FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF EVANSTON

CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

TABLE OF CONTENTS

CONSTITUTION 3   1.   Number and Term of Office 8  

I.   NAME 3   2.   Deacon Emeritus 8  
II.   STATEMENT OF FAITH AND PURPOSE 3   3.   Officers and Meetings 8  
III.   COVENANT 3   4.   Duties 8  
IV.   SACRAMENTS 3   C.   Board for Worship, Music, and the Arts 9  
A.   Baptism 3   1.   Number and Term of Office 9  
B.   The Lord’s Supper 3   2.   Officers and Meetings 9  
V.   ORDINANCES 3   3.   Duties 9  
A.   Confirmation 3   D.   Board of Trustees 9  
B.   Matrimony 3   1.   Number and Term of Office 9  
VI.   MEMBERSHIP 3   2.   Honorary Trustee 9  
A.   Qualifications 3   3.   Officers and Meetings 9  
B.   Conditions 3   4.   Duties 10  
C.   Reception of Members 4   E.   Board of Mission 10  
D.   Termination of Active Membership 4   1.   Number and Term of Office 10  
E.   Removal of Voting Rights 4   2.   Officers and Meetings 11  
VII. GOVERNMENT 4   3.   Duties 11  
VIII. AMENDMENT OF THIS CONSTITUTION 4   E.   Vacancies 11  
BYLAWS 5   F.   Removal 11  
I.   THE MINISTER 5   G.   Only Members or Associate Members 11  
A.   The duties of the Minister 5   H.   No Board or member of a Board of the
B.   Pastoral Search Committee 5   Church 11  
C.   Calling a Minister 5   V.   STANDING COMMITTEES 11  
D.   Termination of a Pastorate 5   A.   Communications Committee 11  
II.   OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH 5   1.   Number and Term of Office 11  
A.   The Officers of the Church 5   2.   Officers and Meetings 12  
B.   Elections 5   3.   Duties 12  
C.   Vacancies 5   B.   Fellowship Committee 12  
D.  Removal 6   1.   Number and Term of Office 12  
E.   Legal Limitations 6   2.   Officers and Meetings 12  
F.   Duties 6   3.   Duties 12  
1.   Moderator 6   C. Human Resources Committee 12  
2.   Vice-Moderator 6   1. Number and Term of Office 12  
3.   Clerk 6   2. Membership 12  
4.   Treasurer 6   4. Duties 13  
5.   Assistant Treasurer 6   D.   Stewardship Committee 13  
6.   Historian 6   1.   Number and Term of Office 13  
III.   CHURCH COUNCIL 7   2.   Officers and Meetings 13  
A.   Membership 7   3.   Purpose and Duties 13  
B.   Officers 7   E.   Vacancies 13  
C.   Meetings 7   G.   Only Members or Associate Members 14  
D.   Duties 7   H.   No Standing Committee or member of a
E.   Vacancies 7   Standing Committee 14  
F.   Removal 7   VI.   AD HOC COMMITTEES 14  
IV. BOARDS 7   A.   Nominating Committee 14  
A.   Board of Christian Education 7   1.   Number and Term of Office 14  
1.   Number and Term of Office 7   2.   Membership 14  
2.   Officers and Meetings 8   3.   Officers and Meetings 14  
3.   Duties 8   4.   Duties 14  
B.   Board of Deacons 8   B.   Pastoral Advisory Committee 14  
1.   Membership 14  

1
 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF EVANSTON
CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

2.   Meetings 14  
3.   Duties 14  
C. The Memorial Garden Board of Overseers14  
D.   Vacancies 15  
E.   Removal 15  
F.   Only Members or Associate Members 15  
G.   No Ad Hoc Committee or member of an Ad
Hoc Committee 15  
VII. AUXILIARY ORGANIZATIONS 15  
A.   Auxiliary Organizations shall 15  
B.   Approved Auxiliary Organizations 15  
VIII. MEETINGS OF THE CHURCH 15  
A.   Annual Meeting 15  
B.   Budget Meeting 15  
C.   Special Meetings 16  
D.   Notice of Meetings 16  
E.   Voting 16  
1.   Elections 16  
2.   Quorum 16  
3.   Proxy Voting 16  
4.   To Join a Denomination or Judicatory 16  
IX. DELEGATES 16  
X. AMENDMENTS 16  
XI. CORPORATE SEAL 16  
XII. RULES OF PROCEDURE 16  

