ARTICLE IV  POLITY (GOVERNMENT)

The government of this Church is vested in its members who exercise the right

of control in all its affairs, subject in legal matters to the provisions of

the General Statutes of the State of Connecticut.  Although its polity is in

accord with the Congregational order of the United Church of Christ which

allows each Church the liberty to determine its faith, worship, and discipline

independently of any other Church or body of churches, this Church accepts the

duty of cooperation with other churches as no less binding than the

maintenance of its liberty and independence, and recognizes and affirms its

fellowship with the Tolland Association of the United Church of Christ, the

Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ and the United Church of

Christ of the United States.

Section 3 - Reception

Persons recommended by the Board of Deacons, having been approved by vote at a

meeting or service of the Church, shall be received at a Communion service.

Any person who is unable to attend the reception services in public may, upon

approval by the Church, be received in private by Deacons acting in behalf of

the Church.

Section 4 - Obligations

Members are expected to be faithful in all the spiritual duties essential to

the Christian life: to attend the services of the Church, to share in its

organized work, and to contribute regularly for its support and its

benevolences.

Section 5 - Termination of Membership

A. By Death

 

B. By Transfer

Any member of this Church who desires to unite with another church may

be granted a letter of recommendation or transfer to that church upon

receipt of a request by the member or the other church, and upon

recommendation by the Board of Deacons and favorable vote by the Church.

The letter of transfer or recommendation shall when possible indicate

how and from what fellowship this member was admitted into our

fellowship.

 

C. By notification of membership with another church

Section 6 - Inactive Membership

The status of any member who has become inactive in attendance or support of

the Church for a period of two years shall be reviewed by the Board of Deacons

and the Pastor.  It shall be their responsibility to make every effort to re-

enlist that member's active interest either by personal contact or by letter

addressed to the last known place of residence before the name is presented to

the Church for a vote to transfer him or her to an inactive membership list.

Restoration to active membership can be accomplished by becoming active in

attendance and support of the Church.  Inactive membership terminates any and

all voting privileges in the Church Corporation.

Any inactive member requesting a letter of transfer shall automatically be

transferred to active membership solely for the purpose of granting the letter

of transfer.

ARTICLE VI  OFFICERS

Section 1 - Officers

The officers of this Church shall be the Pastor, the Moderator and Vice

Moderator, Clerk, Treasurer, Financial Secretaries, and such other officers as

may be elected to carry on the work of the Church.  All officers must be

active members of the Church.

Section 2 - The Pastor

A. The Pastor of this Church shall be an ordained member of the clergy in

accordance with the standards for clergy as published by the Office for Church

Life and Leadership of the United Church of Christ and/or its successors.

 

B. The Pastor shall be called for an indefinite period by a two-thirds vote of

members of the Church present and voting at a duly called meeting, providing a

quorum is present.

C. In the call, the terms of the relationship shall be stated, including the

agreement of the Church to provide the standard benefits package recommended

for clergy in the Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ,

including the Pension Fund, Health ins., Family Protection Plan, Social

Security Allowance, Parsonage and/or Housing Allowance, Auto & Professional

Expenses and other terms agreed between the candidate and the Committee.  The

Pastor, the Church, the Association, and the Conference Minister shall each

receive a copy of the call.

 

D. When a Pastor accepts a call to this Church, the Church and he/she shall

join in requesting the Association to arrange for a Service of Installation or

Recognition.  A report of this service shall be sent to the Conference

Minister, to the Secretary of the United Church of Christ and to the Office

for Church Life and Leadership of the United Church of Christ and/or its

successors.

 

E. In order to terminate the Pastoral Relationship, three month's notice shall

be given either party.  Any deviation from this procedure will be acceptable

if agree upon by both the Church Council and the Pastor.  The procedure shall

be in accordance with the Constitution and By-Laws of the United Church of

Christ.

F. When there is growing dissatisfaction between the Pastor and the Church
either party may present its grievance to the Pastoral Relations Committee for
consideration.

If the Pastoral Relations Committee cannot remedy the grievance, after

consultation with both parties, it shall present the grievance to the Board of

Deacons and then to the Church Council.

 

If the Church Council cannot remedy the grievance after consultation with

both parties, it may then call a special meeting of the Church for the purpose

of righting the pastoral relationship.  This procedure shall include

consultation with the Conference Minister's office and/or the Committee on

Church Ministry of the Tolland Association.

