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Constitution and
By-Laws CONSTITUTION
AND BY-LAWS First Congregational Church Boylston, Massachusetts as of
December 4, 2019 CONSTITUTION AND BY-LAWS First
Congregational Church of Boylston ARTICLE
I - NAME The name
of this Church shall be the First Congregational Church of Boylston,
Massachusetts. ARTICLE
II - PURPOSE The
avowed purpose of this Church shall be to worship God, to preach and teach
the gospel of Jesus Christ, and to celebrate the Sacraments of Baptism and
the Lord's Supper or Holy Communion; to realize Christian fellowship and
community within this Church and the Church Universal; to serve all peoples
with love and to strive for righteousness, justice and peace in human
affairs. ARTICLE
III - FAITH AND COVENANT Section
1: Faith This
Church acknowledges Jesus Christ to be Savior and Lord, and seeks to center
its worship, work, and life around Christ and His Gospel. It acknowledges as
brothers and sisters in Christ all who share in this confession. It looks to
the Word of God in the Bible and to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit
to direct the work of the Body of Christ, of which it is part, in the world.
It claims as its own the faith of the historic Church, and affirms the
responsibility of the Church in each generation to make this faith its own.
Each member of this Church shall have the right to follow the Word of God
according to the dictates of one’s own conscience. The Church commends to its
members the following Statement of Faith as an expression of this Church's
faith: I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and
earth; and in Jesus Christ, his only begotten Son our Lord; who was conceived
by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate,
was crucified, dead, and buried; he descended into hell; the third day he
rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and sitteth
on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from thence he shall come to
judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost; the holy catholic
Church; the communion of saints; the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of
the body; and the life everlasting. Amen. Section
2: Covenant We
covenant with one another to seek and to respond to the Word and will of God.
We intend to walk together in the ways of the Lord, made known and to be made
known to us. We hold it to be the mission of the Church to witness to the
gospel of Jesus Christ in all the world to strive for truth, justice and
peace. As did our ancestors, we depend on the Holy Spirit to lead and guide
us. We pray for the coming of the kingdom of God, and we look with faith
toward the triumph of righteousness and eternal life. ARTICLE
IV - POLITY The
First Congregational Church of Boylston may enter into affiliation with an
appropriate association(s), conference(s), or other church body (or bodies)
with a congregational polity consistent with our own congregational heritage
and practice. The
government of this Church is vested in its members, subject to the Laws of
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as they pertain to charitable, educational
and religious organizations. The Church is subject to the control of no other
ecclesiastical body, even as it may recognize and maintain the obligations of
mutual counsel and cooperation which are common among congregational
Churches. This
Church is in fellowship with all Churches which acknowledge Jesus Christ to
be their Lord and Savior, and together with the Father and the Holy Spirit to
be the one God, revealed in three Persons, seeking with those Churches that
unity which shall bring us all into the one body of Christ. ARTICLE
V - MEMBERSHIP Section
1: Qualifications The
members of this Church shall be persons who have been baptized and confess
Jesus Christ to be their Lord and Savior. Section
2: Procedures A. Persons
may become members of this Church in any one of these ways: 1. By
confirmation of baptism, following procedures prescribed by the Pastor and
the Servant Leaders. 2. By confession
or affirmation of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. 3. By
presentation of letters of dismission and recommendation or satisfactory
substitute, from Churches with which the First Congregational Church is in
fellowship. [NB: “fellowship” with other churches defined in Article
IV: Polity.] B. The
following procedures are to be followed for membership to occur: 1. Candidates
for membership will receive an orientation by the Servant Leaders and the
Pastor as to the faith covenant and practice of this Church. 2. Candidates
for membership will be proposed by the Servant Leaders during the service of
worship on a Sunday prior to their reception. 3. Candidates
for membership will enter into this Church’s covenant and consent to its