G:\Users\Andy\Church\By-Laws\Constitution and Bylaws - As Amended

01-22-12.docx

2
 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF EVANSTON
CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
CONSTITUTION
I. NAME
The name of this Church shall be the First
Congregational Church of Evanston.
II. STATEMENT OF FAITH AND PURPOSE
We believe in God, the Father, infinite in wisdom,
goodness, and love; and in Jesus Christ, his Son, our
Lord and Savior who for us and our salvation lived and
died and rose again and lives evermore; and in the Holy
Spirit who takes of the things of Christ and reveals them
to us renewing, comforting, and inspiring the souls of
men and women.
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 the realization of human
brotherhood. Depending, as did our predecessors,
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.
III. COVENANT
We sincerely purpose to make Christ our leader and
example, and we take for our rule of life the
commandments to love the Lord our God with all our
hearts, and love our neighbors as ourselves.
We take this Church to be our Church, and ever
mindful of our fellow members, we promise to walk
with them in faithfulness and Christian love. We
promise that, so far as possible, we will attend the
meetings of this Church; observe its rules; share in its
work, support, and benevolences; and endeavor to make
it a fruitful body of Christians.
IV. SACRAMENTS
A. Baptism
Baptism as administered to infants and children
is recognized as the consecration of the child to
God.
3
Baptism as administered to adults is an outward
and visible symbol of an inner cleansing by the
Holy Spirit, and a sign to the world that we have
accepted Christ and desire to follow Him.
B. The Lord’s Supper
In accordance with Christ’s injunction to “do
this in remembrance of me,” the Lord’s Supper shall
be observed by this Church on at least four Sundays
per year. The Lord’s Supper, as observed in this
Church, shall be an open Communion with the
invitation extended to all who confess their faith in
our Lord Jesus Christ.
V. ORDINANCES
A. Confirmation
The Ordinance of Confirmation is available to
young people of the Church. It will be
administered to them after they have successfully
completed a period of instruction given by the
ministry of the Church, and upon their confession of
Christian faith. Young people who have received
confirmation become full members of the Church.
B. Matrimony
The members of the Church are urged to look
upon the institution of Matrimony as a Christian
ordinance and to seek God’s blessing upon the legal
marriage service within the bond of the Church of
Christ.
VI. MEMBERSHIP
A. Qualifications
The Church shall welcome into its membership
any person who professes faith in the Lord Jesus
Christ, who purposes to live according to His
teachings, and who has received Christian baptism.
Associate Membership, with full privileges, is
available to those who wish to join the Church while
retaining membership in another congregation.
B. Conditions
The membership of the Church shall consist of the
following:
1. Those who CONFESS their Christian faith,
receive baptism (if not previously baptized), and
accept the Covenant of this Church.
 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF EVANSTON
CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

2. Those who present a satisfactory LETTER of period of reflection has elapsed. Termination of
membership in another Christian Church, and voting rights can be voted by a two-thirds majority
who wish to transfer their membership to this in a special or regular meeting of the Church at
Church by accepting the Covenant. which the quorum is eighty. Such action affects
3. Those who have previously been members of a only voting rights. No one shall be denied the
Christian Church and, though unable to present privilege of corporate worship, and the congregation
a letter of membership, are willing to is under no obligation to avoid association with
REAFFIRM their Christian faith and accept the persons whose voting rights have been terminated.
Covenant. A member whose voting rights have been
terminated may, for good and sufficient reasons,
C. Reception of Members have them reinstated by a two-thirds vote in a
At some time prior to admission, candidates for special or regular meeting of the Church at which
membership in the Church shall meet with the the quorum is eighty.
Minister and representatives of the Board of
Deacons. At a subsequent Church service, the VII. GOVERNMENT
names of such candidates shall be presented to the The government of this Church is vested in its
Minister by a representative of the Board of members, who exercise the right of control in all its
Deacons. The candidates shall accept the affairs. The Church Council shall be the senior
Covenant, and the members of the Church shall governing body of the Church between meetings of the
signify their acceptance of these candidates by Church body.
entering with them into the Covenant. The VIII. AMENDMENT OF THIS CONSTITUTION
Welcome to the Fellowship as read by the members This constitution may be amended by a vote of
shall constitute a vote of acceptance on the part of two-thirds of the members of the Church present at an
the Church membership. When necessary, Annual Meeting or a special meeting called for that
candidates may be received into the membership in purpose, provided that the notice or call of the meeting
absentia. shall state the proposed amendment or amendments, and
D. Termination of Active Membership provided that a quorum of eighty is present.
1. By Withdrawal. A member may upon request:
a. Be granted a letter of transfer to any
Christian Church, but the particular local
Church shall be named in the letter.
Letters of transfer shall be valid for a period
of one year. The Clerk of the Church may
issue letters of transfer as they are requested
and shall present the list of such transfers at
the Annual Meeting of the Church.
b. Be released from membership if, after due
conference and deliberation, the member is
insistent on such release.
2. By Retirement.
Members whose addresses have long been
unknown, or who, for a period of two years, in
spite of kindly reminders, have not
communicated with the Church or contributed
to its support may, by a vote of the Church at an
Annual Meeting, be placed on an inactive roll.
E. Removal of Voting Rights
Should a member’s behavior become an offense
to the Church, it may terminate the voting rights of
such a person, but only after written notice has been
issued to such a member, a hearing before the
Church Council has been offered, and a thirty-day

4
 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF EVANSTON
CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

BYLAWS

I. THE MINISTER 1. Expiration of the period for which the

A. The duties of the Minister shall include: Minister was called.
1. Being responsible for the religious services of 2. Resignation of the Minister.
the Church.
3. A three-quarters vote of a special meeting
2. Planning the direction of Church programs
called for that purpose, providing that a
and development.
quorum of eighty is present, and that the
3. Visiting the ill and the homebound.
voting is by written ballot. Such a meeting
4. Calling on Members and prospective
shall be called by the Clerk upon the written
Members.
request of two-thirds of the Council or upon
5. Counseling those who seek counsel.
the written request of twenty-five or more
6. Supervising the compensated staff.
members of the Church.
7. Coordinating the groups and activities of the
Church.
II. OFFICERS OF THE CHURCH
8. Attending meetings of boards, committees,
A. The Officers of the Church shall be Members or
and other groups as an ex officio member.
Associate Members of the Church and shall be the
9. Supplying the pulpit during an absence.
following:
B. Pastoral Search Committee 1. Moderator
Upon being notified of a vacancy in the office 2. Vice-Moderator
of Minister, the Moderator shall instruct the Clerk 3. Clerk
to call a special meeting of the Church for the 4. Treasurer
purpose of selecting a Pastoral Search Committee 5. Assistant Treasurer
of twelve members of the Church. The Church 6. Historian
Council shall submit to this meeting a slate of
B. Elections
eight nominees for the Pastoral Search
All Officers shall be elected by ballot at the
Committee, and at least eight nominations shall be
Annual Meeting of the Church, for a term of two
made from the floor, the consent of such
years. The Moderator, Vice-Moderator, and
nominees having been obtained. Selection shall
Historian shall be elected in even years; Treasurer,
be by written ballot. The Pastoral Search
Assistant Treasurer, and Clerk, in odd years.
Committee shall, at its first meeting, select a chair
Officers shall serve until their successors are
who shall establish and maintain liaison with the
elected, but no Moderator shall serve two
Pastoral Advisory Committee. Compensation
consecutive full terms and no other officer shall
for the Minister shall be developed with the Board
serve more than four consecutive years. A
of Trustees prior to any commitment to a
person who has served as an Officer for two
candidate.
consecutive terms shall not be eligible for election
C. Calling a Minister to that office for a period of one year.
The Church may call a Minister for a definite
C. Vacancies
or for an indefinite period. The Church may vote
1. An Officer who resigns or who is unable to
upon the calling of a Minister at any regular
perform the duties of office shall be replaced
meeting or at any meeting called especially for
by nomination of the Moderator, and majority
that purpose, providing a quorum of eighty is
vote of the Church Council. Such
present. Such vote shall be by written ballot, and
replacement shall serve until the next Annual
shall require the affirmative vote of three-quarters
Meeting of the Church, when the Nominating
of those voting.
Committee shall nominate a candidate to
D. Termination of a Pastorate complete the regular two year term.
The Pastorate may be terminated by:

