The King Street United Church of Christ
By-Laws
Adopted January 16, 1973
Including Amendments as of January 22, 2006
Name
1-01
The
legal name of this congregation, a corporation formed by the laws of
the State of Connecticut, shall be The King Street United Church of
Christ, located in Danbury, Connecticut.
Faith and Purpose
1-02 The
1981 revised Statement of Faith of The United Church of Christ
expresses the faith of this Congregation.
1-03 The
purpose of this Congregation is expressed in the following Church
Covenant:
We unite together
through our faith and trust in God, revealed in Jesus Christ who
lives in us through the Holy Spirit.
We welcome into this
church family all who seek fellowship with God, and we promise to
watch over and care for one another.
We seek the guidance
of God’s Holy Spirit in worship, in celebration of the sacraments,
and in all our life together.
We challenge one
another to grow in faith, knowledge, and commitment, using the Bible
to guide our journey.
We promise to give
willingly of ourselves so that this truly becomes a servant church,
joyously sharing God’s gift of love, spreading the Good News, and
reflecting the light of Christ in our daily lives.
As we have been
blessed, may we be a blessing to others.
(Adopted June 15,
1982)
Polity
1-04 The
government of this Congregation is vested in its active members, who
exercise the right of control in all its affairs.
1-05 The
Congregation shall be part of The United Church of Christ, and it
shall sustain that relationship to The United Church of Christ
described in those portions of the Constitution and By-laws of The
United Church of Christ adopted July, 4, 1961, relating to Local
Churches.
Membership
1-06 Qualification: All
those who desire to assist in furthering the purpose of the church
shall be welcome as members upon the recommendations of the Pastor
and the Diaconate.
1-07 Reception: Members
shall be received --
(a)
On Confession of
faith and baptism (if not previously baptized) or,
(b)
On presentation of
satisfactory letters of transfer from other churches or,
(c)
On
reaffirmation of faith.
Members shall be
received upon their public acceptance of the Church Covenant. Any
who are unable to attend in public may be received by the Diaconate
and the Pastor acting on behalf of the Congregation.
1-08 Rights: All
active members may act and vote in all transactions of the
Congregation except as prohibited by law or otherwise restricted by
these By-laws.
1-09
Responsibilities: Members
shall pledge themselves to --
(a)
Attend the regular
worship of the Congregation and the celebration of the sacraments of
the Lord’s Supper and Baptism,
(b) Live
the Christian life,
(c) Share
in the life and work of the Congregation,
(d) Contribute
to its support and benevolences,
(e) Diligently
seek the spiritual welfare of the membership and the community.
1-10 Changes
in Membership Status:
(a)
Transfers:
Letters of transfer to another church shall be forwarded by the
Clerk upon request.
(b)
Inactive: Members
whose addresses have been unknown for a period of two years, or who
have not received pastoral services for a period of two years, or
who have not initiated contact with the church for a period of two
years, in spite of kindly approaches, may be placed in an inactive
membership category. The Diaconate, acting with due sensitivity and
discretion, in consulting with the Pastor, has the responsibility of
placing members in an inactive category. Members may, at any time,
transfer from inactive to active by their advisement to the
Diaconate or to the Pastor. Members may request to be placed in the
inactive category. Such transfers between categories shall be
effective immediately.
(c)
Releases: Any
members on their own request may be released from the membership by
the Pastor and the Diaconate, if, after conference and deliberation
they are insistent in their desire for such release, or, after two
years of unsuccessful effort on the part of the church to reach an
inactive member, he or she may be removed from the inactive
membership roll by the Diaconate in consultation with the Pastor.
Pastor
1-11 The
Pastor shall be an ordained minister with full and regular
ministerial standing in the Association to which the Congregation
belongs.
1-12
The Pastor shall be
chosen or released at a meeting of the Congregation called for that
purpose by a two-thirds vote of those active members
present.
