IDENTIFYING LEGAL PRECEDENCE FOR YOUR RELIGION "JUST IN CASE" AND
HAVING AN ORGANIZATIONAL MEETING.
Next, you must do a little research and establish the precedences that
will allow you to form a "legal" church. Then, your group must
actually meet for purposes of making a decision to Incorporate. Send a
letter to all concerned parties stating that your organizational meeting
will occur on a specific date. Keep minutes of the meeting and show that
you have agreed on a name for your church and specify who the
incorporators are.
CREATING YOUR CHURCH CONSTITUTION:
THE CHURCH CONSTITUTION IS THE FIRST DOCUMENT THAT YOU MUST CREATE AND IS
PROBABLY ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT, IF NOT THE MOST IMPORTANT
DOCUMENT THAT YOU WILL ESTABLISH. IT ACTUALLY DESCRIBES YOUR RELIGION
AND SETS THE TONE FOR THE FORMATION OF YOUR OTHER DOCUMENTS. CHURCHES
THAT ARE MEMBERS OF Y TYLWYTH TEG HAVE ALREADY RECEIVED A COPY OF THE
CONSTITUTION. IF YOU ARE NOT A MEMBER OF Y TYLWYT TEG, PLEASE RE-WRITE
TO FIT YOUR PHILOSOPHY. THE FOLLOWING SAMPLE IS SIMILAR TO THE
CONSTITUTION USED BY THE CHURCH OF Y TYLWYTH TEG:
THE CONSTITUTION OF
THE CHURCH OF Y TYLWYTH TEG
RATIFIED BY THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS
OF
DENBIGH, WALES
4th Revision, adopted, accepted and ratified April 30,
1989
PREAMBLE
We the undersigned members of the Church of Y
Tylwyth Teg, responding in faith to the call of the Great
Spirit, desiring to unite together to worship the God and
Goddess, administer the sacraments, and carry out the mission of
the Great Spirit, do hereby adopt this constitution and solemnly
pledge ourselves to be governed by its provisions. In the name
of the Father God, Mother Goddess and the Great Spirit.
So mote it be.
(CHAPTER ONE SETS OUT THE AUTHORIZATION TO
INCORPORATE:)
Chapter 1.
NAME AND INCORPORATION
C1.01 The name of this congregation shall be
the (Church of ........)
C1.02 For the purpose of this constitution
and the accompanying bylaws, the Church of ....... congregation is
herein designated as "this congregation."
C1.03 This congregation shall be
incorporated under the laws of the State of Georgia.
(CHAPTER TWO DECLARES THE BASIC BELIEFS CONCERNING
YOUR DEITY:)
Chapter 2.
DECLARATION OF FAITH
C2.01 This congregation declares that it
believes in a Mother Goddess, a Father God and a Great Spirit.
C2.02 This congregation declares that the
God and the Goddess have the power to grant forgiveness, since they
are part of ourselves, to liberate a believer from mistakes
(although Karma will still be in effect) and demonstrate perfect
love for all who believe.
a. Hu Gadarn, the ancient messenger of the
Great Spirit, is the Word of the Great Spirit incarnate,
through whom everything is made.
b. The proclamation of the Great Spirit's
message to us as both Law and Word, reveals love through
word and deed, beginning with The Word in Atlantis,
continuing in the history of Hyperborea, and centering in
all its fullness in the person of Hu Gadarn and the Welsh
Druids.
c. The Manuscripts of The Thirteen
Treasures are inspired by the Great Spirit speaking through
their authors. They record and announce The Great
Spirit's concern centering in Hu Gadarn. Through these
manuscripts the Great Spirit speaks to us to create and
sustain our faith and fellowship for service in the world.
C2.03 This congregation accepts The Thirteen
Treasures as inspired Words of the Great Spirit and one of the chief
authoritative sources for its proclamation, faith and life.
C2.04 This congregation accepts The
Statement of Belief as a true declaration of the faith of the
congregation.
