CONSTITUTION
ARTICLE I: Name
The name of this church shall be Eden United Church of Christ of Edwardsville, Illinois.
ARTICLE II: Vision Statement
1. To reach out to the unchurched with the unconditional love of Jesus Christ;
2. To guide people on their journey of faith;
3. To help people become responsible ministers in Christ's Church.
ARTICLE III: Faith
This church acknowledges as its sole head, Jesus Christ, the Son of God and the Savior of man. It acknowledges as brothers and sister 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 ancients 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 accordance with the teachings of our Lord and the practice prevailing among evangelical Christians, it recognizes two Sacraments: Baptism and Holy Communion. This church affirms the Apostles' Creed and the Statement of Faith of the United Church of Christ as containing those truths most generally held among us.
The Apostles Creed
I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth:
And in Jesus Christ His only begotten Son, our Lord: who was conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, dead and buried; He descended into hell; the third day he rose again from the dead; He ascended into heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty; from hence He shall come to judge the quick and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit: the One Holy Universal Christian Church; the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins; the resurrection of the body; and the life everlasting. Amen.
Statement of Faith
We believe in God, the Eternal Spirit; Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and our Father, and to His deeds we testify:
He calls the worlds into being,
creates man in His own image,
and sets before Him the ways of life and death.
He seeks in holy love to save all people from aimlessness and sin.
He judges men and nations by His righteous will declared through prophets and apostles.
In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our crucified and risen Lord,
he has come to us
and shared our common lot,
conquering sin and death
and reconciling the world to himself.
He bestows upon us his Holy Spirit,
creating and renewing the Church of Jesus Christ,
binding in covenant faithful people of all ages, tongues, and races.
He calls us into his Church
to accept the cost and joy of discipleship,
to be his servants in the service of men,
to proclaim the gospel to all the world
and resist the powers of evil,
to share in Christ’s baptism and eat at his table,
to join him in his passion and victory.
He promises to all who trust him
forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace,
courage in the struggle for justice and peace,
his presence in trail and rejoicing,
and eternal life in his kingdom which has no end.
Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto him. Amen.
ARTICLE IV: Affiliation
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, adopted July 4, 1961, and as subsequently amended, relating to local churches. This church shall be in direct fellowship with the Illinois South Conference of the United Church of Christ and continue in fellowship with them and/or their legal successors.
2. The government of this church is vested in its members, who exercise the right of control in all its affairs, subject, however, to Laws of the State of Illinois relating to General Not for Profit Corporation Act of 1986.
ARTICLE V: Meetings
The governing body of this church shall be the membership assembled in church meeting. The vote of a majority of members present at the meeting shall be the action of the church. A quorum necessary to transact business is defined in the Bylaws.
ARTICLE VI: Membership
1. Membership in this church shall be open to any person who has been baptized and has been confirmed or has made public confession of faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
2. Members shall pledge themselves to attend the regular worship of the church and the celebration of the Lord's Supper; to live the Christian life; to share in the life and work of the church; to contribute to its support and benevolences; and to seek diligently the spiritual welfare of the membership and the community.
ARTICLE VII: Administration
The supreme legislative and administrative power of this congregation is vested in the congregation itself, assembled in meeting duly and legally called as provided in the Bylaws. It is the prerogative of the congregational meeting to decide such questions as the buying and selling of property, building projects, extensive repairs of the church property, the call or rejection of a nominee for pastoral office, and questions of the policy of this congregation, as well as changes in the Constitution. For the transaction of all other business, the administration of this church is entrusted to the Council, chosen and composed as provided for in the Bylaws.
ARTICLE VIII: Council
The Council shall have jurisdiction and oversight of this congregation and all its organizations. It shall organize as provided for in the Bylaws. The pastors shall be ex-officio members of the Council and all committees.
ARTICLE IX: Property
1. The church 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 the church 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 the church; 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 the church.
2. Upon dissolution of the church, its assets and all property and interests 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 Illinois South Conference of the United Church of Christ and/or their legal successor.
ARTICLE X: Pastor(s)
1. It shall be the responsibility of the Pastoral Search Committee, appointed by the Council, to seek a candidate for a vacancy in the office of the Pastor(s).
2. As soon as a pastoral vacancy occurs, it shall be reported to the Conference Minister.
3. In filling a vacancy or in securing supply ministers for the period of vacancy, the Pastoral Search Committee may seek the counsel of the Conference Minister.
4. The Pastoral Search Committee may request the Conference Minister to secure relevant information about any minister whom it wishes to consider for the vacancy.
5. Any minister may confer with the Conference Minister concerning a pastoral vacancy. At the minister's request, his/her name shall be submitted by the Conference Minister for consideration by the local church committee.
