A variety of boards, committees, and groups make this church flourish. The first two are elected only, and report to the congregation at large. All others are open to members and friends alike, and report to the Senior Minister or Minister of Spiritual Life and Learning.

• Foremost is the Governing Board, 15 members who oversee the physical and institutional integrity of the Church. One third is elected by the membership at each annual meeting. They meet monthly. The Chair and Vice Chair work closely with the Senior Minister, the Minister of Spiritual Life and Learning, and the Executive Minister, (called the Executive Team), to assure smooth communications and planning.
• The FSC Foundation Board oversees invested funds which are used to improve the building and provide some dedicated funds to projects such as the Choice Fund, Social Action, Religious Education, and Music. No funds from the Foundation support basic operations or staffing.
• The Religious Services Committee advises and assists the Clergy in overseeing the Worship life of the Church. They are especially involved in arranging for summer Chapel Services, which are led by lay members.
• The Properties Committee advises and assists the Executive Minister in planning maintenance, repairs, and improvements.
• The Communications Committee helps design and improve our many uses of print, internet, and audio-visual sources. They also help form our public relations work.
• The Social Action Committee researches projects and topics that express our broad principles, so that the Church or a group of members may elect to respond by offering a service, educating the public, or creating partnerships with groups that deserve our support.
• The Duncan Littlefair Great Speakers Series researches and organizes events that bring notable experts to Grand Rapids.
• The Choice Fund Board oversees distributions of loans to women in need of reproductive services.
• The Music Committee helps coordinates the many musical activities at FSC, including three choirs and many guest musicians.
• Youth and Adult Education, actually two groups, who plan and organize the curricula and courses used in our Lifespan Education Ministry.

Other Groups and Activities:

We have several programs that have strong lay leadership, among them our Beyond Sunday Shared Ministry that helps members and friends to connect socially, serve each other personally, and organize to serve the Church and the community. Lay Ministry Leaders work with the Staff Director to make this happen.

Connections is a new Small Group Ministry Program, overseen by the Minister of Spiritual Life and Learning, but operated by trained Lay Facilitators.

Befrienders and First Responders are Lay Pastoral Care Ministries under the guidance of our Caring Ministry Coordinator. The former are trained to be listening friends in times of loss and stress. The latter help assess acute needs so the Church can respond quickly and well.

The Women’s Association is a semi-autonomous group that serves the Church and its members.

The Adult Choir is a vigorous and vital group who provide expert and eclectic music to our Sunday Worship. They always welcome new members.

Ushers also make Sundays happen. These dedicated souls make sure worshippers are seated, served, and the collection taken every Sunday of the year.

There are informal groups that are not part of formal programming, but fill essential needs such as:

• the golf group
• the organic living group
• exploring beliefs and questions
• the book club
• the poetry group
• men’s poker and philosophy

These and others enrich our community. If you would like to join one, let us know and we’ll put you in touch. If you would like to start one, let us know that too.