5
 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF EVANSTON
CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
2. The only exceptions to the first rule of
Vacancies shall be in the case of the vacancy
of the office of Moderator or Treasurer, in
which cases those offices shall be filled by the
Vice-Moderator or the Assistant Treasurer,
respectively, for the remainder of the
unexpired term. Upon the assumption of
either the Vice-Moderator to the vacated
office of Moderator or the Assistant Treasurer
to the vacated office of Treasurer, the
Moderator, or new Moderator, shall follow
the replacement procedure described in
Section 1, above, to fill the open office.
3. An officer who fills an unexpired term shall
not serve more than four consecutive years.
D. Removal
An Officer may be removed, with or without
cause, by a majority vote of the Church in a
meeting at which a quorum of eighty is present.
E. Legal Limitations
No Officer, collective or otherwise, shall enter
into any agreement, make any contract, or
otherwise incur any item of expense against the
Church unless such item of expense is included in
the Budget or is otherwise authorized by the
Board of Trustees.
F. Duties
1. Moderator
The Moderator shall be chief lay officer
of the Church and shall preside at all meetings
of the Church, Church Council, and Pastoral
Advisory Committee. The Moderator may
participate as an ex officio member of all
Boards, Committees, and other organizations
of the Church, except the Nominating
Committee. For two years following the
active term of duty, the Immediate Past
Moderator shall act as Chair of the
Nominating Committee.
2. Vice-Moderator
The Vice-Moderator shall perform the
duties of the Moderator in the event the
Moderator is absent or unable to serve.
3. Clerk
The Clerk shall:
a. Maintain a register showing the name of
each member of the Church and the date
of admittance to the membership.
6
b. Keep, or cause to be kept, a record of
baptisms and marriages held in the
Church.
c. Issue letters of transfer.
d. Keep, or cause to be kept, the minutes of
all Church and Church Council meetings.
e. Mail the call for each Church or Church
Council meeting to every member of the
Church or Church Council at least ten
days prior to such meeting.
f. Maintain all records of the Church in the
Church office and make them available to
any member of the Church.
g. Make a written report at the Annual
Meeting of the Church.
4. Treasurer
The Treasurer shall:
a. Have direct charge of the funds of the
Church and be responsible for keeping a
full and accurate amount thereof.
b. Maintain the accounts in accordance with
accepted accounting procedures.
c. Allocate receipts and disburse funds only
in conformity with the budget or
otherwise as directed by the Board of
Trustees.
d. Be responsible for the bookkeeping, for
making a monthly report to the Board of
Trustees and the Church Council, and for
an annual report to the Board of Trustees,
the Church Council, and the Church.
e. Serve as an ex officio member of the
Stewardship Committee.
f. Present the books for audit each year.
The fiscal year shall be January 1 to
December 31.
5. Assistant Treasurer
The Assistant Treasurer shall assist the
Treasurer as directed by that officer, and shall
perform the duties of the Treasurer in the
event the Treasurer is absent or unable to
serve.
6. Historian
The Historian shall keep a record of the
principal events in the life of the Church and
its membership, and shall make a written
report at the Annual Meeting of the Church.
 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF EVANSTON
CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS

