Bylaws
Light of Christ Ecumenical Catholic Communion
Revised
March 8, 2011
- Preamble
- Mission Statement
- Article I: Name and Organization
- Article II: Statement of Faith
- Article III: Membership
- Article IV: Faith Community Ministries
- Article V: Faith Community Organization
- Article VI: Corporate Records, Reports and Seal
- Article VII: Dissolution of Property Rights
- Article VIII: Amendment to these Bylaws
Preamble
Desiring to associate with the Ecumenical Catholic Communion (ECC), a California Nonprofit Corporation, as an affiliate, under the spiritual and ecclesiastical direction and government of the presiding Bishop of the ECC, adhering to the Constitution, Canons, Administrative, Legislative and Ecclesiastical Norms and Bylaws, the faith, doctrine and order of the ECC, we the undersigned adopt the following Articles as the Bylaws of this organization, Light of Christ Ecumenical Catholic Community.
Mission Statement
We, Light of Christ Ecumenical Catholic Community, celebrate our Catholic tradition as a reflection of Christ, who calls us to acceptance and unconditional love. In response to this call, we endeavor to be a welcoming, compassionate and healing presence in our community and in our world. The people of Light of Christ Ecumenical Catholic Community support spiritual growth through prayer, ecumenism, education, outreach, justice, peace, and small Christian communities.
Article I: Name and Organization
The name of this nonprofit organization shall be Light of Christ Ecumenical Catholic Community (hereafter, Light of Christ). The principal office of the nonprofit corporation, incorporated under the laws of the State of Colorado, is to be located in the City of Longmont, in the County of Boulder, in the State of Colorado.
Light of Christ is organized exclusively for religious and charitable purposes. No part of the net earnings of Light of Christ shall inure to the benefit of or be distributed to its members, Ministry Council members or other private persons, except that the Corporation shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth above.
No substantial part of the activities of Light of Christ shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation. The Corporation shall not participate or intervene in any political campaign on behalf of or in opposition to any candidate for public office, including the publishing or distribution of statements. Notwithstanding any other provision of these Articles, this Corporation shall not, except to an insubstantial degree, engage in any activities or exercise any power that are not in furtherance of the purpose of this Corporation.
Article II: Statement of Faith
Light of Christ believes and accepts all of the articles of faith contained in the ECC’s Constitution and Bylaws dated 10/27/2003.
Should any future revision or amendment by the ECC Synod and/or the office of the Presiding Bishop to the ECC’s Constitution and Bylaws conflict with the beliefs of Light of Christ, the Community should prayerfully discern these changes. If the changes are deemed to be of a profound nature and if the changes cannot be reconciled with the Community’s belief system, consideration should be given to the Community‘s withdrawal from the ECC.
Article III: Membership
Light of Christ members participate in the mission, faith traditions and beliefs held by Light of Christ. Members reflect this commitment according to their own capacity and as the Spirit leads them. As members we support one another in mutual love and discipleship as well as provide the necessary financial support for our shared mission. All visitors and guests are welcome to attend and participate in the services and activities of Light of Christ.
Membership does not require registration. However, for a variety of organizational and legal purposes, registration is necessary and urged in order to:
· Vote on issues referred to the entire community by the Ministry Council;
· Serve on the Ministry Council;
· Determine the number of House of Laity delegates that can vote at the national ECC Synod;
· Serve as House of Laity delegates: according to national ECC Constitution and Bylaws, delegates must be at least 18 years of age.
Article IV: Faith Community Ministries
The major ministries at Light of Christ are Pastoral Care, Administration, Liturgy, Outreach, Finance, Adult Formation, Youth Formation, Communications and Ecumenical/Interfaith Relationships. These ministries are integrated and overlap with one another in a variety of ways. They are not exhaustive of the array of ministries within Light of Christ. Many members of Light of Christ are also involved in ministries that are not organized by or directly associated with Light of Christ. Our call to ministry is rooted in our baptism. Therefore, every person, whether lay or clergy, is welcome to participate in any of these ministries.
Part A: MAJOR MINISTRIES
Major Ministries and the responsibilities associated with them are:
PASTORAL CARE: To coordinate and provide spiritual and pastoral care within and for the Faith Community, Stephen Ministry, Spiritual Direction, ordained and lay pastoral leadership. New member orientation and integration are also aspects of this ministry.
