In support of the Youth Choir and Music Ministries of Westbury United Methodist Church,

I will make Agape a priority in my life. When I can schedule things at other times, I will. I know that when I am singing praise to God, I need to do the best job possible.

I will attend as many of the rehearsals, services and activities as I can. I will do my best to be on time. When I must be absent, I let Randy or Sarah know BEFORE I need to miss.

I will do my best to represent the ideals of love and service at all times.

I want to help lead the congregation in worship and be a good representative of the choir. I will help Agape function as effectively as possible by being quiet during rehearsals and also during services. I will take care of my music, my folder and my robe, and I will abide by all of the rules of the choir when Agape represents Westbury UMC in other places.

Signed ____________________________________________________________________

Date ______________________________________________________________________

Agape Attendance, 2007-2008

ONGOING MEMBERS must participate in choir throughout the year to be eligible for tour. Agape has a mission: to serve as the main choir for the 8:30 worship service. The more people we have on Sunday morning, the more exciting and meaningful our performances will be. Tour is also ministry, but it is also a reward for a year of service by choir members. It isn’t fair to those who come all year for people to drop out and them come back to choir after Christmas.

NEW MEMBERS must join choir before the beach retreat to be eligible for tour. The beach retreat marks the beginning of tour season.

Sunday afternoon rehearsals begin at 4:15 sharp. Please be on time. Consistent lateness shows poor personal habits and/or disrespect for the mission of Agape. You must be to rehearsal before 4:30 to be counted present.

Worship rehearsals: if you are in your chair with hymnal, bulletin and black folder by 8:15 Sunday morning, you will get two points towards attendance.

You must have 66% or better attendance at rehearsals and 66% or better in worship services .

If you call or e-mail Randy (713-723-0175, ext 33; randy1@westburyumc.org) or Sarah (281-467-8690) BEFORE the absence with a valid excuse, you will be given an excused absence, up to five rhearsals and five services per semester . If you have an extended commitment (a school or sports activity or job) that takes you out on a regular basis, please discuss this with Randy. "I give leaves of absence; just talk to me!" — RZ

If you have less than 60% attendance, you may appeal to an Appeals Council. The Council will consist of choir sponsors and upper classmen who have good attendance (66% or over). At that time, you can tell us why you have missed so much and why we should let you go on tour. The Council will take into account their problems and our situation and make a decision. Individual situations will be sympathetically heard. People have special situations that deserve to be considered. Just because some people can change their work schedule to accommodate church activities, doesn’t mean that all people are so lucky. Others have different circumstances–maybe their parents won’t always take them and they’re too young to drive.

If you have over 65% attendance for the whole year will get an additional discount from their tuition. 66—76% = $20, 76—86% = $40, 86—100% = $60.

Needs of the choir production are weighted. If the choir performance needs someone specific to fill a role, then that person, although their attendance may not be model, will get to go, because without them, there is no musical. Anyone whose attendance is below 50%, and who hasn't discussed their situation with Randy or Sarah, will not participate in summer tours, no matter how good they are.

Consideration is granted to members who come consistently, if not regularly. It is much better to come 50% of the time in the fall and 50% of the time in the spring, rather than 0% in the fall and 100% in the spring, even though these averages would be the same. Consistent, although sporadic, attendance shows more commitment than dropping out and re-entering.

…Randy Zercher and Choir Council

Dress Code

Every Sunday

“ nice church clothes” or “casual dressy”

GUYS: no T-shirts, jeans, torn jeans, shorts, athletic shoes, or message/logo shirts or sweat shirts. Slacks, dark shoes, sport shirt or nice sweater. No big stripes. Shirts tucked in.

GIRLS: “no skin,” (no cleavage showing, no midriff showing—front or back—no bare shoulders), skirts to the knees, no athletic shoes, no message/logo sweat shirts. Slacks or skirt, dark shoes, sport shirt or blouse or nice sweater. No big stripes.

Communion Sundays

Blue Westbury UMC Youth polo, khakis, dark dress shoes, shirts tucked in; girls, no short skirts.