chambers |
| Danny Perry |
Liz Saunders |
George Vinson |
|
|
Carolyn Darnell |
Responsible for maintaining the church’s physical facilities, overseeing the maintenance, repair, and replacement of church equipment,
buildings, and property. Develops a program of planned maintenance of church property, serves as custodian of deeds and legal papers, oversees
property and liability insurance, monitors maintenance of church buildings, grounds and parsonage; and oversees the capital improvement fund.
Submits budget requests for facility related expenses such as: mortgage, repairs, improvements, expansion projects. Oversees contracts and
volunteer workers doing repairs and improvements to the facility. Establishes and administers Building Use Policy. Shares responsibility with
the pastor to administer memorial funds. Sees that designated memorials are used as the giver intended. Promotes and emphasizes the importance
of a property maintenance fund for church buildings and parsonages. Reports to the Church Council. Members are elected for three year rotating
terms. Sub–committees are: Parsonage; Gifts and Endowments; and Building. Additional information on this position can be found at the following web site
Trustee Committee Overview.
Disaster Preparedness – Carroll Small, Director
Responsible for developing and updating a disaster preparedness plan for the Church. Takes an inventory of the Church's resources.
Decides on the scale of the Church's response according to the Church's resources and abilities. Maintains an up–to–date
list of people in the church and in the community, their ability to help, their needs and frailties. Maintains an up–to–date
county road map to mark the location of each person that can help and each person that will need help. Takes steps to protect important
records and items within the building. Meets with the Trustees to determine what can be done to protect the church exterior. Reports to the
Trustees.
∗Lay Leadership Chairperson – Pastor Ed Rutenkroger
Committee On Lay Leadership –
Attend the Annual Conference as representatives of New Hope United Methodist Church. Serve as an interpreter of the actions and programs of the Annual Conference and relay the information to the New Hope UMC congregation.
| Class of 2012 |
Class of 2013 |
Class of 2014 |
| Jimmy Darnell |
Sarah Meadows |
Jolene Yezdanian |
| Mary Ruckle |
|
Tammi Byrum |
Coordinator of all ministries that care for our church membership (formerly called the Nominating Committee). Is chaired by the Pastor
(according to The Discipline). Adds to existing committees/task forces throughout the year as new interest is shown and vacancies
occur. Regularly discusses with the Pastor the state of the church and the need for ministry. Encourages lay leadership development
opportunities at the conference level, district level, and local church level. Reports to the Charge Conference annually and to the Church
Council during the year. Recommends to the charge conference, at the annual session, the names of people to serve as officers and leaders of
designated ministries of NHUMC. Members are elected for three year rotating terms and should include at least one young adult. One member may
be a youth. Additional information on this position can be found at the following web site
Committee on Lay Leadership Overview
∗Finance Chairperson – George Brizius
Finance Committee –
| Mary Hundley (Lay Leader) |
Matt Byrum (Council Chair) |
| Ann Butt, Treasurer |
Trustees Representative |
| Jenny Eure (SPRC) |
Pastor Ed Rutenkroger |
Responsible for monitoring and controling the financial income and expenditures of the church in relation to the budget so that the goals and
objectives of the church are accomplished. Recommends changes in the current year budget and funds allocations as required by the ongoing
programs. Makes budget projections and recommendations for the next year. Recommends policies for depositing money, counting money, etc.
Provides oversight to policies and procedures related to outsourcing some accounting services. Records and reports the financial information to
the congregation and Administrative Board. Members are elected for three year rotating terms. Additional information on this position can be found at the following web site
Finance Committee Overview
Nurture Ministries
Team Led by Pastor Ed Rutenkroger and the following Laity: Lay Leader, Lindsay Chambers, Jimmy Darnell, Sharon Darnell
( Discipline ¶252.2 (a))
The NURTURING MINISTRIES of the congregation shall give attention to but not be limited to education, worship, Christian formation,
membership care, small groups, and stewardship. Attention must be given to the needs of individuals and families of all ages. Nurture
Ministries and their accompanying responsibilities include:
Children’s Ministry – Lindsay M. Chambers
Responsible for all Children’s Ministries including Children’s Church, Vacation Bible School (VBS), and the Nursery Program.