III. CHURCH COUNCIL 2. Receive reports from each Board at each

A. Membership regular meeting, and from Committees,
The Church Council shall consist of: The Organizations, and any other groups
Officers of the Church; one representative each according to a schedule to be determined by
from the Boards of Christian Education; Deacons; the Council.
Worship, Music, and the Arts; Mission; and 3. Have authority to establish, approve, or
Trustees; and two members-at-large who shall be disapprove additional Ad-Hoc Committees
elected at the Annual Meeting of the Church, one and Auxiliary Organizations.
being elected each year, for a two-year term.
4. Receive from Boards, Standing Committees,
Members-at-large shall serve until their
and Auxiliary Organizations, by November 1
successors are elected, but no member-at-large
of each year, reports giving the names of
shall serve more than six consecutive years.
those appointed from their bodies as
Only Members or Associate Members of the
representatives to the Nominating Committee.
Church shall serve on the Church Council.
The Nominating Committee shall be
Delegates and representatives appointed pursuant
convened by November 30, the Immediate
to Article VII of these Bylaws shall be advisory
Past Moderator serving as Convener and
non-voting members of the Council. The
Chair.
Moderator and Vice-Moderator shall not vote,
except in the case of a tie vote, when the 5. Receive from each Board, Ad-Hoc
Moderator shall cast a vote to break the tie. If Committee, and Standing Committee, at the
the Moderator is not present or abstains, the September meeting of the Council, a program
Vice-Moderator shall cast a vote to break the tie. for the following year, including the costs.
The Minister and any Associate Minister(s) shall 6. Coordinate any revision of the programs of
be advisory non-voting members of the Council. Boards and Committees that may be made
necessary by under- or over-subscription of
B. Officers
the approved Budget of the Church.
The Moderator, Vice-Moderator, and Clerk
shall be the Officers of the Church Council. E. Vacancies
Vacancies among the at-large members of the
C. Meetings
Church Council shall be filled at the next meeting
The Council shall meet at least nine times
of the Church Council by a majority vote, until the
each year and may have additional meetings at the
next Annual Meeting of the Church.
call of the Minister, Moderator, five members of
the Church Council, or ten members of the F. Removal
Church. A lay member of the Church Council may be
removed, with or without cause, by a two-thirds
D. Duties
vote of the total Church Council or by majority
While recognizing that the Government of
vote of the Church in a meeting at which a
this Church is vested in its members, the Church
quorum of eighty is present.
Council shall be the senior governing body of the
Church, and shall have jurisdiction over all
IV. BOARDS
matters concerning the Church which the Bylaws
A. Board of Christian Education
do not vest in the Minister, the Officers, the
1. Number and Term of Office
Boards, Standing Committees, Ad Hoc
The Board of Christian Education shall
Committees, or Auxiliary Organizations. The
consist of six members, elected for terms of
Council shall:
two years, three being elected each year at the
1. Act in a planning, advisory, and coordinating
Annual Meeting of the Church. Members
capacity with regard to the various Boards,
shall serve until their successors are elected,
Committees, Organizations, programs, and
but no member shall serve for more than six
activities of the Church.
consecutive years.