6. The Pastoral Search Committee shall present to the Council the name of the candidate it recommends to fill the vacancy. Upon approval of the candidate, the Council will call a congregational meeting for a vote to extend a call.
7. In the call the terms of the relationship shall be stated, including the benefits. The minister, the church, the Association, and the Conference Minister shall each receive a copy of the call.
8. When a minister accepts a call to this church, the church and s/he shall join in requesting the Association to arrange for a service of installation or recognition. A report of this service shall be signed by the proper officer of the Conference and by the Conference Minister, and copies shall be sent to the Secretary of the United Church of Christ and to the Council for Church and Ministry.
9. The Pastor shall be elected for an indefinite period.
10. In order to terminate this relationship, three months' notice shall be given by either the Pastor, the Council, or the Congregation. Notice of the termination shall be sent to the Conference office by the Council President.
ARTICLE XI: Organizations
All organizations are subordinate to the Council and shall report annually to the Congregation.
ARTICLE XII: Amendments
Additions and alterations of this constitution may be proposed in any regularly called meeting of the Congregation. They shall be referred to the Council, which shall consider same and report to the next duly called meeting of the Congregation. Proposed amendments and alterations must be announced for two successive Sundays immediately preceding the Sunday on which the meeting is to be held. Said additions and alterations can be adopted only by two-thirds majority of all voting members present. The Bylaws may be amended in any duly called meeting of this Congregation by a majority vote of the members present and voting.
All articles, sections, or paragraphs of former Constitutions and Bylaws and resolutions recorded in the minutes of this Congregation conflicting with the provisions of this Constitution and Bylaws are hereby repealed.
BYLAWS
Article 1: Conference Obligations
1. Delegates and alternates shall be elected by the Congregation each year to the Annual Meeting of the Illinois South Conference. Registration fees of the Pastor(s) and delegates shall be paid by the Congregation.
a. A report shall be made to the Council and to the Congregation after each Conference meeting.
b. Conference delegates shall be elected for one year.
2. The Congregation shall regularly contribute toward the support of the Illinois South Conference, the United Church of Christ, and other unbudgeted benevolences as may be approved by the Council
3. The Congregation shall make such reports to the Conference as may be required.
Article 2: Privileges, Duties, and Discipline of Members
1. It is the duty of all members to take an active part in all functions of the Church for the glory of God and the uplift of mankind.
2. Members shall pledge themselves to attend regularly the worship services of the Church and the celebration of the Lord's Supper; to live the Christian life; to share in the life and work of the Church; to contribute to its support and benevolences; and to seek diligently the spiritual welfare of the membership and the community.
3. The Council will be responsible for review of the membership records and contact those members who, for a period of one year, have not participated in the life of the Church. Those members will be invited to resume active membership through attendance or support, to be placed on an inactive list, or to be transferred to another church through an official letter of transfer provided by the Church.
a. Those members requesting to be placed on an inactive list may remain there indefinitely or until they request a change in status. They shall not receive church mailings or be counted in compiling the official roll of members.
b. Those members who do not respond to the Council's inquiries shall be placed on the inactive list. They shall remain there indefinitely or until they request a change in status.
c. Inactive members known to be shut-ins or otherwise unable to participate in the life of the Church shall be exempt from the above requirements and shall remain indefinitely on the active roll.
4. All members of this congregation in good standing are entitled to vote.
5. Any voting member who has reached the age of 21 and is in good standing for at least three years is eligible to serve on the Church Council.
Article 3: Admission of Members
Persons shall be received into membership into this congregation upon their expressing a desire to do so in response to their faith in Christ, and after their having been duly instructed in membership meetings, showing a letter of transfer, being baptized and/or confirmed as an adult, or making an adult Profession of faith.
The Pastor shall receive members publicly into membership. The formality of public reception may be waived where in the opinion of the Pastor or the Council such public reception may not be feasible.
Article 4: Christian Education
It shall be the responsibility of the Pastors to provide for regular classes of instruction in the fundamentals of Christian faith and life in preparation for confirmation, or confession of faith, and admission to membership.
It shall be the responsibility of this congregation to set aside at least one hour each Sunday for Christian Education and to support it in every way possible.
Article 5: Administration
The administration of this congregation is vested in the Council. The Council shall be composed of nine members of the congregation and the Pastors as ex-officio members. Members shall be elected on the last Sunday in November, with voting hours and place designated by the Council so that it is convenient to members attending church that Sunday. Their terms shall be for a period of three years and they shall be elected in such manner that three members shall be elected each year. Members shall be elected for one full term, may not succeed themselves, but may be reelected one year following the expiration of their previous term.
The Council president shall appoint a nominating committee to be approved by the Council of not less than five members who shall represent the voting membership of the church. It shall be the duty of this committee to nominate three competent candidates at its October meeting. Additional nominations may be made from the floor when the nominees are presented for a congregational vote.
