PREAMBLE
Fairlawn-West United Church of Christ was created by the merger of Fairlawn
Community United Church of Christ and West United Church of Christ in October, 1973.
Both churches had a congregational heritage in the Pilgrim tradition. The congregational
concept that the members of the congregation have the final authority on all church decisions
has been maintained in the merged membership.
ARTICLE I - NAME
The name of this church shall be The Fairlawn-West United Church of Christ, Incorporated.
ARTICLE II - PURPOSE
The purpose of this church shall be to worship God, to preach the gospel, to
celebrate the sacraments, to bind together the followers of Jesus Christ and to render
loving service toward humanity.
ARTICLE III - FAITH
The Fairlawn-West United Church of Christ acknowledges as its sole Head, Jesus
Christ, Son of God and Saviour. It acknowledges as kindred 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 expressed in the ancient creeds and
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 in reality of worship, in
honesty of thought and expression, and in purity of heart before God. In accordance with
the teaching of our Lord and the practice prevailing among evangelical Christians, it
recognizes two sacraments: Baptism and the Lord's Supper or Holy Communion.
ARTICLE IV - COVENANT
We are united in striving to know the will of God as taught in the Holy Scriptures, and
in our purpose to walk in the ways of the Lord, made known and to be made known to us.
We hold it to be the mission of the church of Christ to proclaim the gospel to all humanity, exalting the worship of the one true God, and laboring for the progress of knowledge, the promotion of justice, the reign of peace, and the realization of human fellowship.
ARTICLE V - GOVERNMENT
1. This church shall be a 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 relating to local churches
adopted July 4, 1961 and subsequently amended.
2. The government of this church is vested in its members, who exercise the right of
control in all its affairs subject to laws of the state of Ohio relating to non-profit
corporations.
3. The Annual Meeting of the church shall be held on the fourth Sunday in January each
year for the purpose of electing officers, board and committee members, presenting
annual reports, adopt the annual budget, and consideration of such other church
matters as may be properly presented. Notice of this meeting shall be published no
later than the second Sunday of January.
4. It shall be the responsibility of each standing board and committee to prepare an
annual report for presentation to the congregation at the Annual Meeting. Staff
members may be asked to prepare such reports at the request of the Pastor.
5. Special meetings of the congregation may be called by the Pastor or the Moderator.
In addition, any ten (10) active members may request such a meeting in writing to the
Clerk. Notice of such special meeting and the nature of the business to be transacted
shall be stated in the call for the meeting in the bulletin on a Sunday at least two
weeks before the meeting.
6. Robert's Rules of Order shall be the parliamentary authority for all matters of
procedure not specifically covered by this constitution.
ARTICLE VI - MEMBERSHIP
1. Reception
A. Membership in this church shall be open to any person who has been confirmed
or has made public confession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
B. New members shall be received into the church and placed on the active
membership role through the Pastor. New members will affirm the articles of this
Constitution titled "Purpose," "Faith," and "Covenant." They shall join the church
by transferring their membership from another church, reaffirming their faith in Jesus Christ, or by professing their faith in Jesus Christ.
C. Members shall pledge themselves to attend the worship services of the church and
the celebration of the Lord's Supper, to strive to live the Christian life, to share
in the life and work of the church, to contribute to its support and benevolences,
and to promote the spiritual welfare of the membership and the community.
2. Termination
A. Any member who desires a letter of transfer to another church, upon request, is
entitled to receive it. Such letter shall be signed by the Clerk or the Pastor.
B. If a member requests in writing to be released from his or her covenant
obligations, the Clerk shall grant the request and terminate such membership.
C. A member who for a period of one year has not attended a church service and has
not otherwise fulfilled the responsibilities of membership outlined under
"Reception" above, may by recommendation of the Diaconate and vote of the
Cabinet be removed from the active membership roll and placed on the inactive
roll. If, after the expiration of a year, the relationship remains unchanged, the
name may be dropped from membership by a further vote of the Cabinet.
ARTICLE VII - PASTOR
1. Church-Pastor Relationship
A. When a Pastor accepts a Call to this church, the Pastor shall become a member
of Fairlawn-West United Church of Christ and shall join the Moderator in
requesting the Eastern Ohio Association to arrange for a service of recognition
and installation.
B. The Pastor shall be called for an indefinite period. In order to terminate this
relationship, sixty (60) days notice shall be given by either party.
C. When the congregation decides to terminate the relationship, the termination shall
be by majority vote at a duly called meeting of the congregation. Notice of such
termination shall be sent to the Eastern Ohio Association Minister for appropriate
action.
