The following policies have been adopted so that all groups using the church facilities will clearly understand their responsibilities.

GENERAL GUIDELINES

Organizations whose aims are not compatible with those of First Baptist Church (FBC) will not be allowed to use the building.

Gatherings that disrupt or interfere with church activities (regular or special) will not be permitted. Times [currently] set aside for regular church use are:
Sunday mornings from 9-12 a.m. and Sunday evenings from 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Tuesday evenings from 8:30 to 10:30 p.m. (BCM)
Wednesday evenings from 5 to 9 p.m.
Saturdays and Sundays from 3:30 to 5 p.m. (Circle of Friends).

Another organization might still be able to use the building during these times, but only if the church determines that such usage will not obstruct or impede its ministries.

Usage fees will generally not apply to groups or members of First Baptist Church. However, anyone using the building for a purpose other than official church business will be responsible for cleaning as well as any damages to the building or its furnishings.

SPECIFIC PROCEDURES AND RULES

A person or organization wishing to use the church must file an application with the church (the "Building Utilization Request Form," the last page of this document) at least two weeks prior to the event (a month or more is recommended).

Usage fees and deposits (see below for amounts) must be paid at least three days before the event.

Nothing is to be thrown (e.g. confetti, rice) in the building. Outside the building, only birdseed may be thrown, but soap bubbles are permitted. Alternatives must be mentioned at the time of the application so a decision can be made regarding their use.

All candles used in the sanctuary or chapel must be dripless. Plastic must still be put under them to prevent wax from going into the carpet or onto the furniture.

No alcoholic beverages may be consumed in the church or on church property.

Smoking is not permitted in the church. People who go outside to smoke are asked to find a location that prevents smoke from going into the building.

To receive a full refund of the deposit, the building and its furnishings must be left in as good (or better) condition than before the event. All furniture and equipment must be returned to the original location and all wedding paraphernalia (flowers, decorations, etc.) and noticeable amounts of trash removed. If Memorial Hall is used, all garbage must be bagged and taken out the day of the event.

A responsible adult (21 or over) must be present in any room being used the entire time that that room is in use. (This [also] includes the nursery and kindergarten rooms).

Someone from the church will open the doors and assist the renters in using the building. This "host" may stay to supervise the entire event.

Kitchen Rules:

1. Caterers must be approved by the church.

2. Use of kitchen and/or its equipment will require extra fees and deposits (see below for details).

WEDDINGS AND RECEPTIONS

GENERAL GUIDELINES

In addition to the general guidelines and specific procedures spelled out on page one, First Baptist Church has some additional specific procedures that apply to weddings. The guiding principles (general guidelines) behind all of these are (1) the conviction that getting married is a serious decision that should thus be evaluated and considered with great care; and (2) our belief that a church wedding is a service of worship. Because of these two beliefs, our Senior Pastor has the final say in all matters pertaining to weddings.

SPECIFIC PROCEDURES AND RULES

1. Any couple desiring to marry in First Baptist Church must meet with the Senior Pastor at least one month prior to the desired date (3-6 months prior is preferred).

2. If the couple desires one of our pastors to officiate (and we strongly recommend that they use an FBC pastor) he (or she) has the right to require the couple to go through a course of preparation for marriage prior to performing the ceremony.

3. If the pastor does not believe the couple is sufficiently mature or is otherwise unsuited to enter into marriage, he/she has the right to refuse to marry them.

4. If the couple desires another pastor to perform the ceremony, this pastor must be approved by our Senior Pastor. If our pastor does not know this person, the couple should arrange some type of contact with him or her so that our pastor can make a knowledgeable decision.

5. If an FBC pastor is performing the ceremony, the couple must present a valid marriage license to that pastor at least one day before the ceremony.

6. No honorarium is expected from members or offspring of church members who faithfully support our church. However persons not fitting this criterion are expected to pay the pastor at least $100.00 for his or her service (and more if the counseling is extensive).

7. If the couple plans to use an organist, we also recommend that they use ours. If they prefer another organist, this choice should be revealed as early as possible (and no later than the day of application) for this organist must also be approved. Whomever is chosen, the couple is responsible for the honorarium for his/her services. (We suggest you ask the organist what he/she charges or expects).

8. Photography and/or videotaping during the ceremony may be permitted if it does not interfere with the service. The couple should discuss their plans for recording their wedding with the pastor and/or arrange for the photographer to talk with the pastor prior to the service.

FEE SCHEDULE

Our fees are set to reflect both the area you plan to use and the duration of use. (Since part of the fee goes to pay a "host," the longer you are here, the more it will cost; if the church determines that the service of a host is not needed, the fee may be reduced.) The deposit required will be based on the number of rooms you contract to use and the type of usage (e.g. serving food will require a higher deposit).

