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Section 1. Each member shall have the undisturbed right to follow the Word of God according to the dictates of his own conscience, under the enlightenment of the Holy Spirit. The following statement of faith, therefore, is not a test but an expression of the spirit in which the Church interprets the Word of God.

Section 2. We believe in God, the Eternal Spirit, Father of our Lord Jesus Christ and our Father, and to his deeds we testify:
 

Section 3. 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 or to be made known to us.

We hold it to be the mission of the Church of Christ to proclaim the gospel to all mankind, exalting the worship of the one true God, and laboring for the progress of knowledge, the promotion of justice, the reign of peace, and realization of human brotherhood.

Depending, as did our fathers, upon the continued guidance of the Holy Spirit to lead us into all truth, we work and pray for the transformation of the world into the Kingdom of God; and we look with faith for the triumph of righteousness and the life everlasting.

Section 1. Qualification Any person may unite with the Church upon confession of Christian faith or with satisfactory letters of dismissal from other churches, or a satisfactory substitute therefor, having received baptism when not previously baptized, unless he shall have been specifically exempted therefrom because of religious conviction by vote of the Board of Deacons.

Section 1-A. Associate Members (Added January 22, 1989). Those members in good standing in other Christian churches, who, for reason of temporary residence in the area, or for other reasons acceptable to the Board of Deacons, desire to unite with this church, while still retaining membership in their current churches, may be received into this church. Such persons and those formerly active members who have joined a church in another place but who wish to continue some formal connection with this church may become associate members, assuming all the privileges and responsibilities of active membership.

Section 2. Admission All applications for church membership shall be referred to the Board of Deacons and when approved by such Board or a committee thereof designated to consider and act upon such applications, the person applying shall be received into church membership.

Section 3. Duties and Obligations Members are expected to be faithful in all spiritual duties essential to the Christian life; to attend habitually the services of this Church; to give regularly to its support and its charities; to share in its organized work; and to notify the Clerk promptly of any change in their a ddresses.

Section 4. Rights Only members who have attained the age of eighteen years may vote in meetings of the Church or of the Church Council or any committee or board, or have their presence counted to effect a quorum when the subject of the voting involves the placing of a mortgage or other encumbrance upon any real property owned by the Church or its conveyance, transfer of title, release of interest therein, or in any manner affects title to the same. Subject to the foregoing limitation and any other limitations set forth in these By-Laws, any members in full and regular standing may vote at any meeting of the Council, a board, or a committee, of which he is a member, or at a meeting of the Church.

Section 5. Termination The continuance of membership shall be subject to the following:

Section 1. The church shall have a pastor who shall have in his charge the spiritual welfare of the Church and its members. He shall preach the Christian gospel, administer the sacraments, have in his care the stated services of public worship, give proper supervision to the activities of the Church in cooperation with the various officers, boards, and committees, and be the leader and teacher of the members in matters of their Christian faith. He shall be a member ex-officio of all boards and standing committees.

Section 1-A. (Added March 19, 1975) Whenever two ministers are serving the Church, whether as pastor or associate pastor, the Church may by a two-thirds vote in favor of the members, present and voting, at a Church meeting duly called for the purpose, authorize them to act in a co-pastoral relationship, and, jointly and severally, to be the pastor of the Church, with equal authority, rights and duties, subject to such limitations as the Church shall determine. Upon their written acceptance of this co-pastoral relationship filed with the Clerk, the word "pastor" when used in these By-Laws shall apply to and include both of said ministers. The co-pastoral relationship shall terminate thirty days after receipt by the Clerk of a request from either minister to that effect, or thirty days after the Church by a majority of the members, present and voting, at a Church meeting duly called for the purpose, votes for such termination. At the end of such period of thirty days, or if from death, resignation, or otherwise, only one of said ministers remains in the service of the Church, such ministers or minister shall resume the status held by them prior to entry into the co-pastor relationship. There shall be no co-pastoral relationship held by any pastor, associate pastor, or minister, except as is provided in this section.

Section 2. Whenever a vacancy shall occur in the pastorate or there is an expectation that it will occur within a reasonable time, the Church shall create a Pastoral Committee of such a number as it may decide, of whom one or more shall be under twenty-one years of age when selected. The Committee shall select its own chairman and secretary. It shall become informed concerning available ministers to serve the Church as pastor, and may seek the assistance of the instrumentalities of the United Church of Christ to enable it more effectively to accomplish its purpose.

Section 3. A new pastor may be called as recommended by the Pastoral Committee or otherwise, by a two-thirds vote in favor of the members of the Church, present and voting, at a church meeting duly called for the purpose. Thereupon a call shall be extended to the minister to whom it is addressed, containing the complete terms of the pastoral relationship.

Section 4. The acceptance of the call shall constitute the minister thus called the pastor of the Church under the terms thereof. The Church may arrange for such service of installation as it may determine, to be conducted under the supervision of the Board of Deacons, and conforming to the autonomous relationship of the Church to the United Church of Christ.