C2.05 This congregation declares that there
is evidence that the Celtic Tradition and Y Tylwyth Teg faiths are
derived from the world's oldest earth religion.
C2.06 This congregation believes that The
Celtic Tradition and Y Tylwyth Teg faith, as we know it today,
evolved over 700 years ago when the Bards of Prince Llewellyn ap
Gwyfed translated the Thirteen Sacred Manuscripts into Welsh from
Celtic Ogham Runes derived from his Pictish heritage, Knight Templar
legacy and the Ancient Oral Traditions of the Druids. Later in 1465,
an English translation of these teachings became the basis of our
religion.
C2.07 This congregation believes that the
Celtic Tradition and Y Tylwyth Teg teachings and symbols preceded
our formal organization by thousands of years. They come to us
across long drifting centuries and can be found on ancient Sumerian
clay tablets in the cities of Ur, in the sunken cities of Atlantis,
in the elvish runes on potsherds in the Australian outback, and in
the first faltering steps of Humankind millions of years ago.
C2.08 This congregation declares that the
actual roots of The Celtic Tradition and The Church of ......., go
deep. It is a superb story of enlightenment ...more intriguing than
the storied search for the Holy Grail, and more rewarding than the
discovery of the Philosophers Stone.
(CHAPTER THREE DESCRIBES THE NATURE OF YOUR CHURCH
AND ITS CONGREGATION.)
Chapter 3
NATURE OF THE CHURCH
C3.01. All religious power belongs to the
Great Spirit, The Elders of the Coven and to the High Priest and
High Priestess.
C3.02. The Church exists both as an
inclusive fellowship and as a local congregation gathered for
worship and religious service. Congregations find their fulfillment
in the universal community of the Church, and the universal Church
exists in and through congregations. This church, therefore, derives
its character and powers both from the sanction and representation
of its congregations and from its inherent nature as an expression
of the broader fellowship of the members. In length, it acknowledges
itself to be the historic continuity of the ancient Gathering of the
Tribes and the Synod of the Welsh traditional Church in America; in
breadth, it expresses the fellowship of believers and congregations
in our day.
C3.03. The American branch of The Celtic
Tradition and the Church was founded by Lord Rhuddlwm Gawr in
Maryland and Washington, D.C. in 1966 as "The Gentle People". The
Church of ....... is a non-profit religious organization.
C3.04. The Church does not condone the
practice of "Black Magick," or the desecration of any person, place
or thing. The Old Religion does not seek converts! It is up
to each seeker to convince their church that they are sincere and
worthy of membership in our religion and ready to study for the
Priesthood. Without an attempt at perfect Love and Perfect Trust, no
one will be accepted into the Church.
C3.05. The congregation believes that there
are many pathways to Enlightenment, some are long and some are
short. But if the seeker continues to strive upward, he or she will
eventually reach the summit.
C3.06. The Church does not believe in the
concept of a devil. We attempt to live our lives in harmony with
Nature and therefore, are protected by the power of Nature.
C3.07. The Church is practicing what we call
the "Old Religion" which includes: Native American Indians, the
native African religions, the religions of the various island
peoples in the Pacific Ocean, the religions of the various peasants
in the hills of Asia, the religion of the aborigines of Australia,
the religion of the ancient Celts, and Y Tylwyth Teg as the race of
Welsh Priests and Priestesses were called by the invading Saxons.
C3.09. This congregation believes that many
of the Old Religions descended from Neolithic fertility religions
and from the descendants of the civilization of Atlantis. Hence the
common symbols of the Earth Mother Goddess and the Sky Father God
representing the vegetable and animal life of the Earth, and the
light and life giving Sun, respectively. We find these earth
religions in harmony with Nature and its celebration of life, birth
and death, expressed seasonally.
C3.10. This congregation declares that The
Old Religion is as old as humankind. The Old Religion is a "Natural"
religion both in origin and in mode of expression as opposed to
artificially created ideological religions.
