Section 1 Name

Section 1. Covenant

Section 2.  Denominational affiliations

Section 3.  Obligations of Membership

Section 1.  Real Property

Section 2. Financial Property

Section 1.  Members

The Church Administrator under the direction of the Ministry of Stewardship, Finance and Operations shall maintain the list of all persons in full and legal membership of the First Parish of Westwood, United Church.  

 There shall be these classes of members:

a.       Members –These members consider First Parish to be their Church, they participate in Church activities to the best of their abilities and health, and they share in the financial obligations of the Church.  These members may live away from First Parish for much of the year.  The Members living away consider First Parish to be their Church and have ties to the Church through family and friends.   Youth members no longer living locally with their parents, or members who have moved away yet wish to remain affiliated with First Parish are still members.  Members vote at Church meetings.

b.      Honorary Members – These members are recommended by the Ministry of Worship or the Church Council in recognition of outstanding service or loyalty to the Church and are approved by a vote of the Members of the Church at a Church Meeting. 

Those persons who no longer participate in nor actively support the Church or otherwise cease meeting the criteria for Church membership will be designated Inactive Status.  Persons of Inactive Status are ineligible to vote at Church meetings.  They have been communicated with and made inactive either voluntarily or as a result of action by the Ministry of Stewardship, Finance and Operations as further provided below.  It is the intention that the Inactive status is temporary, pending a decision to move them to Members or make them non-members.

Section 2.  New Members

Any persons in sympathy with the principles and purposes of this Church, after a minimum of six months involvement in the life of the Church and after consultation with the Pastor and representatives of the Ministry of Discipleship and Education may become a Member of this Church by agreeing to the covenant at a regular service of worship and by signing the Parish register.

Section 3.  Termination and transfer of membership

a.       The Church Administrator shall remove names of deceased members from the membership register, with notification to the Ministry of Stewardship, Finance and Operations.

b.      Any member may terminate their membership, or change their status, by written notice to that effect filed with the Church Administrator.  The Administrator shall notify the Ministry of Stewardship, Finance and Operations that the member’s name is being removed from the register or reclassified.

c.       Any member in good and regular standing who desires a letter of transfer and recommendation to another church may receive it upon written application filed with the Church Administrator.  The Administrator shall notify the Ministry of Stewardship, Finance and Operations that a member has transferred their membership to another church.

Section 1.  Officers

Section 2.  Church Council and Ministries

a.       The following Church Council and Ministries shall be duly organized:

i.           Church Council

ii.          Communication Committee

iii.        Ministry of Worship 

iv.        Ministry of Stewardship, Finance and Operations

v.         Ministry of Mission and Service

vi.        Ministry of Discipleship and Education

vii.      Ministry of Spiritual Life and Fellowship

viii.     Pastor-Parish Relations Committee

ix.        Nominating Committee

b.      Ministry and Committee Membership –All members of the Church Council shall be Members of the Church.  A majority of members of the Ministries listed above shall be Members of the Church.  Except where approved by the Church Council, no member of any Ministry may be elected for more than two consecutive terms, or for longer than seven consecutive years, except that members of the Church Council may serve beyond such terms by virtue of their roles on various Church Ministries and Committees

c.       Church Council – The Church Council shall consist of the Moderator, Clerk, the Treasurer, the Pastor, three members at large (to be elected at the Annual Meeting to serve for a term of three years, such terms to be staggered) the Chairperson or a delegate from the Ministries of Worship; Stewardship, Finance and Operations; Mission and Service; Discipleship and Education; and Spiritual Life and Fellowship.  The Church Council may vote to also include a delegate from the Senior High Youth Fellowship as a voting member.  Any shared positions on the Church Council shall be eligible for only one vote.

d.      Communication Committee – The Communication Committee shall consist of the Moderator, the Pastor, the Church Administrator and the Chairpersons or a delegate from the Ministries of Worship; Stewardship, Finance and Operations; Mission and Service; Discipleship and Education; and Spiritual Life and Fellowship.  The Moderator shall be the Chairperson of the Communication Committee.

e.       Ministries of Worship; Stewardship, Finance and Operations; Mission and Service; Discipleship and Education; and Spiritual Life and Fellowship shall consist of 6 members 2 to be elected at each Annual meeting to serve for a three-year term.