2. Duties
The Pastor shall have charge of the spiritual welfare of the church with the assistance
of the Diaconate.
The Pastor shall:
* seek to enlist men and women as followers of Christ
* preach the gospel
* counsel those in need
* administer the sacraments
* be responsible for all services of worship
* administer the activities of the church in cooperation with the Moderator and all
elected boards and committees
* be a non-voting ex-officio member of the Cabinet and all boards and committees.
* give counsel and consent in the procurement of any full or part time staff
workers.
* be responsible for the direction of the church staff
B. The church may at its discretion choose an Associate or Assistant Pastor(s).
3. Search Committee
A. As soon as a Pastoral vacancy occurs, it shall be reported to the Eastern Ohio
Association Minister by the Moderator.
B. The Search Committee shall be nominated by the Moderator and approved by the
Cabinet. It shall be the responsibility of the Search Committee to seek a
candidate to fill a vacancy in the office of Pastor. The chairperson of the
committee shall be designated by the Moderator.
C. The Search Committee shall seek the counsel and guidance of the Eastern Ohio
Association Minister during the search process.
D. The Search Committee, through its chairperson shall keep the Cabinet, Diaconate
and Board of Trustees informed during the search process.
E. When the Search Committee has selected the candidate, an invitation shall be
extended to the candidate to conduct a Sunday worship service including the
preaching of the sermon.
4. The Call
A. After the worship service the congregation, at a duly called meeting, shall vote
on whether or not to extend a Call.
B. A 2/3 vote shall be required to extend a Call.
C. In the Call the terms of the relationship shall be stated, including the agreement
of the church to provide for participation in a pension fund and an insurance
program if the Pastor so desires, and any other terms agreed between the
candidate and the Search Committee. The Pastor, the Clerk, and the Eastern
Ohio Association Minister shall each receive a copy of the Call.
5. Interim Pastor
The Moderator shall appoint a committee, approved by the Cabinet, to recommend
the hiring of an interim pastor during any period of extended vacancy in the office of
Pastor. This committee should include a member of the Diaconate, Board of
Christian Education and Board of Trustees.
ARTICLE VIII - THE STAFF
Professional staff (e.g. Director of Christian Education, Director of Pre-School,
Pre-School Teachers, Director of Music, Organist) and support staff (e.g. Church
Secretary, Financial Secretary, Custodian(s)) may be hired by the church as is necessary.
The staff shall be hired by the appropriate board or committee with the counsel and
consent of the Pastor and the approval of the Cabinet. The Board of Trustees shall
approve all financial matters concerning the employing of the staff.
ARTICLE IX - OFFICERS
The officers of the Church shall be the following: The Moderator, Assistant
Moderator, Treasurer, and Clerk. The officers shall be elected at the Annual Meeting
for a term of one year and shall have the following duties and responsibilities:
1. Moderator
The Moderator shall preside at all Cabinet and Congregational meetings of the
Church. The Moderator shall with the Pastor maintain leadership to provide
continuity and cooperation in all facets of church activities. The Moderator with the
Clerk shall sign all contracts, loans, mortgages, deeds, and other legal instruments in
the name of the Congregation. The Moderator shall be an ex-officio, non-voting,
member of all boards and committees of the church except the Pastor-Parish Relations
Committee. The Moderator's attendance at meetings of boards and committees shall
be at the discretion of the Moderator. The Moderator will nominate with the Pastor,
members of the Pastor-Parish Relations Committee. The Moderator shall be informed
of any vacancies that may occur in the elective offices of the church and request
nominations from the Nominating Committee for consideration and appointment by
the Cabinet.
2. Assistant Moderator
The Assistant Moderator will work with and assist the Moderator in all duties and
responsibilities and will assume these duties and responsibilities when the Moderator
is absent.
3. Treasurer
A. The Treasurer shall:
* be responsible for all receipts and expenditures
* take charge of all offerings and special collections
* keep or supervise the keeping of accurate records of receipts and expenditures
* keep an accurate account with all members and friends who contribute and
furnish them with quarterly statements of their accounts
* submit a written report at the Annual Meeting and report monthly to the
Cabinet
* be a voting member of the Board of Trustees, the Cabinet, and the Budget
Committee
* be placed under bond in such amount as determined by the Board of Trustees
B. A Financial Secretary may be employed by the Board of Trustees to assist in the
duties of the Treasurer. Such assistance shall be at the direction of the Treasurer.
C. Assistant Treasurers shall be elected at the Annual Meeting for a period of one (1)
year to assist the Treasurer with the receipt and accounting of offerings and
special collections and such other duties as assigned by the Treasurer.