C3.11. This congregation declares that all
Priests of Y Tylwyth Teg are "Gwiddon" (`Gwi-thon'), which is a
Welsh word meaning "Wise One." This word described the Shamans or
"Medicine Men" of the Tribe or the village. This was the Herb Woman
or Cunning Man of the Welsh community of medieval times. All
Gwiddion are Priests and Priestess of the Old Religion of Wales.
C3.12. This congregation declares that all
of the great festivals of the Old Religion, wherever found,
correspond to natural cycles of Nature (animal mating, seasons,
planting and harvest) or the cycles of the Sun (Solstices and
Equinoxes). Most remain today in the more or less disguised form of:
Christmas (Yule), Easter (Spring Equinox), May Day (Beltane),
Thanksgiving (Harvest Home), Halloween (Samhain), Valentines Day
(Candlemas), St. Johns Day (Midsummers), and Loaf Mass Day (Lammas),
comprising a total of eight major festivals.
C3.13. This congregation declares that these
festivals were renamed because of the predominance of Christianity
during the last 1900 years or so; and Christianity's habit of
renaming pagan holidays and taking them for its own.
C3.14. This congregation declares that an
Earth Religion in formation and existence, resembles a tree. It
emerges from the Earth, grows, changes (both cyclically in seasons
and continually upward and outward), bears flowers/fruit, and shares
its life with other living creatures. It is not made, it becomes.
When its time ends (for many trees are potentially immortal, never
dying of old age,) it does not pass from this world, for its
"children" have, in the interim, sprung up from the Earth, each
similar yet unique. A world of Earth religions is like a forest:
NATURAL!
(CHAPTER FOUR IS A STATEMENT OF PURPOSE WHICH WILL
BE USED IN YOUR ARTICLES OF INCORPORATION.)
Chapter 4.
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE
C4.01. The Church is a people created by the
Great Spirit, empowered by Hu Gadarn, called and sent to bear
witness to The Great Spirit's creative, fulfilling, and sanctifying
activity in the world.
C4.02. To participate in The Great Spirit's
mission, this congregation as part of the Church shall:
a. Worship the Great Spirit through the
duality of the God and Goddess in proclamation of belief and
administration of the sacraments and through lives of
prayer, praise, thanksgiving and service.
b. Proclaim the truth of the Great Spirit,
according to the witness of The Thirteen Treasures,
preserving and transmitting the manuscripts faithfully to
future generations.
c. Carrying out the mission of the Great
Spirit by making ourselves available to those people who are
trying to find us to bring them in faith to the Great Spirit
and by doing all ministry with an understanding of The Great
Spirit as Creator, Fulfiller and Sanctifier of all.
d. Serve in response to the Great Spirit's
love to meet human needs, caring for the sick and aged,
advocating dignity and justice for all people, working for
peace and reconciliation among the nations, and standing
with the poor and powerless, and committing itself to their
needs.
e. Nurture its members in The Word of the
Great Spirit so as to grow in faith, hope, and love,
knowledge and power; to see daily life as the primary
setting for the exercise of enlightenment, and to use the
gifts of the Great Spirit for their life together and for
their calling in the world.
f. Manifest the unity given to the people
of the Great Spirit by living together in the love of the
Great Spirit and by joining with others in prayer and action
to express and preserve the unity which the Great Spirit
gives.
C4.03. To fulfill these purposes, this
congregation shall:
a. Provide services of worship at which The
Word of the Great Spirit is proclaimed and the sacraments
are administered.
b. Provide pastoral care and assist all
members to participate in this service.
c. Challenge, equip, and support all
members in carrying out their calling in their daily lives
and in their congregation.
d. Teach The Word of the Great Spirit.
e. Attest to truth of The Word to all who
come to learn.
f. Respond to human need, work for justice
and peace, care for the sick and suffering, and participate
responsibly in society.
g. Motivate its members to provide
financial support for the congregation's ministry and the
ministry of other parts of the Association of Cymmry Wicca.
h. Foster and participate in interdependent
relationships with other congregations, and other Churches
in the Association of Welsh Traditional Churches.
i. Foster and participate in ecumenical
relationships consistent with church wide policy.