 

In the event this procedure fails, a meeting will be duly called to

determine if dismissal is desired.  A two-thirds majority of the Church

members present and voting, providing a quorum is present, is necessary to

recommend dismissal of the Pastor.  However, if neither the Board of Deacons

or Church Council favor dismissal, another special meeting shall be called for

vote by the Church at large.  At this meeting, two-thirds majority of the

Church members present and voting, providing a quorum is present, will dismiss

the Pastor.

 

G. As a vacancy occurs, the Church Council shall notify the State Conference

Office.  A Pastoral Search Committee shall be called and instructed by the

Church Council as to the general and special qualifications need to fill this

office.

 

H. Following the procedures outlined above, the Church may choose additional

pastors to assist in carrying out its mission.

 

Section 3 - Moderator & Vice Moderator

The Moderator and Vice Moderator shall be elected annually.  The Moderator

shall preside at all meeting of the Church Council and all called meetings of

the Church.  In the absence of the Moderator, the Vice Moderator shall

preside.  If both are absent, the Clerk or a member of the Council may call

the meeting to order and preside at the election of a Moderator Pro Tem for

the meeting.

Section 4 - Clerks

The Clerk and Assistant Clerk shall be elected each year at the annual

meeting.  The Clerks will keep a roll of the Church members, and record all

admissions, dismissals, baptisms, deaths, and marriages, issue letters of

transfer, and notify persons elected to office.  They shall keep a record of

the business meetings and be responsible for other Church correspondence as

may be directed or requested by the Church Council.  In the event of

incapacity or absence of either the Clerk or the Assistant Clerk, one may

perform the other's duties.

Section 5 - Treasurers

A. The Treasurer and the Assistant Treasurer shall be elected annually and are

under the supervision of the Church Council.  The Treasurer and the Assistant

Treasurer are responsible for the recording and disbursement of all Church

funds.  Whenever called upon by the Church or the Church Council, they shall

furnish information regarding the status of all funds in their custody or

control.  In the event of incapacity or absence of either the Treasurer or the

Assistant Treasurer, one may perform the other's duties.

 

B. At the expiration of either term of office, one shall deliver to his or her

successor, all records, the monies of the Church in his or her possession and

be prepared to make a full audited financial statement of all accounts and

records under his or her supervision.

Section 6 - Financial Secretaries

There shall be two Financial Secretaries.  One shall be elected at each Annual

Meeting, a full term being two years.  They shall act as collectors, receiving

monies from Church pledges and offerings and special gifts, shall deposit the

monies into the proper accounts, shall keep correct records of pledged

accounts and receipts and shall make a full accounting weekly to the Treasurer

of all records under their supervision.  Special gifts should also be reported

to the Church Council for acknowledgement.  At the expiration of their term of

office, they shall deliver to their successors all records in their possession

and an audit of such records.

Section 7 - Appointed Officers

Appointed Officers will include Historian, Church School Superintendent,

Auditor, Delegates to our affiliation with various Conferences, Associations

and Councils, and any others the Church Council may deem necessary.

ARTICLE VII  CHURCH COUNCIL, BOARDS & MEMBERS-AT-LARGE

(ALL of whom must be active members of the Church)

Section 1 - Church Council

A. The Church Council shall be comprised of the Moderator, Clerk, Treasurer, a

Financial Secretary, the Chairperson of each official board or his or her

representative and one other properly elected representative of each official

board, two members from the Church at large and the Pastor ex-officio.  It is

incumbent upon all the above mentioned parties to be represented at all

Council meetings to ensure proper communication and coordination al all

aspects of the Church's life and ministry.

 

B. The Church Council will constitute the Trustees of the Church Corporation.

The moderator will be the Corporate President, the Clerk the Corporate

Secretary, and the Treasurer the Corporate Treasurer of the Church.

 

C. Any other Church group or organization can attend any Council meeting to

present its concerns, but is encouraged to initiate its concern with a Member-

at-large to ensure the proper communication channel.

 

D. The Church Council will annually appoint a Nominating Committee consisting

of a representative for each board and the to members-at-large, who will chair

the committee.  The council may also appoint other committees as may be

necessary to carry out the mission and work of the Church.