1-13 The
Pastor shall become a member of the church, and shall be in charge
of the spiritual welfare and development of the church, preach the
gospel, administer the sacraments, conduct the services of public
worship, provide pastoral care to individual members, and further
the activities of the church in cooperation with the various
Ministry Teams and committees. In carrying out the office and
fulfilling his/her responsibility to the Congregation, the Pastor
shall seek the advice of the Council, Ministry Teams and Committees
of the Church. He/she shall be an ex-officio member of
all Teams and Committees. The Pastor shall supervise all other
staff members.
1-14 The
Pastor shall hold office without limitation of term, except that at
least two months’ prior notice shall be required on the part of
either party to terminate his/her services unless it be by mutual
consent. Written notice of such termination shall be sent to the
Connecticut Conference and Fairfield East Association.
1-15
Associate Pastors
shall be chosen and released in the same manner as the Pastor, with
duties to be specified in the call. In carrying out the office and
fulfilling his/her responsibility to the Congregation, the Associate
Pastor shall seek the advice of the Pastor, Council, Ministry Teams
and Committees of the Church. He/she shall be an ex-officio member
of all Teams and Committees.
Government
1-16 The
governing body of this Congregation shall be the active membership.
The vote of a majority of the active members present at a meeting
shall rule. A quorum shall consist of 15% (fifteen percent) of the
active members.
1-17 Meetings:
(a)
The Annual Meeting
of the Congregation shall be held in January of each year on a date
selected by the Ministry Council for approval of a budget and such
business as may properly come before the meeting
(b)
A May Congregational
Meeting shall be held each year for the purpose of voting on the
slate of Officers, Team, and committee members either proposed by
the Nominating Committee or nominated by the Congregation at such
meeting and to carry out any other business of which the
Congregation has been properly notified. The Council, the Officers
of the Congregation, the Pastor, the church Ministry Teams and other
church organizations shall submit timely annual reports for action
at the May meeting.
(c)
A September
Congregation Meeting shall normally be held each year for the
purposes of reviewing the status of the church budget and the
religious education and stewardship programs for the year and to
carry out any other business of which the Congregation has been
properly notified.
1-18 Special
church meetings may be called by the Council or by petition of the
Ministry council signed by not less than 15% (fifteen percent) of
the active members. The Ministry Council shall call such meeting
within 4 weeks from receipt of the petition, and adequate notice of
such meetings (including its purpose) shall be provided to the
membership by the Clerk.
1-19 Robert’s
Rules of Order shall be used to resolve procedural issues in all
church proceedings not covered by these by-laws.
1-20 The
fiscal year shall be January 1st to December 31st.
[Click to see
current officers.]
1-21 The
Officers of this Congregation shall be: Moderator, Vice-Moderator,
Clerk, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Financial Secretary, and
three Members-at-Large.
1-22 All
Officers must be active members of this Congregation and shall be
elected by vote of the Congregation at the May Congregational
meeting. Terms of office shall begin June 1st.
1-23 Terms
of Office:
(a) The
Moderator shall serve for a term of one year. In the event the
Vice-Moderator position is vacant, the Moderator may be elected to
an additional one-year term.
(b) The
Vice Moderator shall serve in the position of Vice Moderator for one
year and automatically assume the position of Moderator the
following year, for a one year term.
(c)
The Clerk,
Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Financial Secretary and 3
Members-at-Large shall serve for a term of two years and will be
eligible for re-election to the same office for another two-year
term, for a maximum of four consecutive years. After two terms, a
one year interval shall be required before being eligible for
re-election to the same office.
1-24
If a vacancy should occur in any
office, a replacement shall be appointed by the Ministry Council
based on recommendations of the Nominating Committee. Such
interim appointment will not be considered a full term if for less
than two-thirds of the original term being filled.
