Announcements : Vestry Updates : Newsletter : The Record :

Episcopal News : Church Bylaws : Commonly Used Forms

Bylaws for the Management of Temporal Affairs

St. Philip’s Episcopal Church X Rochester, Michigan

Article I – Name and Mission

Section 1 – Name

The name of this congregation shall be St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, and its principle office will be located at 100 Romeo Street, Rochester, Michigan.

Section 2 – Mission Statement

St. Philip’s is a welcoming, accepting Christian community open for all people – fed by the Eucharist, formed by the Word and nurtured by the Holy Spirit. We are a sacramental church seeking to meet people’s needs by in-reach to the parish family and by outreach to others. In all things we strive to follow and bring others to Christ, proclaiming God’s love for all creation.

Article II – Affiliations

Section 1 – ECUSA Affiliation

St. Philip’s, Rochester, will be affiliated with the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan and the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America (PECUSA) otherwise known as the Episcopal Church.

Section 2 – Authority of Church Canons

As part of the Episcopal Church (USA) and the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan, St. Philip’s will abide by the Canons of both the diocese and the national church. Furthermore it will not establish for itself policies contrary to the Canons of the Church.

Article III – Membership

Section 1 – Membership Eligibility

All persons who have received the Sacrament of Holy Baptism with water in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, whether in this Church or in another Christian Church, and whose Baptisms have been duly recorded in the Episcopal Church, are eligible to be members of this congregation.

Section 2 – Categories of Membership

Sub-section 2a – Member

Any person whose baptism is recorded in the records of this congregation, and who regularly participates in the worship of this congregation, unless for good cause prevented, shall be deemed a member of the Episcopal Church (USA) and of this congregation.

Sub-section 2b – Communicant

Any member who, during the preceding year, has received Holy Communion at least three (3) times here at St. Philip’s, Rochester, shall be considered a communicant of this congregation.

Sub-section 2c – Communicant in Good Standing

Any communicant who, during the preceding year, has been faithful in corporate worship, unless for good cause prevented, and in working, praying and giving for the spread of the kingdom of God; shall be considered a communicant in good standing of this congregation.

Sub-section 2d – Adult Status

As provided in the Canons of the General Convention, a communicant sixteen (16) years of age or older shall be considered an adult communicant, and who, when properly licensed, may exercise the liturgical and other ministries proper to the laity.

Sub-section 2e – Voting Member

Members eligible to vote at Annual or Special Meetings of St. Philip’s, Rochester, are Communicants in Good Standing who contribute to the operating budget of this parish.

Sub-section 2f – Inactive Status

If for a period of one (1) year a member of this congregation shall fail to attend worship, unless for good cause prevented, that person shall be considered inactive, and this change of status shall be noted in the records of this congregation. If that person shall resume regular attendance at worship, that person shall be considered an active member, and so noted in the records of this congregation.

Section 3 – Transferal of Membership

Sub-section 3a – Certificate of Membership

Except as may otherwise be provided in the Canons of the Episcopal Church and of the Diocese of Michigan, a member of the Episcopal Church or other Christian Church removing from the congregation in which that person’s membership is recorded; and, desiring to become a Member of St. Philip’s Rochester, shall procure a Certificate of Membership indicating that that person is recorded as a member (or an adult member) of said congregation; and, whether or not such a member:

i. is a communicant of said congregation,

ii. is recorded as being in good standing,

iii. and has been confirmed or received by a Bishop in Apostolic Succession.

Sub-section 3b – Administrative Transfers

The Rector or Warden to which such a certificate is surrendered shall record in the Parish Register of St. Philip’s, Rochester, the information contained on the presented Certificate of Membership. If the person is a member of another congregation of the Episcopal Church (USA); or some other Province of the Anglican Communion, the Rector or Warden may be authorized to procure a certificate from the person’s former congregation. If no such certificate can be produced after reasonable effort has been made to procure one, the person may be Administratively Transferred and duly entered into the records of this congregation.