 

E. One third of the membership of the Church Council constitutes a quorum.

 

Section 2 - Boards (See other duties listed in Article IV Section 1 of By-Laws
entitled Pastoral Relations Committee)

A. The Board of Deacons shall consist of 12 elected members and shall be

composed of at least 4 women and 4 men.

1. Their term of office shall be so rotated that at least one-fourth of the

board members are elected at the Annual Meeting, a full term being four

years.  No member shall be eligible for re-election to this board until

one year shall have elapsed since the termination of his or her previous

full term of office.  Any person having served twelve or more complete

years on the Board of Deacons will become a "Life Member" of the board

and therefore may participate in its active work.

2. The Deacons will cooperate with the Pastor in the care of the spiritual

interest of the Church and assist in the administration of the

sacraments, in caring for the poor, the sick, the sorrowing and the

indigent, and the stranger.

3. The Board of Deacons, cooperating with the Pastor and the Church

Council, is responsible for directing and participating in the following

areas of ministry:

a. Pastoral Care - visitation, funerals, weddings

b. Membership - evangelism, new members, fellowship, inactive members

c. Worship - greeters, lay readers, baptisms, communion, children's

messages, music, chancel, flowers

 

B. The Board of Stewardship shall consist of 9 members and shall be composed

of at least 3 women and 3 men.

1. Their term of office shall be so rotated that a least one-third of the

board members are elected at the Annual Meeting, a full term being three

years.  No member shall be eligible for re-election to this board until

one year shall have elapsed since the termination of his or her previous

full term of office.

2. The Board of Stewardship, under the direction of the Church Council will

administer the physical and financial assets of the Church and attend to

personnel matters for the Church.

3. The Board of Stewardship, cooperating with the Church Council, is

responsible for directing and participating in the following areas of

ministry:

a. Finance - budget preparation, investments, memorial gifts

b. Personnel - secretary, sexton, organist

c. Property - historical facets, parsonage, Meeting House, education

building, kitchen

 

C. The Board of Christian Education shall consist of 12 members and shall be

composed of at least 4 women and 4 men.

1. Their term of office shall be so rotated that at least one-third of the

board members are elected at the Annual Meeting, a full term being three

years.  No member shall be eligible for re-election to this board until

one year shall have elapsed since the termination of his or her previous

full term of office.

2. This board will be responsible for the Christian Education of the

Church.  They will work with the Pastor and/or any Director of Christian

Education the Church may employ and the Church School Superintendent in

the selection of curriculum, obtaining and training teachers, and all

other phases of the educational ministry of the Church.

3. The Board of Christian Education, cooperating with the Church Council,

is responsible for directing and participating in the following areas of

ministry:

a. Church School - curriculum, nursery, ecumenical vacation church

school, library

b. Youth - fellowship groups, confirmation, youth conferences

c. Adult Education - FORUM, bible study, conference workshops,

retreats

 

D. The Board of Missions shall consist of 9 members and shall be composed of

at least 3 women and 3 men.

1. Their term of office shall be so rotated that at least one-third of the

board members are elected at the Annual Meeting, a full term being three

years.  No member shall be eligible for re-election to this board until

one year shall have elapses since the termination of his or her previous

full term of office.

2. This board, under the direction of the Church Council, will be

responsible for local, area, and wider missions as well as pursuing the

interests of social justice, and education of Church members as to the

purpose and scopes of various missions.

3. The Board of Missions, cooperating with the Pastor and the Church

Council, is responsible for directing and participating in the following

areas of ministry:

a. Local Missions - Christian Enlistment, church fairs

b. Ecumenical Missions - BEC, MACC, Honor Court, CRCC

c. Wider Missions - BBM, delegates (including but not limited to

Tolland Assn., Ct. Conf. & BEC)

d. Social Justice

 

E. There shall be two Members-at-large.

1. The Members-at-large shall be members of the Church Council.  One shall

be elected at each Annual Meeting, a full term being two years.  No

Member-at-large may become a member of any other board while on the

Church Council.  Members-at-large shall not be eligible for re-election

as Members-at-large until one year shall have elapsed since the

termination of his or her previous full term of office.

2. Members-at-large, under the direction of the Church Council, will serve

as chairperson and vice chairperson (senior and junior member

respectively) of the Nominating Committee, and as such, oversee the

nomination of candidates to fill vacancies (both expired and unexpired

terms) of the Church officers and members of the Church boards.