Section 3. Responsibilities of Ministries Committees, and Teams

a.       Each Ministry, Committee, or Team of the Church shall have a defined responsibility and shall endeavor, within the context of the Mission, Vision and Plan of First Parish, to discharge its responsibility effectively.

b.      Where practical, terms of membership on Ministries and Committees shall be staggered to provide continuity.

c.       Each Ministry, Committee, and Team should contribute positively to the Church’s Strategic and Operating Plans and develop its own yearly plans.

d.      Unless otherwise appointed by the Church Council or Nominating Committee, each Ministry, Committee, and Team with the exception of the Communication Committee, shall elect its own Chairperson, who shall be a Member of the Church.

e.       Ministries, Committees, and Teams shall discharge their duties under the authority of the Constitution and By-Laws, under the Church Council, or under the auspices of the Ministry or Committee which appointed them.  Team decisions and recommendations shall be communicated to, reviewed by and ultimately approved by the Committee or Ministry that appointed them.

f.        The Ministries and Committees listed above shall meet when necessary, but not less than five times per year.

g.       A simple majority vote shall be used for deciding all matters.

h.       Ministries and Committees shall keep timely and accurate records and shall communicate appropriately with the Communications Committee and relevant Church staff. 

i.         Each Ministry, Committee and Team shall submit a written annual report for review at the Annual Meeting. Team reports can be incorporated into the report of the appropriate Ministry.

Section 1: Other Committees

Section 2.  Nominating committee

Section 3.  Pastoral Relations Committee

Section 1.  Auditors

Section 1.  Annual meeting

Section 2.  Special Meetings

Section 3.  Meeting conduct

Section 1.  Pastor

Section 2.  Associate Pastor

Section 3.  Vacancies

In the event of a vacancy in the position of Pastor the Moderator with approval of the Church Council shall nominate members of a Pastoral Search Committee, which shall consist, at the discretion of the Church Council, of 5 to 8 persons.  The Moderator will call a meeting of the Church to elect search committee members. Additional nominations may be made from the floor.

Section 1. Fiscal Year

Section 1.  Amendments

1. Moderator

2.  Treasurer

It shall be the duty of the Treasurer:

a.       To oversee the custody of all funds of the Church, keep accurate account of all expenditures, to record such expenditures against the budget as adopted by the Church, pay all bills that have been properly endorsed as prescribed by the Ministry of Stewardship, Finance and Operation, to render a monthly account of all income and expenditures to the Church Council and the Ministry of Stewardship, Finance and Operations, and to submit a complete financial statement at the Annual Meeting.

b.      After seeking input from the Ministry of Stewardship, Finance and Operations regarding projected sources of funds and major committees regarding Church needs, prepare a budget for review, modification and approval by the Church Council, and the Members of the Church.

c.       The Treasurer shall oversee the work of the Assistant Treasurer, if any.

d.      The Treasurer shall handle the accounts of all Trust Funds and shall furnish a report of the income there from to the Ministry of Stewardship, Finance and Operations.

e.       The Treasurer may be bonded in such amount as the Church Council may designate.

f.        The Treasurer shall be a member ex-officio of the Church Council and of the Ministry of Stewardship, Finance and Operations.

3.  Accountant

4.  Collector

The Collector may be an employee of the Church.  It shall be the duty of the Collector:

a.       To keep an accurate account of all receipts to be applied toward current expenses and benevolences and such other receipts as directed by the Treasurer and to report the same to the Treasurer in a monthly statement and at such other times as may be requested.

b.      The Collector shall make an appropriate acknowledgment of all gifts received.

c.       At least 3 times per year, the Collector shall send out statements to all who have pledged to the support of the Church showing recorded contributions to date.

d.      The Collector may be bonded in such amount as the Church Council shall designate.

e.       The Collector shall communicate individual pledge performance to the Pastor, Treasurer, and Chairperson of the Ministry of Stewardship, Finance and Operations.

f.        In connection with the review of membership categories, the Chairperson of the Ministry of Stewardship, Finance and Operations and the Moderator may also review pledge performance.

g.       The Collector shall be responsible to the Treasurer and shall perform such other duties as delegated by the Treasurer.

h.       The Assistant Collector may assist the Collector in all of the above duties and may be bonded.