D. The fiscal year shall coincide with the calendar year.
4. The Clerk
A. The Clerk shall:
* keep accurate minutes of the Annual Meeting, congregational meetings, and
Cabinet meetings
* be responsible for the keeping of records of baptisms, weddings, funerals, and
all outstanding church events of possible future interest
* keep a register of all members of the church with dates and form of reception
or removal
* preserve on file all written communications and official reports
* publish notices as required
* conduct correspondence and perform other secretarial duties as required
B. The church secretary shall assist the Clerk in the performance of the Clerk's duties.
C. An Assistant Clerk shall be elected at the Annual Meeting to serve for a period of one (1) year.
The Assistant Clerk shall assist the clerk and serve as Church Historian, keeping such permanent records of the church's activities as feasible.
ARTICLE X - CABINET
1. Organization
A. The Church Cabinet shall be composed of the Moderator, Assistant Moderator,
immediate Past Moderator, Treasurer, Clerk, Convention Delegates, President of
Women's Fellowship, a representative of the Scouting program, and the
chairpersons of all standing Boards and Committees as provided for in this
Constitution.
B. Ex-officio non-voting members of the Cabinet shall include the Pastor,
Associate Pastor, Director of Christian Education, Director of Music, Director of
the Pre-School and chairpersons of any sub or temporary committees.
C. When any representative, including the presiding officer of any organization
represented on the Cabinet, is unable to attend a meeting, the organization shall
appoint a substitute from that organization.
2. Responsibilities
A. The Cabinet shall be the general administrative and coordinating body of the
Church, representing and responsible to the Congregation. The Cabinet's
authority shall supersede the authority of all Boards, Committees, and the Church
Staff, taking into account, however, that the Pastor shall have charge of the
spiritual welfare of the Church. The authority of the Cabinet shall be superseded
only by the Congregation at a duly constituted congregational meeting.
B. It shall be the duty of the Cabinet to review and, if advisable, revise the annual
operating budget as presented by the Board of Trustees and the benevolence
budget as presented by the Board of Missions and to recommend the combined
budgets to the Church for adoption at the Annual Meeting.
C. All contracts with any paid personnel entered into by or on behalf of the Church
shall be approved by the Cabinet after all financial matters relating thereto have
been considered and approved by the Board of Trustees.
D. The Cabinet shall establish a Personnel Committee. It shall consist of three
members nominated by the Moderator and approved by the Cabinet. The
Personnel Committee shall develop and review job descriptions and also annually
review the compensation and job performance of all paid personnel. This
committee shall develop general personnel policies for all staff members.
E. The Cabinet shall vote to fill any vacancies that may occur in the elective
offices. Such appointments will be in effect only until the next Annual Meeting.
F. The Cabinet may provide for youth Scouting programs sponsored by the church.
The Cabinet shall appoint a representative from the programs to serve on the
Cabinet.
3. Meetings
The Cabinet shall meet at least once each month unless it otherwise determines.
Special meetings may be called by the Pastor or by the Moderator. Special meetings
may also be called by the Clerk upon the request of five (5) voting members of the
Cabinet.
ARTICLE XI - BOARDS AND COMMITTEES
No member shall serve simultaneously on more than one elective board or
committee excluding the Nominating Committee. The Assistant Moderator, Assistant
Clerk, Assistant Treasurer, and Convention Alternates are eligible to serve on Elective
Boards and Committees. All Boards and Committees shall organize themselves by the
selection of officers and sub-committees as deemed necessary.
All boards and committees shall develop a policy/procedure manual. Any Board
or Committee may appoint additional non-voting members to serve until the next annual
meeting.
All boards and committees shall meet on a regular basis as determined by the board or committee. Additional meetings may be called at the discretion of the Chairman. All Boards and Committees shall keep permanent minutes of their meetings. These minutes shall be submitted to the Clerk after each meeting. A file of these minutes shall be passed on to the succeeding chairperson.
Section 1 - Installation and Organization of Officers, Boards, and Committees
On the Sunday following the Annual Meeting, a service of installation shall be held
for all newly elected boards and standing committees. Newly elected members of the
Diaconate shall also be ordained. Immediately following this service, each group shall
organize and report to the clerk the list of officers elected. The immediate past
chairperson of each group shall chair the organizational meeting. If the immediate past
chairperson is not available, the Moderator will appoint a temporary chairperson. It shall
be the role of each board and committee to ascertain the work of the coming year and,
if necessary, appoint additional church members to assist it with its duties and
responsibilities.
