Churches Together in Epsom
Constitution
(as amended on 14 September 2011)
AIMS
1
Churches Together in Epsom (hereafter referred to as CTiE) brings
together those Churches who seek to share their Christian pilgrimage.
They aim:
a to deepen their fellowship with each other in accordance with
God’s will and to proclaim the Gospel through common witness and
service, especially in the Epsom community
b to encourage closer relationships between Churches and
individuals, and between Churches and the local community
c to be open to develop ecumenical co-operation whenever appropriate
in matters such as worship and prayer, shared ministry and mission, and
in responding to the needs of the community
d to give support to any ecumenical initiative within the area as
agreed by CTiE
e to undertake projects and events which further the shared life of
the Churches and, in particular, those which would be more effective
done together
f Within CTiE to respect the sincerely-held beliefs of others.
MEMBERSHIP
2
Full membership is open to any Christian Church in the Epsom area
that is willing to agree to the aims heading this Constitution. All
individual members of these Churches are deemed to be members of CTiE
and are entitled to attend and speak at Council Meetings held in open
session.
3
Associate Membership is open to any other Christian Church which
has its Church or Gathering in the Epsom area. These Churches may send
observers to any open meeting of CTiE.
GOVERNANCE AND OFFICERS
4
The Governance of CTiE will be in the hands of a Council
comprising:
a full members of the Ecumenical Ministers’ Meeting;
b up to two representatives appointed by each Full Member Church;
c any CTiE Officer (as specified in paragraph 5) who is not a member
of one of the previous two groups and
d
up to 4 people co-opted by Council each for a term not exceeding
one year which may be renewed as appropriate.
5
Council will elect CTiE officers being a Chair (to serve for two
years), a Vice Chair (the person intended to be the next Chair), a
Secretary, a Treasurer and a Publicity Officer. These officers will meet
as a Committee to prepare for Council meetings as necessary and to carry
on the business of CTiE between such meetings. They may co-opt up to
two other Council members to the Committee. Elections will take place
at the Annual Meeting unless a vacancy arises sufficiently far in
advance of that to necessitate a mid-year election.
6
Any candidate for election as an Officer must be a member in good
standing of a Full Member church. Nominations, proposed and seconded
by members of Council, must be lodged with the Secretary not less than
two weeks before the meeting at which the election will be held. At
least four weeks’ notice of the vacancies to be filled by election at
that meeting must have been given.
THE
ECUMENICAL MINISTERS’ MEETING
7
The Ministers (and ordained assistants) of Full Member Churches
and those of Associate Member Churches, if they so wish, will meet
together from time to time for mutual support and to discuss matters of
mutual concern. Either the Chair or Vice-Chair of CTiE, as they decide
between them, may attend these meetings.
8
Any decision taken by either the Ecumenical Ministers’ Meeting or
by CTiE will be referred to the other body for information.
MEETINGS AND DECISIONS
Council will meet at least three times a year in open session and, if it
thinks appropriate, also meet in closed session. The Committee will
ensure that agendas and papers are issued in a timely manner.
10
The first open meeting in each calendar year will include the Annual
Meeting. This meeting will receive the Chair’s and Treasurer’s reports
on the past year and elect CTiE Officers. An annual report of CTiE will
be circulated to each Member Church and to each Associate Church.
11
The aim will be to reach decisions by consensus of all present. If
the Chair or any other any member of Council does not consider that
consensus has been reached, the matter shall be resolved by the majority
of all Council members present in a formal vote.
12
In the event of a disagreement in such a formal vote, it is in order
for a Church to opt out of a decision and still remain a Member Church.
Before final agreement, a significant proposal (any change to the
Constitution, any expenditure above a level set by Council or any other
matter so designated either by the Chair or by a majority vote in
Council) must have been sent to Full Member Churches for consideration,
allowing at least three months for their responses, and confirmed by a
Council vote taken in the light of comments received.
Further, any change to the constitution will require the approval of 75%
of the Member Churches acting through their normal decision-making
bodies.
After each Council meeting held in open session (and after those held in
closed session if Council considers it appropriate), the Chair shall
write to each Member Church with a brief summary of the key action and
information points arising.
FINANCE AND RECORDS
16
Each Member Church shall pay an annual sum to CTiE as shall be
agreed by the Annual Meeting.
17
Council shall, with the advice of the Committee, make appropriate
arrangements for the proper administration and recording of CTiE’s
financial and other affairs.
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