We Extend a Welcome To You at
Lexington Presbyterian Church
120 S. Main Street
Lexington, VA 24450
William M. Klein, Pastor
Phone: 540-463-3873 Fax: 540-463-1885
Lexington Presbyterian - Policies
These are some policies at our church that are of general interest. You may obtain additional information about any of them at the church office.
Policies
| Cancellations | Funerals | Gifts & Bequests | Weddings |
Cancellation Policy
The 11:00am service will not be cancelled due to inclement weather.The 8:45am service, Sunday School and other programs may be cancelled if necessary. Call the church answering machine at 463-3873 for cancellation status.
Funeral Policy
Planning
Our pastor has provided a personal information form that an individual may use to register his or her desires in case of death. This includes names of people to be notified as well as preferences for a service and burial. We encourage congregation members to use this form and make it available to the church office and next of kin.
Notification of Pastor
The funeral home director will usually notify the pastor of the death of a member of the congregation. Members of the congregation should feel free to ask another pastor to participate in the funeral service, but should make such arrangements through the pastor of the Lexington Presbyterian Church.
Place of Service
The funeral or memorial service may be held in the church sanctuary or chapel, the funeral home, or at the graveside. The choice is made by the family. Since the sanctuary is the center for the weekly worship of God, it is the desirable place to conduct a funeral service.
Music
If the funeral service is to take place in the sanctuary or chapel of Lexington Presbyterian Church, sufficient notice should be considered for the organist. Hymns are an appropriate part of the funeral service. As well, a make-shift choir can be arranged with sufficient notice.
Fees
The church charges no fees of any kind for funeral services.
Memorials
In designating gifts in lieu of flowers, families are encouraged to consider designating one of the funds described at Gifts and Bequests.
Gifts and Bequests
Memorials
In designating gifts in lieu of flowers, families are encouraged to consider designating one of the funds listed below.General Policy
Normally, the Financial Management Committee will allocate spendable income annually based on 8% of the fund balance averaged over the previous two year ends. Amounts in excess of this spending allocation can be approved by the Session.Endowments for restricted purposes offered by individuals or estates will be evaluated for acceptance by the Session. Amounts of less than $10,000 will be accepted provisionally and given 5 years to reach the $10,000 level, during which imputed interest is credited annually at 10%. If $10,000 is not achieved, the Session will determine the disposition of the fund. These policies are subject to change by the Session. Individuals are encouraged to consult with the Minister, the Treasurer, or a member of the Financial Management Committee in planning for major gifts or bequests.
Examples of gifts
Our "late" organ, purchased in 1960 and destroyed in the fire of 2000, was the gift of a local carpenter. He had no close relatives. He consulted one day with Elder Emmet Harper, inquiring as to how he might leave something of benefit to the church. Mr. Harper suggested the church might soon need a new organ.Do you sense needs of the church which your "gift of a lifetime" might provide? Your gift can continue to serve the church after you are gone. Let us discuss with you how you would like your gift to be used to benefit future generations either by a bequest or a current gift providing tax advantages.
Many members give stock whose value has escalated many times in recent years. This provides considerable tax advantage. Charitable remainder trusts allow you to receive a continuing source of income while providing generous present and future tax deductions. Gifts may be made to any of our existing funds or we can discuss how a gift might be used for a new program or need of the church.