Section 2 - Terms for Boards and Committees
The term of office for all boards and committees shall be three (3) years and shall
begin on the Sunday of installation, except as otherwise stated in this constitution. No
person shall serve more than two consecutive terms on the same board or committee
without a year's lapse unless that person is serving an unexpired term or as stated
otherwise in this constitution. In all boards and committees in which members serve
three (3) year terms. The terms shall be arranged so that one-third (1/3) of the
membership shall retire or be eligible for re-election each year.
All resignations from officers, committee or board members, shall be submitted in
writing to the Moderator.
Section 3 - Quorums
The quorum for Cabinet, board and committee meetings is 51% of the elected members.
The quorum for congregational meetings is 10% of the members.
Section 4 - Pastor-Parish Relations Committee
A. Membership
This committee shall consist of six (6) members.
The Pastor and Moderator shall jointly nominate two members each year to be
appointed by the Cabinet.
B. Responsibilities
This committee shall meet at least quarterly with the Pastor to:
* review the relationship between the Pastor and the congregation.
* act as a sounding board for ideas brought forth by the Pastor.
* work to strengthen the relationship between the Pastor and the congregation.
Section 5 - Diaconate
A. Membership
There shall be twelve (12) elected members.
B. Responsibilities
In cooperation with the Pastor it shall:
* assist in ministering to the spiritual welfare of the church.
* plan and facilitate the worship services.
* help in the preparation and administrations of the sacraments as scheduled by
the Pastor and the Diaconate. Members of the congregation who have been
previously ordained as members of the Diaconate may assist with the
sacraments.
* provide assistance to bereaved families on the occasion of loss of loved ones
and participate as requested during final services.
* visit sick and shut-in members and friends.
The Diaconate shall also:
* schedule ushers, liturgists, acolytes, and greeters at all services as needed.
* visit members who for some reason have not been attending worship services
or supporting church activities, to express concern and, if possible, stimulate
renewed interest in the church.
* annually review the membership roll in accordance with Article VI.
Section 6 - Music Committee
A. There shall be three (3) elected members.
B. Responsibilities
In consultation with the Pastor and Director of Music, the committee shall be
responsible for the music ministry of the church including those activities that
involve children and youth.
Section 7 - Board of Christian Education
A. Membership
There shall be six (6) elected members.
B. Responsibilities
This board shall be responsible for the supervision and direction of the educational ministry of the church including:
* Encouraging, planning and coordinating educational opportunities for children, youth and adults.
* Appointing leadership for and coordinating a program of youth ministry.
Section 8 - Preschool Board
A. Membership
There shall be three (3) elected members.
B. Responsibilities
It shall be responsible for the operation of the Preschool and the coordination
of its program with the rest of the church's ministry.
C. Chairperson
The chairperson of this committee shall be a member of the church.
Section 9 - Board of Missions
A. Membership
This Board shall consist of three (3) elected members and the Convention
Delegates as ex-officio members.
B. Responsibilities
This Board shall:
* help the members of this church to reach out in Christian ministry and
mission to people in need in the world.
* interpret and promote the relationship we have as part of the United Church
of Christ.
* facilitate the ecumenical relationships of this congregation.
* be responsible for helping the congregation to be informed of and to study
the resolutions/pronouncements that are to be considered or have been
approved by the Eastern Ohio Association, the Ohio Conference and the General Synod.
* work with the Board of Christian Education in providing programs of information and education about issues of social concern.
* help the congregation to speak to issues of social concern and social justice.
* prepare the benevolence budget in conjunction with the Budget Committee
and for presentation to the Cabinet.
Section 10 - Convention Delegates
A. Membership
* There shall be one (1) regular and one (1) alternate delegate each to be
elected to a one (1) year term. Delegates may be re-elected for up to three
(3) terms.
* The Delegates shall be ex-officio voting members of the Board of Missions.
B. Responsibilities
* The Delegate or Alternate will attend all meetings of the Eastern Ohio Association, The Ohio Conference, and other meetings of the United Church
of Christ and other ecumenical bodies as directed by the Cabinet.
* The Alternate shall also attend as a Delegate at such meetings when the size
of the congregation allows the church to send two delegates.
* Prior to these meetings, the Delegates shall determine the position of the
congregation on issues to be decided upon at the meetings.
Section 11 - Fellowship Committee
A. Membership
There shall be three (3) elected members.
B. Responsibilities
This committee shall plan and coordinate social activities for the congregation
including:
* The annual church picnic
* Recognition of staff
* Recognition of Confirmands
* The Sunday fellowship hour
Section 12 - Membership Committee
A. Membership
There shall be three (3) elected members.
B. Responsibilities
In cooperation with the Pastor the duties of the committee will include, but
need not be limited to the following:
* To provide information about the church to potential members and invite
people to consider membership.