5. Church Council

It shall be the duty of the Church Council:

a.       To assume general responsibility for the administration of the affairs, concerns, and programs of the Church, to be responsible for long range planning, evangelism and Church growth and to formulate or approve Church policies subject to such directions as may be given at Church meetings.

b.      To approve such special committees and delegates to conferences as may be required and proposed by the Church Council or the Moderator.

c.       To vote on the recommendation of the Nominating Committee to fill vacancies occurring in any office, Ministry, or standing committee of the Church during the year in cooperation with such office, Ministry or standing committee, such appointments to be effective until the next Annual Meeting.

d.      Work with the Pastor, Moderator and Ministry Chairs to Develop the Strategic and Operating Plans including the assessment and reporting of progress toward key goals.

e.       To oversee the work of all officers, committees, Ministries, Teams and organizations of the Church and be responsible for the over-all planning and evaluating of the Church programs.

f.        To approve the tentative Church Budget, submitted by the Treasurer and approved by the Ministry of Stewardship, Finance and Operations and subsequent thereto to approve any revision thereof prior to its presentation to the Church for adoption at the Annual Meeting.

g.       To elect an Assistant Moderator from the members at large to serve in the absence of the Moderator at Church Council and Church meetings.

6. Communications Committee

a.       The Communications Committee shall be responsible for meeting immediately before the Ministries’ meetings to share the agendas for each Ministry meeting and coordinate all activities that impact more than one Ministry to insure the smooth operation of the various Ministries and of the Church in general.

b.      The Communications Committee shall also be responsible for    documenting and publicizing the activities of the Church and its various Ministries.

7. Nominating Committee

8.  The Ministry of Worship

a.       The Ministry, in full appreciation of the historical role of Deacons in the Church, shall have general oversight of the services of worship and be responsible for working in concert with the Pastor(s) on all aspects of the worship life of the Church.  Proactively gathering feedback, it shall work closely with the Pastor(s) in seeing that services are conducted regularly and fittingly.  The Ministry shall be responsible for preparing for and participating in the sacraments of baptism and communion, for providing ushers for regular and special services, and for special services and celebrations conducted when appropriate.  The Ministry shall also be responsible for the hospitality and welcome of worshipers.

b.      The Ministry shall have general oversight of the music program of the Church.  The Ministry shall be responsible for the Choir Director and Organist and that the music program is well directed and supported. The Ministry shall have overall responsibility for any concerts or musical series.

c.       The Ministry shall provide for substitute ministers in the temporary absence of the Pastor and shall select and recommend to the Church Council, a candidate or candidates for interim supply of the pulpit in case of prolonged absence or resignation of the Pastor or the Associate Pastor

d.      The Chairperson of the Ministry of Worship and the Moderator shall be responsible for the process of Pastoral evaluation, which shall occur at least annually with input from other Ministries and Church leaders. There should be informal follow-up to the review as needed.

9. Ministry of Stewardship Finance and Operations

a.       The Ministry of Stewardship, Finance and Operations shall be the Trustees of and have charge of the Real and Financial Property of The First Parish of Westwood, United Church.

b.      The Ministry shall develop and, upon approval by the Church Council, implement an Investment Policy for the Church, consistent with the Church’s mission and the laws of the State of Massachusetts.

c.       The Ministry shall hold, manage, invest, and re-invest consistent with the Investment Policy of the Church the trust funds of the Church with full authority to sell and to purchase other securities at its discretion and to cause the name of the Church to be signed by its Treasurer to any and all instruments which may be necessary to effect or complete any purchase, sale, transfer, mortgage discharge, or substitution of deposits or securities.

d.      The Ministry shall keep records of all business transactions and meetings and report the condition of the real and financial property of the Church at each Annual Meeting.

e.       The Ministry shall administer the membership records of the Church and shall be responsible for related payments to various denominational organizations.

f.        The Ministry shall work with the Treasurer to develop a suitable budget and to adjust such budget during the course of the year to insure the financial well being of the Church.

g.       The Ministry shall supervise and approve all expenditures of Church funds in conformity with the approved or modified budget, and they may formulate such policies deemed necessary to discharge this function properly.

h.       The monthly financial report of expenditures and income shall be submitted to the Church Council and the Church Council may vote to adjust expenditures to insure the financial health of the Church.

i.         In case of the death, disability, or absence of the Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer, the Chairperson of the Ministry shall be empowered to sign checks.

k.      The Ministry shall be responsible, working with the Pastor, for developing and overseeing a pledge campaign and other fund raising efforts to raise funds for various purposes of the Church.

l.         This Ministry shall be responsible for the sale of any real property with a value of less than $2500, or, after an appropriate vote of the Church, the sale of Real Property with a value above $2500.