Current funds (listed in order established)
K. A. Thompson Service Fund (1970)
Restricted to benevolent causes. Originally used for needy individuals, in and out of the Congregation, for rent, utilities, scholarships, and house painting. The initial $50,000 bequest from a Lexington High School teacher was boosted by about $230,000 by the will of Margaret Denny McClung. Uses were then expanded to local benevolent agencies, surrounding churches, Massanetta, Montreat, Haiti ministry, Young Life, Habitat for Humanity, etc. Grants are made annually by the Outreach Committee.Scholarship Fund (1986)
Restricted to scholarships for youth and adults, usually at the college level and including Candidates for the Ministry. Grants made annually by the Christian Education Committee.Operating Contingency Fund (1990)
Provides liquidity during periods of low cash flow and acts as a cushion against extraordinary or emergency expenses not anticipated in the annual budget. Session policy is 3 months operating expenses.Capital Assets Fund (1990)
Repository of the annual budget item "Reserve for Depreciation of Assets." Used for major renovation, painting and replacement of roof, boiler and other equipment.Penick Music Endowment (1993)
Restricted for special music and guest musicians. Begun with a $1000 gift from William McCorkle and a $2000 bequest of Mary Monroe Penick, enhanced by contributions from a number of individuals, this fund reached the level of $10,000 required for endowed status in Sept 1998.Bequest and Memorial Fund (1996)
A permanent repository of unrestricted memorial gifts and bequests, principally that of Charles W. Rees, $170,000, and Margaret Lackey, $50,000. A portion of the annual total return is available for benevolent, operating and capital needs.Sam Rayder Manse Endowment (1996)
Restricted to capital improvements on the Manse. An old life insurance policy on Sam's life, given to the church in 1996, provided proceeds at his death in 1999 of $35,867. The Manse potting shed was restored using this fund.Christian Lecture Endowment (1998)
Established by the Session with $20,000 from the Bequest Fund. Managed by the Christian Education Committee in consultation with the pastor to provide regular (annual if adequate funds) opportunities for lectures and/or workshops to enrich the spiritual life of the congregation and faith community.Elsie Brown Music Endowment (1999)
Restricted for any purpose related to music, including salaries. A bequest of Elsie Brown, long-time member of the choir, who died in 1998. This provides an annual $3100 set-aside for organ maintenance beginning in 2007.Walker Flower Endowment (2000)
Restricted to providing flowers for the Sanctuary and other church functions, this endowment honors Hoppy Walker, long-time Flower Chair.Mary Colket Youth Endowment (2004)
Provides supplemental funding for an annual mission trip and conferences by church youth.Lam Handbell Endowment (2005)
Honoring Sally Lam, this fund supports several handbell choirs for beginners, amateurs, and accomplished musicians for instruments, conferences and festivals.Irons Minister Educational Endowment (2007)
Memorial gifts for Caroline Ferguson Irons were supplemented by her husband, Robert P. Irons, Sr., to provide supplements for the minister's continuing education.Organ Maintenance Fund (2007)
Annual reserve for future maintenance recommended by organ maker based on 0.4% of initial cost of $775,000. Funds to be transferred from Elsie Brown Music Fund annually.The above funds are invested in common stocks using the Vanguard Total Stock Index Fund, subject to annual review by Investment Review Committee under direction of Session's Financial Management Committee.
Phillips Music Fund (2003)
To honor Marge Phillips' long service to the several handbell choirs, a fund providing scholarships supporting music education is now building toward endowed status requiring $10,000.Supplemental Scholarship Fund
Initiated by the Session and supported by numerous individuals wishing to support college expenses for the Pastor's children. In 2010 any residue will be merged into the regular Scholarship Fund. Undesignated memorials will be placed in this fund.Wedding Services
Preliminary Arrangements
The couple wanting to be married should contact the pastor of Lexington Presbyterian Church as early as possible in order that all necessary arrangements may be made. Should there be any question as to the eligibility of a couple to marry, the pastor bears the responsibility for a final decision.The pastor should arrange appropriate premarital counsel with the couple. If the couple would like the pastor of another church to officiate, the pastor of Lexington Presbyterian Church must be consulted in order that an invitation may be extended to the guest pastor.
The pastor will be the "director" of the wedding ceremony. A wide latitude of choice may be observed, and the couple and the pastor should be in agreement well in advance of the ceremony on all details including the selection of music, the decorations, and a wedding coordinator. Because the wedding service is an occasion for worship, the following policies shall be observed:
Use of Facilities
Arrangements should be made at the church office as far in advance as possible to avoid conflicts. When neither the bride nor groom nor their parents are members of the congregation, the pastor has the responsibility for making the decision on the use of the church facilities. A parlor and other rooms normally used for meetings and/or classes may be made available to members of the wedding party. (Contact the Administrative Assistant.)Alcohol
The use of alcoholic beverages on church premises is forbidden.Music
Only sacred or traditional music should be used. The pastor has the final decision of what is appropriate. Music should be discussed with the Director of Music far enough in advance to allow for any necessary changes to accommodate the policy on musical selections. If the services of the Director of Music are desired, he should be contacted by the couple directly and as early as possible.Pulpit, Furniture, Baptismal Font & Communion Table
The pulpit may not be moved. The chairs on the platform, the baptismal font, and communion table may be moved to provide more room for the wedding participants.Flowers, Candles, and Rice
Flowers may not be placed on the pulpit. They may be placed on a stand behind or on either side of the pulpit and on or beside the communion table. The florist should be asked to use plastic on the carpet beneath the candelabra, even when dripless candles are used. The florist should be informed that all arrangements, candles, etc., must be removed from the sanctuary immediately following the wedding to allow the Sexton to prepare the sanctuary for the next service. If the family wishes to leave the flowers for Sunday worship, this matter should be coordinated with the Flower Chairperson well in advance.Throwing birdseed outside the church buildings while on church property is acceptable (rice and confetti are not).