THE
CONSTITUTION & BY-LAWS
OF
THE
SOMERS CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH
AS APPROVED BY THE CONGREGATION
AT A SPECIAL MEETING NOVEMBER
29, 1992
and amended at the Annual Meeting, January
23, 1994
also amended at a Special Meeting, November
20, 1994
also amended at the Annual Meeting, January
29, 1995
also amended at the Annual Meeting, January
30, 2000
also amended at the Annual Meeting, January
27, 2002
also amended at the Annual Meeting, January
26, 2003
Constitution
ARTICLE I Name
The Somers Congregational
Church is a corporation formed according to
the laws of the State of Connecticut
and located in the town of Somers, Connecticut.
ARTICLE II Mission Statement
It shall be the avowed
mission of this Church to be an active part of
the body of Christ in this place. To that end we shall provide and encourage
individuals to participate in the ministry of Jesus Christ through regular
worship, celebration of the sacraments of baptism and holy communion, Christian
education, outreach to local and global communities, and spreading of the
gospel of Jesus Christ to others. It will further be our mission to seek to
enable individuals to discover effective ways of living out their call from God
in the world. We will seek, so far as it is in our power, to be in Communion
with all other Christian churches and to cooperate with them in our common
ministry.
The congregation shall
gather each Sunday morning in the Meeting House for services of worship open to
all. In addition, special services of worship will be held in keeping with the
seasons of Christmas and Easter. Other services such as for marriage, baptism
and memorial may be held at the direction of the Pastor and the Board of
Deacons.
ARTICLE III Government and Fellowship
The government of this Church
is vested in its members, and it is subject to the control of no other
ecclesiastical body. It accepts, however, the obligations of mutual counsel and
cooperation involved in covenant with the United Church
of Christ, and pledges to share common aims and work. This Church
is in fellowship with the Tolland Association, the Connecticut Conference of
the United Church of Christ, and the General
Synod of the United Church of Christ.
By-Laws
The business and
affairs of this Church shall be governed by
the following By-Laws:
By-Laws -
Section A
MEMBERSHIP
A1. Qualifications
Membership
in this Church shall be open to all persons
who assent to its Statement of Faith and the Covenant and are admitted to
membership as outlined herein.
A1a. Statement of Faith
We
believe in you, O God, Eternal Spirit,
God of our Savior Jesus Christ
and our God,
and to your deeds we testify:
You call the worlds into being,
create persons in your own image,
and set before each one the ways
of life and death.
You seek in holy love to save all
people from aimlessness and sin.
You judge people and nations by
your righteous will declared through
prophets and apostles.
In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth,
our crucified and risen Savior,
you
have come to us
and
shared our common lot,
conquering
sin and death
and
reconciling the world to yourself.
You bestow upon us your Holy
Spirit,
creating
and renewing the church of Jesus
Christ,
binding
in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues and races.
You call us into your church
to
accept the cost and joy of discipleship,
to
be your servants in the service of others,
to
proclaim the gospel to all the world
and
resist the powers of evil,
to
share in Christ's Baptism and eat at His table,
to
join Him in His passion and victory.
You promise to all who trust you
forgiveness
of sins and fullness of grace,
courage
in the struggle for justice and peace
your
presence in trial and rejoicing,
and
eternal life in your realm which has no end.
Blessing and honor, glory and
power be unto you.
Amen.
Approved by the Executive Council
of the United Church
of Christ in 1981, in connection with the 25th Anniversary of the United
Church of Christ.
A1b. Church Covenant:
"We Covenant with
our Lord, and with one another; and we do bind ourselves in the presence of
God, to walk together in all His ways, according as He is pleased to reveal
Himself unto us in His blessed Word of Truth.
In this conviction and
commitment I surrender myself to God through Jesus Christ, humbly and
penitently receiving from God the forgiveness of all my sins. Trusting in God's
spirit of love I will seek to be a faithful disciple of Jesus as my Savior and
Lord; a responsive member of this Congregation, sharing prayer, work, support,
fellowship and worship according to what I know and shall come to know to be my
duty, as more light and truth break forth from God's Word through our united
striving to know and do His will."
