Usage of Church Facilities

[omegaseamaster75]

I have noticed in my ward an abnormal usage of the building. It seems like members think it is their own personal venue for family reunions, baby showers/bridal showers, wedding receptions, renewal of vows etc.

 

It just seems like a bit much or is this normal?

[Guest MormonGator]

I'm not trying to sound argumentative but I think it's a good thing! It promotes family unity and church unity too. Sorry OP, it's nothing personal. 

Edited October 14, 2015 by MormonGator

[omegaseamaster75]

I'm not trying to sound argumentative but I think it's a good thing! It promotes family unity and church unity too. Sorry OP, it's nothing personal. 

Who pays for and cleans the facility? wear and tear is not nothing, and members have a poor track record of cleaning up after themselves.

[Guest MormonGator]

Who pays for and cleans the facility? wear and tear is not nothing, and members have a poor track record of cleaning up after themselves.

 Oh we agree on that. I have cleaned my church up on Saturday mornings several times. If you rent out the church than yes, you should be required to clean it up. 

[Guest]

All those things you mentioned - except family reunions and renewal of vows - occur on a regular basis at our ward building.  Baby Showers and Bridal Showers are usually organized by the RS.  Weddings and wedding receptions happen there too.

 

My son is now a teacher and the teacher's quorum are assigned to make sure the church building is cleaned up.  So they get notified when there's some event happening at the ward in addition to the normal Scouts/Activity Days/YM/YW/etc events.  Our ward uses the lds.org calendar to schedule things at the ward building so the notification gets sent out to the bishopric and, I think the first counselor, is the adviser to the teacher's quorum.

 

So, when there's a special event, the teachers inspect if the church got cleaned up after.  If not (I haven't yet experienced this), then the teachers would call the name on the calendar that organized the event to come clean it up (my son haven't had to do this yet).  Our ward building is shared among 3 wards, so our ward is assigned to clean the building every 3 months.  So the teacher's quorum has a list of 2 families for each Saturday of our assigned month that is assigned to clean the Church.  There's a list in the maintenance closet of the things the 2 families need to do on Saturdays.

 

It works out pretty well for us.  Our biggest problem is cleaning up after the regular weekly auxiliary activities.  The teachers had to be tough with this not too long ago and announcements went out.

[Guest]

People should and generally do clean up after themselves when they use the building. 

 

I've had people come into our church who otherwise never would when I've used a room in the building for piano recitals. A couple of families particularly took themselves on a tour of the church, and I think they were surprised at all of the beautiful artwork depicting the Savior's life (and maybe the lack of alters to Joseph Smith). 

 

If you leave it how you found it, what's the problem? 

[EarlJibbs]

Use it up and wear it out. As long as we respect the building and the funds that operate it I see no problem with it being booked at all times that are available. 

 

What good is a nice set of china if you never use it? Again, respect, but use away! 

[Blackmarch]

I have noticed in my ward an abnormal usage of the building. It seems like members think it is their own personal venue for family reunions, baby showers/bridal showers, wedding receptions, renewal of vows etc.

 

It just seems like a bit much or is this normal?

As long as it has the bishops OK, and they respect the building, and clean up after themselves, and are doing nothing illegal or sinful, I see nothing wrong with it. We're supposed to be a big happy family anyways.

[omegaseamaster75]

People should and generally do clean up after themselves when they use the building. 

 

I've had people come into our church who otherwise never would when I've used a room in the building for piano recitals. A couple of families particularly took themselves on a tour of the church, and I think they were surprised at all of the beautiful artwork depicting the Savior's life (and maybe the lack of alters to Joseph Smith). 

 

If you leave it how you found it, what's the problem? 

Piano Recitals, this is the type of thing I am talking about. While I am sure that you are scrupulous in cleaning and ensuring that the building while you use it is cared for, I don't think that these types of activities are what the building was intended for.

 

Why would you have a recital there? was it part of a ward activity?

[Guest]

My bishop doesn't have a problem with it. If you have a problem with how people use your building, maybe talk to yours about it and let him explain.

[omegaseamaster75]

From HB 1

 

Physical Facilities

 

8.1 Purpose

The Church purchases land and provides facilities to give Church members places where they can worship, teach, learn, pray together, make and renew covenants, and receive sacred ordinances. Each Church facility should (1) provide a spiritual setting for members to worship and (2) present an image of reverence and dignity in the community.

