Articles of Association 

of the First Congregational Church 

and Society of Windsor, VT

We, the subscribers, hereby associate ourselves together as a corporation under the laws of the State of Vermont, to be known by the name of the First Congregational Church and Society of Windsor, Vermont, for the purpose of maintaining stated religious worship, maintaining and owning a church building, parsonage, lands and personal property in fee simple absolute or in trust and generally for the more effectual support and encouragement of the purposes and objects of a Congregational Church and Society according to the polity of said church, at Windsor in the county of Windsor in the State of Vermont, upon the following conditions:  That said association adopt by-laws for the election of its officers and the conduct of it business.

Dated at Windsor in the County of Windsor this 16th day of June, A.D. 1911. 

Rev. Chas.F. Echterbecker, Windsor, VT

C.D. Penniman, Windsor, VT

Herbert E. Wood, Cornish, NH

Gilbert A. Davis, Windsor, VT

Clara McI. Perkins, Windsor, VT

John W. McDonald, Windsor,VT

Chas. Stone, Windsor, VT

Chas. H. Fitch, Windsor, VT

State of Vermont—Office of the Secretary of State.  

I hereby certify that the foregoing is a true copy of “Articles of Association of the First congregational Church and Society of Windsor, VT.” as appears by the files and records of this office.  Filed June 30, 1911.

Witness my signature and the seal of this office, at Montpelier, this 1st day of July, one thousand nine hundred and eleven.

Guy W. Bailey

Secretary of State

By-Laws

of the First Congregational Church

and Society of Windsor, VT

I.  POLITY

1. Name and Denomination.

This Church and Society shall continue as the “First Congregational Church and Society of Windsor, Vermont.”

This Church is a member of the United Church of Christ, maintaining local autonomy, while cultivating the fellowship and inviting the advice of other United Church of Christ churches, and sharing voluntarily in common endeavors and service.

2. The Church and Society shall carry on its work as a unit, members of each having full voting rights.

3. Membership.

     A. The members of the Church shall be such baptized persons as have been received following their public acceptance of its covenant, upon (1) presentation of letters or transfer from some other church, or (2) a reaffirmation of their Christian faith when letters of transfer may not be available, or (3) a confession of their Christian faith.

     B. Membership in the Church may be terminated by (1) the granting of a letter of dismission and recommendation of another specified church, to be written by the Clerk of the Church or by (2) granting a letter of withdrawal, upon written request from a member, which shall be sent by the Clerk, or (3) when the Board of Deacons determine that full and certain evidence exists that a member has united with another church without making a request for a letter of withdrawal; or (4) by a vote of the Board of Deacons the names of members whose addresses are unknown and/or who have not communicated with nor given financial support to this Church for a period of five years may be transferred to inactive status.  Provided, however, that any person whose membership has been terminated in this manner, will upon application for reinstatement in this Church, or for a letter of dismission and recommendation to another specified Church, be restored to membership in this Church.

   C. Members of the Society shall consist of Church members and other persons who have regularly attended worship services of the Church, contributed to its financial support, and given assent to the Church’s Covenant.  Members of the society are entitled to all rights and privileges of Church membership, with the exception of membership on the Board of Deacons.

II.  OFFICERS, CABINET AND COMMITTEES

1. Officers.

     A.  The officers of the Church and Society shall be:  Pastor, Deacons, Moderator, Clerk,  Assistant Clerk, Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer, Head Usher, and Assistant Head Usher.

     B.  Term of Office. All officers shall serve one year, except the Pastor and Deacons.

2.  Cabinet.

     A.  The Cabinet shall be empowered to act for the Church and Society on matters not required to be presented to a Church meeting. 

     B.  Composition.  The Cabinet shall consist of the Pastor, Deacons, Moderator, Clerk, Treasurer, and Committee Chairpersons.

     C. Purpose.

The Cabinet shall meet at least twice a year.  Its purpose shall be to maintain communication among the committees, clarify procedures for submitting proposals and fill all vacancies, except Pastor, until the next annual business meeting of the Church and Society, at which time an election will be held to fill the unexpired terms.

3.  Committees.

     A.  The committees of the Church and Society shall be:  a Board of Deacons, Christian Education, Communion, Prudential, Music, Social, Nomination, Auditing, Flower, Missions/Benevolence, Pastoral Relations, Activities/Fundraising and Cabinet

     B.  Composition and Term of office.

The Board of Deacons shall consist of at least six members with two being elected annually for three year terms.

The Prudential committee shall consist of at least nine members with three being elected annually for three year terms.

