ESTABLISHMENT:

Initial nomination and election of the Missions Committee members took place at the October 31, 2004 Congregational Meeting.  The Missions Committee was organized at its initial meeting in January 2005 according to Article E Section 1 of the Zion United Church of Christ Constitution and Bylaws.

PURPOSE:

The purpose of the Missions Committee is to evaluate various mission needs and to make recommendations to the Church Council concerning the Church’s mission giving. This committee shall meet at least quarterly during the year.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• The Missions Committee chairperson may attend the monthly meetings of the Church Council of Zion United Church of Christ, with voice but not vote, and may be on the agenda as needed to present reports.
• The Missions Committee may arrange for a director or representative of one of the agencies supported or being considered for support by Zion United Church of Christ to give a two to three minute presentation about the work of their agency.  This shall be during the worship hour the second or third Sunday morning of the month, except during Lent and Advent.
• The Missions Committee shall plan for and invite the director or a representative from all of the agencies being supported or being considered for support by Zion United Church of Christ to attend a mission fair at Zion Church once per year.  Each representative shall be asked to bring a current financial statement plus brochures or other information as available for a table display, and shall be available for questions from members of the church.
• The Missions Committee shall maintain an up to date file of financial reports, annual or monthly as available, of all agencies supported by Zion United Church of Christ.
• The Missions Committee shall handle all mission-related mail received by the church.
• Requests for special offerings or budget giving of mission funds from local, national, international, denominational and interdenominational agencies, including the United Church of Christ, shall be referred to the Mission Committee for evaluation.
• The Missions Committee shall make recommendations each fall to the budget committee about giving for missions through the annual church budget.
• The Missions Committee shall make recommendations to the Church Council about giving from special offerings, such as Harvest Home, Christmas, Lenten and Easter offerings.
• The Mission Committee shall plan and coordinate with the pastor and the Zion Worship Committee such other programs or presentations as may be needed to inform and interpret to the congregation the mission giving of the church.