3. The Members-at-large shall have the responsibility to represent the

interest of any and all members of the Church and shall be sensitive to

the opinions of all.

ARTICLE VIII  PROPERTY

Section 1

The Church may in its corporate name, sue or be sued, acquire by purchase,

gift, devise, bequest or otherwise, and own, hold, invest, reinvest or dispose

of property both real and personal, for such work as the Church may undertake

and may purchase, own, receive, hold, manage, care for and transfer, rent,

lease, mortgage or otherwise encumber, sell, assign, transfer and convey such

property for the general purposes of the Church; it may receive and hold in

trust both real and personal property and invest and reinvest the same and

make any contracts for promoting the objects and purposes of the Church.

Section 2

Upon dissolution of the Church, its assets and all property and interests of

which it shall then be possessed, including any devise, bequest, gift or grant

contained in any will or other instrument, in trust or otherwise, made before

or after such dissolution, shall be transferred to the Connecticut Conference

of the United Church of Christ or its successor.

ARTICLE IX  AMENDMENTS

This constitution and by-laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the

qualified members in attendance at any Annual Meeting or special meeting

called for that purpose, a quorum being present, and the object of the meeting

having been stated in the call.

ARTICLE X  RULES OF ORDER

In questions of constitutional dispute, Robert's Rules of Order will be

considered the guide.  The rules contained in Robert's Rules of Order shall

govern the business proceedings of this Church in all cases where they are not

inconsistent or in conflict with this constitution.

BY-LAWS

ARTICLE I  MEETINGS AND VOTING

Section 1 - Annual Meeting

A. The Annual Meeting of the Church shall be held on or before the last day in

January of each year for the purpose of hearing and acting upon reports and

the proposed budget, electing officers and board members, and transacting any

other business which may properly come before the Church and for which proper

forewarning has been given to Church members.  The date shall be determined by

the Church Council during its meeting in the preceding month of December.

 

B. Written notice of the Annual Meeting shall be mailed at least ten days in

advance of the date of the meeting to each active member of the Church to his

or her last address of record and shall be read from the pulpit on the Sunday

preceding the meeting date.

 

C. All Church officers, chairpersons of all boards, committees and auxiliary

organizations shall make an annual report in writing to be submitted to the

Church for publication at a date to be determined by the Church Secretary.

Section 2 - Special Congregational Meetings

A. Special meetings for call of a pastor, consideration of matters relating to

a change in church policy, amending the Constitution and By-Laws, the election

of officers, the incurring of indebtedness beyond that authorized by the

Church at the Annual Meeting, the purchase, sale, lease or mortgaging of real

estate, may be held upon the call of the Pastor, the Church Council or the

written request of ten percent of active members of the Church in good and

regular standing qualified to vote.  No other business shall be transacted as

such a meeting.

 

B. Written notice of such meetings shall be mailed at least ten days in

advance of the date of the meeting to each active member of the Church to his

or her last address of record and shall be read from the pulpit on the Sunday

preceding the meeting date.

Section 3 - Other Meetings

Special meetings to vote on changes in membership status may be held upon the

call of the Pastor, Deacons, or the Church Council at or immediately after any

regular church meeting at which a quorum is present.  No prior notice of such

meetings need be given.

Section 4 - Vacancies

In the event of any vacancy in any board or office, other than through the

regular expiration of a member's term, the Church Council shall in

consultation of the Board involved, fill the vacancy by appointment until the

next Annual Meeting of the Church when the Church shall elect someone to fill

the unexpired term.

Section 5 - Quorum

There shall be two types: One for routines matters, and the second for calling

a pastor or voting on denominational matters.

1. Routine matters (including Annual Meetings);

Ten percent of the active membership shall constitute a quorum for such

routine matters.

2. Calling or dismissing a pastor and constitutional amendments or other

properly called matters:

Twenty percent of the active membership shall constitute a quorum

for calling or dismissing a pastor, voting on denominational

relationships, major non-recurring financial considerations, and

amendments to the Constitution and By-Laws.

Section 6 - Voting

Every active member of the Church is entitled to vote at all elections and on

all questions submitted to a vote, excepting business matters of the Church

Corporate where a legal age is required.