By-Laws, and be formally received into its fellowship, preferably during a
service of worship. The Pastor and Servant Leaders may determine exceptions
to reception into membership during a service of worship. Section 3: Responsibilities Covenant
Members shall pledge themselves to attend the regular worship of the Church
and the celebration of the Lord's Supper; to live a Christian life; to share in
the life and work of the Church; to contribute to its support and
benevolences; and to seek diligently the spiritual welfare of the
congregation, its membership, and the community. Section
4: Categories of Membership A. Covenant
members will be those members who fulfill the responsibilities of membership
as described above. B. Inactive
members will be those members who have been determined by the Servant Leaders
as not fulfilling the responsibilities of covenant membership, following
efforts by the Servant Leaders to restore such members to active life in the
Church. C. Friends
of the Church will be those who participate in the life of the Church, but do
not choose to enter into Covenant Membership. Covenant
members have the rights of voice and vote in the transaction of all meetings
of the Church, and may serve as officers and as members of Boards and
Committees of the Church. Inactive members and Friends of the Church will not
have voice and vote in the transaction of meetings of the Congregation and
will not serve on Boards of the Church or on the Nominating Committee. Section
6: Termination of Membership A. Any
member may, on his or her own request, be granted a letter of transfer. If
wishing to join a body not in fellowship with this Church, he or she may be
dismissed with a certificate of termination of Church membership in good
standing. B. If a
member requests in writing to be released from his or her membership
obligations, the Servant Leaders shall patiently endeavor, as appropriate, to
secure his or her continuance in its fellowship; but failing in such effort,
the Church will grant the request and terminate his or her membership. Such a
request shall be approved by the Servant Leadership Team. C. If a
member of the Church is engaged in conduct which is inimical to the welfare
and fellowship of the Church and its members, the Servant Leadership Team
will follow Jesus’ instructions found in Matthew 18:15-17. 1. The
Servant Leadership Team will, severally and jointly, seek to reconcile the
errant member to right relationship with God and the Church. 2. If
the errant member is unrepentant, and will not desist from the inimical
conduct, the Servant Leadership Team may consider whether that person’s
membership should be suspended or terminated. The errant member may ask, or
be asked, to meet with the Servant Leadership Team. Throughout the process of
the decision, all reasonable efforts to reconcile the errant member to right
relationship with the Church will be continued. If a member is suspended,
continuing efforts will be made to restore that member to right relationship
with the Church. If all reasonable efforts have failed, the membership may be
terminated. 3. The
person will be notified of the termination of membership in person, if
possible. In any event, the notification will be made in writing. A. Pastors
of the Church will be members of the Church. B. The
Church Administrator, the Music Director (Organist and/or Choir Director) and
the Sexton of the Church will not be members. ARTICLE VI - OFFICERS, BOARDS AND COMMITTEES A.
Head Jesus
Christ, the Son of God, Lord and Savior, is the only Head of the Church. In
all decision-making processes, officers and leadership bodies of the First
Congregational Church will seek to center their deliberations, decisions, and
work around his will, through prayer and study of the Word of God. B.
Congregation For
decision-making purposes, the Congregation will consist of all covenant
members of the First Congregational Church, gathered in accordance with the
provisions of these By-Laws. C.
Servant Leadership Team The
Servant Leadership Team is responsible for spiritual guidance, provision and
protection of the congregation. It is responsible for the vision and
direction of the Church and acts with full authority on behalf of the
congregation. The Servant Leadership Team represents the Congregation
in the routine management and leadership decisions of the Church. D.
Boards 1. The
Boards of the Church, responsible directly to the Servant Leadership Team,
make and implement leadership decisions for major functional areas of the
Church and its ministry. 2. The
Boards are as follows: Deacons Trustees Christian
Education Christian
Outreach and Service 3. Each
Board will elect a Chairperson. 4. Ensure
that minutes of each Board meeting are recorded, disseminated to members of
the Board, approved by the Board at a subsequent meeting, and submitted to
the Office Administrator for filing. E.
