Lakewood United Methodist
 Committees and Task Groups
  
Administrative Board
Provide for the planning and implementing (general oversight) of a program of nurture, outreach, witness, and resources in the local Church, and for the administration of its organizational and temporal life. 
     Lay Leader - The primary lay representative of the laity in the local Church, this person fosters awareness of the role of laity both within the congregation and through their ministries in the home, work place, community, and world and finding ways within the community of faith to recognize all these ministries. The lay leader has many responsibilities.
     Lay Members to Annual Conference - Has the privilege of representation at the annual conference. These persons shall report to the local Church on actions of the annual conference

Council on Ministries
This "super-committee" is composed of the chair people of most of the committees listed below, as well as certain groups that function within the church. It oversees the programs within the church

Board of Trustees.
This group is concerned with the buildings and investments owned by the church.

Church Committees

Church & Society
Makes program recommendations and lobbies for programs serving the gospel of Christ in society. Part of the responsibility is to promote understanding of the Social Principles and Social Creed of the UMC. The Community Meal, Interfaith Hospitality Network and Red Cross Campaigns are also adjuncts of Church & Society at Lakewood 

Communications/Publicity
Assist LUMC to use available publicity and communications media; develop communications to the Cleveland Metropolitan area.

Education
Is responsible for the Christian Education program of LUMC, including the Church School, the UMYFs and special programs of an education nature. This committee is the right arm of our Christian Education Director. They are also involved with the planning and implementation of Vacation Bible School and the Annual Family Fair 

Endowment & Investment
Provide for the care and maintenance (general oversight) of the endowment funds and investments of the local Church.

Finance
Compile annually a complete budget for the local church and submit it to the Administrative Board for review and adoption.  The committee is responsible for developing and implementing plans which raise sufficient income to meet the budget adopted by the Administrative Board.  It shall administer the funds received according to instructions from the Administrative Board. 

Membership Welcome
These committee members are a new member's first contact with the church. In addition to coordinating the volunteers that greet people at each church door, they conduct membership inquiry classes that persons considering joining the church can use to learn more about LUMC. They also insure that every new resident of Lakewood receives a letter welcoming them to Lakewood, and inviting them to participate in worship services at LUMC.

Membership Care
Is  responsible for programs of membership and nurture that will support the "fellowship" within LUMC and the caring of one another as members of this Christian Church.

Missions
Shall promote Christian mission through the UMC, with special attention to the Advent and Lenten offerings and initiating ways to personalize the Christian call "to be in mission to the world." Mission Fair is a program of this committee.

Music & Worship
This group is responsible for the actual worship services. It includes the Choir, Ushers and "behind the scenes" technical people that insure that all the parts of the service come together.

Chancel Choir
The Chancel Choir welcomes any and all who love to sing. The choir season runs from September through June. Rehearsals are held on Thursdays from 7:45 to 9:00 p.m. and on Sunday at 9:30 a.m., before the service, in the choir room.  Free child care is available during the Thursday night rehearsals. Call Jamie Smith at (216) 521-8264 to make arrangements. Click here to view our newsletter  "N Tune", or call Lucy Smith at (216) 521-8264. Hope to see you at rehearsal!

Nominating
This committee has the task of selecting the people that will serve on almost all the other committees. They strive to match people's talents with a need in a committee. For example, there are quite a few teachers on the Education committee thanks to this group.

Records and History
Shall care for the official history of LUMC and promote programs of interest concerning the local church history.

Scholarship
Responsible for the general oversight of four scholarship funds of LUMC, including acceptance and review of applications from those wishing to receive scholarships from the interest of those funds, and awarding said scholarships based on qualifications of the individuals.  Scholarship Application History PDF   Note: a free plug-in is required to download and view. 

Stewardship
 This committee is responsible for the year-round education of the congregation in the spiritual nature of financial giving. They are also responsible for the planning and implementation of an annual financial campaign of giving.

Staff/Parish Relations
Shall confer and counsel with the pastor and staff in making an effective ministry by being available for counsel, keeping the pastor and staff advised concerning conditions within the congregation as they affect relations between pastor/staff and the people and continually interpreting to the people the nature and function of the ministry.

Van
This committee is responsible for transporting some of our non-driving members to and from various church functions. LUMC owns a full size van that seats 12 people.

Church Task Groups

Peace Advocate
The Peace Advocate has the mission to bring peace to the world, a small bit at a time.

Senior Adult Visitor
This person is responsible for visiting our shut in members and assisting them.

United Methodist Men
The UMM group is dedicated to the fellowship of Christian men.

United Methodist Women
UMW is an extremely large and active group (about 150 members). The overall task of UMW is mission work throughout the world (including our own backyard). In the process, they also perform a wide variety of functions within the church, from hosting official church dinners to festive fundraisers.

Volunteer Coordinator
This person takes charge of coordinating the church volunteers. Volunteers help the church run by answering the phone, stuffing envelopes, processing attendance, etc., thereby reducing the burden on our office staff. 

Other Groups:

Lakewood Meals On Wheels 
Lakewood Meals on Wheels is sponsored by the Lakewood Ministerial Association. We are a non-profit, non-government subsidized program. We were organized for the purpose of helping meet nutritional needs of the elderly and others in Lakewood, who find it difficult or impossible to shop or prepare adequate meals for themselves and have no one to rely on for assistance. Though our main recipient is elderly, we also serve those recovering from surgery, those who are handicapped or wheelchair bound, and some who are legally blind. By serving this sector of the population, we fulfill our mission statement to serve the Lakewood community. We exist by the nominal fee we must charge the recipient, and form donations from individuals and organizations.

Community Meals Program 
Once per month, LUMC hosts a community meal for the homeless and disadvantaged. This is part of the church's local mission work, feeding about one hundred people each month. This program is supported primarily by a budget allocation from the Missions Committee, and also by free-will donations at the meal. The meal is prepared by church members that volunteer their talents for this worthy cause. Lakewood Community meals.

Interfaith Hospitality
The Network is a private, non-profit organization which provides overnight hospitality, meals and support to homeless families through a network of religious congregations. Task descriptions and menus.

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Last modified Arpil 12, 2004