7
 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF EVANSTON
CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
2. Officers and Meetings
The Board of Christian Education shall, at
its first meeting, which shall occur within one
month after the Annual Meeting, elect from
its own members a chair, a vice-chair, and a
secretary. The Board shall meet at least nine
times each year, and may hold additional
meetings at the call of the Minister, the
Director of Christian Education, the Chair, or
three members of the Board.
3. Duties
The Board of Christian Education shall:
a. Be responsible for the planning and
guidance of the Church School programs
and budget.
b. Be responsible for the adult religious
education program.
c. Recommend to the Minister candidates
for the paid staff positions in Christian
Education when there is a vacancy in
those positions and provision has been
made for them in the Board’s budget.
d. Act in consultation with the Director of
Christian Education.
e. Present to the Church Council, at its
September meeting, a program for the
following year, including its estimated
costs, and transmit the same to the Board
of Trustees.
f. Assist the Human Resources Committee
and the Minister in completing written
annual performance evaluations of all
paid staff assigned to the Christian
education program, and include
compensation recommendations.
g. Make a written report to the Church at the
Annual Meeting.
B. Board of Deacons
1. Number and Term of Office
The Board of Deacons shall consist of
twelve members, elected for terms of two
years, six Deacons being elected each year at
the Annual Meeting of the Church. Deacons
shall serve until their successors are elected,
but no Deacon shall serve for more than six
consecutive years.
8
2. Deacon Emeritus
A Deacon who has served the Church for
a long period of years, or whom, for any other
reason, the Church desires to honor, may be
elected a Deacon Emeritus.
3. Officers and Meetings
The Board of Deacons shall, at its first
meeting, which shall occur within one month
after the Annual Meeting, elect from its own
members a chair, a vice-chair, and a secretary.
The Board shall meet at least nine times each
year and may hold additional meetings at the
call of the Minister, the Chair, or three
Deacons.
4. Duties
The Board of Deacons shall:
a. Provide general supervision of the
spiritual affairs of the Church that are not
expressly vested in the Board of Christian
Education.
b. Appoint from among themselves certain
Deacons who shall assist the Minister in
administering the sacraments and regular,
seasonal, or occasional worship services
of the Church; and in this capacity shall
assume responsibility for tasks to be
accomplished in the conduct of worship,
such as the assembly of sacramental
elements and the recruitment and training
of lay readers, greeters, and ushers.
c. Appoint from among themselves certain
Deacons who shall assist the Minister in
visiting the members of the Church,
especially those who are ill or afflicted;
and in this capacity shall assume
responsibility with the Minister, for the
formation and training of teams of lay
visitors.
d. Assist the Minister in extending the
invitation and hospitality of the Church to
the community generally, and particularly
to newcomers and prospective members.
e. Provide for an Interim Minister whenever
one is needed, provided any financial
obligation incident thereto has first been
approved by the Board of Trustees.
 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF EVANSTON
CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
f. Present to the Church Council, at its
September meeting, a program for the
following year, including its estimated
costs, and transmit the same to the Board
of Trustees.
g. Make a written report to the Church at the
Annual Meeting.
C. Board for Worship, Music, and the Arts
1. Number and Term of Office
The Board for Worship, Music, and the
Arts shall consist of six members elected for
terms of two years, three being elected each
year at the Annual Meeting of the Church.
They shall serve until their successors are
elected, but no one shall serve for more than
six consecutive years.
2. Officers and Meetings
The Board for Worship, Music, and the
Arts shall, at its first meeting, which shall
occur within one month after the Annual
Meeting, elect from its own members a chair,
D. Board of Trustees
a vice-chair, and a secretary. The Board
shall meet at least nine times a year, and may
hold additional meetings at the call of the
Minister, the Director of Music, the Chair, or
three members of the Board.
3. Duties
The Board for Worship, Music, and the Arts
shall:
a. Act in consultation with the Minister and
the Director of Music, regarding the
themes, emphases, and direction of all
worship of the Church. Such
consultation and action will include, but
not be limited to, the development,
commissioning, or authorization of
musical and other artistic expressions of
faith for the purpose of enhancing events
of corporate worship.
b. Seek and implement ways of developing
the music and arts programs of the
Church or sponsored by the Church,
working with the Minister, the Director of
Music, and any other staff or lay leader
who may be involved in a presentation or
installation, as well as with Boards,
Committees, and Organizations of the
Church as appropriate.
c. Recommend to the Minister a candidate
for Director of Music when there is a
9
vacancy and provision for the position has
been made in the budget.
d. Approve the recommendation of the
Director of Music for the organist and for
any substitute needed during vacations or
necessary absences.
e. Present to the Church Council, at its
September meeting, programs for
worship, music, and the arts, for the
following year, including the estimated
costs, and transmit the same to the Board
of Trustees.
f. Assist the Human Resources Committee
and the Minister in completing written
annual performance evaluations of all
paid staff assigned to the music program,
and include compensation
recommendations.
g. Make a written report to the Church at the
Annual Meeting.
1. Number and Term of Office
The Board of Trustees shall consist of
nine members, elected for terms of two years,
four Trustees being elected every other year
and five Trustees being elected every other
year at the Annual Meeting of the Church.
Trustees shall serve until their successors are
elected, but no Trustee shall serve for more
than six consecutive years.
2. Honorary Trustee
A Trustee who has served the Church for
a long period of years, or whom, for any other
reason, the Church desires to honor, may be
elected an Honorary Trustee.
3. Officers and Meetings
The Board of Trustees shall, at its first
meeting, which shall occur within one month
after the Annual Meeting, elect from its own
members a chair, a vice-chair, and a secretary.
The Board shall meet at least nine times each
year, and may hold additional meetings at the
call of the Minister, the Chair, or four
Trustees.
 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF EVANSTON
CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
4. Duties
The Board of Trustees shall:
a. Manage the property and pecuniary
affairs of the Church.
b. Be subject to the directing vote of the
Church with respect to real estate, and
shall have no power to buy, sell,
mortgage, or transfer real estate without
special authority by vote of the Church.
c. Be authorized and directed to buy, sell, or
transfer tangible personal property of the
Church without securing additional
special authority by vote of the Church,
provided that such action is by vote of a
majority of the Board of Trustees.
However, the Board of Trustees shall not
dispose of objects of art, furnishings, or
memorials that have been given to the
Church by members without the
approving vote of the Church Council
d. The Board of Trustees shall have the
power and duty to manage the Church’s
institutional funds (as defined in Section 2
of the Illinois Uniform Prudent
Management of Institutional Funds Act or
successor provisions (the “Act”)) in