C4.04. This congregation shall develop an
organizational structure to be described in the bylaws. The
congregation Council of Elders shall prepare descriptions of the
responsibilities of each committee, task force, or other
organizational groups and shall review their actions. [Such
description shall be contained in continuing resolutions of the
Congregation Council of Elders.]
C4.05 This congregation shall, from time to
time, adopt a policy statement which will provide specific direction
for its programs.
(CHAPTER FIVE DESCRIBES THE LEGAL POWERS OF THE
CONGREGATION.)
Chapter 5.
POWERS OF THE CONGREGATION
C5.01. The power of this congregation are those
necessary to fulfill its purpose.
C5.02. The powers of this congregation are
vested in the Membership meeting called and conducted as provided in
the constitution and Bylaws.
C5.03. Only such authority as is delegated
to the President, the Council of Elders or other organizational
units by the congregation's governing documents, is reserved for
them alone. All remaining authority is retained by the congregation.
The congregation is authorized to:
a. vote on the investment of a priest and
priestess;
b. terminate the services of a priest and/or
priestess;
c. appoint or terminate the appointment of
associates in the priesthood in conformity with the applicable
policy of the Church of ....... in America;
d. approve the annual budget;
e. accept absolutely or in trust for any of the
purposes herein set out, any gift, grant, or devise of any real
or personal property; acquire real and personal property by
gift, devise, purchase, or other lawful means, and administer
funds and property which, after the payment of necessary
expenses, shall be devoted exclusively to religious, charitable,
scientific, literary and educational purposes;
f. buy, sell, lease, mortgage or otherwise
encumber, hold or dispose of both real or personal property of
the Church; hold title to and use its property for any and all
activities consistent with its purpose;
g. sell, mortgage, lease, transfer, or
otherwise dispose of its property by any lawful means;
h. elect its officers, Council of Elders,
boards, committees, and require them to carry out their duties
in accordance with the constitution, bylaws and continuing
resolutions;
i. terminate its relationship with any other
organization that it is affiliated with as provided in Chapter
6.
j. to support, proselytize, publish, research
and teach the religious arts, sciences and concepts of the Y
Tylwyth Teg order;
k. establish and maintain places of worship in
accordance with the traditions, rights and practices of the Y
Tylwyth Teg order;
l. establish churches in other counties of the
State of Georgia, in other states of the United States, and in
other countries of the world;
m. establish, maintain and conduct schools of
religious instruction for children and adults;
n. provide courses of religious instruction
which shall prepare members and qualify them to be ordained
priests and priestesses (ministers);
o. to ordain priests and priestesses
(ministers) of the Religious orders associated with it;
p. charter churches of various Earth Religions
and the Y Tylwyth Teg order;
q. exercise any, all and every power to which
an establishment of religion is entitled; and
r. carry on all other such activities not
limited by section 501(c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code of
the United States of America, or the corresponding provisions of
any subsequent law.
(CHAPTER SIX DESCRIBES YOUR CHURCHES' RELATIONSHIP
WITH OTHER CHURCHES IN YOUR DENOMINATION AND HOW RELIGIOUS DISCIPLINE IS
RENDERED.)
Chapter 6.
CHURCH AFFILIATION
C6.01. This congregation shall be an
interdependent part of the Church of ....... in America or its
successors, through the Synod of the Association of Welsh
Traditional Churches in America. This congregation is subject to the
discipline of the Association of Welsh Traditional Churches in
America.
06.02. This congregation accepts the
Thirteen Treasures and agrees to the purposes of the Church of
....... in America and shall act in accordance with them.