Committees 1. Standing The Standing
Committees of the Church, each responsible to a Board of the Church,
implement the work of the Church and its ministry on behalf of their
respective Boards. The Nominating Committee is directly responsible to the
Servant Leadership Team. The Committees are as follows: Nominating Parish
Care Sanctuary Music Stewardship Memorials Kitchen 2. Ad
Hoc The
Servant Leadership Team or a Church Board may create, at need, an Ad Hoc
Committee, not defined in these by-laws, to conduct planning and implement
work on its behalf on a temporary basis. An Ad Hoc Committee will be
dissolved when its needed work is completed. F.
Officers Officers
of the Church must be covenant members of the Church. The Servant
Leadership Team Chairperson, Vice Chairperson and Clerk of the Church are
elected by the Servant Leadership Team. The Pastor, Treasurer and
Registrar are elected by the Congregation. They are elected to
represent the Congregation in roles of leadership and service. The
Officers are as follows: Pastor Servant
Leadership Team Chairperson Servant
Leadership Team Vice Chairperson Clerk Registrar Treasurer G.
Auditor 1. The
Auditor will be a member or non-member of the Church qualified in accepted
accounting practices and procedures, nominated by the Board of Trustees, and
approved by the Servant Leadership Team. 2. The
Auditor shall examine the books of the Treasurer annually with all vouchers,
bills, accounts and papers pertaining to the indebtedness and assets of the
Church, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and
report to the Church thereon in writing at each Annual Meeting. Section
2: Nomination and Election A.
Nomination 1.
Candidates for elected positions, other than the Nominating Committee and
Servant Leadership Team, will be nominated by the Nominating Committee and approved
by the Servant Leadership Team. Only those persons who have signified their
consent to serve if elected shall be nominated for or elected to such
positions. 2.
Servant Leaders will be nominated by the Servant Leadership Team and
elected by the Congregation at the Annual Meeting for a one year term.
Members of the Congregation are encouraged to recommend qualified members for
consideration for nomination for election to the Servant Leadership Team. B.
Election The
Congregation will vote on the candidates presented by the Servant Leadership
Team at an Annual Meeting and may elect each candidate to the proposed
position by a simple majority. C.
Terms of Service If a
vacancy exists in an elective position other than the Servant Leadership
Team, the Nominating Committee shall propose a candidate to the Servant
Leadership Team. The Servant Leadership Team may elect the candidate to
the position, by simple majority vote, until the next Annual Meeting of the
Congregation. A full term in an elected position begins with election by the
Congregation at an Annual Meeting; a partial year of service shall not be
considered one year of a term. D.
Multiple Positions 1. No covenant
member of the Church may serve on more than one Board at any given time. 2. The
Servant Leadership Team Chairperson may not serve on any Boards during
his/her respective term of office. 3. The
Treasurer shall not be a member of the Board of Trustees, except as specified
in the provisions of these By-Laws. 4. The
Auditor shall not be a member of the Board of Trustees. 5.
Individuals who are not covenant members may serve on committees, with
the exception of the Nominating Committee. A.
Pastor 1. A
Pastor is called to lead the Church in the ministry of its members to one
another and to the world, fulfilling the responsibilities of preacher,
teacher, and counselor, serving persons and organizations of the Church. The Pastor
shall have the freedom to be a person of action in his or her own right and
is encouraged to speak the truth in love as his or her conscience directs. 2. The
Pastor shall preach the gospel and have in his or her care the services of
public worship, shall administer the sacraments and rites of the Church,
provide pastoral service and lead the Church in accordance with its current
Mission Statement. 3. The
Pastor is to be a member of the Church and a member of the Servant Leadership
Team. 4. The
Pastor shall be called for an indefinite term by at least a two-thirds vote
of the members present at a properly called meeting. The Congregation, by at
least a two-thirds vote at a meeting called for the purpose, or the Pastor,
by notice of resignation, can terminate the relationship with the
understanding that such termination shall not be effective for a period of
sixty days, unless mutually agreeable. 5. The
Pastor will establish and review goals, performance, and initiatives as part
of his relationship of mutual support and accountability with the other
Servant Leaders. B.