This expression of our
Christian commitment, adopted at the start of our 250th Anniversary Jubilee
Year (1977), is a simplification of our Founding Covenant of 1727, with the Salem
Covenant of 1629 as a Preamble.
A2. Reception
All
persons desiring to become members of this Church
shall make application to the Pastor or to the Clerk.
Applicants
shall, having received Baptism, become members and be listed on the active
membership roll upon acceptance of the Statement of Faith and the Covenant of
this Church. This acceptance must be made in
the presence of the Pastor and one (1) Deacon, and one (1) member of the
Membership Board and shall usually take place at the regular Worship Service.
Individuals may be received by Letter of Transfer or by Confession of Faith.
A3. Voting Privileges
All
members may act and vote in business meetings of the Church,
except where prevented by statute.
A4. Active Membership
Active
members shall be those who regularly attend worship, make regular financial
and/or time contributions for the support of the Church,
and participate in the life of the Congregation. Inactive members shall be
those who do not meet the qualifications of active membership.
The
membership roll shall be reviewed annually in May by the Board of Deacons.
Members who cease to be active may be transferred to the inactive membership
list upon a vote of two-thirds (2/3) of those present at a meeting of the Board
of Deacons.
Inactive
members shall be returned to the active roll when they become active again.
A5. Dismissal or Transfer
Upon
the written request of a member, the Church
will grant either a letter of dismissal or transfer to such member, and the
name will be dropped from the roll. Such requests should be addressed to the
Clerk, and shall be processed promptly.
By-Laws - Section B
OFFICERS
The
Officers of the Church shall, except as
otherwise provided herein, be elected from the membership of the Church
at the Annual Meeting and serve from Annual Meeting to Annual Meeting.
B1. THE PASTOR
The
Pastor shall be elected at a meeting duly called for that purpose by at least a
two-thirds (2/3) majority of members of the Congregation present and voting,
and shall be elected to serve until the relation is terminated by said Pastor
or by majority vote of the Church upon sixty (60)
days notice; or for such definite time as mutually determined. The Pastor shall be installed in a locally
hosted Ecclesiastical Council of the Tolland
Association. It shall be the Pastor's
duty to preach the Word, to plan and lead the services of public worship, to
administer sacraments, and promote the spiritual welfare of the Church
and those whom it serves. The Pastor
shall be a non-voting, advisory member of all Boards and Committees and shall
make a report of the year's work at the Annual Meeting of the Church.
B2. LOSS OF THE PASTOR
After
the loss of or the receipt of official notice of resignation or incapacity to
serve as the Pastor, the Church Council
shall call a special meeting of the Church
members as soon as possible, consistent with the time required for a proper
call for the nomination and election of a Pastoral Search Committee. The Search
Committee shall consist of a Council
Representative-at-Large, and seven members nominated by the Moderator and
ratified by the Church Council,
with one (1) additional member elected by and from the Board of Deacons,
immediately following the meeting.
B3. ADDITIONAL PASTORS
The
Church may call additional Pastors to serve
with the Pastor as colleagues. The same policies for calling such Pastors shall
pertain as are described above with the following exceptions:
B3a. Special
relationships may be established between Assistant and Associate Pastors and
Boards and Committees with which they are expected to work in specialized ways
such as Christian Education or Music.
B3b. The
colleague relationship between such Pastor or Pastors and the Pastor shall be
described in the job descriptions approved by the Pastor and the Congregation
at the time of the call.
B3c. When more than one (1)
Pastor serves the Church as aforementioned, it
shall be understood that any member of the Church
may request or call upon any Pastor of the Church
for personal Pastoral services such as private counsel, marriage or funeral.
B4.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION DIRECTOR
The Church
may hire a Christian Education Director to serve at the direction of the Board
of Christian Education. The hiring of a Christian Education Director shall be
the responsibility of the Church Council.
The Church Council,
based upon nomination by the Moderator, shall elect a Christian Education
Director Search Committee. This Search committee shall include at least one
member of the Board of Christian Education.
B5.