Section 5. The Church may, at any time, by the majority vote in favor of the members, present and voting, at any meeting of the Church called for the purpose, request the resignation of the pastor, to be effective sixty days from such vote, or as otherwise agreed upon between the pastor and the Church and contained in his call or, some supplementary instrument. If the resignation is not received the Church may, at a meeting duly called for the purpose, by a majority vote as aforesaid, dismiss the pastor forthwith and declare the pulpit vacant.

Section 6. The pastor may resign voluntarily by letter to the Clerk of the Church, effective sixty days from receipt thereof by the Clerk, or as otherwise agreed upon between the pastor and the Church, and contained in his call, or in some supplementary instrument.

Section 7. The call of any person to be pastor of the Church shall be for an indefinite term, subject to the prior provisions of this article.

Section 8. The Church may have one or more associate pastors. They shall share in the duties of the pastor and perform such other pastoral duties as the latter may request, and shall assume such duties in the absence or disability of the pastor, or when there is a vacancy in the pastorate until, in any instance, the Church may determine otherwise. The provisions of Sections 2 through 7 of this article applicable to the pastor shall apply to the associate pastor.

Section 9. (Amended March 2, 1994) The minister or director of Childrenís Ministries shall be the leader and coordinator of the program of the Board of Childrenís Ministries and shall be responsible for it.

Section 1. (Amended March 2, 1994). The officers, all of whom shall be members of the Church, shall be a pastor; one or more associate pastors, if any; a minister or director of childrenís ministries; a director of music; a moderator; a clerk; a treasurer; an assistant treasurer; a financial secretary; an assistant financial secretary; a church historian; a Board of Trustees; a Board of Deacons; a Board of Childrenís Ministries, a Stewardship Committee and an Investment Committee; two auditors; and such other boards, committees, and persons as shall be hereinafter named, or as the Church may, from time to time, determine.

Section 2. (Amended March 2, 1994) The officers named in Section 1, or included therein by reference, with the exception of the pastor, associate pastors, minister or director of Childrenís Ministries, director of music, or as shall be selected for terms of more than one year, as so provided herein, shall be chosen by ballot at each annual meeting to serve for one year and until their successors are elected and qualified by acceptance. No person, except the pastor, associate pastors, minister or director of Childrenís Ministries, clerk, treasurer, assistant treasurer, financial secretary, assistant financial secretary and church historian, shall hold the same office or be a member of the same board or committee or a Church delegate for more than three consecutive years after his first election thereto, except that a service of twelve months or less to fill an unexpired term shall not be included in the prohibition.

Section 3. The Board of Trustees shall consist of the treasurer and nine additional persons, at least twenty-one years of age, and at least two of whom shall be women, elected by ballot at the annual meeting of the Church for terms of three years each and in such manner that the terms of three persons shall terminate at the close of each annual meeting.

Section 4. (Amended January 26, 1977). The Board of Deacons shall consist of fifteen men and fifteen women who shall be elected by ballot at the annual meeting of the Church for terms of three years each and in such manner that the terms of five men and five women shall terminate at the close of each annual meeting; and two persons shall be elected for a term of one year each at such meeting who shall be under twenty-one years of age when elected.

Section 5. (Amended March 2, 1994). The Board of Childrenís Ministries shall consist of nine persons elected by ballot at the annual meeting of the Church for terms of three years each and in such manner that the terms of three persons shall terminate at the close of each annual meeting, and two persons for terms of one year each, who shall be under twenty-one years of age when elected.

Section 6. There shall be a Board of Mission and Social Concern consisting of twelve persons elected by ballot at the annual meeting of the Church for terms of three years each and in such manner that the terms of four persons shall terminate at the close of each annual meeting, and two persons for terms of one year each, who shall be under twenty-one years of age when elected.

Section 7. (Amended January 27, 1978, January 21, 1990, and March 11, 1992). There shall be a Committee on Adult Education consisting of nine persons elected by ballot at the annual meeting of the Church for terms of three years each and in such manner that the terms of three persons shall terminate at the close of each annual meeting. No person shall be a member of said committee for more than three consecutive years after his first election thereto, except that a service of twelve months or less to fill an unexpired term shall not be included in the prohibition.

Section 8. There shall be a Board of Ushers consisting of twelve persons elected by ballot at the annual meeting of the Church for terms of three years each and in such manner that the terms of four persons shall terminate at the close of each annual meeting, and six persons for terms of one year each, who shall be under twenty-one years of age when elected.

Section 9. There shall be a Music Committee consisting of six persons elected by ballot at the annual meeting of the Church for terms of three years each and in such manner that the terms of two persons shall terminate at the close of each annual meeting, and two persons for terms of one year each, who shall be under twenty-one years of age when elected.

Section 10. There shall be a financial secretary and assistant financial secretary.