Servant Leadership Chairperson and Vice Chairperson 1. The
Chairperson and Vice Chairperson shall be elected from the members of the
Servant Leadership Team and by the members of the Servant Leadership Team. 2. The
Chairperson and Vice Chairperson may serve in their respective positions for
a maximum of three consecutive years. 3. The Chairperson
shall preside at all business meetings of the Congregation. 4. The
Vice Chairperson shall preside at meetings of the Congregation and meetings
of the Servant Leadership Team in the absence of the Chairperson. C.
Clerk 1. The
Clerk shall be a member of the Servant Leadership Team and be elected by the
Servant Leadership Team, to serve for one year, or until his/her successor is
elected. 2. The
Clerk shall keep a complete record of the transactions of all business
meetings of the Church, such records to be read for approval at the next
following business meeting. The Clerk shall keep an official copy of these
By-Laws and be responsible for maintaining them in an updated state. The
Clerk shall notify all officers, members of committees, and delegates of
their election, and shall keep a complete record of the transactions of the
Servant Leadership Team. All communications and written reports which are
received and adopted in business meetings are to be preserved on file by the
Clerk. It shall also be the duty of the Clerk to give legal notice of all
meetings where such notice is required by these By-Laws. 3. The
Servant Leadership Team Vice Chairperson shall perform the duties of the
Clerk in the absence of the Clerk. D.
Registrar 1. The
Registrar shall be elected by the Congregation to serve one year or until
his/her successor is elected. 2. The
Registrar shall keep a complete and current register of the names of all
members of this Church, including dates of admission and dismission or death,
and shall maintain records of baptisms, marriages and funerals of all persons
associated with this Church. The Registrar's duties shall include the issuing
of letters of dismission. 3. The
Clerk shall perform the duties of the Registrar in the absence of the
Registrar. E.
Treasurer 1. The
Treasurer shall be elected by the Congregation to serve for one year and
until a successor is elected. The Church shall carry insurance to protect
itself against acts of dishonesty, illegality or misappropriation on the part
of any Officer of the Church, including the Treasurer, which result in
financial loss to the Church. In lieu of, or in addition to, coverage by the
insurance, the Treasurer may also be bonded. 2. The
Treasurer shall be the custodian of the Church’s funds and shall disburse
them as authorized by the Board of Trustees. The Treasurer shall keep an
account of receipts and disbursements. The Treasurer may, with the approval
of the Board of Trustees, contract with a bank or other financial institution
to invest endowments, legacies, trust funds and securities. 3. The
Treasurer is a non-voting member of the Board of Trustees. 4. In the
absence of the Treasurer, the Trustees shall perform these duties. Section 4: Servant Leadership Team A. The
Servant Leadership Team shall be comprised of the Pastor and a minimum of six
other members elected by the Congregation. B. Other than
the Pastor, members of the Servant Leadership Team are elected for one year
terms with a maximum of six consecutive years. C. Eligibility
to be elected to the Servant Leadership Team includes: 1. Must be
a covenant member of the First Congregational Church of Boylston for at least
five years. 2. Must
participate in the life of the Church through worship, communion and
fellowship. 3. Must
support the Church with time, talent and treasure as gifted by God. 4. Must share
the foundational beliefs of First Congregational Church of Boylston: a).
Jesus Christ: Son of God, Savior, and Lord b.)
Trinity: God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit c.)