MODERATOR
The Moderator shall
be elected by the Church for a one (1) year
term and shall be eligible for reelection, but not to exceed a consecutive
period of five (5) years. The Moderator shall preside at all business meetings
of the Church and shall exercise such
leadership and control between meetings as deemed necessary to assure that the
provisions of the by-laws are diligently exercised and carefully carried out.
The Moderator shall sign all legal documents, as authorized by the Church
and/or the Church Council.
The Moderator shall hold no other elective office in the Church.
B6.
CLERK
The Clerk shall be
elected by the Church for a one (1) year term
and shall be eligible for reelection, but not to exceed a consecutive period of
five (5) years. The Clerk shall keep a faithful record of all proceedings of Church
business meetings and shall serve as recording and corresponding Secretary of
the Church Council.
The Clerk shall assure that a register of Church
members with dates and modes of their reception and removal is maintained; that
requested letters of transfer are issued; and that records of baptisms,
marriages and deaths are maintained. The Clerk shall keep on file all official
documents, correspondence and written reports; issue the proper call to all
meetings when such is required; and make a full report to the Church
at its Annual Meeting.
B7.
LICENSED MINISTER(S)
As it deems
appropriate and upon recommendation of the Pastor, the Church
Council shall support any member(s) who seek
to be licensed for Ministry by the Tolland Association of the United Church
of Christ. Such support is for one (1) year and is subject to renewal annually.
Licensed Ministers are recognized and authorized to perform specific duties
within the Association, mainly preaching and conducting services of worship
under the supervision and guidance of the Association. Any Licensed Minister
shall be a non-voting member of the Church Council.
B8.
TREASURER
The
Treasurer shall be elected by the Church for a
one (1) year term and shall be eligible for reelection, but not to exceed a consecutive
period of five (5) years. The Treasurer shall be a member of the Board of
Finance and a member of the Church Council.
The Treasurer shall receive all monies contributed to the Church
and shall disburse all monies paid by the Church.
The Treasurer shall keep accounts of all monies received and disbursed,
including distinct accounts of all monies received for designated purposes. The
Treasurer shall receive and disburse monies in accordance with policies and
procedures established by the Board of Finance and approved by the Church
Council. The Treasurer shall provide a monthly
summary report to the Board of Finance and a full written report for the fiscal
year at each Annual Meeting.
B8a.
ASSISTANT TREASURER
The Assistant Treasurer shall be elected by the Church
for a one (1) year term and shall be eligible for reelection, but not to exceed
a consecutive period of five (5) years. The Assistant Treasurer shall be under
the direction of the Treasurer, and shall be capable of and responsible for
assuming the full duties of the Treasurer in the event of the Treasurer’s
absence or disability.
B9.
COLLECTOR
The
Collector shall be elected by the Church for a
one (1) year term and shall be eligible for reelection, but not to exceed a
consecutive period of five (5) years. The Collector shall be a member of the
Board of Finance and a member of the Church Council.
The Collector shall keep a record of all pledges to the Church
budget; shall account for all payments made towards each pledge; shall account
for all other monies received; shall provide a monthly summary report of monies
received to the Board of Finance; shall provide a written report for the fiscal
year at each Annual Meeting; and shall promptly deliver and/or deposit all
funds to the Treasurer’s account.
B9a. ASSISTANT COLLECTOR
The Assistant Collector shall be elected by the Church
for a one (1) year term and shall be eligible for reelection, but not to exceed
a consecutive period of five (5) years. The Assistant Collector shall be under
the direction of the Collector and shall be capable of and responsible for
assuming the full duties of the Collector in the event of the Collector’s
absence or disability.
B10.
AUDITOR
The
Auditor shall be elected by the Church for a
one (1) year term and shall be eligible for reelection, but not to exceed a
consecutive period of five (5) years. The Auditor, using procedures agreed upon
with the Board of Finance and reported to the Church
Council, shall review the financial
transactions and reports of the Church. The
results of this review shall be presented to the Church
at the Annual Meeting.
B11.
