The Church in Alexander
OUR VISION
PREACH to God’s people.
TEACH God’s word.
REACH those in need.
OUR MISSION
Connect with others, lead them to Christ and prepare God’s people for works of service so that the body of Christ may be built up.
(Matthew 28:19, Ephesians 4:11-12)
OUR VALUES
We are --- A fellowship of believers who worship God, trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for salvation and rejoice in the power of the Holy Spirit.
We believe --- The Bible is the infallible word of God and that we are to strive to live our lives as Christ lived.
We seek --- to meet people where they are at on their faith journey, to walk along side and to grow in our faith together.
HISTORY OF OUR CHURCH
Our church was founded in 1828. In 1963 a new addition which contained a fellowship hall, kitchen and Sunday School rooms was added. On March 4, 1978, the church was totally destroyed by fire. Only the 700 pound bell survived the fire. It is on display outside the current sanctuary which was completed 20 months after the fire. The first service in the new sanctuary was on November 18, 1979. An education wing was added in 1988. The well maintained building and grounds reflect our congregation’s honoring of Christ. The Church in Alexander is the only church in our community.
We have recently disaffiliated with the United Methodist Church and are experiencing a rebirth with the formation of The Church in Alexander.
OUR COMMUNITY
The small village of Alexander where our church shares the word of Christ is an agricultural area with a population of 616. This is a rural, middle class community with a few local businesses.
Alexander Central School is located in the village with an elementary building and a middle/high school building. The student population is 801.
CONGREGATION DEMOGRAPHICS
Our congregation’s top core values can be described as faithful, generous and prayerful. Throughout the year our congregation faithfully prays and is generous in their giving of time, talents and donations.
If asked what our congregation’s greatest strengths, the answer easily includes preaching, teaching, prayer life, mu sical gifts, and generosity of resources and skills. We are very blessed.
Our Sunday worship attendance is about 50 persons ranging in age from 3 years to mid-eighties. Our congregation is aging but full of vitality. Several families with school age children attend our church.
Within our congregation are several small groups and Bible studies as well as an active and engaged youth group and men’s group. Sunday School for children and adults meets before church during the school year.
OUR GOVERNING STRUCTURE
The governing body is the Administrative Board comprised of the chair persons of the following committees:
CERC --- Church Employee Relations Committee. Oversees church issues relating to church employees including evaluations and receives feedback from church members. This is an appointed committee voted on at the church’s annual meeting.
Children/Youth Committee --- Determines Sunday School programing, plans Youth Group educational events and activities, Vacation Bible Adventure, Easter Egg Hunt.
Fellowship Committee --- Plans and organizes the Ladies Retreat, Summer picnic-in-the-Park, pot lucks and special events and celebrations for the church family.
Lay Ministry and Nominations Committee --- Nominates persons for church officer vacancies to be approved of at the church annual meeting. Reviews the church membership for future leadership striving to provide leadership and spiritual development opportunities for the members of the church.
MASS Committee --- Memorial – Is responsible for the receipt and disposition of memorial contributions made to the church. Altar – Concerned with Altar and church adornments. Sunshine – Sends greeting cards with birthday, anniversary and get well wishes to congregation members and others upon request. Scholarship – Collects and determines eligibility of applications from active members and their children.
Missions and Ministry Committee --- Assists short and long term missions work by those within or closely connected to the congregation as well as outreach ministry to the local community. Coordinates local outreach at Thanksgiving and Christmas, the church’s food pantry which serves community needs, assists in helping to support our 2 missionary families.
Sanctuary Improvement/Worship Enrichment Committee --- Responsible for many aspects of worship including computer programming, visual and auditory enhancement, transmission on Facebook of our worship service and wonderful worship music by our incredibly gifted Praise Band.
Trustee Committee --- Members are stewards of all physical properties owned by the church. They provide for needed furnishings, utilities, necessary repairs and maintenance on church property. This is an appointed committee voted on at the church’s annual meeting.
The Administrative Board Chair runs the Administrative Board of the church. This person works with the Pastor, Treasurer and the CERC chair in daily operations of the church. The Board Chair is elected by the congregation at the church’s annual meeting.
Also voting members on the Administrative Board are the Pastor and the church treasurer. The church secretary attends the meetings to take minutes.
THE STAFF
The staff of The Church in Alexander includes the Pastor, the church office secretary, the buildings and grounds custodian and the Youth leader.
QUALITIES THAT WE ARE LOOKING FOR IN OUR NEW PASTOR
(to be determined by CERC)
SUMMARY
As we have moved through the disaffiliation process, we have seen God’s hand in each step along the way. We are excited to see what God has in store for us as He pairs us with a new pastor.
