Aims
Churches Together in Epsom (hereafter referred to as 'CTE')
brings together those Churches who seek to share their Christian
pilgrimage.
They aim:
1. 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.
2. To encourage closer relationships between Churches and
individuals, and between Churches and the local community
3. 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.
4. To give support to any ecumenical initiative within the area as
agreed by Churches Together in Epsom.
5. To undertake projects and events which further the shared life of
the Churches and in particular those which would be more effective
done together.
6. Within CTE to respect the sincerely-held beliefs of others.
Membership
a) 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 CTE and are entitled to attend
its open meetings.
b) 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 CTE.
Governance
a) The Governance of CTE will be in the hands of a Council
comprising full members of the Ecumenical Ministers' Meeting and up
to two representatives appointed by each Full Member Church.
b) The Council will elect CTE officers being a Chairperson (to serve
for two years), a Vice Chairperson (the person intended to be the
next Chairperson), a Secretary and a Treasurer. These will meet as a
committee to prepare for Council meetings as necessary and to carry
on the business of CTE between such meetings.
They may co-opt one or
two other Council members to the Committee.
c) Significant proposals will be sent to Full Member Churches for
consideration and response - normally in time for the following
Council meeting, but in any case, providing at least two months for
local consideration before a final decision is taken or any
financial commitment is made. The aim will be to reach decisions by
consensus, but in the event of a disagreement it is in order for a
Church to opt out of a decision and still remain a Member Church. If
and when a formal vote is required, only Council members are
entitled to vote.
The Ecumenical
Ministers' Meeting
The Ministers (and ordained assistants) of Full Member
Churches and, as desired, those of Associate Churches will meet together
for mutual support and to discuss matters of mutual concern. Any
decision taken by the Ministers' Meeting or by CTE will be referred to
the other body for information. The Chairperson or Vice-Chairperson of
CTE shall be a member of the Ministers' Meeting.
Meetings
The Council will meet not less than three times a year in
open session.
The first open meeting in each calendar year will include the Annual
Meeting to receive the Chairperson's and Treasurer's reports on the past
year together with other reports the Council think fit, and to discuss
these and plans for the year ahead. An annual report of CTE will be
circulated to each Member Church and to each Associate Church.
Finance
Each Member Church shall pay an annual sum to CTE as shall be
agreed by the Annual Meeting.