HISTORIAN
The
Historian shall be elected by the Church for a
one (1) year term and shall be eligible for reelection. The Historian shall be
custodian for all Church mementos, papers, and
documents related to historical events. Such items shall be retained in places
of deposit and/or display, as approved by the Church
Council. The Historian shall maintain a record
of all such items. The Historian shall keep the history of the Church
alive in the minds of the Congregation through special observances, pamphlets
and books, and other means deemed appropriate by the Church
Council and/or Church.
The Historian shall make a full report to the Church
at its Annual Meeting.
By-Laws
Section C
CHURCH COUNCIL
C1. The Church
Council shall consist of the Moderator, the
Clerk, the Treasurer, the Collector, the two (2) Representatives-at-Large, and
the Chairperson (or in the event that the Chairperson does not choose to serve
on the Council, a Delegate appointed by the
respective Board) from each of the following Boards: Caring Ministry, Christian
Education, Deacons, Finance, House and Grounds, Membership, Missions, Music and
Arts and Nominating. The Pastor, any additional Pastors/Ministers, a
representative of the Women’s Fellowship,
and a representative of the Stewardship Committee shall be non-voting
members of the Church Council.
The two Representatives-at-Large shall be elected by the Church
at the Annual Meeting for a one (1) year term and shall be eligible for
reelection as a Representative-at-Large on the Church
Council, but not to exceed a consecutive
period of five (5) years. The Moderator shall sit as Chairperson and the Clerk
as Secretary of the Church Council.
C1a. Duties of the Council
1. Acting on behalf
of the Congregation and in accordance with policies that the Church
may establish, it is the policy making body of this Church
with responsibility for overseeing the planning and evaluation of the total
program of the Church and its business, most
of which will be delegated to and acted upon by Boards and Committees,
described later in this Constitution. The Church
Council shall retain responsibility for the
performance of any duties so delegated.
2. It shall act on
matters of Church policy; call Annual and
Special Meetings of the Church; provide for
the raising of special funds when required to meet the needs of the Church;
and act for the efficient and harmonious functioning of the entire Church
organization.
3. It shall assure
the development, implementation, and periodic updating of a long-range plan
which addresses the entire Church
organization.
4. It shall have
the power to accept or reject any gift, devise, bequest or other transfer to
the Church.
5. It shall have
the power to:
(a) Borrow money on behalf of the Church,
but only with the approval of the Church at a
duly called meeting.
(b) Open or close bank accounts in the name of the Church
and authorize the Treasurer to make deposits therein and draw funds therefrom.
(c) Enforce any debts and perform
any obligations in favor of or against the Church
and to settle, compromise, contest or abandon any claims or demands in favor of
or against the Church.
(d) Contract on behalf of and in the name of the Church.
(e) Employ agents, staff members, counsel or employees as may
be necessary to perform non-Pastoral duties for the efficient management and
functioning of the Church.
m
7. Based on
nominations jointly submitted by the Pastor(s) and the Moderator, the Church
Council shall elect members of the Pastoral
Relations Committee.
8. Any vacancies
occurring during the year in the Offices [except that of the Pastor(s)],
Boards, Delegates or Standing Committees may be filled by the Church Council
with nominations from the Nominating Committee for a period expiring at the
following Annual Meeting. Vacancies in the Nominating Committee shall be filled
by the Church Council
with nominations from the Moderator and the two Representatives-at-Large.
9. It shall
establish whatever Ad Hoc Committee or other organized group it deems necessary
or advisable and shall designate the Board, if any, to which it shall report.
Nominations to Ad Hoc Committees shall be made by the Moderator and approved by
the Church Council.
Such appointments shall expire after one (1) year, but can be renewed.
10. It shall have
no power to buy, sell, lease, mortgage or transfer real estate, including
buildings thereon, or authorize loans to individuals without first having
secured authorization at a Church meeting duly
Called to consider such action. Such authorization shall require a two-thirds
(2/3) vote of members who are present and voting at such a meeting. It shall
have the power to lease and establish rent for any Church
property or part thereof; and establish policies for the use of such property,
by delegating to and/or in concert with the Boards of Deacons, Finance and
House and Grounds, as appropriate.