10. Ministry of Mission and Service

a.       The Ministry shall direct the financial and human resources of the Church to support outreach, mission and service. This includes the    support of mission efforts both by individuals and groups within the Church, the education of Church members as to giving and service opportunities and the study and advocacy of mission and justice issues.

b.      The Ministry shall be responsible for advocating and interpreting the worldwide mission of the Church in all its aspects at all levels.

c.       The Ministry shall recommend, to the Ministry of Stewardship, Finance and Operations, the Church’s annual outreach budget and authorize the use of unallocated funds.

d.      The Ministry shall carry out as many of its responsibilities through the creation of Teams as it sees fit.  These Teams will report to the Ministry and have authority to take action in the area designated by the Ministry, so long the action does not require financial funding that exceeds the money approved by the Ministry from its budget. All event dates are calendared through the Communications Committee and the Church Office.

11. Ministry of Discipleship and Education

a.       The Ministry shall be responsible for Christian education and faith formation programs for children, Church youth, confirmands, adults, new members and persons with special needs.

b.      The Ministry shall work collaboratively with the Director of Christian Education to insure effective programs.

c.       The Ministry shall be responsible for the training and support of Teams.

d.      The Ministry shall be responsible for oversight of the Director of Christian Education.

e.       The Ministry shall be responsible for care and education of prospective and new members and shall in concert with the Pastor recommend any new members to Church.

f.        The Ministry shall carry out as many of its responsibilities through the creation of Teams as it sees fit.  These Teams will report to the Ministry and have authority to take action in the area designated by the Ministry, so long as the action does not require financial funding that exceeds the money approved by the Ministry from its budget.  All event dates are calendared through the Communications Committee and the Church Office.

a.       The Ministry shall be responsible for the physical and emotional wellbeing of the congregation through health ministries, lay visitation, and support groups.

b.      The Ministry shall be responsible for fellowship and community building activities among the members and adherents of the Church.

c.        The Ministry shall carry out as many of its responsibilities through the creation of Teams as it sees fit.  These Teams will report to the Ministry and have authority to take action in the area designated by the Ministry, so long as the action does not require financial funding that exceeds the money approved by the Board from its budget. All event dates are calendared through the Communications Committee and the Church Office.

13. Auditors

14. Church Meetings

a.       Warrant for Meetings:  The warrant for the Annual Meeting and any Special Meeting of the Church shall be read at a Sunday service and posted in a conspicuous location at the Meeting House and at the Parish House at least eight days before the time of the meeting.  The purpose of a Special Meeting shall be stated in the warrant.

15. Pastor and Associate Pastor

The Pastor shall:

a.       Have charge of all services of worship and shall either officiate or designate someone else to officiate at all services.

b.      Be ex-officio member of all Committees and Ministries of the Church. 

c.       Direct the work of all staff including roles, responsibilities and performance

d.      Work with the Church staff, Moderator, Church Council and Ministry chairs to develop the Long Range Plan and yearly operating plans including the main initiatives of the Church.

e.       Oversee the work of any Associate Pastor, student assistants, and all other employed staff of the Church.

f.        Make recommendations to the Pastoral Relations Committee (in the case of the Associate Pastor and any student assistants) and to the Ministry of Stewardship, Finance and Operations (in the case of all other employees) regarding their remuneration and conditions of employment, and

g.       Submit a report of the Pastor’s work and activities to the Annual Meeting of the Church.

h.       Periodically report to the Ministry of Stewardship, Finance and Operations on the resources and general nature of expenditures from the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund.

 The Associate Pastor, if any, shall:

a.       Have the duties and responsibilities of the Pastor, when required, in the latter’s absence, and

16.  Amendments

These By-Laws may be amended at any Annual Meeting or Special Meeting called for that purpose, by a vote of two thirds (2/3) of the Members present and voting.

17.  Transitional issues at time of adoption