BUILDING USAGE FEES (for one-time use, not refundable)

For a single room (other than the sanctuary) for two hours or less: $75.00

For a single room (other than the sanctuary) for two to four hours: $100.00

For a single room (but not sanctuary) for four to twelve hours (max): $125.00

For the sanctuary and 2 rooms for dressing: four hours or less: $150.00

Four to eight hours: $200; eight to twelve hours: $250

For the main floor and basement up to eight hours: $300.00

For the main floor and basement for eight to twelve hours: $500.00

NOTE: The use of kitchen equipment is NOT covered by these fees.

Kitchen fees are as follows:
For use of: kitchen itself: $25
Dishes $25
Dish Washer $25 plus authorized person to operate (paid at at least minimum wage).

Security (damage) and cleaning deposits are refundable IF the building and its furnishings are left in as good (or better) condition than before the event. If the building must be cleaned, the cost of cleaning will be deducted from the deposit. If there is damage to either the building or the furnishings, the cost of the repair will be deducted from the deposit. If the deposit is not adequate to cover the cost of the repair, and/or the repair is not covered by our insurance, you will be expected to pay for the entire repair.

For use of single room (other than sanctuary; any length of time) $100.00

For use of sanctuary and 2 rooms for dressing (any length of time) $150.00

For main floor and basement(basic): $300.00

The basic deposit allows you to use the main floor and basement (the sanctuary, chapel, fellowship classroom, fellowship hall, rest rooms, etc.) except the nursery and the kitchen, but ONLY for gathering, rehearsing, dressing, etc. Using the nursery (for childcare), serving food, or using the kitchen and its equipment will require additional deposits.

Adding USE OF NURSERY (for childcare) $100.00

Adding SERVING FOOD $75.00

NOTE: If you are using the church's dishes or equipment, there will be an additional deposit required; the deposit amounts are the same as the rental fees stated above, (i.e. $25 for each.) For example, to use the dishes, total initial charge is $50, but $25 will be refunded if nothing is broken.

OTHER ITEMS:

Multiple or ongoing use: Persons or groups who wish to use the building more than once or on an ongoing basis should discuss their plans/needs with the representative from the facilities team to work out a fee schedule agreeable to both parties. The church retains the right to terminate any organization's use of the building immediately if it determines that its policies have been violated.

Public address and audio system: There is no fee for using the sound system. However, since it must be operated by someone the church has approved, you are expected to pay for his or her time (confer with the operator regarding the amount) NOTE: If the operator is not from First Baptist Church, a deposit of $ 100.00 will be required.

Type of event____________________________________________________________

Date and Time of Event: ____________________________________________________

Anticipated Length: (hours) _________________________________________________

Person/Organization requesting: _____________________________________________

Anticipated number attending: _______________________________________________

BUILDING USAGE FEE (not refundable)___________

RATES: For a single room: $75 for 2 hours; $100 for 2-4 hours; $125 for 4-12 hours

For sanctuary & 2 rooms: $150 for 4 hours; $200 for 8 hours; $250 for 12 hours

For the main floor & basement: $300 for up to 8 hours; $500 for 8-12 hours

Use of kitchen equipment: for kitchen itself: $25; dishes: $25; Dish Washer: $25 plus authorized person to operate (paid minimum wage or more)____________

Security (damage) and cleaning deposit: Basic Fee_________

Basic Rates: For Single Room (other than sanctuary) $100
For Sanctuary & 2 rooms for changing: $150
For Main Floor & Basement $300______________

Additional for NURSERY ($100) and/or SERVING FOOD ($75) and/or the KITCHEN or its equipment ($25 for each thing used)__________

Additional for Use of Sound System:_________

NOTE: Deposits will be refunded IF the building and its furnishings are left in as good (or better) condition than before the event. If the building must be cleaned, the cost of cleaning will be deducted from the deposit. If there is damage to either the building or the furnishings, the cost of the repair will be deducted from the deposit. If the deposit is not adequate to cover the cost of the repair, and/or the repair is not covered by our insurance, you will be expected to pay for the entire repair.

TOTAL FEES DUE (must be paid in full THREE DAYS prior to the event) _________

By signing below, I stipulate that I have read and understand the POLICIES AND PROCEDURES for the USE OF THE BUILDING of First Baptist Church of Morgantown and that I agree to follow the rules and procedures set forth in that document. I also stipulate that I accept responsibility for the behavior and actions of those present during the time we are using the building.

Signature______________________________________

Printed Name___________________________________Date of Application___________

Full Address (Number, Street, City, State, Zip)_______________________________

__________________________________________________________________

Phones: Home__________________Work_____________________Cell______________

e-mail (optional)__________________________

Application Reviewed by: ____________

Decision:

Accepted: __________

Denied:_________

(date)______________

Signature of Church Officer__________________________________________

Printed Name of Church Officer_______________________________________

Document updated 2/2005