1. Visitor Care
2. Advertising
3. New members welcoming
4. Volunteer Coordination
5. Tending to our members:
   
   • Caring Ministry
   • Missing Member Contact
   • Roll Cleaning
   • Chariot Ministry
6. Parish Nurse Ministry
7. Prayer Chain
8. Reception services

How we do it.

The Membership Committee uses the following activities as a guide. New ideas are welcomed for ways to serve the evolving mission of Memorial UCC and changing needs and interests of the Congregation. At least annually, the Committee reviews and refines its mission and activities. The Council liaison keeps Church Council informed of the work of the Committee.

1. Visitor Care
   • Train members -“ Use occasional announcements and newsletter articles to encourage members to greet visitors and be active inviters and welcomers. (Note: Greeters for Sunday worship services are scheduled by the Worship Committee).
   • Contact visitors - All visitors who sign the pew pad receive a phone call and a card thanking them for visiting, inviting them to return and offering to answer any questions. After 3 visits, the Pastor makes a call and a name tag is prepared for their use.
2. Advertising
   • Yellow pages - Memorial UCC is included in the UCC ad
   • Fitchburg Star - Memorial UCC is included with area churches
   • Chamber of Commerce community material
   • Use church logo on all materials and ads
   • Maintain up-to-date information on web page at www.memorialucc.org
3. New Members
   • Inquirer Classes - Periodically schedule and invite visitors to attend an 'Inquirers' class to consider membership and becoming involved. Classes are lead by the Pastor. Current members often participate to offer history of the Memorial UCC and to review the organizational structure of the church.
   • Hold a new members dinner where they can get to know each other and some of us
   • Survey visitors and new members to find out how they came to Memorial UCC and what attracted them. Ask about talents and interests and invite them to become involved.
4. Tending to our Members
   
   • Caring Ministry - The Parish Nurse coordinates a few volunteers to call on the sick, shut-ins or members that aren't able to regularly attend services.
   • Member Records - Assist the Church Secretary maintain an up-to-date membership directory and periodically update the picture directory. Efforts are made through the Pastor, Parish Nurse and family and friends to contact missing members that haven't attended lately. Visits are arranged to determine cause and offer assistance, if appropriate.
   • Records updating - Periodically review membership rolls and contact members that have not been attending or contributing to determine reason for lack of participation and ask if they prefer to be moved to the friends of Memorial UCC list. After 2 years of non-participation, they are contacted again and removed from the rolls unless a request is made to remain on the rolls.
   • Chariot Ministry - Volunteers are coordinated to provide rides for those unable to get to church on their own. Cab service may be arranged with approval of Council.
5. Parish Nurse Ministry - The Parish Nurse provides services to enhance the physical and emotional well-being of members. A subcommittee provides support to the Parish Nurse and prepares the annual budget request for the program.
6. Prayer Chain - The prayer ministry provides an organized structure for prayer for those who have physical or emotional or spiritual joys or concerns.
   • A list of prayer requests is sent monthly to volunteers (about 12) who regularly pray for them.
   • Volunteers receive notification via e-mail or mail with updates as needed throughout the month.
7. Reception Service - The Committee maintains a list of caterers, as well as people willing to organize receptions or light meals for people using Fellowship Hall for weddings, anniversaries, funerals and other special events in the lives of our church family.