Bible: God’s Word, and the Rule & Guide for Faith &
Practice D. Should
the number of Servant Leaders fall below the minimum of seven, the
Servant Leadership team may elect a candidate to an unfilled position by
simple majority vote. This candidate may serve on the Servant Leadership Team
until the next annual meeting of the Congregation. Any time served will count
as one year on the Servant Leadership Team. E. The
Servant Leadership Team shall: 1. Act as
the executive body of the Church; 2. Carry out
Church policy and transact Church business; 3. Act as
agents for the Congregation; 4. Be
responsible for spiritual and leadership development in the Church; 5. Be
responsible for overall Church planning and strategy and shall provide
guidance to the various officers, boards and committees for the
implementation of said plans; 6. Be
responsible for overall Church growth. Growth in Christ, in love of God and
one another, knowledge of the Gospel and spiritual gifts. Numerical
growth follows by God’s will; 7. Nominate
members for election to serve on the Nominating Committee, such that, at any
given time, three elected members will have been nominated by the Servant
Leadership Team, including one who will be a Servant Leader. 8. Act
upon resignations from any Church officer or member of a board or committee
and shall be empowered to elect a successor, on recommendation of the
Nominating Committee; 9. Act
upon recommendations made by Boards or Committees regarding the staff for
which they are responsible; 10. Administer
a sexual harassment and abuse prevention policy, and a youth and child
protection policy for all aspects of the life and work of the Church; 11. Meet at
least monthly from September through June and additional meetings may be
scheduled as needed. Meetings shall be open to all members of the
Congregation except on those occasions when, in order to protect the privacy
and confidentiality of members, the Servant Leadership Team may, by a
majority vote, meet in executive session. A quorum shall consist of more than
half of the Servant Leader Team members; 12. The Servant
Leadership Team will appoint a Servant Leader to each of the four Boards of
the Church: Deacons, Trustees, Christian Education, Christian Outreach and
Service. They may not serve as Chairs on those Boards but they are voting
members; 13. Be fully
accountable to the Congregation. 14. Support
one another in service and leadership, and hold one another accountable for
service and leadership. 15. Ensure
that minutes of each SLT meeting are recorded, disseminated to members of the
SLT, approved by the SLT at a subsequent meeting, and filed by the Office
Administrator. 2.
The Board of Deacons, under the oversight of the Servant Leaders, will assist
the Servant Leaders in the care for members and their spiritual needs: a. Calling
on homebound members, those in hospitals, and those in need; b. Reaching
out continuously for prospective new members and friends; c. Seeking
to reconcile and maintain relationships with inactive or estranged members of
the congregation, as gifts, relationships, and opportunities empower. 3.
Under the oversight of the Servant Leaders, the Deacons will coordinate the
efforts of Deacons, Servant Leaders, and other volunteers in the Church to
effect the following: a. Support
the conduct of worship services, including ushering and receiving the
offering; b. Oversee
the supporting activities for worship services, including nursery coverage,
videotaping, scheduling worship leaders, scheduling scripture readers,
scheduling coffee hour; c. Distribute
altar flowers; d. Prepare
and serve Holy Communion. 4.
Administer the Deacons’ fund for the care of persons in need, including a
report to the Annual Meeting of money received and expended. 5.
The Board shall support and assist the Pastor with the Confirmation Program. 6.
The Board shall oversee the functions of the Music, Sanctuary, and Parish
Care Committees. 1.