Recruit and train Children’s Church and VBS teachers and Nursery caregivers. Coordinate programs for children with the Sunday School
Superintendent. Prepare activities for special events such as Easter, Christmas and summer programs. Supervise the Children’s Church,
VBS, nursery caregivers and the Nursery Program. Coordinate the selection and use of educational resources, supplies and the resource library
with the Sunday School Supervisor. Maintain nursery supplies, equipment and toys. Develop curriculum in coordination with Children’s
Ministries. Create a nurturing and safe environment for children in compliance with all state guidelines. Also, responsible for promoting
Children’s Church, VBS, and Sunday School for children within New Hope UMC and the surrounding community. Reports to the Pastor and
Church Council.
Older Adult Ministries – Rebecca Corona
The responsibilities of the local church coordinator of older adult ministries are to: Assist the congregation in developing, implementing,
and evaluating an intentional ministry by, with, and for older adults; Develop and coordinate a Ministry for senior adults that includes: spirituality,
enrichment, nutrition and fitness (wellness), intergeneration, outreach and mission, recreation, and service. Additional information on this
position can be found at the following web site
Older Adult Ministry.
Worship & Family Committee – Helen Godfrey, Chairperson
Pastor Ed Rutenkroger, Ann Butt, Carolyn Darnell, Cindy Harris, Barbara Winslow
Coordinator for all ministries that relate to worship. Coordinates dates of worship activities that will impact the whole church with the
church office. Makes recommendations to add creativity to the worship services through the use of children, youth, banners, liturgies, music,
media, and art on special days/seasons such as: Lent, Mother’s Day, Father’s Day, Thanksgiving, and Advent. Makes recommendations
for improving the worship experience. Creates and manages the process for receiving feedback from the congregation regarding the worship
experiences at New Hope. Responsibilities also include coordinating the schedule and issuing responsibilities for the acolytes, alter guild,
greeters, liturgists, and ushers. Collaborates with the pastor and Music Ministry in planning worship.
Altar Guild – has two main focuses at New Hope UMC, host communion and beautify the altar area.
The monthly communion service requires purchasing supplies and set–up and clean–up. The altar area composes several parts: Banners,
plants,candles, weekly flower sign–ups for Sunday services, poinsettias at Christmas and lilies at Easter. Serves on the Worship Committee.
Greeters – are responsible for: greeting parishioners as they arrive to attend church services;
handing out bulletins, etc.; counting the number of parishioners attending service; asking two people to take the offering; asking one person to
help the Pastor in the distribution of the elements on Communion Sunday; collecting pew pads, trash, bulletins at the end of the service. The
schedule for Greeters is set up for a month at a time. Reports to the Worship Committee.
Acolyte Coordinator/Trainer – Recruits, trains, and coordinates Acolytes for
Worship Services. Serves on the Worship Committee.
Young Adult Ministries – Jimmy Darnell
Responsible for developing disciples for Christ through a community that provides spiritual support, nurtures faith, organizes service
oppurtunities, and offers fellowship events for young adults (ages 18-40). Actively works at assimilating new and inactive members into the
young adult fellowship. Attends and participates in Church Council meetings. Communicates and strategizes activities and needs with other staff
and the congregation through appropriate church meetings, church bulletin and newsletter. Creates, directs and assists with fund raising efforts.
Coordinates literature requests with the Finance Committee. Coordinates dates of activities impacting the whole church with the church office.
Youth Ministry – Keith Z. Yezdanian and Jolene Yezdanian
Responsible for organizing and promoting youth ministry (youth grades 6–12) including study, social events, and fellowship times,
District and Conference camps, Sunday School, Bible Studies, and Youth Mission trips both at church and away. Actively works at assimilating
new and inactive members into the youth fellowship. Plans and conducts occasional Youth Sunday Worship services. Encourages and recruits youth
for confirmation training. Proposes and directs methods of outreach to the community (youth and others). Recruits and provides training for
adult youth sponsors and teachers, including curriculum selection. Implements and coordinates youth participation in church wide activities,
including worship, music, and drama. Guides and strengthens leadership skills through monthly youth council meetings.
Attends and participates in Church Council meetings. Communicates and strategizes activities and needs with other staff and the congregation
through appropriate church meetings, church bulletin and newsletter. Plans, leads, and coordinates several youth retreats annually. Creates,
directs and assists with fund raising efforts. Coordinates literature requests with the Finance Committee. Coordinates the youth program in
cooperation with adult sponsors and youth leadership. Coordinates dates of activities impacting the whole church with the church office.