1-25
The
Duties of the Officers shall be:
(a)
Moderator: The
moderator shall preside at all meetings of the Congregation and the
Ministry Council. In case of his/her absence, the
Vice-Moderator shall preside. The Moderator shall be an ex-officio
member of all Ministry Teams and Committees and shall submit a
report to the May Meeting
(b)
Vice-Moderator:
The Vice-Moderator shall function as an assistant to the Moderator
and is expected to be elected Moderator for the following
term. He/she shall preside at all meetings of the Congregation and
the Ministry Council in the absence of the Moderator. He/she is
expected to use the year to prepare for his/her upcoming role as
Moderator. The Vice Moderator shall serve as coordinator of the
activities of the Members-at-Large, chair the Nominating Committee,
and shall work closely with the Moderator and Ministry Teams to
coordinate annual programs and activities. The Vice Moderator shall
be an ex-officio member of all Ministry Teams and committees and
shall submit a report of the activities of the Members-at-Large to
the May Meeting.
(c) Clerk: The
Clerk shall keep a record of the proceedings of admissions,
dismissal, baptism, marriage and death. The Clerk shall attend to
correspondence relative to the transfer or termination of
membership. He/she shall take minutes of the Ministry Council and
congregational meetings. The Clerk shall keep on file church
correspondence and written official reports and shall make a report
at the May Meeting.
(d)
Treasurer: The
Treasurer shall hold all funds belonging to the Congregation and
shall disburse same under the supervision of the Trustee Team and
shall keep adequate books of account. The Treasurer
shall keep the Congregations’ funds in banking institutions as shall
be approved by the Trustee Team and have custody of all papers
relating to the property of the Congregation. The Treasurer shall
make financial reports to the Ministry Council and Trustees at their
regular meetings and submit a written report to the Congregation at
the May Meeting, after such report has been certified by the
Auditor. The Treasurer shall be an ex-officio member of the Trustee
Team.
(e) Assistant
Treasurer:
The Assistant Treasurer shall handle specific responsibilities
designated by the Treasurer.
(f) Financial
Secretary: The
Financial Secretary shall receive all incoming monies and shall
deposit all funds received as directed by the Treasurer, submitting
receipts for same to the Treasurer. He/she shall keep an accurate
account for each of the giving units and provide each with a
periodic statement of account.
(g) Members-at-large: The
Members-at-Large shall actively solicit the views of the
Congregation and represent the Congregation on the
Ministry Council and at other times as designated by the Ministry
Council. The Members-at-Large shall also serve on the annual
Nominating Committee.
[Click to see
current team leaders.]
1-26
The
Ministry Teams of this congregation shall be: Diaconate Team,
Trustees Team,
Religious Education Team, Music
Team, Christian Outreach Team and
Stewardship Team.
1-27
All Team
members must be active members of this Congregation and shall be
elected at a congregational meeting to be held in May. Terms of
office shall begin June 1st.
1-28
Team Leaders,
upon nomination by the Nominating Committee and election, shall
serve two-year terms, and be eligible for a second two-year term for
a maximum of four years. An interval of one year is then required
before being eligible for re-election to the same team.
1-29
Teams are
expected to meet at least quarterly, and the Ministry Team Leader
shall report monthly to the Ministry Council. Team members other
that the Team Leader shall serve one-year terms to a maximum of four
years, after which a one-year interval is required for eligibility
for the same team.
1-30
If a vacancy
should occur on any Team, a replacement shall be referred to the
Ministry Council by the Nominating Committee for interim
appointment. Such interim appointment will not be considered a full
term under membership qualifications if for less than two-thirds of
the original term being filled. If a Team member misses three (3)
consecutive meetings, the Team shall rule on his/her continued
membership on that Team.
1-31
Each Team shall
recommend its Annual budget to the Trustee Team and administer its
budget as approved by the Congregation.
1-32 All
Team meetings are open to any member of the Congregation who wishes
to attend.