ADMINISTRATION: To provide support to the Pastor, staff and Ministry Council representatives; to communicate Pastoral staff needs to other Ministry Council representatives; to oversee facilities, purchasing, record keeping, and personnel matters.
LITURGY: To coordinate and implement liturgies; to coordinate the volunteer efforts of the Liturgy Planning Committee, and any and all ministries involved in the execution of liturgies for Light of Christ.
Music Ministry is a sub-committee of Liturgy.
OUTREACH: To act in matters of outreach that exist within Light of Christ ECC and the greater community; to discern appropriate responses to specific outreach needs and to enable ourselves and others to respond to those needs by providing support, encouragement, information and services.
FINANCE: To establish administrative and fiscal policies; to create and monitor the annual budget; to oversee the accounting and bookkeeping functions of Light of Christ; to serve as Treasurer to the Corporation.
ADULT FORMATION: To facilitate and support spiritual and educational formation for adults, collaboration in family ministry, sacramental preparation for adults, and to facilitate and support Small Christian Communities where there is interest, need and community support.
YOUTH FORMATION: To facilitate and support religious programs for youth, Vacation Bible School, youth groups, sacramental preparation for children, collaboration in family ministry and youth representation to the Ministry Council, where there is interest, need and community support; to administer the Sex Abuse Awareness program.
COMMUNICATIONS: To oversee and coordinate all matters related to communications: announcements, bulletin, website, parish directories, public relations, advertising, press releases, and community-wide meetings. Hospitality is a sub-committee of Communications.
ECUMENICAL / INTERFAITH RELATIONSHIPS: To interface and work with national and regional ECC groups/ entities; to support the Light of Christ delegates to the House of Laity and House of Pastors delegations and the Light of Christ representatives to the Rocky Mountain Regional Council; to foster interfaith and ecumenical relationships with other faith communities in Longmont and surrounding areas; to build relationships with other faith communities and organizations.
Part B: NEW MINISTRIES
If and when new ministries develop within Light of Christ, the Ministry Council will have the power to approve formation of new ministries. In order to preserve a working number of council members, all new ministries will be a subset of the ministry categories listed in Part A of this article.
Article V: Faith Community Organization
Part A: THE FAITH COMMUNITY
The Faith Community, lay and clergy, forms the basis of the Organization. As members, individuals are eligible to hold positions of leadership in the various ministries, the Ministry Council, and committees formed in support of the Organization. Positions of leadership and stewardship originate from within the Faith Community and decision-making authority is assumed as part of those responsibilities. These include, but are not limited to: (1) issues presented to Faith Community by the Ministry Council, such as decisions of major significance that affect the entire Faith Community; (2) identifying House of Pastors and House of Laity delegates to represent Light of Christ at national ECC Synods; and (3) actions related to membership in the ECC, joining a particular region/diocese or separation from either the ECC or a region/diocese.
Part B: THE MINISTRY COUNCIL
1. The Ministry Council shall manage the business and affairs of this Faith Community, a nonprofit organization. All Ministry Council members are responsible for setting the vision of Light of Christ, performing fiduciary responsibilities, providing pastoral direction, and making personnel decisions, in addition to their ministerial duties. The Ministry Council members are also responsible for guiding Light of Christ in designing methods to encourage all community members in the giving of time, talent and treasure. The Ministry Council shall maintain a sense of Christian unity and fellowship while carrying out its responsibilities.
2. All Ministry Council members must be at least 18 years of age. Members are required to have been registered members of the Faith Community for a period of one year prior to joining Ministry Council. Members shall not be from the same household. Members may be removed from Ministry Council for just cause by consensus of the full Ministry Council.
3. The Ministry Council consists of members who represent each of the major ministries as well as an at-large representative and the Pastor, for a maximum of ten members. At a minimum, six members are required to serve on the Ministry Council: one member each from Administration, Finance, Communications, and Pastoral Care ministries, and two additional persons from any of the major identified ministries and/or the at-large position. The Pastor shall serve as the ex officio representative from the Pastoral Care ministry. The Ministry Council will be considered fully functional as long as six members are seated. Open seats may be filled at any time by ministries that have not yet presented a member. A quorum is considered to be two-thirds (2/3) of the Council’s seated members.