The election shall be by ballot. If a member wished to vote by absentee ballot, that request must be made to the Secretary of the Council.
Vacancies on the Council shall be filled for the unexpired terms by a majority vote of the remaining Council members.
Article 6: Meetings
The annual meeting shall be held during January. Quarterly congregational meetings may also be held. Special meetings may be called by the Council or upon written request of 100 of the voting members. Notice of all meetings shall be given by announcements for the two successive Sundays prior to the date of the meeting. In the case of special meetings, the purpose of the meetings must be announced. A quorum at a congregational meeting shall be considered to be 100 voting members present.
Article7: Church Council
The Council shall meet within the next month after the election of new members for the purpose of organization and, thereafter, once a month to administer the affairs of this Congregation. Special Council meetings are subject to call of the President or any three Council members.
Five members of the Council shall constitute a quorum.
The Council shall by ballot elect a president, vice president, secretary, treasurer, and financial secretary for one year among its members. The newly elected President shall appoint Council members to their various responsibilities. Council members shall deem it their sacred duty to set a good example to the Congregation by:
1. active membership in church
a. regular attendance at church service and functions
b. participation in the celebration of the Lord's Supper;
2. ability and willingness to protect confidential information;
3. willingness to accept tasks and assignments; and
4. interest in the welfare of the church and its members and the Christian community.
The Council shall be responsible for supplying the pulpit and supervising regular conduct of all services during a vacancy and appointing a pastoral selection committee, of which three members shall be from the Council.
The Council shall control the expenses and expenditures of the church in accordance with the approved budget and establish funds, when necessary, for special purposes. Checks shall be signed by any two of the following: President, Vice President, Secretary, or Treasurer.
Article 8: Duties of Officers
President:
1. Direct the Secretary to issue calls for the Annual Meeting, the election, and budget meeting, and any other necessary meetings.
2. Preside at all meetings of the Council and the Congregation.
3. Appoint search committee and special committees as required.
4. Prepare resolutions for congregational meetings.
5. Serve as presiding office of the Council Executive Committee.
6. Be custodian of a key to the Church's safe deposit box. At least two of the following are required to be present to open the box: President, Vice President, Secretary, or Treasurer.
7. With the Secretary, sign all contracts, deeds, loans, and other legal documents as authorized by the Council or the Congregation.
8. Write the Annual Report of the Council to the Congregation.
9. Notify all newly-elected Council members of their election.
10. Perform other duties as designated by the Congregation or Council.
Vice President:
1. Assist and cooperate with the President.
2. Preside at meetings in the absence of the President.
3. Serve as a member of the Council Executive Committee.
4. Serve as Chair of the Personnel Committee.
5. Be custodian of a key to the Church's safety deposit box. At least two of the following are required to be present to open the box: President, Vice President, Secretary, or Treasurer.
6. Perform other duties as designated by the Congregation, Council, or President.
Secretary:
1. Issue the call to all meetings as directed by the President.
2. Record the minutes of all meetings of the Congregation and Council.
3. Be responsible for filing in the church office of all records of the Congregation.
4. Be responsible for correspondence of the Council.
5. With the President, sign all contracts, deeds, loans, and other legal documents as authorized by the Council or the Congregation.
6. Serve as member of the Council Executive Committee.
7. Be custodian of a key to the church's safety deposit box. At least two of the following are required to be present to open the box: President, Vice President, Secretary, or Treasurer.
8. Perform other duties as designated by the Congregation, Council, or President.
Treasurer:
1. Ensure that an accurate account of receipts, deposits, and disbursements is maintained. 2. Submit a monthly report to the Council.
3. Examine all invoices.
4. Submit an annual report to the Congregation.
5. Serve as a member of the Council Executive Committee.
6. Serve as chair or vice chair of the Budget Committee.
7. Be custodian of a key to the church's safety deposit box. At least two of the following are required to be present to open the box: President, Vice President, Secretary, or Treasurer.
8. Perform other duties as designated by the Congregation, Council, or Council Executive Committee.
Financial Secretary:
1. Receive all offerings at worship services and deposit them in a bank approved by the Council.
2. Ensure that contributions from members are properly recorded and maintained.
3. Prepare and send annual, or more often if directed by the Council, statements of contributions to all members and contributors to Eden United Church of Christ.
4. Serve as a member of the Council Executive Committee.
Article 9: Annual Reports
The Council shall appoint an auditing committee of three members of this congregation or an independent accountant so that the previous year's finances are audited. All organizations and treasurers of special funds shall furnish this committee such information as Council may request.
Article 10: Official Year
The official year of the Congregation shall be from January 1 to December 31.
(Adopted 12/08/98)