1-33 The
Function of the Ministry Teams shall be:
(a)
Diaconate Team: The
Diaconate Team shall consist of 3-6 members. The Deacons shall
assist in the preparation and administration of the sacraments and
in ministering to the welfare and spiritual needs of the
Congregation and Community. They shall have charge of monies
contributed to the Deacon’s Plate Fund (aid for community members)
and the One Family Fund (aid for KSUCC families). They shall see to
it that the pulpit is filled in the Pastor’s absence and that the
services and ordinances of the church are observed with regularity
and reverence. They shall provide ushers at services of
worship. They shall be responsible for regular contact with all
members and revisions to the Membership Roll.
(b)
Trustee Team: The
Team shall consist of 3-6 members. The Treasurer shall be an
ex-officio member of the Team. The Team shall have three areas of
responsibility:
(i)
Finance: The Team
shall have care of invested funds, supervision over payment of all
bills, and, in consultation with the Pastor and Ministry Teams,
prepare an Annual Budget proposal to be acted upon at the Annual
Meeting.
(ii)
Personnel: The Team
shall be responsible for maintaining and enforcing personnel
policies and shall execute employment agreements with all personnel
engaged by the Congregation. In consultation with the pastor(s), the
team will select and annually evaluate non-pastoral staff. All staff
shall have day-to-day supervision by the Pastor.
(iii)
Property: The Team
shall have responsibility for the care and custody of the property
of the Congregation and have charge of related financial affairs,
always subject to regulations prescribed by the laws of the State of
Connecticut. The Team shall have no power to buy, sell, mortgage,
lease, or transfer property without the specific authority of the
Congregation. However, the Team shall have power to act ad interim
until it is possible to call a special meeting of the Congregation
if an emergency arises.
(c)
Religious Education Team:
The Religious Education Team shall consist of 3-6 members. The Team
shall have responsibility for:
(i)
determining the
curriculum
(ii)
securing the
necessary staff
(iii)
providing for
teacher training for the Church School
(iv)
providing youth
programs
(v)
adult education
programs
(vi)
other religious
education programs
(vii)
appointing the
Church School Superintendent and Assistant Superintendent.
The Superintendent
shall have overall responsibility for direction and policy of the
Church School program. The Superintendent and Assistant
Superintendent shall be ex-officio members of the Team.
(d) Music
Team: The
Music Team shall consist of 2-4 members. The
Team shall have charge of the music program for the congregation and
shall recommend potential music personnel to the Ministry
Council. The music personnel shall be ex-officio members of the
Team. The Team shall be responsible for the procurement and
maintenance of all musical instruments, sheet music, robes and
hymnals. In conjunction with the Personnel Trustee Team, this Team
will develop job descriptions and employment agreements as well as
perform periodic performance reviews for music personnel.
(e) Christian
Outreach Team: The
Christian Outreach Team shall consist of 3-6 members. This team
shall be responsible for educating the church regarding the world
and home missions of the United Church of Christ and the local
church, and the mission responsibility of every member. It shall
attempt to implement mission programs in support of the local and
worldwide community by encouraging the participation of church
members in programs organized by the Team.
(f) Stewardship
Team: The
Stewardship Team shall consist of 2-4 members. The Team shall be
responsible for planning and implementing programs to enlist the
financial, time, and talent resources of the congregation to further
the mission of this church. In fulfilling these responsibilities, it
shall coordinate its plans and results with the Trustee Team and the
Christian Outreach Team. The
Stewardship Team shall be
specifically responsible for the maintenance of a talent database of
members and the Planned Gifts program.
Committees
1-34 Committees
may be appointed by the Ministry Council or Teams as the need
dictates.
1-35 All
Committee members must be active members of the Church, and their
purpose, administration and terms of service shall be specified in
their appointments.