06.03. This congregation acknowledges its
relationship with the Association of Welsh Traditional Churches in
America in which:
a. This congregation pledges its financial
support and participation in the life and mission of the
Association of Welsh Traditional Churches in America.
b. This congregation agrees to file this
constitution and any subsequent changes in this constitution
with the Synod for review to ascertain that all of the
provisions are in agreement with the constitution and bylaws
of the Church of ....... of America or the Association of
Welsh Traditional Churches in America.
06.04. Affiliation with the Association of
Welsh Traditional Churches in America may terminated as follows:
a. This congregation takes action to
dissolve;
b. This congregation ceases to exist;
c. This congregation is removed from
membership in the Church of ....... of America or the
Association of Welsh Traditional Churches of America
according to the procedures for discipline of the Church of
....... of America.
d. This congregation follows the procedures
outlined in C6.05.
C6.05. This congregation may terminate its
relationship with the Synod of the Welsh Traditional Churches in
America by the following procedure:
a. A resolution indicating the desire of
this congregation to terminate its relationship must be
adopted at a legally called and conducted special meeting of
this congregation by a two-thirds majority of the voting
members present.
b. The secretary of this congregation shall
submit a copy of the resolution to the synodical president
and shall mail a copy of the resolution to voting members of
the congregation. This notice shall be submitted within 10
days after the resolution has been adopted.
c. The president of the synod shall consult
with this congregation during a period of at least 90 days.
d. If this congregation, after
consultation, still desires to terminate its relationship,
such action may be taken at a legally called and conducted
special meeting by a two-thirds majority of the voting
members present, at which meeting the president of the synod
or an authorized representative shall be present. Notice of
the meeting shall be mailed to all voting members at least
10 days in advance of the meeting.
e. A certified copy of the resolution to
terminate its relationship shall be sent to the synodical
president, at which time the relationship between this
congregation and the Welsh Traditional Churches in America
shall be terminated.
f. Notice of this termination shall be
forwarded by the synodical president to the secretary of
this church and published in the periodical of this church.
g. If this congregation is a member of the
Church of ....... in America, it shall be required, in
addition to the provisions in C6.05., to receive synodical
approval before terminating its membership in the
Association of Welsh Traditional Churches in America.
C6.06. If this congregation is considering
relocation, it shall confer with the president of the synod before
any steps are taken leading to such action.
(CHAPTER SEVEN GIVES YOUR CHURCH THE AUTHORITY TO
OWN PROPERTY.)
Chapter 7.
PROPERTY OWNERSHIP
C7.01. If this congregation ceases to exist,
and there are no other claims, title to undisposed property shall
pass to the Synod of the Association of Cymmry Wicca. If there are
claims, title to undisposed property will first be dispersed to the
local members.
C7.02. If this congregation is removed from
membership in the Association of Welsh Traditional Churches in
America according to its procedure for discipline, title to property
shall continue to reside in this congregation.
C7.03. If two-thirds majority of the voting
active members of this congregation present at a regularly called
and conducted special meeting of this congregation vote to transfer
to another Y Tylwyth Teg body, title to property shall continue to
reside in this congregation. Before this congregation takes action
to transfer to another Y Tylwyth Teg body, it shall consult with the
Synod of The and the Council of Elders of this congregation.
C7.04. If a two-thirds majority of the
voting members of this congregation present at a regularly called
and conducted special meeting of this congregation vote to become
independent or relate to a non-Y Tylwyth Teg church body, title to
property of this congregation, title to property of this
congregation shall continue to reside in this congregation only with
the consent of the Synod Council. The Synod Council, after
consultation with the congregation by the established synodical
process, may give approval to the request to become independent or
to relate to a non-Y Tylwyth Teg church body, in which case title
shall remain with the majority of the congregation. If the Synod
Council fails to give such approval, title shall remain with those
members who desire to continue as a congregation of The Church of
....... of America.
(CHAPTER EIGHT DESCRIBES THE MEMBERSHIP
CLASSIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS.)
Chapter 8
MEMBERSHIP
C8.01. Members of this congregation shall be
those consecrated or Initiated persons on the roll of the
congregation at the time that this constitution is adopted and those
who are admitted thereafter and who have declared and maintain their
membership in accordance with the provisions of this constitution
and the bylaws.