Section 4 – Christian Giving

Members are encouraged to give of their time, abilities, and resources based on the Scriptural directives to do so liberally “as the Lord has prospered” them; cheerfully – for “God loves a cheerful giver;” and sacrificially “of the first fruits of the increase.” Proportional giving is encouraged as it helps remind us of God’s gifts to us; and, returning a specific percentage of our abundance to the Church is a grateful response to God’s love for us.

Article IV – Parish Meetings

Section 1 – Annual Meetings

Sub-section 1a – Timing of the Annual Meeting

There shall be an Annual Meeting of the Members of St. Philip’s, Rochester, each January, on or before the 31^st day of the month each year.

Sub-section 1b – Election of Vestry Members

At the Annual Meeting, new members of the congregation’s governing body, The Vestry, shall be elected.

Sub-section 1c – Notice of Annual Meetings

Notice of such meetings shall be given at least 30 days prior to the meeting.

Section 2 – Special Meetings

The Rector, or the Vestry by vote of at least a majority of its members, may call a Special Meeting of the members of the congregation upon notice of at least 30 days. The manner and form of notice shall be subject to the approval of the Ecclesiastical Authority; and, the Ecclesiastical Authority may shorten the time of notice to no less than ten (10) days. Such notice shall state the matters to be considered at such a meeting in appropriate detail. Only those matters set forth may be considered at the Special Meeting.

Section 3 – Voting

Only Voting Members of this congregation who are physically present will be given voice and vote at these meetings.

Section 4 – Use of Robert’s Rules of Order

In all matters of procedure at any meeting held to conduct parish business, Robert’s Rules of Order (modern edition 1989 or later) shall prevail. The Senior Warden or person designated by him/her shall serve as parliamentarian.

Article V – Vestry Members

Section 1 – General Duties

The Vestry of St. Philip’s, Rochester, shall manage the temporal and business affairs and the property of this congregation in accordance with the Canons of the Episcopal Church (USA) and the Episcopal Diocese of Michigan.

Section 2 – Size and Terms of Service

There shall be not fewer than six (6) and not more than fifteen (15) members of the Vestry elected to serve a term of three consecutive years.

Sub-section 2a – Term Limits

Any Member of the Vestry completing service for a full term shall not be eligible to serve on the Vestry until one year or more has elapsed since they previously served.

Sub-section 2b – Exceptions

Any member filling a vacancy (SEE: Section 6) may be nominated for a full term at the next Annual Meeting.

Sub-section 2c – Exclusions

Members of the same household are not eligible to be on the Vestry concurrently.

Sub-section 2d – Resignations

A member or office holder of the Vestry may resign his or her office or membership on the Vestry by submission of written notice to the Senior Warden; or in the case of the Senior Warden’s resignation, to the Rector. A member may retain membership on the Vestry when resigning from one of the offices. The resignation will take effect at the time specified in the written notice.

Section 3 – Qualifications for Election

To be eligible for election or appointment to the Vestry of St. Philip’s, Rochester, a candidate must be an adult communicant in good standing in the congregation and eligible to vote.

Section 4 – Nominations

Three months prior to the Annual Meeting the Rector; or, in the absence of a Rector, the Senior Warden shall appoint a Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee shall nominate candidates to fill the expiring terms for that year.

Sub-section 4a – Identification of Nominees

Nominations shall be presented in writing to the Rector; or, in the absence of a Rector to the Senior Warden, at least two (2) weeks prior to the Annual Meeting.

Sub-section 4b – Nominations from the Floor

At the time of the Annual Parish Meeting, additional nominations may be made from the floor.

Section 5 – Elections

The Vestry shall be elected at the Annual Meeting of the congregation. They shall be chosen by secret ballot; and, a majority of those present and voting shall be necessary for election. They shall take office at the Organizational Meeting of the Vestry following their election and commissioned for this ministry by the Rector at a principle service of this congregation.

Section 6 – Vacancies

All vacancies may be filled by the remaining Vestry Members at any meeting. Persons so elected shall hold office for the unexpired term of their predecessors.

Section 7 – Recall Procedure

A Vestry member may be removed from office pursuant to the following procedure.

