Constitution

Constitution of Weybridge Congregational Church

Revised February 2023

Article I — Name

The name of this church is the Weybridge Congregational Church, Incorporated, of Weybridge, Vermont, a member of the United Church of Christ.

Article II — Purpose

The purpose of this church shall be to bind together followers of Jesus Christ as well as those on their own spiritual journey to share in the worship of God and the promulgation of the Christian faith in word, deed, song, and friendship; to support missions; to furnish aid to the needy and sick; to maintain a house of worship; to accept offerings to support these works; and in all ways to further God's forgiving, reconciling, and accepting community under the Leadership of the living Christ and by the direction of the Holy Spirit.

Article III — Policy

The government of this church is vested in its members, who exercise the right of control in all its affairs, and is subject in legal matters to the Articles of Association granted it by the Secretary of State of Vermont.

This church shall sustain its relationship to the United Church of Christ as described in those portions of the constitution and by-laws of the United Church of Christ relating to local churches, whereby this church is guaranteed that it is not subject to any other ecclesiastical body. It accepts, however, obligations and mutual counsel involved in the fellowship of Association, Conferences, and General Synod.

Article IV — Faith and Covenant

This church acknowledges as its sole head Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the Liberator of all. It acknowledges as brothers and sisters in Christ all who share in this confession. It looks to the Word of God in the Scriptures and to the presence and power of the Holy Spirit to prosper its creative and redemptive work in the world. It claims as its own the faith of the historic Church as reclaimed in the basic insights of the Protestant Reformers. It affirms the responsibility of the church in each generation to make this faith its own, promoting such expression of faith as encouraged by the General Synod of the United Church of Christ. In accordance with the teaching of our Lord and the practice prevailing among Protestant Christians, it recognizes two sacraments: Baptism, and the Lord's Supper or Holy Communion.

Covenant

We covenant with God and with one another, and do bind ourselves in the presence of God to walk together in God's ways.

We strive to be doers of the Word, not hearers only; and to labor for the progress of knowledge, the promotion of justice, and the reign of peace.

In the belief that by grace we are heirs of God's promises and joint heirs with Christ, we will consecrate our time, talent, substance, and influence.

In all things we depend upon the Holy Spirit to lead and empower us, and we interpret the Holy Scriptures to guide us in faith, conscience and discipline.

Article V — Membership

Our Church welcomes into its membership and leadership any person who wishes to follow the teachings of Jesus Christ and who strives to live according to God's laws of love. Our Church regards all persons with equal respect and concern. It is open and affirming, and it welcomes and accepts all persons, regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation, economic status, age, nationality, marital status or physical, mental or emotional ability.

  1. Active Members: The active members of this church shall be persons who have made public acceptance of its covenant by: (a) baptism and either confirmation or profession of faith in Jesus Christ; (b) reaffirmation or reprofession of faith; (c) letter of transfer or certification from other Christian churches.
  2. Associate Members: Persons who are members of another church may become Associate Members of this church by reaffirmation or reprofession of faith. All privileges and duties of active membership are extended to associate members.
  3. Friends: All persons are welcome and encouraged to attend and participate in church services and activities and to serve on committees as allowed by the by-laws.
  4. Inactive Members: Members whose addresses have long been unknown or who for a period of two years, in spite of kindly approaches by members of the church, have not communicated with the church or contributed to its support, may, by vote of the church, be transferred to an inactive member list.
  5. Reception of Members: Persons recommended by the deacons shall be received at a service according to the custom of the church, with the right hand of Christian fellowship extended by the pastor and deacons.
  6. Expectations of Members: Members are expected to be faithful in the spiritual duties essential to the Christian life; to be faithful as able in attending the worship and meetings of the church; to support its organized work through pledges of time, talent, and treasure, and to continue in the ministry of prayer, study and service.
  7. Termination of Membership: (a) Any member in good standing, upon written request, is entitled to a letter of termination of membership. (b) Any member in good standing, upon written request, is entitled to a letter of transfer of membership to a particular church. (c) If, after the expiration of one year, an inactive member does not renew an active connection with the church, that person may, by vote of the church, be dropped from the inactive membership roll.
  8. Restoration of Membership: Upon written request the church may, by vote, restore active or associate membership to an inactive or terminated member.

Article VI — Governing Body

The governing body of this church shall be the active members assembled in church meetings. The church meeting delegates its work and decisions between meetings to its elected officers and committees.

Article VII — Officers

The officers of the church shall be a moderator, a vice-moderator, a clerk, a treasurer, an assistant treasurer, and an auditor, all of whom shall be elected at an annual meeting to hold office and act until such time as successors have been elected and installed, and the pastor, who is called by the church for an indefinite time.

Article VIII — Boards and Committees

The church shall have the following board and committees:

  1. Board of Deacons
  2. Stewardship Committee
  3. Christian Education Committee*
  4. Mission Committee
  5. Nominating Committee
  6. Pastor-Church Relations Committee
  7. Music Committee
  8. Flower Committee
  9. Ad Hoc Committees

From time to time, other committees may be elected for tasks not covered.

*The Christian Education Committee is activated and then populated by the Nominating Committee when the need for the committee is determined at the discretion of the Pastor and Deacons.

Article IX — Cooperative Organizational Relationships

1. The church, having firmly placed itself by vote within the Vermont Conference of the United Church of Christ and the Addison Association of the Vermont Conference, shall send delegates to their meetings.

2. The church may enter into a parish situation with one or more Christian churches, whether or not they are all of the same denomination, so long as the agreement between the churches does not abridge the rights of this church.

Article X — Meetings and Services

  1. Services of Worship: Worship service shall be held at given hours each Sunday unless otherwise ordered. The manner and order of worship used shall be determined by the pastor and deacons, always mindful of the congregation's needs.
  2. Business Meetings: The annual meeting shall be held on the first Sunday in February unless otherwise authorized by the church. At least two meetings of the church shall be held between annual meetings.
  3. Special Meetings: Special meetings for business may be called by the moderator, the pastor, the board of deacons, the stewardship committee, or on the written request of five members of the church.
  4. Rules and Regulations: Notices for meetings shall be posted or printed in bulletins for two weeks and announced from the pulpit one Sunday in advance. A quorum shall consist of 20% of the active and associate membership.

Article XI — Property

Upon dissolution of the church, its assets and property shall be transferred to the Vermont Conference of the United Church of Christ, and it is the wish of the congregation that the church building and the church land be given to the Town of Weybridge by the Conference.

Article XII — Denominational Custom and Rules of Order

For matters referred to custom and usage of the denomination, reference should be made to the constitution of the United Church of Christ and the Vermont Conference of the United Church of Christ. Robert's Rules of Order for Small Boards shall be the parliamentary authority for all matters of procedure not specifically covered by this constitution.

Article XIII — Amendments

Amendments to this constitution, or to the by-laws of the church, may be made by two-thirds vote at any duly called meeting, provided that notice specifying the time of the meeting and the substance of the proposed amendments shall have been given from the pulpit and printed to be distributed two Sundays preceding said meeting.

Every five years the moderator shall appoint a committee to review this constitution and the by-laws and recommend needed changes to the church for approval or denial.