11. It shall review
and approve or disapprove any significant property alterations, including
reviewing with the Board of Deacons any significant alterations to the
Sanctuary.
12. It shall normally meet monthly. Eight members with voting
privileges shall constitute a quorum at any meeting. A copy of the minutes of
each meeting shall be available to Church
members at a prominent location. It shall present a written report of its
actions at each Annual Meeting.
By- Laws
Section D
BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
D1. As soon as
practical, but no later than two (2) weeks, following the Annual Meeting, each
Board and Standing Committee shall elect from among its members a Chairperson
and other officers as deemed necessary (i.e. Secretary, Treasurer).
D2. Each Board and Standing Committee shall normally hold regular
monthly meetings, the time and place of which shall be left to its judgment.
The schedule of regular meetings shall be reported to the Church
Secretary, so it can be posted in the Church
calendar.
D3. For each Board
and Standing Committee, a majority of its members entitled to vote shall
constitute a quorum. A copy of the minutes of each Board and Committee meeting
shall be available to Church members by
posting in a prominent location. Each Board and Standing Committee shall
prepare a written report of its actions for each Annual Meeting.
D4. Removal from
Office: Upon the recommendation of the Church Council,
the Church may, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of
members present and voting at a special meeting called for that purpose, remove
any elected or appointed person from Office and declare the Office vacant,
excepting only the Pastor and/or Pastors, which are provided for in Section B1
under The Pastor.
D5. BOARD OF DEACONS
The
Board of Deacons shall consist of twelve (12) members, preferably six (6) men
and six (6) women, but with no more than eight (8) members of the same gender.
Members of the Board of Deacons must be members of the Church
and shall be elected by the Church for
staggered three (3) year terms. Members may not serve on this Board for more
than six (6) consecutive years.
D5a.
Duties of the Board of Deacons
1. It shall be the primary mission of the Board of Deacons to
oversee the spiritual life of the Church in
conjunction with the Pastor. This includes supporting all other Boards, Committees
and organizations in their efforts to promote the spiritual objectives of the Church.
2. It shall assist the Pastor in the preparation and
administration of the sacraments of communion and baptism.
3. It shall provide worship leadership in the Pastor's
absence.
4. It shall oversee the rites of the Church,
including funerals, weddings, confirmation and the reception of new members,
and determine, in conjunction with the Pastor, appropriate guidelines with
respect to timing and requirements for participants.
5. It shall advise and assist the Pastor in the preparation
and execution of regular and special worship services, and coordinate the
participation of other committees in the worship services.
6. It shall advise and assist the Pastor and Caring Ministry
Board in the caring of members and
coordinate contact between the Church and
homebound members, and those who are sick or sorrowing. A member of the Board
of Deacons will be a voting member of the Caring Ministry Board and will act as
liaison between these Boards.
7. As it deems appropriate, and upon recommendation of the
Pastor, the Board shall appoint a member(s) of the Church
to serve as Pastoral Visitor(s) for a one (1) year term. The member(s) shall be
eligible for reappointment with no limitations as to the number of terms that
may be served. The Pastoral Visitor(s) shall assist the Board and the Pastor by
carrying out a program of visitation to Church
members and friends who are hospitalized, confined to nursing homes, home bound
or otherwise in need of spiritual care. The Pastoral Visitor(s) shall receive
support and direction from the Board of Deacons.
8. It shall monitor the Deacons’ Relief Fund, which shall be
maintained for those in need of emergency assistance.
9. It shall oversee the Backus Society, for members serving
50 years or more and all associated activities.
D5b. The
Board of Deacons shall provide general direction and support to the following
committees and shall appoint one (1) Deacon to act as liaison with each
Committee:
D5b. 1.
The Ushers Committee shall consist of not less than six (6) members elected by
the Church at the Annual Meeting for staggered
three (3) year terms. Members may not serve on this Committee for more than six
(6) consecutive years. The Ushers Committee is responsible for providing and
training ushers for regular and special worship services of the Church.
D5b. 2.