The Christian Education committee shall consist of at least six members with two being elected annually for three year terms.

The Communion committee shall consist of at least six members with two being elected annually for three year terms.

The Music committee shall consist of at least six members with two being elected annually for three year terms.

The Social committee shall consist of at least three members with one being elected annually for a three year term.

The Nominating committee shall consist of at least three members with one being elected annually for a three year term.

The Flower committee shall consist of at least three members with one being elected annually for a three year term.

The Mission/Benevolence committee shall consist of at least six persons with two being elected annually for a three year term.

The Pastoral Relations committee shall consist of five Congregational members with the appropriate number being elected annually for a three year term.  No member of the Pastoral Relations Committee will serve a term of more than three consecutive years.

The Activities/Fundraising committee shall consist of at least six members with two being elected annually for a three year term.

4.  Elections.

All elections shall be by a majority vote of the members of the Church and Society present and voting.

Elections will be by ballot upon request of one voter present.

5.  If a committee member is inactive for three consecutive months due to personal or other reasons, the committee may be supplemented by an additional member.

III. DUTIES OF OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES

1. Pastor.

The Pastor shall be an ordained minister of the Gospel, and member ex-officio of all committees, who shall strive to meet the expectation of the congregation as defined in the Church Profile.

In the calling of a pastor it shall require a three-fourths vote of members present and voting to call a pastor.  To dismiss a pastor it shall require a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting to dismiss a pastor.

2.  Moderator.

The Moderator shall preside over the Cabinet and all business meetings of the Church and Society.

3.  Deacons.

The Deacons shall set an example in supporting the work of the Church; provide for and minister at the Lord’s table; advise and assist the Pastor in the religious functions of the Church; and make arrangements for the proper conduct of the worship services and administrative functions of the Church during the absence or inability of a Pastor.  In the event the office of Pastor is vacant, the Board of Deacons shall call for a search committee and the Clerk shall notify the Vermont Conference of the United Church of Christ.  The Deacons shall advise the Nominating Committee regarding replacements for vacancies on the Board of Deacons.

4.  Clerk.

The Clerk shall keep a true record of all transactions of the Church and Society, shall post notices of all meetings called, and in the absence of the Moderator preside at such meetings until a temporary Moderator shall have been elected; shall keep a true record of the membership of the Church and Society, and shall issue letters of dismission and recommendation, and withdrawal.

5.  Assistant Clerk.

The Assistant Clerk shall assist the Clerk.

6.  Treasurer.

The Treasurer shall receive and expend, on the order of the Prudential committee, all moneys secured for salaries, current expenses, benevolences, alterations or repairs, or other church purposes; with the advice of the Prudential committee, be responsible for the invested funds of the church, and the income from the same, unless otherwise provided for by the instrument creating the trust; shall keep an accurate record of all moneys passing through the office, and make report in writing at the Annual Meeting of the Church and Society.

7.  Assistant Treasurer.

The Assistant Treasurer shall assist the Treasurer by collecting and recording the money donated at worship services, and transferring these offerings to the Treasurer.

8.  Head Usher

It shall be the duty of the Head Usher to instruct and provide an adequate number of ushers and/or greeters for each regular and special worship service of the Church.

9.  Assistant Head Usher.

The Assistant Head Usher will assist the Head Usher.

10.  Prudential Committee

It shall be the duty of this committee to prepare a budget of current expenses, capital projects, and salaries for each ensuing year to be presented at the Annual Meeting, and after its approval to raise the necessary funds to meet the same, and to represent the Church and Society in all legal matters.  It shall be responsible for all church property and for the proper care and maintenance of the same, make necessary contracts for alterations and repairs, purchase all supplies, audit and order the payment of all just claims against the Church and Society.

11.  Music Committee.

It shall be the duty of the Music Committee to arrange for music at all worship services, to secure the services of an organist, and a director for the choirs, to assist the organist and director in their work and to look after the general needs of the choir.

12.  Nominating Committee

It shall be the duty of the Nominating Committee to provide a slate of officers and committees for the Church and Society to be placed in nomination at the Annual Meeting, and to offer nominations for delegates for the meeting of Windsor-Orange Association and of the State Conference at such time as these delegates are to be elected.

13.  Social Committee

It shall be the duty of the Social Committee to provide opportunities for members and friends of Old South Church to fellowship together at church and in other settings.  The committee shall also facilitate the provision of refreshments or meals at designated church gatherings including Annual Meeting.