accordance with the Act; provided that:
(i) the Board of Trustees, by a
majority vote, may delegate the
management and investment of all or any
portion of its institutional funds to one or
more external agents in accordance with
Section 5 of the Act; and
(ii) purchase, sale or transfer of
institutional funds not delegated to an
external agent shall be approved by vote
of a majority of the Board of Trustees.
e. Have power to designate the persons who
shall assign or transfer securities on
behalf of the Church when such securities
are being sold by the Board.
f. Receive each month from the Treasurer a
report of receipts and disbursements made
that month, and make certain all
expenditures have been authorized either
by the Church Budget or by the Board of
Trustees.
g. Appoint an Auditor who shall audit the
accounts of the Church at least once a
year, recommend to the Trustees
10
improvements in setting up of accounts,
discuss with the Trustees the findings of
the annual audit, and make a written
report to the Church at the Annual
Meeting.
h. Have responsibility for the perpetual care
of the Memorial Garden of First
Congregational Church and for any
endowed funds that are designated for that
purpose. A Memorial Garden Board of
Overseers shall be appointed annually by
the Board of Trustees, with one of its
members serving concurrently on the
Board of Trustees, to see to all activities
related to the maintenance and use of the
Memorial Garden. The Board of
Trustees will receive an annual report of
all activities related to the Memorial
Garden from this Board of Overseers.
(See section VI of these Bylaws)
i. Work with the Stewardship Committee on
the annual operating-budget pledge drive,
report to the Church the amount of money
pledged and how it relates to the approved
budget, and, in consultation with the
Church Council, take responsibility for
seeing that the budget is balanced. The
Trustees may authorize the Stewardship
Committee to conduct additional fund
drives.
j. Receive from each Board and Committee
the estimated cost of its program for the
following year.
k. Circulate to the members of the
Congregation the printed proposed budget
at least ten days before the annual Budget
Meeting.
l. Report to the Church Council any under-
or over- subscription of the annual pledge
drive.
m. Make a written report to the Church at the
Annual Meeting.
E. Board of Mission
1. Number and Term of Office
The Board of Mission shall consist of six
members elected for terms of two years, three
being elected each year at the Annual Meeting
of the Church. They shall serve until their
successors are elected, but no member of this
 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF EVANSTON
CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
Board shall serve for more than six
consecutive years
2. Officers and Meetings
The Board of Mission shall, at its first
meeting, which shall occur within one month
after the Annual Meeting, elect from its own
members a chair, a vice-chair, and a secretary.
The Board shall meet at least six times a year,
and may hold additional meetings at the call
of the Minister, the Chair, or three members
of the Board.
3. Duties
The Board of Mission shall:
a. Supervise all matters pertaining to the call
of God upon this Congregation to be the
Church in the World, by providing
education and suggesting commensurate
action, to address topics of social concern.
In so doing, the Board of Mission shall:
i. Convey any of their research,
information, and call to action to the
Congregation through publications
and public forums of the Church (i.e.,
newsletter, bulletin, website or other
electronic communication, classes,
meetings, vocal announcements
during worship services).
ii. Provide opportunities for action
related to the information obtained,
such as letter writing or electronic
communication, attendance at
community meetings, or special
projects.
iii. Provide updated information to the
congregation of the progress/outcome
of such efforts.
b. Act as an agency, or appoint members to
act as agents, of the Church in its
advocacy for the powerless among us in
such areas as justice, poverty, and the
environment.
c. Encourage volunteer and financial support
for programs designated to address human
and environmental needs in a manner
consistent with the Christian Faith.
d. Designate organizations, institutions, or
individuals to which benevolence funds
shall be offered.
11
e. Report periodically to the Church on the
programs of recipients of benevolence
funds.
f. Provide updated information to the
Congregation on the progress/outcome of
such efforts.
g. Work cooperatively with other Church
Committees and Boards.
h. Present to the Church Council, at its
September meeting, a mission program
for the following year, including its
estimated costs, and transmit the same to
the Board of Trustees.
i. Make a written report to the Church at the
Annual Meeting.
E. Vacancies
Vacancies on a Board shall be filled promptly
by the Board until the next Annual Meeting of the
Church, subject to approval by the Church
Council at its next meeting.
F. Removal
A member of a Board may be removed from
office by an election called and conducted in like
manner as the election of said Board member.
G. Only Members or Associate Members of the
Church shall serve on Boards of the Church.
H. No Board or member of a Board of the Church
shall enter into any agreement, make any contract,
or otherwise incur any item of expense against the
Church unless such item of expense is included in
the Church Budget or is otherwise authorized by
the Board of Trustees.
V. STANDING COMMITTEES
A. Communications Committee
1. Number and Term of Office
The Communications Committee shall
consist of four members elected for terms of
two years, two being elected each year at the
Annual Meeting of the Church. They shall
serve until their successors are elected, but no
one shall serve for more than six consecutive
years. The Historian shall be an ex officio
member of the Committee.
 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF EVANSTON
CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
2. Officers and Meetings
The Communications Committee shall, at
its first meeting, which shall occur within one
month after the Annual Meeting, elect from
its own members a chair, a vice-chair, and a
secretary. The Committee shall meet at least
six times a year, and may hold additional
meetings at the call of the Minister, the Chair,
or two members of the Committee.
3. Duties
The Communications Committee shall:
a. Provide outlets of communication for the
Church, both within the Church and into
the community, for programs and
activities sponsored, facilitated, or created
by the Church and its Boards,
Committees, and organizations.
b. Be primarily responsible for the
publication and distribution of the Church
newsletter and all other outlets for
communication that promote the life and
mission of the Church.
c. Review, or designate authorized
individuals who will review, all proposed
publications and publicity of the Church,
and exercise the right of approval or
disapproval.
d. Present to the Church Council, at its
September meeting, a communications
program for the following year, including
its estimated costs, and transmit the same
to the Board of Trustees.
e. Make a written report to the Church at the
Annual Meeting.
B. Fellowship Committee
1. Number and Term of Office
The Fellowship Committee shall consist
of six members elected for terms of two years,
three being elected each year at the Annual
Meeting of the Church. They shall each
serve until their successors are elected, but no
one shall serve for more than six consecutive
years.
2. Officers and Meetings
The Fellowship Committee shall, at its
first meeting, which shall occur within one
month after the Annual Meeting, elect from
12
its own members a chair, a vice-chair, and a
secretary. The Committee shall meet at least
six times a year, and may hold additional
meetings at the call of the Minister, the Chair,
or three members of the Committee.