C8.02. Members shall be classified as
follows:
a. Neophyte members are those persons who
have been received by the sacrament of Consecration or
Dedication in this congregation, or, having been previously
consecrated in the name of the God and Goddess, have been
received by certificate of transfer from other Y Tylwyth Teg
congregations.
b. Initiated members are consecrated
persons who have been initiated by the process of completing
their Quest, being Named and Adopted into this congregation
and/or the Y Tylwyth Teg faith, or by transfer as Initiated
members from other Y Tylwyth Teg congregations.
c. Voting members are Initiated members.
Such Initiated members shall have attended Sabbats and made
contribution of record during the current and preceding
year.
d. Associate members are persons who have
not been consecrated or initiated but desire to participate
in the life and mission of this congregation. They have
certain privileges and duties of membership as defined by
the bylaws, except voting rights and eligibility for elected
offices or membership on the Council of Elders of this
congregation.
C8.03. All applications for Initiation and
Full membership shall be submitted to and require the approval of
the Council of Elders.
C8.04. It shall be the privilege and duty of
members of this congregation to:
a. make regular use of the means of
balance, both Word and sacraments;
b. live a acceptable life in accordance
with the Statement of Belief, the Y Tylwyth Teg Precepts and
the teachings of the Y Tylwyth Teg church; and
c. support the work of this congregation
and of the Church of ....... in America through
contributions of their time, abilities, and financial
support as stewards of The Great Spirit.
(CHAPTER NINE DESCRIBES THE QUALIFICATIONS,
REQUIREMENTS AND DUTIES OF THE HIGH PRIEST AND HIGH PRIESTESS.)
Chapter 9
THE HIGH PRIEST AND HIGH PRIESTESS (MINISTERS)
C9.01. Authority to choose a High Priest and
High Priestess shall be vested in this congregation by at least a
two-thirds majority vote of members present and voting at a meeting
regularly called for that purpose. Before a choice is made, the
officers, or a committee elected by this congregation to recommend
the choice shall seek the advice and help of the president of the
Synod.
C9.02. Only a member of the clergy roster of
the Church of ....... in America or who has been recommended for it
by the synodical president may be chosen as a High Priest or High
Priestess of this congregation.
C9.03. Consistent with the faith and
practices of the Church of ....... in America, every ordained High
Priest and/or High Priestess shall conduct the Sabbats, administer
the sacraments, conduct public worship, provide pastoral care, and
speak publicly to the world in solidarity with the oppressed,
calling for justice and proclaiming the Great Spirits love for the
world. Each ordained High Priest and/or High Priestess with a
congregation shall within the congregation, offer instruction,
initiate, consecrate, marry, visit the sick and distressed, and bury
the dead; supervise all schools and organizations of the
congregation; shall install regularly elected members of the Council
of Elders, and with the council, administer discipline. Every High
Priest and High Priestess shall seek out and encourage qualified
persons to prepare for the priesthood and strive to extend the hand
of fellowship in the community, in the nation, and abroad; shall
impart knowledge of this church and its wider ministry through
distribution of its periodicals and other publications; and shall
endeavor to increase the support given by the congregation to the
work of the Church of ....... in America and the Association of
Welsh Traditional Churches in America.
C9.04. The specific duties of High Priest
and High Priestess, compensation, and other matters pertaining to
the services of the ministers shall be included in a agreement
between the church and the ministers.
C9.05. a. Accepting the wishes of the
congregation to become their minister, the High Priest and/or
High Priestess shall agree to a mutual relationship and
commitment which, except in the case of the death of the High
Priest and/or High Priestess, shall be terminated only following
consultation with the synodical president and for the following
reasons:
1) Mutual agreement to terminate a
contract or the completion of a contract for a specific
term of years;
2) resignation of the High Priest
and/or High Priestess;
3.) inability to conduct the pastoral
office effectively in the congregation in view of local
conditions, without reflection upon the competence of
the moral or spiritual character of the High Priest
and/or High Priestess;
4.) the physical or mental incapacity
of the High Priest and/or High Priestess.