14.  Flower Committee.

It shall be the duty of the Flower Committee to provide suitable decorations for public worship services.

15.  Auditing Committee.

It shall be the duty of the Auditing Committee to audit the accounts of the Treasurers of the Church, and of the Treasurer of each Church organization.

16.  Christian Education Committee.

It shall be the duty of the Christian Education Committee to understand opportunities for, and needs of, educational work of the Church, to determine the basic policies of the Church School, to provide opportunity for leadership training to help the teachers in their work.

17.  Missions/Benevolence Committee.

It shall be the duty of this committee to educate the congregation in the mission of the Church, to encourage participation in the mission of the Church, and to disperse funds for the missions and benevolences of the Church.

18.  Pastoral Relations Committee.

The Pastoral Relations Committee is responsible for all matters directly affecting the PASTOR and INDIVIDUAL members of the Congregation.

Annually, all members of the Pastoral Relations Committee, with the addition of the Chair of the Board of Deacons and the Chair of the Prudential Committee will mutually review the work performance of the Pastor and the Congregation. (based on the Statement of Expectations)

The Pastor and the Board of Deacons retain responsibility for all matters directly affecting the ENTIRE CONGREGATION.

When a vacancy exists on the Pastoral Relations Committee, the Pastor may submit to the Nominating Committee a list of nominees for the Committee.  Likewise, the Board of Deacons will submit a list of nominees to the Nominating Committee.  The Nominating Committee will then submit a nominee or nominees from these lists to the Congregation at the Annual Meeting for their approval/disapproval.

The Pastoral Relations Committee will meet a minimum of four (4) times a year.

In the event of a resignation from the Pastoral Relations Committee prior to the Annual Meeting, the remaining members of the Committee may nominate any member of the Congregation to fill that period of time until the next Annual Meeting.  The Church Cabinet would then approve/disapprove the nominee.

19.  Activities/Fundraising Committee.

The Activities/Fundraising Committee, in coordination with the Prudential Committee, shall oversee the use of the Church building by church members and various other groups.  This committee will oversee the coordination of the Church calendar and ensure that the building usage policy is adequate and adhered to.  The committee shall also coordinate all fundraising efforts undertaken by Old South Committees or individuals, and serve as a think tank to develop creative fundraising plans and projects in support of the general operating fund and capital projects of the church as proposed in the budget by the Prudential Committee and approved at Annual Meeting.

IV. PUBLIC WORSHIP

1.  Service of worship shall be held at a suitable hour each Sunday except when temporarily suspended by vote of the Church Cabinet.

2.  The Sacrament of the Lord’s Supper shall be administered at such times as the Pastor and Deacons may determine, remembering that it is desirable that there should be at least six communion services held during the year.  This Church invites to the Lord’s Table all who love the Lord Jesus Christ and sincerely seek to serve with him.

3.  Baptism of adults or children may be administered, and members may be received into the Church at any service which the Pastor or Deacons may select.

V.  CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

The Church shall provide for the Christian educational needs of the children, young people and adults of the Church and society.

VI.  BUSINESS MEETINGS

1.  An Annual Business Meeting of the Church and Society shall be scheduled at any reasonable time of day on any single day between February 1st and March 1st by the Moderator and the Clerk.  At this meeting reports shall be submitted by the Clerk, Treasurers, permanent committees, affiliated organizations of the Church, and the Pastor.  Notice of the annual Meeting shall be posted in the lower vestibule of the church at least two weeks prior to the meeting.

2.  There shall be elected at this time all the necessary officers and committees of the Church and Society, except the Pastor.

3.  Special business meetings shall be called by the Clerk, or on the petition of any ten members in good and regular standing, always provided that at least one week’s notice of any meeting be posted in the lower vestibule, stating the time, place and purpose of the meeting.

4.  Items of routine business may be acted on at the business meeting, held following any regular Sunday service of the Church.

5.  Twenty members of the Church and Society shall constitute a quorum, for the transaction of business.

6.  In all corporate meetings of the Church and Society or meetings of their representatives in the Cabinet, the Moderator will act as chairperson and the Pastor or Moderator will call the meeting.

7.  All meetings shall be conducted according to “Robert Rules of Order” unless otherwise stated in these by-laws.

VII. AMENDMENTS

1.  Amendments to the By-Laws may be made only by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting at any regular meeting of the church and Society, provided such proposed amendment be contained in the warning posted for the meeting.

2.  It shall be the duty of the Cabinet to see that these By-Laws are properly executed and to review them periodically for necessary changes.