 

From Facilities management guidelines for Meetinghouses: 

Receptions and Social Gatherings Receptions and small social gatherings for Church members or their families may be held in Church meetinghouses if they do not interrupt regularly scheduled Church activities. They should not be held on Sundays or on Monday evenings. Receptions and small social gatherings may be held in the cultural hall or in other

rooms, but they may not be held in the chapel unless the chapel is a multipurpose area. Those in charge of the

reception are responsible for cleanup. When meetinghouses are used for receptions and other small social gatherings for Church members or their families, users do not need to sign a Hold Harmless Agreement.

[Guest]

I don't use the chapel.

Of all things to get self-righteous about...

[omegaseamaster75]

I'm not being self righteous about it, I am just wondering where the line should be drawn for building usage.

 

Clearly a wedding reception is ok, but what about a Birthday party? or a family reunion?

 

Your bishop lets you use the facility for piano recitals, I happen to disagree with your bishop but that's between you him and the Lord.

[omegaseamaster75]

I stand corrected from HB2:

 

When there is not a reasonable alternative, priesthood leaders may authorize the use of meetinghouse pianos and organs for practice, paid private instruction, and recitals involving members of the units that use the meetinghouse. No admittance fee should be charged for recitals.

 

I am sure that your recitals fall within this guideline. I apologize.

Edited October 14, 2015 by omegaseamaster75

[pam]

 Technically there is a fee that should be collected for usage that is not church related. When I was the activities chairman and my Bishop was the (shoot now I can't think of the nam

e) the Bishop who is over the building...I would schedule the building for all activities.  My Bishop was one that followed the guidelines about paying the fee for the usage.  There was a deposit that was refundable if the building was cleaned up

 

I know that years ago when we had our family reunion on church property, we scheduled use of the kitchen etc.  We did pay a deposit that was refunded afterwards as long as we cleaned it completely up.

[omegaseamaster75]

Agent Bishop

[Guest]

The direction I have follows that: the chapel is off-limits, and I can't (and wouldn't) charge admission. I don't teach there, but my house isn't large enough for recitals and there aren't any recital halls in town that I could rent. There should be in the next year or two. 

 

As for family gatherings and such, I think that falls under the church's goal to strengthen families. If the bishop okays it and the building is being maintained and cared for, I think it's actually really cool that a space is available for Thanksgiving dinners, reunions, etc. for families to be together and reconnect. My family has never done such an event there, but we'd have to if we all wanted to be together. Otherwise we have to separate, because there are too many of us. (9 kids plus 8 spouses plus 40-something kids. . . it's a big group). 

[Guest]

Can you imagine the outrage if the Church charged a rental fee for its members to use the building? It's another case of can't win for losing. 

Edited October 14, 2015 by Eowyn

[pam]

Agent Bishop

 

Thank you.  I couldn't come up with that.  It's something I should know.  :)  

[omegaseamaster75]

Rental fee no, but I don't think that a security deposit would be out of line. Like it of not most members do not care for the building like they would if it was their own house, let alone the house of the Lord.

 

Maybe they do though? I've been to some members homes....

 

Anyways there is a HUGH stain in the foyer that screams that a security deposit should have been taken for the last wedding reception that was held there.

[pam]

Can you imagine the outrage if the Church charged a rental fee for its members to use the building? It's another case of can't win for losing. 

 

I imagine the argument would be that they pay tithing which pays for the building.

 

Personally, I wouldn't be bent out of shape if I had to pay the fee.  It would be tremendously cheaper than trying to rent another venue for a wedding reception.  My Bishop usually didn't require it for a wedding reception. But for family gatherings and personal things yes.  

[Guest]

I meant among those who love to fault-find when it comes to church policy. 

[Sunday21]

I have been a member of wards where we really hustled to get people in the building for any reason as a missionary tool.

[Guest]

In our ward building, we are not allowed to cook in the kitchen.  We can warm things up, but not cook.

 

And, of course, chapel is off limits for anything except Sunday Services and highly spiritual activities such as an Easter Cantata, etc.  We were allowed to practice in the chapel for a special intermediary hymn or for the Primary Sacrament Meeting Program but we had to be reverent as if it was a Sunday Service.  We used to hold HP Priesthood meeting there but they moved them out of the chapel a while back.

Edited October 15, 2015 by anatess

[lagarthaaz]

I so hear what you are saying...it can be VERY annoying, but I've learned to ignore it because it's just not going to change.

 

I just deleted my long whiney post about the abuse of our church building by four different wards...

 

Best not to even get me started on the subject :)

Edited October 15, 2015 by lagarthaaz