3. Duties
The Fellowship Committee shall:
a. Promote interest and participation in
Church activities.
b. Provide programs for fellowship and
friendship among members and friends of
the Church.
c. Secure sponsors for new members to help
them become acquainted and active in
Church life.
d. Coordinate coffee hour volunteers.
e. Host fellowship receptions for designated
Church events.
f. Submit to the Church Council, at its
September meeting, a program for the
following year, including estimated costs,
and transmit the same to the Board of
Trustees.
g. Make a written report to the Church at the
Annual Meeting.
C. Human Resources Committee
1. Number and Term of Office
The Human Resources Committee shall
consist of one representative of each Board,
and one representative from the Fellowship
Committee, all appointed by their respective
bodies and reported to the Church Council at
its March meeting; one member-at-large, who
shall serve as Chair, elected at the annual
meeting of the Church every two years, and
the Minister. Members of the Human
Resources Committee shall serve a term of
one year, except for the Chair, who shall serve
a term of two years. No one shall serve for
more than six consecutive years.
2. Membership
Only Members or Associate Members of
the Church shall serve on the Human
Resources Committee.
 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF EVANSTON
CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
. of the Committee until a new chair is elected.
3. Officers and Meetings
The Human Resources Committee shall, at
its first meeting, which shall occur within two
months after the Annual Meeting, elect from
its own members a vice-chair and a secretary.
The Committee shall meet at least six times a
year, and may hold additional meetings at the
call of the Minister, the Chair, the Moderator,
the Vice Moderator or three members of the
Committee
4. Duties
The Human Resources Committee shall:
a. Be responsible for personnel policies and
annual performance reviews of all staff.
b. Consult with the appropriate Boards and
Committees and the Church Council
when there is a search for professional
staff, with the exception of the Minister or
any support staff.
c. Advise the Church Council and the Board
of Trustees annually in September
regarding compensation recommendations
for staff other than the Minister.
d. Make a written report to the Church at the
Annual Meeting.
D. Stewardship Committee
1. Number and Term of Office
The Stewardship Committee shall consist
of four members elected for terms of two
years, two being elected each year at the
Annual Meeting of the Church. They shall
serve until their successors are elected, but no
one shall serve for more than six consecutive
years. Treasurer shall serve as an ex officio
member of the Committee.
2. Officers and Meetings
The Stewardship Committee shall, at its
first meeting, which shall occur within one
month after the Annual Meeting, elect from
its own members a chair, a vice-chair, and a
secretary. In the event that the elected chair
is absent from a meeting, the Treasurer shall
serve as convener of the Committee. If the
chair is unable to perform the duties of that
office, the Treasurer shall serve as convener
13
The Committee shall meet at least six times a
year, and may hold additional meetings at the
call of the Minister, the Treasurer, the Chair,
or two members of the Committee.
3. Purpose and Duties
The Stewardship Committee shall have as
its purpose the encouragement of responsible
stewardship, among individuals and the entire
Congregation, so that our membership may
ever be following the injunction of God upon
humanity to act in concert with the Creator.
Especially because an important element of
Christian stewardship is to enjoy the blessing
of giving as we have received from God, the
Committee shall:
a. Work cooperatively with the Board of
Trustees to conduct the annual
operating-budget-pledge drive and
appropriate follow-up activity throughout
the year, making frequent reports to the
Board of Trustees on amount pledged and
amount actually collected.
b. Conduct other fund drives as directed by
the Board of Trustees.
c. Solicit capital-fund and endowment gifts.
d. Provide information regarding planned
giving, deferred giving, and estate
planning, as appropriate, to members and
friends of the Church and manage the
planned giving program of the Church.
e. Present to the Church Council, at its
September meeting, a Stewardship
program for the following year, including
estimated costs, and transmit the same to
the Board of Trustees.
f. Make a written report to the Church at the
Annual Meeting.
E. Vacancies
A vacancy on any Standing Committee,
except Human Resources, shall be filled promptly
by that committee until the next Annual Meeting
of the Church, subject to approval of the Church
Council at its next meeting.
 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF EVANSTON
CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
F. Removal
A member of a Standing Committee may be
removed, with our without cause, by a majority
vote of the Church in a regular or special meeting
at which a quorum of eighty is present.
G. Only Members or Associate Members of the
Church shall serve on Standing Committees.
H. No Standing Committee or member of a Standing
Committee shall enter into any agreement, make
any contract, or otherwise incur any item of
expense against the Church unless such item of
expense is included in the Church Budget or is
otherwise authorized by the Board of Trustees.
VI. AD HOC COMMITTEES
A. Nominating Committee
1. Number and Term of Office
The Nominating Committee shall consist
of one representative of each Board, Standing
Committee, and Auxiliary Organization, all
appointed by their respective bodies and
reported to the Church Council at its
November meeting. Appointed members of
the Nominating Committee shall serve a term
of one year. No one shall serve for more
than three consecutive years.
2. Membership
Only Members or Associate Members of
the Church shall serve on the Nominating
Committee.
3. Officers and Meetings
The Convener and Chair of the
Nominating Committee shall be the
Immediate Past Moderator ,who shall convene
the Nominating Committee on or before
November 30. At this first meeting of the
Nominating Committee, it shall elect from its
own members a vice-chair and a secretary.
The role of the Chair shall be filled by the
Immediate Past Moderator for a period not to
exceed two years. The Nominating
Committee shall meet as often as necessary, at
the call of the Minister, the Chair, or four
members of the Committee.
4. Duties
The Nominating Committee shall compile
a slate of nominees to fill all positions vacant
because of expiration of terms or resignations
14
or inability to serve. This slate shall be
reported to the Church office in time to be
mailed to all members of the Church at least
ten days before the Annual Meeting of the
Church.
B. Pastoral Advisory Committee
1. Membership
The Pastoral Advisory Committee shall
consist of the Moderator, the Vice-Moderator,
and Chairs of the Boards of Christian
Education; Deacons; Worship, Music, and the
Arts; Mission; and Trustees.
2. Meetings
The Pastoral Advisory Committee shall
meet at least twice a year on call of the
Minister or any member of the Committee.
The Moderator shall act as Chair.
3. Duties
The Pastoral Advisory Committee shall:
a. Provide informal advice to the Minister.
It shall strive to enhance communication
between the Minister and the Church.
This group can be summoned quickly for
discussions, but does not take the place of
formal meetings of other Church bodies.
b. Advise and assist any Pastoral Search
Committee that has been activated.
c. Provide a written annual performance
evaluation of the Minister, and present to
the Board of Trustees, at its September
meeting, compensation recommendations
for the Minister.
C. The Memorial Garden Board of Overseers
In 2001, a Memorial Garden was
established on the south side of the First
Congregational Church property at the corner
of Grove and Hinman. The First
