The facilities of the church are primarily for the use of the members of church. The church is here, also, to serve an ecumenical need in the community by sharing its facilities. First Christian Church of San Marcos, Texas, limits the use of these facilities to those activities which are in keeping with a Christian philosophy and those of a non-political nature.
RESERVATIONS
Request for use of facilities and/or equipment are to be processed through the Church Office. Requests will be honored on a first-come, first-serve basis as recorded on the church calendar. Reservations will be held for seven (7) calendar days at which time any fees due must be paid. If the fees are not paid within seven (7) days, the reservation is not considered firm and may be superseded. Regularly scheduled activities of the Church have priority over all other requests.
The sanctuary is available for religious services other than weddings and funerals. Requests for such use, if they are other than community related, must be processed through the Church Board.
Requests not covered by these policies must be directed to the Property Department.
REGULATIONS
All persons desiring use of the church facilities and/or equipment for activities which are not church related must sign an agreement with the church. The agreement acknowledges the person's intent to abide by these policies and to accept responsibility for any damages to the facilities and/or equipment.
The sanctuary will be used only for activities of a religious nature. It will not be decorated using any signs, symbols, etc., except as directed by the Worship Department; however, floral arrangements may be used. The communion table may not be used for any purpose other than that of its primary symbolic function. The communion table shall not be removed from the chancel area and no objects may be placed upon it except those used during communion. The pulpit and lectern may be removed.
Activities are to be restricted to the area(s) of the facility which has/have been reserved.
Decorations must not damage the facility or furnishings in any way. Decorations may not be taped or stapled to pews, walls, or to other furnishings. If candles are to be used, a protective covering must be provided for carpet and furnishings. All decorations must be removed by the party using the facility.
Youth groups using the facility and/or equipment must have adequate adult supervision.
Use of the sound system is permitted only under the supervision of such persons duly authorized by the Property Department.
Use of the organ, for any function, is permitted only under the supervision of the Minister of Music or such persons duly authorized by the Minister of Music.
No equipment or furniture will be loaned to members, or non-members, without being processed through the Property Department.
NO SMOKING is permitted in any part of the church facility.
NO ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES may be served or consumed in or on any part of the church property. Rice may be used if something is to be tossed at a bride and groom. Bird seed is not an appropriate substitute. Confetti, and other materials which may litter the church property, may not be used.
No kitchen equipment (silver service, utensils, glassware, etc.) may be removed from the church facilit without the written approval of the Property Department Chair.
FEES
The church facility is available to members and non-members for baptism or funeral services at no charge.
Members and their immediate families are not required to pay for the use of the facilities for weddings, anniversaries, etc. The personnel fees are required from all persons using the facilities. Non-members are not required to pay for the use of the facilities if the intended use serves the local community(in the judgment of the Property Department) or is for other churches in need of temporary facilities. These requests will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. The security deposit, or personnel fees, may be waived by the Property Department.
A security deposit of $100.00 is required from everyone using the facilities
and will be returned by mail, or some other management, after inspection and
authorization from the Property Department. Fees such as unanticipated
additional hours for the keyholder, custodian, and/or nursery attendant will
be withheld from this deposit.
Facility Use Fees:
Deposit
$100.00
Sanctuary
$500.00
Fellowship Hall (including the kitchen)
$200.00
Classrooms
35.00 per HVAC Zone
These fees are for a period of six (6) hours. Fees for use beyond six (6) hours will be assessed at the rate of $10.00 per hour for each area used. It is your responsibility to inform the Church Office, two (2) weeks prior to a wedding date, of the hours you desire to have the building open. Failure to give this notification will forfeit your reservation.
Long term use of the church facilities must be negotiated with the Church Board.
Personnel Fees:
Keyholder
$90.00 up to 6 hours $10.00 each additional hr.
Sound Technician
$40.00 up to 4 hours $10.00 each additional hr.
Custodian
$75.00
Nursery Attendant
$10.00 per hour (one hour minimum)
ARRANGEMENTS
When a minister other than the resident minister will be conducting a service in the church, such as a wedding, the guest minister should contact the resident minister to verify the arrangements and receive any special instructions/ assistance which may be required.
For the Monthly Lectionary Reading, Current Events, Youth Schedule, Prayer List, Board Update, New Members and more, please see our
Latest Church Newsletter (.pdf)