ARTICLE II COMMISSIONED MINISTERS

The Church in cooperation with the Pastor may enter into a covenantal

relationship with a Commissioned Minister, following approval of the

credentials and educational requirements of the candidate by the Committee for

Church and Ministry of the Tolland Association of the Connecticut Conference

of the United Church of Christ.  The specific ministry in which the candidate

is to be engaged shall be identified through dialogue among the Church Council

members, the Pastor and the prospective candidate.

ARTICLE III  DUTIES OF APPOINTED OFFICERS

Section 1 - Church School Superintendent

The Church School Superintendent shall be appointed by the Board of Christian

Education and approved by the Church Council.  The Church School

Superintendent in consultation with the Pastor, or any Director or Minister of

Christian Education the Church may employ and the Board of Christian

Education, shall administer the affairs of the Church School and shall report

his or her work at the Annual Meeting of the Church.

Section 2 - Delegates

Delegates to the Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ (UCC),

the Tolland Association of UCC, and any other local or state religious

Councils shall be appointed annually by the Church Council at its first

meeting following the Annual Meeting, in accordance with the constitution of

the groups to which they are sent.

Section 3 - Auditor

The Church Council shall select a qualified person to audit all financial

records of the Church at least annually.  The auditor shall make a written

report which shall be presented to the Church at its Annual Meeting.

Section 4 - Historian

The Historian shall be the custodian of the historical records of the Church,

shall secure and provide for the safekeeping of old documents, records, and

pictures of historical interest and value to the Church.  At the expiration of

the term of office, the Historian shall deliver to his or her successor all

records in his or her possession.

ARTICLE IV  DUTIES OF APPOINTED COMMITTEES

Section 1 - Pastoral Relations Committee

A. The Pastoral Relations Committee shall consist of 10 members.

1. A member shall be nominated from each official board (i.e.

Deacons, Stewardship, Christian Education, Missions), Member-at-

large, a representative from new church members, seniors, and

youth.  The Pastor and Moderator are members ex-officio.  Their

term will be one year (from Annual Meeting to Annual Meeting) with

a maximum of two consecutive terms.

2. This Committee shall be responsible for the following functions:

a. Conduct a written evaluation of the Pastor each year based

upon input from the congregation using the call as a guide

for evaluation.  The evaluation tool(s) will be selected as

well as the process for obtaining input from Church members.

b. Recommend the Pastor's salary to the Board of Stewardship

based upon the evaluation and then present it to the Church

Council.

c. Assessment of needs and setting mutual goals as an outgrowth

of discussions with the Pastor and Church members.

d. Provide a "sounding board" for the Pastor in his/her

evaluation of the performance and willingness of members to

carry out their supportive role as outlined in the call.

Listen to and react to the Pastor's ideas, feelings and

concerns.

e. Function as a communication channel to the Pastor in those

situations where members express a need but choose to convey

their concern indirectly.

Section 2 - Pastoral Search Committee

A. Pastoral Search Committee of no more than eight members representing a

cross section of the Church shall be nominated by the Church Council and

presented to the Church for approval at a special meeting.

 

B. The Pastoral Search Committee shall counsel with the Conference Minister in

seeking candidates.  After selecting a candidate they shall present the name

and qualifications to the Church Council for review.

 

C. With the concurrence of the Church Council, the Committee shall present the

candidate to the Church, that the Church members may have the opportunity to

meet, hear and talk with the candidate before voting.

 

D. A special meeting for calling the Pastor shall be called by the Church

Council.  Written notice of such meeting shall be mailed at least ten days in

advance of the date of meeting to each active member of the Church to his or

her last address of record.

 

ARTICLE V  AUXILIARY ORGANIZATIONS

A. The Executive Officers of all adult auxiliary organizations shall be active

members of this Church elected by their respective organizations.  All youth

auxiliary organizations (where the general ages of the members are under 18

years) shall be sponsored by one or more adults who are active members of the

Church.

B. The Constitution and By-Laws of auxiliary organizations shall be drawn so

as not to conflict with the Constitution and By-Laws of this Church.  A copy

of the Constitution and By-Laws of all such organizations shall be submitted

to the Church Council, and if approved by them, shall be filed with the Clerk.

C. Meetings of auxiliary organizations may be held at such times as will not

conflict with the regular meetings of the Church.

ARTICLE VI  CHURCH YEAR

The official church year shall begin January 1 and close December 31 of each

year.