Congregational Church recognizes a moral
obligation to maintain the Garden in good
condition at all times. The Board of Trustees
of the Church will appoint responsible
individuals as members of the Memorial
Garden Board of Overseers who will
collectively be in charge of the maintenance,
plantings, and physical planning for the
garden, pursuant to authorization by the
Trustees.
 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF EVANSTON
CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
The main purpose of the Garden is to
provide a dignified and spiritually appropriate
place for the interment of residual human
ashes from cremation. The ashes from
cremation are placed in the soil of the Garden
just below the surface. Interment is carried
out according to procedures established and
maintained by a Memorial Garden Board of
Overseers. No urns or containers will be
deposited and there will be no gravestones.
A permanent plaque will be maintained
having inscribed on it the names of all those
persons whose ashes are interred in the
garden. The names of the interred will also
be recorded in a Book of Memory kept in the
chapel in the Church building. Other
documents pertaining to the deceased will be
stored in a Church vault. Only those who
were present at the interment will know the
location of any individual’s ashes in the
Garden.
The Board of Trustees will administer the
Memorial Garden Endowment Fund and
receive and responsibly invest all
contributions for the care and upkeep of the
Garden. To that end, the Trustees will apply
these funds to the benefit of the Memorial
Garden and will ensure perpetual care of the
Garden. The Board of Trustees will receive
an annual report of all activity related to the
maintenance and use of the Memorial Garden
from the Memorial Garden Board of
Overseers.
D. Vacancies
A vacancy on any Ad Hoc Committee shall be
filled promptly by that committee until the next
Annual Meeting of the Church, subject to
approval of the Church Council at its next
meeting, if the vacant position is one that is
nominated and elected in the ordinary course. If
the vacant position is a position that is filled in the
ordinary course by a representative of another
Committee or Board, then the represented
Committee or Board shall fill the position.
E. Removal
A member of an Ad Hoc Committee may be
removed, with our without cause, by a majority
vote of the Church in a regular or special meeting
at which a quorum of eighty is present.
F. Only Members or Associate Members of the
Church shall serve on Ad Hoc Committees.
15
G. No Ad Hoc Committee or member of an Ad Hoc
Committee shall enter into any agreement, make
any contract, or otherwise incur any item of
expense against the Church unless such item of
expense is included in the Church Budget or is
otherwise authorized by the Board of Trustees.
VII. AUXILIARY ORGANIZATIONS
A. Auxiliary Organizations shall:
1. Be approved as Auxiliary Organizations by
the Church Council.
2. Appoint a representative to the Church
Council.
3. Be responsible for all funds received from its
activities.
4. Consult the Church Calendar in scheduling
activities and coordinate these with those of
other bodies in the Church.
5. Have a Constitution and Bylaws and officers
separate from those of the Church.
6. Submit the required reports to the Church
Council and to the Annual Meeting of the
Church.
B. Approved Auxiliary Organizations
7. The Plymouth Players, an organization
concerned with activities in the field of
performing arts.
VIII. MEETINGS OF THE CHURCH
A. Annual Meeting
The Annual Meeting of the Church for the
election of officers, hearing and disposition of
reports, and the transaction of other appropriate
business shall be held in January or at such other
time as set by the Church Council. At this
meeting written reports shall be submitted by the
Minister, the Director of Christian Education, the
Treasurer, the Clerk, the Historian, the Auditor,
and all Boards, Standing Committees, and
Auxiliary Organizations.
B. Budget Meeting
There shall be a meeting of the Church during
the month of November or December for the
purpose of considering and acting upon the
Budget for the ensuing year.
 FIRST CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF EVANSTON
CONSTITUTION AND BYLAWS
C. Special Meetings
Special meetings of the Church may be called
by the Minister, the Moderator, a Board, the
Church Council, or, in writing, twenty or more
members of the Church. At a special meeting
action shall be taken only on the matters covered
in the call for such meeting.
D. Notice of Meetings
Notice of each regular or special meeting of
the Church shall be mailed by the Clerk at least
ten days prior to such meeting.
E. Voting
1. Elections
All members of Boards and Standing
Committees, members-at-large of the Church
Council, and Officers of the Church shall be
elected by ballot at the Annual Meeting of the
Church. All elections shall be by a majority
of the members of the Church present and
voting. The formality of the ballot may be
waived by unanimous consent of those
present and eligible to vote. No person shall
serve in any elected capacity for more than
the time specified in these bylaws.
2. Quorum
Fifty members of the Church shall
constitute a quorum at all meetings of the
Church, except those held for calling or
dismissing a Minister; amending the Bylaws;
removing an Officer, Board member, or
Standing Committee member from office;
terminating or reinstating voting rights; or
voting on any proposal to join another
Church, Association, Synod, or
Denomination, the quorum for which is
eighty.
3. Proxy Voting
At any regular meeting or special meeting
of the Church a member of the Church who is
a resident of Cook or Lake Counties in
Illinois, and is unable to attend such meeting
by reason of illness or absence from such
counties, may vote by proxy. Such proxy
shall be in writing, signed by the absent
member, and shall contain a statement of the
reason the member is unable to attend. The
name of the member to whom proxy is
designated shall be given. The proxy shall
be filed with the Clerk at or prior to the date
16
of such meeting. A member may represent
only one proxy vote.
4. To Join a Denomination or Judicatory
An affirmative vote of two-thirds of the
ballots cast by members of the Church, in a
meeting in which the quorum is eighty, shall
be required for passage of any proposal to
join, become a member of, or otherwise
affiliate with any other Church, Association,
Synod, or Denomination. Such vote may be
taken only when specifically written in the
call to the meeting.
IX. DELEGATES
The Church or the Church Council, at any
meeting, may appoint members of the Church to act as
delegates or representatives of the Church, such
delegates or representatives to be guided by the
instructions given by the Church or the Church
Council, as the case may be.
The delegate or representative of the Church to a
given organization (or the Chief Delegate or
Representative appointed by the other delegates and
representatives, if more than one delegate or
representative is appointed to a given organization)
shall be an advisory non-voting member of the Church
Council and report to it on the actions and activities of
such organization.
X. AMENDMENTS
These Bylaws may be amended by a vote of
two-thirds of the members of the Church present at a
regular Annual Meeting or at a special meeting called
for the purpose, provided that the notice or call for
such meeting shall state the proposed amendment or
amendments, and that a quorum of eighty is present.
XI. CORPORATE SEAL
The secretary of the Board of Trustees shall have
custody of the corporate seal and shall attach same to
all official documents executed or authorized by the
proper officers or boards.
XII. RULES OF PROCEDURE
Robert’s Rules of Order, in the latest edition, shall
govern the meetings of the Church.
– END –
As adopted at the Congregational Meeting of the
Church, September 18, 1983,
effective January 29, 1984;
with additions and amendments adopted through
January 22, 2012