The Board of Trustees shall consist of a minimum of five
covenant members to be elected by the Congregation to serve three year terms
and until their successors are elected. A member shall be ineligible to serve
for a period of one year after having served two consecutive full terms on
the Board. The Treasurer shall be a non-voting member. One Trustee will
be appointed from the Servant Leadership Team, but this Trustee cannot serve
as Chairperson. 2. It shall
be the Board’s responsibility to see that the following functions are
properly executed: a. Hold in
trust the property of the Church; b. Take
charge of the financial affairs of the Church, other than benevolences, and
to authorize and direct the Treasurer as to payments of monies placed in
their care; and to authorize the Treasurer to make prompt payment of salaries
and current expenses; and to make a full financial report at the Annual
Meeting of the Congregation; c. In
consultation with the Treasurer, recommend courses of action for Servant
Leadership Team approval when funding shortages may impact the implementation
of the approved Church budget; d. Take
charge of all Church property, including necessary repairs and maintenance
thereof; provide custodial service as required; and see that adequate
insurance coverage is maintained in force with respect to such property; e. Receive
and consider all requests from groups both within or without the Church
membership for the use of Church property and facilities, and to grant
permission for such use when appropriate; f. Invest
all Church funds under the Board's control in such financial institutions as
will best insure the safety and appreciation of such funds; g. Obtain
a specific vote of authorization from the Church membership before buying,
selling, mortgaging, leasing, or transferring any real property, borrowing on
unsecured notes in excess of 5% of the total annual budget, or making any
expenditure which is in excess of the amount budgeted for that expense or is
an unbudgeted item in excess of $5,000 unless such expenditure has the
approval of the Servant Leadership Team; h. Prepare
and present to the Church membership at the Annual Meeting an annual financial
budget for the ensuing year; i. Procure
by the best available means the funds needed to carry out all Church programs
and activities; j. Maintain
a permanent record of all its transactions. 3. The
Board shall be responsible for and support the Stewardship, Memorials and
Kitchen Committees. C. Board of Christian Education 1. The Board of Christian Education shall consist of a minimum
of five covenant members to be elected by the Congregation to serve three
year terms and until their successors are elected. A member shall be
ineligible to serve for a period of one year after having served two
consecutive full terms on the Board. The Sunday School Superintendent shall
be a non-voting member. One member will be appointed from the Servant Leadership
Team, but this member cannot serve as Chairperson. 2. The Board of Christian Education shall be responsible for the
educational program of the Church which shall include Sunday School, and
youth and adult education. The Board‘s responsibilities include: a. Selecting
or developing curricula; b. Recommending
and administering budgets; c. Recruiting
and training teachers and leaders; d. Operating
the Church Library; e. Conducting
all other programs relating to effective programs of Christian education. 3. The Board of Christian Education shall appoint administrative
officers, including the Sunday School Superintendent, as be required to carry
out its responsibilities. The Board may make recommendations to the Servant
Leadership Team concerning the employment of professional staff members. 4. The
Board shall support all youth activities of the Church. D. Board of Christian Outreach and Service 1. The Board of Christian Outreach and Service shall consist of
a minimum of five covenant members, four of whom shall be elected by the
Congregation to serve three year terms and until their successors are elected. A member
shall be ineligible to serve for a period of one year after having served two
consecutive full terms on the Board. One member will be appointed from
the Servant Leadership Team, but this member cannot serve as Chairperson. 2. The Board of Christian Outreach and Service shall provide and
maintain effective programs of outreach of the Church. It shall be concerned
with providing for the carrying out of the Church's mission, both local and
worldwide. 3. The
Board shall be responsible for: a. Presenting
programs or courses of action believed reasonable and necessary to fulfill
the Church's obligation with respect to missionary and service concerns; b. Keeping
generally informed on, and identifying, social and moral issues or practices
of concern to the Christian Church. Developing programs or courses of action
which are directed toward those issues or practices; c. Arranging
for funding of recommended projects and programs. 1. The
Nominating Committee shall consist of not less than five covenant members,
three of whom shall have been nominated by the Servant Leadership Team not
later than their December meeting for election by the Congregation. One of
the nominees will be a Servant Leader. The Servant Leader can serve as the
Chairperson of the Nominating Committee. The term of office shall be two
years. A member shall be ineligible to serve for a period of one year after
having served two consecutive terms, with the exception of the Servant Leader
member. 2. The
Nominating Committee shall nominate an eligible person for each position to
be filled and report its nominees to the Servant Leadership Team for approval
and then to the Annual Meeting of the Congregation for voting purposes. This
includes the three remaining positions of the Nominating Committee. Only those
persons who have signified their consent to serve if elected shall be
nominated for or elected to such office. 3. The Nominating
Committee will be responsible to and supported by the Servant Leadership
Team. 4. A full
term in an elected position begins with election by the Congregation at an
Annual Meeting. 5. If a
vacancy occurs by a person resigning or being unable to fulfill their full
term, the Nominating Committee shall propose a candidate to the Servant
Leadership Team. The Servant Leadership Team may elect the candidate to the
position, by simple majority vote, until the next Annual Meeting of the Congregation.
