Congregations may share in the life of the Ecumenical Parish of West Swindon and the Lydiards as full members, when they are able to subscribe fully to the Constitution of the LEP. Other congregations within the area of the Ecumenical Parish may apply for associate membership. Such congregations will be entitled to send observers to meetings of the Ecumenical Church Council, until such time as that congregation is able to negotiate for full membership of the LEP.
(Referred to as ‘THE COUNCIL’)
Membership of the Council shall consist of the following:
The Council shall elect a Chairperson, a Vice-Chairperson, a Secretary and a Treasurer from among its members. It may elect other officers at its discretion.
The Council may co-opt up to two other members. (Each Local Church Committee may fill any CASUAL VACANCY which diminishes its representation on the Council.) in each case, these members shall serve until the Annual Genera! Meeting (AGM) of the Council.
The Council shall hold overall responsibility for the life of the Church in West Swindon, excluding any functions which are reserved by the denominations to a council or committee of that denomination. In particular, the council shall:
One half of the total membership of the Council, which shall include one half of the members of the Ecumenical Team, shall form a quorum.
The Council shall meet on at least four occasions in each year, of which one shall be the Annual General Meeting (AGM), to be held in March.
The Council may appoint a Standing Committee to transact business between full meetings of the Council. The Standing Committee, if appointed, shall consist of two members of the Ecumenical Team, and four lay members.
Standing Orders relating solely to the conduct of the Council may be amended by a simple majority of the full Council. Amendments to the functions of the Council may only be made a majority of those present at an AGM of the Church in West Swindon.
(Referred to as ‘THE COMMITTEES’ or ‘THE COMMITTEE’)
Membership of the Council shall consist of the following:
Each congregation shall elect, at its AGM, a Treasurer and such other officers as the meeting decides. Other necessary officers shall be appointed by the Committee from amongst its members.
Each Committee may co-opt members to fill any vacancy, and may in addition co-opt a further two members. All co-opted members shall serve until the next AGM of the congregation concerned.
Each Committee shall:
One half of the members of the Committee. which shall include one member of the Ecumenical Team, and provided that at least half of those present are lay people, shall form a quorum.
Each Committee shall met on at least four occasions each year, of which one shall be the AGM of the congregation concerned, to be held in February.
Each Committee may appoint a Standing Committee to transact business between full meetings of the Committee. Each Standing Committee, if appointed, shall consist of one member of the Ecumenical Team with pastoral responsibility for the congregation concerned, and three lay members.
Standing Orders relating solely to the conduct of the Committees may be amended by a simple majority of the full Ecumenical Church Council. Amendments to the functions of the Committees may only be made by a majority of those present at an AGM of the Ecumenical Parish.
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