5.) disqualification of the High Priest
and/or High Priestess through discipline on grounds of
belief, morality, or continued neglect of duty; or
6.) the dissolution of the
congregation.
b. In the case of alleged physical or
mental incapacity of the High Priest and/or High Priestess
or ineffective conduct of the pastoral office, it shall be
the responsibility of the president of the Synod, when such
difficulties are personally known or have been brought to
the Synods attention by an official recital of allegations
by the Council of Elders, or by a petition signed by at
least one-third of the voting members of the congregation,
to investigate such conditions personally in company with a
committee of two ordained members of the priesthood and one
lay person.
c. In case of alleged physical or mental
incapacity competent medical testimony shall be obtained.
When such disability is evident, the president of the synod
with the advice of the committee shall declare the position
vacant. Upon the restoration of a disabled priest or
priestess to health, the president of the synod shall take
steps to enable the priest or priestess to resume their
duties, either in the congregation last served or another
field of labor.
d. In the case of alleged local
difficulties which imperil the effective functioning of the
congregation, all concerned persons shall be heard, after
which the president of the synod together with the committee
described in C9.05.b shall decide on the course of action to
be recommended to the priest and/or priestess and the
congregation. If they agree to carry out such
recommendations, no further action shall be taken by the
synod. If either party fails to assent, the congregation may
dismiss the priest and/or priestess by a two-thirds majority
vote of the voting members present at a regularly called
meeting after consultation with the president of the synod.
e. The foregoing procedure shall never be
invoked when questions of belief, morality, or continued
neglect of duty are involved, all such cases being treated
as disciplinary matters.
f. If in the course of the proceedings, it
should become apparent that the office of High Priest or
High Priestess cannot be conducted effectively in the
congregation being served by the ordained High Priest or
High Priestess due to local conditions, the president of the
synod may temporarily suspend the High Priest or High
Priestess from service to the congregation without
prejudice.
C9.06. At the time of pastoral vacancy,
an interim priest or priestess may be appointed by the president
of the synod with the consent of this congregation or the
Council of Elders. Such interim priest or priestess shall have
all rights and duties of a regular minister.
C9.07. The High Priest or High Priestess
shall keep accurate records of all consecrations, namings,
adoptions, marriages, burials, members received, members
dismissed, or members excluded from the congregation, and shall
submit a summary of such statistics annually to the synod.
(CHAPTER TEN DESCRIBES THE TYPES OF MEETINGS THAT
THE MEMBERSHIP AND THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS MAY CALL.)
Chapter 10
CONGREGATION MEETING
C10.01. The annual meeting of this
congregation shall be held at a time specified in the
bylaws.
C10.02. A special Congregation
Meeting may be called by the High Priest or High Priestess,
the Congregation Council, or the President, and shall be
called at the written request of 65% of voting members or
the President. The call for each special meeting shall
specify the purpose for which it is to be held and no other
business can be transacted.
C10.03. Notice of all meetings of
this congregation shall be given at the services of worship
on the preceding two esbats and by mail to all voting
members at least 10 days in advance of the date of the
meeting. The posting of such notice in the regular mail,
with the regular postage affixed and paid, sent to the last
known address of such members shall be sufficient.
C10.04 60 percent of the voting
members shall constitute a quorum.
C10.05 Voting by proxy or by
absentee ballot may be permitted by the Council of Elders if
they so rule.
C10.06 All actions of this
congregation shall be by majority vote except as otherwise
provided in this constitution.
C10.07. Roberts Rules of Order,
latest edition, shall govern the parliamentary procedure of
this congregation, except when overruled by the president.