4. Each ministry will be responsible for presenting a member for the Ministry Council. Generally, this would be a person from within the ministry, but does not have to be the chairperson of the ministry.
5. The at-large position will be open to any registered member of the Community. Candidates may identify a specific interest/ focus in which to be engaged or will respond to a specific interest or focus presented by the Ministry Council. In the event of multiple candidates for this position, selection will be by lot.
6. All Ministry Council positions, with the exception of the Pastor, will be for a term of two years, with a maximum of two consecutive terms. A staggered rotation will be sought. If a member serves one term (two years) and leaves the Council, that person will not be eligible for reelection for one year. A member who serves two consecutive terms (four years) and leaves the Council will not be eligible for reelection for two years. All terms will begin and end with the regularly scheduled meeting in September of each year.
7. Meetings will be conducted using a consensus process. Our consensus decision-making is supported by facilitation. A facilitator will be chosen by the Ministry Council. In taking the consensus of the members of the Ministry Council, the facilitator may poll the members. Each member shall have an equal role in the decision-making process except in those cases where the Council is discerning matters where there is a conflict of interest on the part of any individual member. A recording secretary will record and publish minutes of Council meetings and will keep all records associated with the business of the Ministry Council. The facilitator and the recording secretary are not members of the Ministry Council, but are present at Council meetings and do participate. Any action that could be taken at a regular Ministry Council meeting may also be taken by written action, including electronic correspondence. The consensus process for passing such action shall be the same as that required at a regular meeting.
8. The Ministry Council shall meet at least once a month or more frequently as needed. Ministry Council meetings are open meetings. All Light of Christ members are not only invited, but urged to attend. Opportunities to influence the Council’s consensual decision-making are ample. Special meetings of the Ministry Council shall be given one week one week’s notice which shall include the date, place, time and matters proposed to be considered.
9. The Ministry Council acts as the “Board of Directors” of the Corporation for legal purposes. The ”Board” will have three officers: a President, a Secretary and a Treasurer. The President and the Secretary will be chosen by the Ministry Council at the September meeting of each year. The Treasurer shall be the Ministry Council representative from the Finance Ministry. The Board of Directors shall not be personally liable for the debts, liabilities or other obligations of the Organization.
10. The Ministry Council is responsible for setting the agenda for the Annual Faith Community Meeting which will be held in January of each calendar year.
11. The Ministry Council shall be responsible for personnel issues, including but not limited to:
a. Calling a Pastor;
b. Providing an annual performance review for all employed personnel;
c. Hiring additional clergy or staff as needed; also for disciplinary actions or firings as necessary;
d. Determining an appropriate wage for services rendered by all employed personnel;
e. Developing human resource policies and procedures.
12. Committees are formed to delegate certain tasks that are ongoing or to accomplish a particular task. Committees may be formed and dissolved in support of the work of individual ministries or at the direction of the Ministry Council. Reporting and results are maintained through the originating Ministry or Ministry Council.
Part C: PASTORAL LEADERSHIP
Pastoral leadership is present throughout Light of Christ and its various ministries. Two particular arenas in which pastoral leadership is operative are: 1) the Pastor and the Pastoral Associate and 2) Additional Clergy.
1. Pastor and Pastoral Associate
The Pastor and the Pastoral Associate reflect Light of Christ’s commitment to a collaborative and collegial understanding of leadership and authority that is shared between laity and clergy. Both are spiritual leaders of the Faith Community and are committed to nurturing its wellbeing. In pastoring our Community, their ministry spans from the Light of Christ level with any given person to the national level with the Bishop.
As pastoral leaders, the Pastor and the Pastoral Associate shall:
· Develop and maintain relationships with the members of the Faith Community;
· Engage and guide the activities of all clergy in their Faith Community responsibilities;
· Participate in the work and responsibilities of the Ministry Council;
· Discern and support the liturgical programs of the Faith Community;
· Assist in the budgeting and business planning.
The Pastor and the Pastoral Associate are responsible for the general well being of their Faith Community. Their areas of special authority in the Faith Community are theological, spiritual, and liturgical. The Pastor and the Pastoral Associate are advisors to the Ministry Council and Ministry Committees. In instances where consensus cannot be met, these entities shall defer to the Pastor’s direction in theological, spiritual and liturgical matters.