Outreach Ministries
Team Led by Pastor Ed Rutenkroger and the following Laity: Pat Capps, Yvonne Chambers, Sarah Meadows
( Discipline ¶252.2 (b))
The OUTREACH MINISTRIES of the church shall give attention to local and larger community ministries of compassion, justice, and
advocacy. These ministries include church and society, global ministries, higher education and campus ministry, health and welfare, Christian
unity and interreligious concerns, religion and race, and the status and role of women. Outreach Ministries and their accompanying responsibilities include:
Food Pantry Ministry – Yvonne Chambers, Chairperson; Pat Capps; & Gene Corona
The team is responsible for planning, organizing and monitoring food acquisition, storage, and distribution to eligible people in the New Hope area.
Recommends a Food Bank budget, prepares grant proposals, and plans fund raising activities and public relations efforts to enhance public
awareness of hunger. Provides direction and technical support for food distribution.
Prayer Chain – Mary Ruckle, Coordinator
Responsibilities include the ability to organize the prayer chain network, provide training for new prayer chain participants, support and
encourage those who serve in this ministry, processes the prayer requests and recruit new participants. The prayer chain is the spiritual
alarm system which communicates and takes prayerful action on the needs of the congregation, community and global needs.
Prayer Shawl Ministry – Ethel Yezdanian, Coordinator
This ministry reachs out with love and care to others who are hurting or who may need a special blessing by making prayer shawls.
∗Health and Welfare Chairperson – Helen Godfrey
Health and Welfare –
Responsible for coordinating the blood drive with the American Red Cross and members of New Hope UMC and New Hope Township.
Scholarship Committee – Yvonne Chambers, Jim Darnell, Danny Perry, Don Oglesby
Responsible for selecting high school graduates from Perquimans County to receive the Umphlet Scholarship. Interfaces with the administers
of the Scholarship Fund the law firm of Douglass & Douglass, Raleigh, NC.
Witness Ministries
Team Led by Pastor Ed Rutenkroger and the following Laity: Lay Leader, Marvin Ownley, Lee Stallings, Jolene Yezdanian
( Discipline ¶252.2 (c))
The WITNESS MINISTRIES of the church shall give attention to developing and strengthening evangelistic efforts of sharing of
personal and congregational stories of Christian experience, faith, and service; communications; Lay Speaking Ministries; and
other means that give expressions of witness for Jesus Christ. Witness Ministries and their accompanying responsibilities include:
∗Certified Lay Speakers ( Discipline ¶268) –
| Jimmy Darnell |
Sharon Darnell |
Mary Hundley |
| Sarah Meadows |
Bob Pardue |
Lee Stallings |
Keith Yezdanian |
Responsiblities include a desire to serve the Church, being well informed on the Scriptures and the doctrine, heritage, organization, and life
of The United Methodist Church. Has received specific training to develop skills in witnessing to the Christian faith through spoken
communications, church and community leadership, and care–giving ministries. Has received certification as a lay speaker.
∗Local Church Lay Speakers ( Discipline ¶267) – Pat Capps & Marvin Ownley
Responsiblities include a desire to serve the Church, being well informed on the Scriptures and the doctrine, heritage, organization, and life
of The United Methodist Church. Has received training to develop skills in witnessing to the Christian faith through spoken
communications, church and community leadership, and care–giving ministries.
∗Communications Coordinator – Pat Murphy
Responsible for all internal and external communication, e.g., newsletter, media relations, advertising, World Wide Web, etc. Supports all staff and
ministry teams to communicate their events, classes, missions, worship service, and stewardship to New Hope UMC and the community at large.
Through writing, editing, graphics, marketing and public relations, communicates to the congregation and community an
invitation to to get involved in activities that keep Christ at the center of our lives.
Additional information on this position can be found at the following web site
Communications Overview.
Sound & Video – Jess Yezdanian & Corey Eaddy
The team is responsible for the sound system during Sunday services, as well as the extensive PowerPoint slides and videotapes.
Responsibilities include preparing slides and videos and working closely with the Worship Planning Team to enhance New Hope’s worship
experience. Also supports special events such as musicals, dramas, and weddings. Additional information on this position can be found at the following web site
Sound & Video Technology in the Church
|