Section 11. There shall be a Nominating Committee, all of whom shall be eligible to vote at business meetings of the Church, consisting of eight persons elected by ballot at the annual meeting of the Church for terms of two years each and in such manner that the terms of four persons shall terminate at the close of each annual meeting, and two persons for terms of one year each, who shall be under twenty-one years of age when elected.

Section 12. There shall be a Flower Committee consisting of twelve persons elected by ballot at the annual meeting of the Church for terms of three years and each and in such manner that the terms of four persons shall terminate at the close of each annual meeting, and two persons for terms of one year each, who shall be under twenty-one years of age when elected.

Section 13. (Amended March 2, 1994). There shall be a Church Council consisting of the pastor, the associate pastor(s), the minister or director of Childrenís Ministries, the moderator, the clerk, the treasurer, the chairman of the Board of Trustees, the chairman and vice-chairman of the Board of Deacons, the chairman of the Board of Childrenís Ministries, the chairman of the Board of Adult Education, the chairman of the Board of Mission and Social Concern, the chairman of the Music Committee, the director of Music, the chairman of the Nominating Committee, the chairman of the Stewardship Committee, the chairman of the Board of Investment, the president of the Womenís Benevolent Society, the coordinator of the Womenís Fellowship, the president of the Pilgrim Fellowship, the chairman of the Food Service Committee, the chairman of the Church Delegates, and four members at large, one of whom shall be under twenty-one years of age when elected thereto, elected at the annual meeting from the Church membership for terms, in the manner, and with the duties specified in Section 16 of Article VI as amended. If a chairman, vice-chairman, president or coordinator as aforesaid shall be unable to attend any meeting of the Church Council, the next ranking officer, another member of such board, committee, society, delegates or fellowship, designated in writing by such chairman, president, coordinator or next ranking officer, shall have the right to attend such meeting in his place. Such substitute shall have all the rights and duties of a member of the Church Council at such meeting.

Section 14. There shall be a Board of Investment consisting of the treasurer and three additional members elected by ballot at the annual meeting of the Church for terms of three years each and in such manner that the term of one elected member shall terminate at the close of each annual meeting. All members shall be at least twenty-one years of age when elected thereto.

Section 15. There shall be a Food Service Committee consisting of twelve members elected by ballot at the annual meeting of the Church for terms of two years each and in such manner that the terms of six persons shall terminate at the close of each annual meeting. The coordinator of the Womenís Fellowship and a representative of the Board of Trustees shall be members ex-officio of this committee.

Section 16. Three members-at-large of the Church Council shall be elected by ballot at the annual meeting of the Church for terms of three years each and in such manner that the term of one such member shall terminate at the close of each annual meeting. The term of the fourth member-at-large shall be for one year and shall terminate at the close of the annual meeting. Such fourth member shall be under twenty-one years of age when so elected.

The members-at-large shall represent the Church membership as a whole and shall endeavor to report to the Church Council the probable reaction of the Church membership to its various projects and proposed actions. They shall undertake to keep the Church membership properly informed of the various actions of the Church Council, and shall cooperate with the ministers and the moderator for the successful performance of its duties by the Church Council.

Section 17. (Amended January 21, 1990, March 2, 1994). There shall be elected at each annual meeting as many delegates from the Church to each of the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ, the Hampden Association of Churches, and Ministers and the Council of Churches of Greater Springfield, as the Church is entitled to send to said bodies respectively. It is recommended that one of the total number of whom shall be under twenty-one years of age. Provided, however, the total number of delegates so chosen shall not exceed the number of delegates the Church may send to the one of such bodies to which it may send the largest number of delegates. A person may be a delegate to more than one body. In addition at least five persons shall be elected as alternates to the delegates so elected. One of the delegates shall be elected as chairman of the delegates and alternates. If, at any time, a delegate shall notify the chairman of the delegates and alternates, or if he be unavailable, the pastor, or, in his absence, the clerk of the Church, that he is unable to attend any meeting to which he is a delegate or if he shall fail to attend such meeting, the chairman of the delegates and alternates, or, if he be unavailable, the pastor, or, if he be unavailable, an associate pastor, if any, or if he be unavailable, the minister or director of Childrenís Ministries, shall select from the delegates to the other said bodies, or from the alternates, a person to act in the place of such delegate unable to attend or not attending such meeting. If no replacement is available from the delegates to the other bodies or from the alternates, such selection may be made from the membership of the Church.

Section 18. (Added January 21, 1990). There shall be a Youth Ministry Committee consisting of nine persons elected by ballot at the annual meeting of the Church for terms of three years each in such a manner that the terms of three persons shall terminate at the close of each annual meeting; and four persons for terms of one year each, who shall be under twenty-one years of age when elected.

Section 19. (Added January 27, 1988). There shall be a Stewardship Committee consisting of twelve persons elected by ballot at the Annual Meeting of the Church for a term of three years each and in such manner that the terms of four persons shall terminate at the close of each Annual Meeting.

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