2. Pastor
The Pastor of Light of Christ shall be an ordained priest who serves as an ex-officio member and clergy representative on the Ministry Council. The Pastor shall serve as a delegate to the ECC Synod House of Pastors for the duration of his/her tenure as Pastor. In exceptional and extreme circumstances, the Pastor reserves the right to veto, after consultation with the Pastoral Associate, the appointment of any Faith Community member to a Faith Community Committee or to the Ministry Council without explanation. This protects the privacy of the Faith Community member, while allowing the Pastor to exercise privileged information, with the exception of confessional material, in the best interests of the Faith Community.
3. Pastoral Associate
The Pastoral Associate of Light of Christ shall be a lay or clergy person. The Pastoral Associate is a spiritual leader of the Faith Community, collaborating with the pastoral leadership of the Pastor. The Pastoral Associate shares responsibility for supporting the spiritual life of the Faith Community, especially its pastoral care. The Pastoral Associate is accountable to the Ministry Council and the Pastor. Additionally, the Pastoral Associate shall adhere to the responsibilities assigned to clergy in the following section.
4. Additional Clergy
· It shall be the responsibility of all the clergy directly associated with Light of Christ to:
· Provide spiritual leadership to our Faith Community;
· Commit to ensure the healthy development and growth of our Faith Community according to the doctrine and theology of the ECC;
· Work to ensure that Faith Community decisions and actions reflect Light of Christ’s Mission Statement and articles outlined in these Bylaws;
· Commit to and strive toward the Light of Christ statement of ethics and morality.
Article VI: Corporate Records, Reports and Seal
PART A: MAINTENANCE OF CORPORATE RECORDS
The Corporation shall keep at its principal office:
1. Minutes of all meetings of Directors or Ministry Council.
2. Adequate and correct books and records of account, including accounts of its properties and business transactions and accounts of its assets, liabilities, receipts, disbursements, gains and losses. These shall be open to inspection by members of the organization at all reasonable times during office hours.
3. A copy of the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation and Bylaws as amended to date, which shall be open to inspection by members of the organization at all reasonable times during office hours.
Part B: PERIODIC REPORT
The Board of Directors shall cause any annual or periodic report required under law to be prepared and delivered within the time limits set by law.
Part C: CONFLICT OF INTEREST POLICY
The Organization has adopted a Conflict of Interest Policy to protect the Organization when it is contemplating entering into a transaction or arrangement that might benefit the private interest of a Director or member of the Ministry Council.
Article VII: Dissolution of Property Rights
In the event that the Faith Community is dissolved as an entity, its assets are disbursed as specified by the Corporation’s Articles of Incorporation. Once all debt and obligations are paid, the remainder of the Faith Community assets must be donated to a similar non-profit entity. The Ministry Council shall decide which non-profit entity will receive the remaining assets. If the remaining members of the Ministry Council cannot reach agreement, the remaining members of the Faith Community shall make the decision.
Article VIII: Amendment to these Bylaws
Part A: SUBMISSION
Any proposed amendment to the Bylaws shall be submitted to the full Ministry Council by the Faith Community member(s) requesting the amendment at least one month prior to the Council meeting in which the amendment shall be discussed and voted on.
Part B: DECISION MAKING
Adoption of an Amendment shall require a favorable consensus of the full Ministry Council. Positions on proposals may be made in absentia.
Part C: IMPLEMENTATION
An adopted Amendment shall take effect immediately unless otherwise determined by the Ministry Council.
Part D: RATIFICATION
Initial ratification of the Bylaws and significant revisions to or complete replacement of the Bylaws shall require a favorable consensus of the full Ministry Council. The Ministry Council shall then present the revised or replaced Bylaws to the Faith Community.
Approved by the Light of Christ ECC Ministry Council on the 8th day of March, 2011.
President Secretary
____________/s/__________________ _______________/s/_______________
Maritza Sneddon Linda Keschl
Upon approval and adoption, these Bylaws dated March 8, 2011, supersede the Bylaws of Light of Christ ECC dated August 10, 2010, and any and all amendments thereto.