Lay Leadership

The Lay Leader and Assistant Lay Leader are elected positions within the United Methodist church.
The lay leadership role involves listening, partnering, interpreting, learning and communicating within the church community.
It can be called a bridging role, supporting the pastor, the congregation and the church.

Staff Parish Relations

Acts as a liaison between staff, clergy, and the congregation and oversees annual evaluations and appointments.
Ensures that church is a fulfilling place to work.
Reflects on the roles and responsibilities of ministry and administrative staff; takes ownership for church staff organizational design.

Stewardship & Finance

S&F plans and conducts the annual pledge campaign to raise revenue to operate SUMC as a self-supporting congregation, and to fund Outreach initiatives.
Members work with the other Commissions to prepare a balanced operating budget for each year based on pledged and other revenue.
The Financial Secretaries, Church Treasurer, Endowment Treasurer, Sunny Hill Treasurer, Counters and Audit Committee report to the Stewardship & Finance Committee.
The Chair of the Stewardship & Finance Committee functions as the Chief Financial Officer of SUMC.

Permanent Endowment

Works with the Stewardship & Finance Commission to manage and grow the church’s long-term financial assets, which exist to support the mission of SUMC. Attributes guiding the management of the Permanent Endowment include:
There are a General Fund and 17 Special Purpose Funds.
The “themes” or “purposes” of the General and Special Purpose Funds are categorized as: Buildings; Education; Outreach; Operating Budget.
98% of the Endowment assets are permanently Restricted Funds, meaning that principal is managed to exist in perpetuity.
The General and Restricted Funds follow a “sustainable investment and distribution policy”. Each Restricted Fund distributes a set % of the prior 3-year average balance of each Fund pursuant to the purpose for which each Fund was created, to advance the mission of SUMC.
Approximately 50% of the Endowment’s annual sustainable distributions fund Outreach efforts.
2% of the Endowment assets are Unrestricted Funds. Two Unrestricted Funds support the Worship and Music Program by providing for church organ maintenance and acquisition.
The Endowment Committee also is responsible for assisting in the creation of a Planned Giving Program.

Board of Trustees

Oversees care and maintenance of church property, including real estate, personal property, and intellectual property.
Receives property for the church, working closely with stewardship & finance.
Holds in trust for the United Methodist Church titles to all real and personal, tangible and intangible property of the local church.