* To contact prospective members.
* To be responsible for the mentoring of new members during their first year as members.
Section 13 - Board of Trustees
A. Membership
There shall be six (6) elected members.
B. Responsibilities
1. The Board of Trustees shall have the care and custody of the property of
the Church and have charge of its financial affairs, always subject to the
regulations prescribed by the laws of the state. The Board shall have no
power to buy, sell, mortgage, lease, or transfer real estate property without
specific authority by vote of the Church at a congregational meeting. It
shall determine the amount of bond under which to place the Treasurer. It
may employ a Financial Secretary to assist the Treasurer.
2. Sub-committees may be established to include the following functions:
* Investments
* Building Use
* Building and Grounds Maintenance
* Insurance
* Scholarships
* Memorials
The Board of Trustees shall promulgate general rules and policies for each
of the sub-committees listed in (B) above.
3. At the first meeting of this board in the new fiscal year, the Trustees shall
appoint two members of the congregation to examine the books of the
Treasurer and report their findings no later than April 30 of the current
fiscal year. In addition, every fifth year, beginning with the year of
adoption of the current revision of this constitution, the services of an
auditor shall be engaged to audit the books to the degree deemed advisable
at the time. Such an audit may be conducted at any other time by action of
the Trustees or the Cabinet.
4. The Trustees shall receive a proposed budget for the Budget Committee at
the November Trustees' meeting. The final budget shall be framed by the
Board of Trustees and presented for the consideration of the Cabinet.
The Board of Trustees shall review the budget quarterly and present
proposed modifications to the Cabinet for approval.
5. The Board of Trustees shall determine how unrestricted memorial funds shall be used. They shall also monitor the designation of unrestricted memorial funds.
6. The Treasurer shall be an ex-offico voting member of the Board of
Trustees.
7. The Trustees shall be responsible for making a determination of
appropriateness if there is any question about the use of the church's name.
Section 14 - Stewardship Committee
A. Membership
This committee shall consist of three (3) elected members.
B. Responsibilities
The Stewardship Committee with the Pastor shall be responsible for planning
a year-round program of Christian stewardship for the congregation. This shall
include:
* working with the Board of Christian Education to provide educational
programs about Christian stewardship.
* annually in the fall implement a stewardship campaign to solicit financial
support for this church's operating and benevolence budgets. A report of
the amounts pledged to the budgets shall be provided to the Budget
Committee by December 1.
* in conjunction with the Memorials Committee provide a planned giving
program for the congregation.
Section 15 - Budget Committee
A. Membership
This committee shall consist of the Treasurer, Moderator, and Chairperson of
the Board of Trustees. The Treasurer shall be the convener of this committee.
B. Responsibilities
This committee shall convene by early September to prepare the annual church
budget for consideration by the Board of Trustees at the November Trustees
meeting. They are encouraged to meet with each board/committee
representative, the Personnel Committee, and the appropriate staff members in
preparing the budget.
Section 16 - Nominating Committee
A. Membership
There shall be six (6) members nominated by the Cabinet for election at the Annual Meeting.
B. Responsibilities
* The Nominating Committee shall prepare nominations for all officers, boards, and standing committees
to be filled at each Annual Meeting except asotherwise provided for. A list of such nominations shall be posted in the
church two weeks prior to the Annual Meeting and mailed to all members.Additional nominations can be made from the floor of the Annual Meeting at
the call of the Moderator.
* The Nominating Committee shall make such nominations as may be
requested by the Cabinet to fill vacancies that occur during the year.
* The Nominating Committee is encouraged to present a list of nominees that
reflects gender balance.
ARTICLE XII - PROPERTY
The Fairlawn-West United Church of Christ 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 Fairlawn-West
United Church of Christ 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 Fairlawn-West United Church of
Christ; 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
Fairlawn-West United Church of Christ.
Upon dissolution of Fairlawn-West United Church of Christ, its assets and all
property and interest 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 Eastern Ohio Association of the United
Church of Christ.
ARTICLE XIII - CONSTITUTION REVIEW
After the adoption of this Constitution the Cabinet shall appoint a committee in
the year 2000 to review and, if necessary, propose changes to the Constitution. This
committee shall then be reactivated every year divisible by five (5) for this purpose.
ARTICLE XIV - AMENDMENTS
Amendments to this Constitution may be adopted at any duly called
Congregational meeting by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of the members present; provided that
a notice including the time of the meeting and the proposed amendment(s) shall have been
sent to all members of the Congregation and printed in the bulletin on two Sundays
immediately preceding said meeting.
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