The Flower Committee shall consist of not less than six (6) members elected by
the Church at the Annual Meeting for staggered
three (3) year terms. Members may not serve on this Committee for more than six
(6) consecutive years. The Committee is responsible for securing flowers and
decorations for all regular and special services and for their subsequent
distribution.
D5b. 3.
The Reception Committee shall consist of not fewer than six (6) members elected
by the Church at the Annual Meeting for
staggered three (3) year terms. Members may not serve on this committee for
more than six (6) consecutive years. The Committee shall be responsible for
providing greeters for the congregation before each Sunday morning worship
service. The committee shall arrange for refreshments following each service.
D 6. BOARD OF FINANCE
The
Board of Finance shall consist of five (5) members elected by the Church
at the Annual Meeting, plus a designated representative of the Stewardship
Committee, a designated representative of the Investments and Trusts Committee,
the Treasurer, and the Collector. Members elected by the Church
at the Annual Meeting will serve for staggered three (3) year terms and may not
serve on this Board for more than six (6) consecutive years. The Board of
Finance shall elect a Chairperson, and other officers as deemed necessary from
the elected members.
D6a.
Duties of the Board of Finance
1. It shall recommend broad-based fiscal policies and
procedures consistent with the spiritual objectives of the Church
for approval by the Church Council.
2. It shall assure, subject to approval by the Church
Council, that an appropriate insurance program
and fidelity bond are in place and maintained for the Church
properties, its staff and volunteers.
3. It shall see that procedures are established and followed
for the conduct and audit of the offices of Treasurer and Collector.
4. Except as otherwise provided, it shall have charge of all
financial affairs of the Church, including
financial responsibility for all property of the Church
and documents relating thereto. It shall approve all fund-raising activities
and special offerings.
5. If deemed advisable, the Board shall recommend for
appropriate action to the Church Council
that it buy, sell, mortgage, or transfer real property.
6. With input from appropriate Boards and Committees, it
shall set and periodically review a fee structure for the use of all Church
properties.
7. It shall establish budgeting procedures; coordinate
preparation of the annual budget for submission to the Church
Council; supervise the ongoing management of Church
finances; and review and report on the financial status of the Church
each month to the Church Council
and to the Church at each Annual Meeting and
at such other times as deemed necessary.
8. It shall establish procedures for the acceptance and
appropriate use of memorial and gift funds, trusts and/or endowment funds.
9. It shall, with the advice of the Pastor, recommend to the Church
Council the employment of Church
office paid staff. For any Church
office paid positions, it shall work with the Pastor to assure an accurate job
description, annual performance evaluation and appropriate compensation
recommendation for inclusion in the annual budget.
D6b.
The Finance Board shall coordinate the activities of the following standing
Committees:
D6b. 1.
The Stewardship Committee shall consist of not fewer than six (6) members elected
to staggered three (3) year terms. Individuals may not serve on this Committee
for more than six (6) consecutive years.
(a) The Committee’s year-round responsibility is to carry out
a program of stewardship of time, talents and funds.
(b) It shall seek to secure from members and friends of the Church
commitments of time, talents and funds for the support of the Church’s
ministry and mission.
(c) It shall be responsible for planning and implementing an
annual pledge drive for the support of the current expense and mission budgets,
and shall also manage any other major fund drives. It shall maintain close
communications with the Collector to monitor pledging and payment patterns.
(d) It shall submit annually an estimate of projected revenue
from Stewardship activities (excluding investments and Trusts) to the Board for
its use in developing the total annual budget.
D6b. 2.
The Investments and Trusts Committee shall consist of not fewer than three (3) members
elected to staggered three (3) year terms. Individuals may not serve on this
Committee for more than six (6) consecutive years. The Trustee
shall be a member of this committee and may be renewable on an annual basis,
but not limited to six years.
(a) It shall develop and encourage a program of deferred
giving to the Church, including bequests,
trusts and other gifts of a similar nature.
(b) The Committee shall recommend investment policies to the
Board for consideration and submission to the Church
Council for its approval.
(c) The Committee shall be responsible for the financial
management of all property, real and personal, held by the Church
in trust or as trustee.
(d) Except as otherwise provided herein, it shall have and
may exercise all powers conferred upon the Church
as Trustees, either by law or by the terms of a particular gift, devise or
bequest.