Sub-section 7a

Any member of the Vestry, with or without cause, may be recalled by a majority of Voting Members of this congregation present at a Special Meeting called for this purpose.

Sub-section 7b

The notice of a Special Meeting for the recall of Vestry members shall state the specific Vestry member or members to be recalled.

Sub-section 7c

The removal of a Vestry member at a Special Meeting shall require a separate vote for each Vestry member to be removed. Where removal is sought by petition agreement, a separate agreement is required for each Vestry member to be removed.

Sub-section 7d

A Vestry member who is removed from the Vestry shall not be eligible to stand for re-election until the next Annual Meeting of the congregation.

Sub-section 7e

Within seventy-two (72) hours after any Vestry member has been removed from office, s/he shall return any and all records of the congregation in their possession to the Rector or Senior Warden.

Section 8 – Representation of Youth

At the discretion of the Vestry, the youth of the parish may select a representative from their number to serve as an associate member of the Vestry. The selection shall be ratified by the Vestry at a subsequent Vestry Meeting.

Sub-section 8a – Time of Election & Term of Service

The Youth Representative will be selected during the Great 50 days of Easter and serve for twelve (12) months from the time of ratification.

Sub-section 8b – Conditions of Service

The Youth Representative will be considered a full member of the Vestry with voice and vote. However, to be in compliance with Church/Canon Law, if the Youth Representative is not sixteen (16) years of age or older, then s/he will be entitled to seat and voice on the Vestry, but no vote. If the youth representative celebrates his/her sixteenth (16) birthday while in office, then s/he may vote beginning with the Vestry Meeting following his/her sixteenth (16) birthday.

Article VI – Vestry Officers

A person shall be eligible to serve as an officer of the Vestry provided they are at least eighteen (18) years of age; and, a Communicant in Good Standing of St. Philip’s, Rochester.

Section 1 – President

The Rector shall be ex-officio president of the Vestry and shall have voice, but no vote at Vestry Meetings except when presiding and only in the case of a tie.

Section 2 – Wardens

At the Organizational Meeting of the Vestry following the Annual Meeting of the parish, the Vestry shall elect from their members a Junior and a Senior Warden.

Section 3 – Secretary and Treasurer

At the Organizational Meeting of the Vestry following the Annual Meeting of the congregation, the Vestry shall elect a Secretary and a Treasurer from the membership of the parish.

Section 4 – Other Officers

The Vestry may appoint, hire or otherwise select such other officers and assistants as it may deem necessary for the performance of its duties, which may include a recording secretary, a financial secretary, assistant treasurers, tellers, and others who need not be elected members of the Vestry. Their duties shall be determined by the Vestry or the bylaws of this congregation.

Article VII – Vestry Meetings

Section 1 – Organizational Meetings

The Organizational meeting of the Vestry will take place within fifteen (15) days of the Annual Meeting of the parish.

Section 2 – Regular Meetings

Regular meetings of the Vestry shall be held not fewer than six (6) times throughout the year between Annual Meetings. They shall be held at times and dates agreeable to the Rector, Wardens and Vestry of the parish.

Section 3 – Special Meetings

Upon reasonable notice, special meetings may be called by the Rector; or, in the absence of the Rector, by the Senior Warden; or, at the request of two or more members of the Vestry. The Bishop also may call a meeting of the Vestry and preside at such a meeting.

Section 4 – Quorum

A majority of members of the Vestry shall constitute a quorum.

Article VIII – Commissions

Commissions – as needed to carry out the mission and ministry of this congregation – shall be appointed by the Rector, subject to approval by the Vestry.

Article IX – Amendments

After approval by the Vestry, these by-laws may be amended or repealed by a majority of the Voting Members present and entitled to vote at any Annual or Special Meeting of the congregation; provided that notice of such meeting has been sent to all qualified Voting Members at their address of record not less than two (2) weeks prior to the Meeting. Amendments to the proposed amendments or proposed repeals of the by-laws may be entertained at the Meeting without prior notice. Copies of both the proposed amendments and the amendments to those proposed will be made available to all at the Annual Meeting provided that the proposed are submitted in writing not less than seven (7) days prior to the meeting.