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CONTRACT FOR USE OF CHURCH FACILITES
The Administration Committee Elder must approve use of Grace Presbyterian Church facilities,
other than regularly scheduled services and activities. Presbytery’s written permission (from the
Business Advisory Committee) is necessary if another group wishes to use the
sanctuary, or for any lease of more than five years. (Reference G-8.0502)
If the facilities of Grace
Presbyterian Church are used for weddings or funerals, the Pastor of Grace Presbyterian Church shall conduct
the service, unless specific arrangements are made with him for some other
clergy to participate. Likewise, the Organist of Grace Presbyterian Church shall be contacted regarding all service
music, unless specific arrangements are made for an outside musician to
participate.
Organizations of Grace
Presbyterian Church, or events sponsored by Grace Presbyterian Church have
priority for use of the church facilities. Schedules for such use shall be
cleared at least two weeks in advance with the Administration Committee of
Session, and coordinated through the church office.
Consideration may be given for use of church facilities by other
groups, upon submission of an Application
for Use of Church Facilities and Equipment form to the Administration
Committee Elder. To prevent scheduling conflicts, the request should be
submitted at least thirty (30) days in advance of date facilities are needed.
This contract for use of the building will be restricted to GRACE CHURCH MEMBERS ONLY. The signing
member will be expected to personally be
on site the whole time the space is being used, and will be personally
responsible for adhering to the instructions below. (There is an exception for prior renters who
have already demonstrated responsible use of the building.)
All groups using the church facilities must be governed by standards
that are accepted by church members. Proper decorum must be maintained at all
times. This is the House of God.
1. Each organization will have
the MEMBER of Grace Church present
and responsible for opening and closing the building. (The Administration
Committee of Session will arrange for opening and closing the building for
outside groups, as outlined in specific contract documents.)
2. In the case of children or
youth groups, responsible adult leaders will be present at least twenty (20)
minutes prior to scheduled meeting time and will remain until all children or
youth have left. The MEMBER of Grace
Church must also be responsible for seeing that members of the group are
confined to the areas reserved. We
expect any group which has children present to adhere to a sexual misconduct
policy comparable to those we have at Grace.
3. The responsibilities of
groups using church facilities include the following:
• Turning
off all lights.
• Secure
all windows and doors before leaving.
• Do
not adjust the heating or air-conditioning:
Administration Committee will deal with this.
• Trash
must be picked up, put in tied bags, and placed in outside containers.
• Furniture
must be returned to the same position as found.
• Clean
the kitchen and wash any dirty dishes.
4. A security deposit of $200.00
is required. If clean up is unsatisfactory the deposit may be forfeit. The
church will arrange for clean up and the group will be charged for janitorial
services on an hourly rate. The group
will be charged for any repairs to the building or property from damage which
occurred during the group’s use of the facility.
5. The use of the telephone is
limited to emergency LOCAL calls only!
If there is a medical emergency dial 911. If there is a fire, dial 911 and everyone is
to evacuate the building. There are fire
extinguishers in strategic locations around the building.
6. The hanging of pictures or
other items on walls must have prior approval from the Administration Committee
Elder. Decorations must not damage the walls, woodwork or furniture, and must
be removed completely during clean up.
7. The use of alcoholic beverages
or gambling is NOT permitted in the church building or anywhere on the church
property.
8. There is to be NO SMOKING
inside the church building, nor anywhere on church property.
9. The church will not be
responsible for bodily injury or personal loss incurred as a result of the use
of the facilities. The Session, Grace
Presbyterian Church, and National Capital Presbytery are considered harmless
from liability which may arise from the group’s activities. The group must provide its own insurance,
with documentation provided at the discretion of the administration Committee.
10. Any damage to the building
or equipment must be reported immediately by telephone to the Administration
Committee Elder or designee. The MEMBER of Grace Church signing the Application for Use of Church Facilities and
Equipment form will assume all responsibility for damages, loss, or other
liability arising from the use of the facilities.
11. For on-going use, the Application for Use of Church Facilities and
Equipment form must be renewed annually.
12. A charge for the use of
facilities will be as follows:
(reference G-10.0102)
Sanctuary $200.00
Sound System $40.00/hr
Fellowship Hall (first 2
hours) $200.00
Fellowship Hall (each
additional hour) $ 50.00
Pantry/Kitchen (full
meal/catering) $ 50.00
Small Meeting Room/Classroom $
50.00
Nursery $ 50.00
Key Deposit $ 10.00
Security Deposit $200.00
All checks are to be made payable to: Grace Presbyterian Church and should be mailed to the church office
or delivered to the office. The remittance must be received at least one week prior to the date the facilities are to
be used. Also, please call the church office the week prior to building use to
confirm the date and time, and arrange for temperature changes or equipment. The
Church member may deliver the check
and/or pick up the key to the building in person the week before the
scheduled event.