(e) It shall be responsible for the management of all
investment funds of the Church subject to the
approval of the Board of Finance.
(f)
All disbursements of trust income or principal shall conform to the terms of
the relevant bequest, devise or gift and to the wishes of the donor expressed
therein. Where no such wish has been expressed, all disbursements shall be
subject to the approval of the Board of Finance and the Church
Council.
(g) It shall assure maintenance of complete records of all
property held in trust, and/or endowment funds, and shall submit quarterly a
financial report to the Board of Finance.
(h) It shall present, through the Board of Finance, a
detailed report for the year to the Church at
each Annual Meeting.
(i) It shall submit annually a budget of projected revenue
from investments and trusts to the Board for its use in developing the total
annual budget.
D7. BOARD OF CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
The
Board of Christian Education shall consist of not fewer than six (6) members
elected by the Church at the Annual Meeting
for staggered three (3) year terms. At least one (1) member of the Board, but
no more than two (2), shall be on the staff of the Sunday School at the time of
the election. Members may not serve on this Board for more than six (6)
consecutive years. The Church School
Superintendent (Christian Education Director) shall be a non-voting member of
this Board.
D7a. Duties of the Christian Education
Board
1. It shall set policy, coordinate, promote and manage a
well-rounded educational program for the Church,
including Church
School, Vacation
Bible School,
adult education, inter-generational programs, youth programs, confirmation and
other educational programs as identified.
2. It shall advise and assist the Church
School Superintendent and/or Christian Education Director (CED) on all matters
related to the Church
School. This includes recruiting and
training Church
School teachers, and reviewing and
approving the Church
School curriculum.
3. It shall, based on consultation with the Pastor and the
Board of Deacons, assist in planning and evaluating the confirmation program.
4. It shall oversee and provide ongoing direction to the
youth program(s), including securing youth advisors as needed.
5. For any Christian Education Director (CED), the Board of
Christian Education shall assure an accurate job description, annual performance
evaluation, and appropriate compensation recommendation for inclusion in the
annual budget.
6. The Board of Christian Education shall be responsible for
overseeing the Church libraries, choosing
appropriate material for inclusion in the collection, promoting the use of the
library, and operating a system of circulation.
7. It shall purchase, maintain, and control all audiovisual
equipment needed by the Church.
D8. BOARD OF MISSIONS
The
Board of Missions shall consist of six (6) members elected by the Church
at the Annual Meeting for staggered three (3) year terms. Members may not serve
on this Board for more than six (6) consecutive years.
D8a. Duties of the Board of Missions
1. It shall plan, promote, execute and manage the mission
activity of this Church in the local
community, the state, and the nation and throughout the world. This includes
educating the congregation and keeping it informed about social action,
mission, and outreach opportunities and responsibilities impacting the Church
and our society.
2. It shall maintain
regular communications with elected Church
Delegates to local, regional and national church organizations. Such Delegates
shall be elected by the Church at the Annual
Meeting. Delegates shall report to the Board of Missions the results of those
meetings which may have an impact on or be of interest to this Church.
3. It shall work with the Board of Christian Education and
the Pastor to assure that mission and outreach awareness is part of the program
of the Church
School, youth and adult education
programs of the Church.
4. It shall prepare and submit an annual
budget to the Board of Finance and cooperate with the Stewardship Committee in
the annual pledge drive for funds to support the ministry and mission of the Church.
5. It shall present a detailed report for the year to the Church
at each Annual Meeting.
D8b. Delegates
Delegates to the Connecticut Conference of the United Church
of Christ, the Missionary Society of Connecticut, Tolland Association, any
religious meeting or other gathering at which representation of the Church
is desired, shall be elected annually for a term of one (1) year, in such
numbers as the Church shall be entitled. They
shall be eligible for re-election.
D9. MEMBERSHIP
BOARD
The
Membership Board shall consist of not fewer than six (6) members elected by the
Church at the Annual Meeting for staggered
three (3) year terms. Members may not
serve on this Board for more than six (6) consecutive years. Members of the
Membership Board must be members of the Church.