The Congregation may then vote to elect that candidate for the remainder of
that term. 6. In the
event of a Board or Committee having more than two or three members whose
terms end in the same year (depending on the Board or Committee), the
Nominating Committee, as it deems necessary and with the approval of the
Servant Leadership Team, shall stagger the expiration dates of the terms of
the newly elected members so that the Board or Committee will not have too
many members going off in the same year. 1. The Parish Care Committee shall consist of eight members
to be elected by the Congregation to serve three year terms and until their
successors are elected. 2. The Committee may have an unlimited number of non-voting
serving members who are not elected by the Congregation. 3. The Parish Care Committee shall assist the Board of
Deacons in extending care, comfort and fellowship to members in need. 4. The Parish Care Committee will be responsible to
and supported by the Board of Deacons. 1. The Sanctuary Committee shall consist of five members to be
elected by the Congregation to serve three year terms and until their
successors are elected. 2. The duties
of the Committee shall be as follows: a. Provide
appropriate flowers for Sunday worship services and on such other occasions
as seems desirable; b. Assume
the responsibility of the care of the sanctuary, including the altar and its
furnishings, the pulpit and lectern, and other furniture and equipment to
assure that it is in good order on all occasions. 3. The Sanctuary Committee will be responsible to and supported
by the Board of Deacons. 1. The Music Committee shall consist of five members to be
elected by the Congregation to serve three year terms and until their
successors are elected. 2. The
Committee shall, in cooperation with the Pastor and Music Staff: a. Provide
for suitable music at Sunday worship services and at special services and
programs of the Church; b. Make
recommendations to the Servant Leadership Team regarding the employment of
Music Staff; c. Supervise
and support Music Staff; d. Maintain
such appurtenances as choir gowns, music, hymnals, etc.; e. Be
responsible for the maintenance of the musical instruments. 3. The
Music Committee will be responsible to and supported by the Board of Deacons. 1. The Stewardship Committee shall consist of seven members, six
of whom shall be elected by the Congregation to serve three year terms and
until their successors are elected. One member shall be a Trustee, appointed
by the Board of Trustees for a term of one year. 2. The Committee
shall be responsible for: a. Preparation
and conduct of an annual solicitation of pledges from the membership and
friends; b. Study
and promotion of good stewardship; c. Acting
as a resource for the Trustees should the budget requirements or emergency
expenses exceed available funds; d. Planning,
initiation, and supervision of such additional fundraising efforts as may be
necessary during the course of the year. 3. The Stewardship Committee will be responsible to and
supported by the Board of Trustees. 1. The Memorials Committee shall consist of five members to be
elected by the Congregation to serve three year terms and until their
successors are elected. 2. The
purpose of the Committee is: a. To
encourage gifts to the memorial fund in memory of deceased persons; b. To
receive, record, and maintain records of all such gifts, and to deposit all
monies received in connection with such gifts. All gifts are to be
appropriately acknowledged by the committee. c. To
consult with the family of the deceased in considering an appropriate and
satisfactory use of gifts. Memorial funds and interest accruing there from
are to be used to meet the best interests of the Church. Decisions made by
the committee as to how memorial funds are to be used shall be subject to
review by the Board of Trustees. 3. The
Treasurer of the Church shall be the custodian of all memorial funds. 4. The Memorials Committee will be responsible to and supported
by the Board of Trustees. 1. The Kitchen Committee shall consist of five members, to be
elected by the Congregation to serve two year terms and until their
successors are chosen. 2. The
duties of the Kitchen Committee shall be as follows: a. Maintain
a list of volunteers who will provide refreshments upon request of a board or
committee.; b. Assume
responsibility of the care of the kitchen. Ensure there are adequate supplies
for coffee hour, including but not limited to coffee, sugar, and paper cups.