1-36 Standing
Committees:
(a)
Nominating
Committee:
A Nominating Committee, chaired by the Vice-Moderator, will consist
of the Members-at-Large and two additional active members who are
not currently serving on the Ministry Council, to be selected by the
Vice-Moderator or Council. The Nominating Committee should make
every effort to have all Officers and Ministry Team members serve in
one capacity only. The Committee shall present a list of nominees
for Officers, Ministry Council, and Ministry Team vacancies at the
May Congregational Meeting. At the request of the Council, the
Committee shall submit nominations for any vacancies that might
occur between elections. It shall also provide the Ministry Council
with candidates to fill leadership positions for major church
program activities as determined by the Ministry Council.
(b)
Memorial
Committee:
A Memorial Committee consisting of three members shall be appointed
by the Ministry Council for a one year term. Such appointments may
be renewed for any number of successive years. The Committee shall
record memorial gifts in the Book of Remembrance, and acknowledge
the gift to both the donor and to the family of the loved one. The
donated monies shall be maintained in a Memorial Fund by the
Treasurer of the Church. From time to time the Committee shall
direct the Trustee Team to disburse monies from the Memorial Fund to
add to the spiritual enhancement and beauty of the Church.
(c) Pastor-Parish
Relations Committee: This
Committee shall consist of the Moderator, for a term of one year,
and four other members, each of whom shall serve a term of two
years. Two of these members shall be elected by the Congregation in
alternating years and two shall be chosen by the Pastor in
alternating years. During the first year of the pastorate, at least
one member shall be elected by the Congregation from the Search
Committee. The Pastor-Parish Relations Committee shall serve as: an
advisory group sharing the ideas, hopes, and concerns of the
Congregation with the Pastor; and a support group interpreting the
roles, functions, and needs of the Pastor to the Congregation. The
Committee, in consultation with the Council, Ministry Teams, and
Committees of the Church, shall work with the Pastor to define
his/her duties, to set goals, and to annually review his/her
performance.
(d) Pastoral
Search Committee:
A Pastoral Search Committee of at least seven (7) members shall be
appointed by the Ministry Council when a vacancy occurs in the
pastorate. This committee shall select a candidate, present his/her
qualifications to the Ministry Council, and propose him/her for
acceptance at a meeting of the Congregation. The proposed pastor’s
terms of call shall be fully detailed and posted for the
congregation.
Ministry Council
1-37 Membership: The
Ministry Council shall consist of the Pastor(s), Moderator,
Vice-Moderator, Clerk, Treasurer, Financial Secretary,
Ministry Team Leaders or their representatives,
Members-at-Large, and representatives of the auxiliary organizations
as determined by the Ministry Council.
1-38 Responsibility: It
shall be the function of the Ministry Council to consider the entire
task of the Congregation, to advise and work with the Pastor(s), and
all officers and organizations of the Congregation in the formation
of a well-coordinated program. To this end, Pastor(s), Officers,
Teams, Committees, and Auxiliary Organizations shall inform the
Ministry Council of their plans and programs. The Ministry Council
may act for the Congregation in all matters not specifically
designated in the By-laws to any other group or person. The Ministry
Council shall have the authority to resolve questions arising
between other units of the Congregation remembering always that the
final authority rests with the membership of the Congregation. The
Ministry Council shall be responsible for developing and maintaining
a long-range Master Plan to be summarized and presented at the
Annual Meeting. The Master Plan shall provide direction for the
Church’s actions and development.
1-39 Meetings: The
Ministry Council shall meet at least quarterly. A quorum shall
consist of a majority of the Council members. Ministry Council
meetings are open to all members of the Congregation.
1-40 Appointed
Positions: The
Ministry Council shall appoint an Historian, Librarian and Auditor
for a one-year term, renewable at the option of the Council. Their
duties shall be defined by the Ministry Council, and a report shall
be submitted to the Annual Meeting.
Auxiliary Organizations
1-41 All
organizations affiliated with the Congregation come under its
general jurisdiction.
Amendments
1-42 These
By-laws may be amended at a Congregational meeting by a two-thirds
vote of the active members present. |