D9a. Duties of the Membership Board
1. It shall design and implement a plan to make the Church
and its programs known in the community.
2. It shall design and implement a plan to attract
non-members to attend and become part of the Church.
3. It shall assure that visitors to the Church
are introduced to its ministry and programs and are encouraged to become
members.
4. It shall design and implement a plan whereby new members
of the Church are assimilated into the full
life of the Congregation.
5. It shall develop and carry out a regular program of
activities that encourages all members and friends of the Church
to share fellowship with one another.
D10. BOARD OF MUSIC AND ARTS
The
Board of Music and Arts shall consist of no fewer than six (6) members elected
by the Church at the Annual Meeting for
staggered three (3) year terms. Members may not serve on this Board for more
than six (6) consecutive years. At least one (1) member of the Board, but no
more than two (2), shall be a member of the choir at the time of the election.
D10a. Duties of the Music and Arts Board
1. It shall be responsible for the care of all musical
instruments, and works of art belonging to the Church,
the purchase of music and the provision of other musically and artistically
related needs for its program.
2. It shall encourage the use and appreciation of the
performing and fine arts, and work with other committees to utilize the arts
and maintain an aesthetic environment, which enhances the total ministry and
mission of the Church.
3. It shall, with the advice of the Pastor, recommend to the Church
Council the employment of an Organist and/or
Choir Director, and shall assure an accurate job description, annual
performance review, and appropriate compensation recommendation for inclusion
in the annual budget. The Organist and/or Choir Director shall be a non-voting
member of the Board of Music and Arts.
4. It shall work closely with the Pastor, Board of Deacons,
and other leaders and Committees within the Church,
to foster the use of music and arts in worship and at other appropriate times
in the life of the Church.
5. It may engage both folk art and the art of professionals
to enrich the life of the Church.
6. It shall provide ways for Church
members of all ages to experience performing and fine arts, and encourage each
individual to express the artist within.
7. It shall sponsor, and/or host events, which highlight the
arts and make these available to the Church
and the wider community.
8. It shall encourage other committees of the Church
to approach their respective tasks with an awareness of the aesthetic and
artistic implications of their actions.
D11. BOARD OF HOUSE AND GROUNDS
The
Board of House and Grounds shall consist of not fewer than six (6) members
elected by the Church at the Annual Meeting
for staggered three (3) year terms. Members may not serve on this Board for
more than six (6) consecutive years.
D11a. Duties of the House and Grounds Board
1. It shall be responsible for the supervision and
maintenance of all Church owned buildings and
grounds, except musical instruments, including contracting of services when
necessary and managing the work done to Church
properties by Church employees, volunteers and
contractors.
2. It shall present annually to the Board of Finance a three
(3) year plan identifying major real property work, including associated
estimated costs that will be required.
3. It shall recommend policies to the Church
Council for use and authorized use of
all Church real properties, except for the
Sanctuary.
4. It shall, with the advice of the Pastor, recommend to the
Church Council
the employment of a sexton or contracted cleaning service.
5. For any custodian(s), sexton(s) and/or contracted cleaning
services employed by the Church, it shall
assure an accurate job description, annual performance evaluation and
appropriate compensation recommendation for inclusion in the annual budget.
6. It shall present a detailed report for the year to the Church
at each Annual Meeting.
D12. CARING MINISTRY BOARD
The
Caring Ministry Board shall consist of not less that seven (7) members, six (6)
elected by the Church at the Annual Meeting
for staggered three (3) year terms and the seventh a member representing the
Board of Deacons. Members may not serve on this Board for more than six (6)
years. At least three of the Board members should be present or former caring
volunteers.
D12a. Duties of the Caring
Ministry Board
1. It shall assist the Pastors and Board of Deacons in
pastoral care.
2. It shall recruit and train Caring Volunteers to do
visitation and other caring tasks.
3. It shall provide information to the Caring Volunteers and
the Congregation at large on spiritual growth and community resources.
D13. NOMINATING COMMITTEE
The
Nominating Committee shall consist of six (6) members elected by the Church
for sta