Purchase other renewable kitchen supplies such as foil, plastic wrap, paper
tablecloths, etc. The sexton supplies cleaning products and supplies, such as
paper towels, dishwasher detergent, hand soap, and dish detergent; c. Monitor
kitchen equipment (such as coffee urns) to ensure that all are in good
working condition and other dining necessities (such as china,
creamers/sugar, glassware, etc.) are adequate. Recommend replacement as
necessary to the Trustees if costs exceed $100.00; d. Organize
and oversee an annual or semi-annual kitchen clean-up (as necessary). The custodian
currently washes the floor weekly; cleans the windows, walls, and lights in
the summer; and defrosts the freezer and refrigerator twice a year. 3. Money from the free-will coffee hour collection shall revert
to the general budget. Reimbursement for kitchen-related expenses will be
made from the general budget upon request to the Church Treasurer. 4. The
Kitchen Committee will be responsible to and supported by the Board of
Trustees. All organizations
whose existence or formation contributes to the purposes of the Church shall
be recognized by the Servant Leadership Team and authorized to use the
property of the Church. A report from each organization shall be made to the
Annual Meeting of the Congregation. Such recognition shall continue in effect
until withdrawn by the vote of the Servant Leadership Team. The
Congregation shall gather for worship each Sunday and at other times as
determined by the Deacons and Pastor. The Sacrament of the Lord's Supper
shall be celebrated at least six times each calendar year including Maundy
Thursday and at times agreed upon by the Deacons and Pastor. The Sacrament of
Baptism will be given at such time as the Pastor or Deacons may determine. Section 2: Meetings of the Congregation A. The
Annual Meeting of the Congregation shall be held on a date not later than
January 31 to be set by the Servant Leadership Team at its November meeting. B.
Special meetings of the Congregation may be called by the Servant Leadership
Team upon its own initiative or upon a petition to the Clerk signed by not
less than five percent of the covenant members of the Church as reported at
the most recent Annual Meeting of the Congregation. Within three weeks of the
receipt of the petition, the Servant Leadership Team shall instruct the Clerk
to issue a call for a special meeting of the Congregation to be held within
two weeks. C.
Notice of meetings of the Congregation shall be submitted to the membership
in writing not less than two weeks in advance of the meetings. Meetings shall
be announced at the regular worship service on the Sunday preceding the
meeting. In the instance of special meetings, the purpose(s) of the meeting
shall be described in all notices to the membership. Items of business that
need immediate attention may be introduced at any meeting of the
Congregation, if a quorum is present, unless objection is made and sustained
by one-third of the members present. D. A
quorum at any meeting of the Congregation shall be 5% of the covenant members
reported at the last Annual Meeting except that the quorum for a meeting of
the Congregation at which a Pastor is called or dismissed or where real
property is purchased, sold, or mortgaged shall be 10% of the covenant
membership reported at the last Annual Meeting. E. The
Servant Leadership Team Chairperson shall preside at all meetings of the
Congregation, except that in the absence of the Servant Leadership Team
Chairperson, the Servant Leadership Team Vice Chairperson shall preside or in
the absence of both, a Moderator elected at the meeting shall preside. The
election shall be conducted by the Clerk of the Church. F.
Scheduled meeting dates and times of any church Board or Committee shall not
be rescheduled without the new date and time being posted in the church
bulletin at least one Sunday prior to the new meeting date. These
By-Laws may be amended by a three-fourths vote of the members present and
voting at any Annual Meeting of the Congregation, or at a meeting specially
called for that purpose, the proposed amendment being inserted in the call. A
quorum of the Congregation, as defined in these By-Laws, must be present in
order to enact such an amendment. |