(CHAPTER ELEVEN, TWELVE AND THIRTEEN REFERENCE
OFFICERS, THE COUNCIL OF ELDERS AND COMMITTEES AND WHERE THEIR
DESCRIPTIONS MAY BE FOUND:)
Chapter 11
OFFICERS
Chapter 12
COUNCIL OF ELDERS
Chapter 13
CONGREGATION COMMITTEES
(CHAPTER FOURTEEN DESCRIBES THE ORGANIZATIONS THAT
MAY EXIST WITHIN THE CHURCH:)
Chapter 14
ORGANIZATIONS WITHIN THE CHURCH
C14.01. All organizations within this
congregation shall exist to aid in the ministering to the
members of this congregation and to all persons who can be
reached by the word of the Great Spirit, Hu Gadarn. As
outgrowths and expressions of this congregation's life, the
organizations are subject to its oversight and direction.
This congregation at its meetings shall determine their
policies, guide their activities, and receive reports
concerning their membership, work and finances.
C14.02. Special interest groups,
other than those of the official organizations of the
Association of Cymmry Wicca, may be organized only after
authorization has been given by the Council of Elders.
(CHAPTER FIFTEEN DESCRIBES THE DISCIPLINE OF A
MEMBER AND STATES HOW THAT DISCIPLINE MAY BE CARRIED OUT:)
Chapter 15.
DISCIPLINE OF MEMBERS
C15.01. Denial of the majority of Y
Tylwyth Teg beliefs as described in this constitution,
conduct grossly unbecoming a member of Church of ......., or
persistent trouble-making in this congregation are
sufficient cause for discipline of a member. Prior to
disciplinary action, reconciliation will be attempted,
proceeding through these successive steps: a) private
admonition by the priest or priestess, b) private admonition
in the presence of three witnesses, and c) citation to
appear before the Council of Elders.
C15.02. A member charged with the
offense shall appear before the Council of Elders having
been sent a written notice, specifying the exact charges
that have been made against the member, at least 10 days
prior to the meeting.
C15.03. Should the allegations be
sustained by a two thirds majority vote of the Council of
Elders, the Council shall impose one of the following
disciplinary actions:
a. censure before the Council or
Congregation;
C15.04. The member against whom
disciplinary action has been taken by the Council of Elders
shall have the right to appeal the decision to the Synod
Council. Such right shall not be abridged and the decision
of the Synod Council shall be final.
C15.05. Disciplinary actions may be
reconsidered and revoked by the Council of Elders upon
receipt of a) evidence that injustice has been done or b)
evidence of repentance and amendment.
(CHAPTER SIXTEEN GIVES THE AUTHORITY FOR CREATION OF
A SET OF BYLAWS:)
Chapter 16.
BYLAWS
C16.01. This congregation may adopt
bylaws. No bylaw may conflict with this constitution.
C16.02. Bylaws may be adopted or
amended only by a legally called meeting of the congregation
with a quorum present by a majority vote of those voting
members present and voting.
C16.03. Changes to the bylaws may be
proposed by any voting member provided, however, that such
additions or amendments be submitted in writing to the
Council of Elders at least 60 days before a regular or
special Membership meeting called for that purpose and that
the council of Elders notify the members of the proposal
with its recommendations at least 30 days in advance of the
Membership meeting.
C16.04. Approved changes to the
Bylaws shall be sent to the Synod of the Church of .......
in America, P.O. Box 673206, Marietta, GA 30067 or other
such office of the Synod.
(CHAPTER SEVENTEEN GIVES THE AUTHORITY FOR AMENDING
THE CONSTITUTION:)
Chapter 17.
AMENDMENTS
C17.01 Amendments to this constitution
may be proposed by at least ten voting members or by the
Council of Elders. Proposals must be filed in writing with
the Council of elders 60 days before formal consideration by
this congregation at its regular or special meeting called
for that purpose. The Council of Elders shall notify the
members of the proposal with their recommendations at least
30 days in advance of the meeting.
C17.02. A proposed amendment to this
constitution shall:
a. be approved at a properly called
meeting according to this constitution by a majority
vote of those present and voting;
b. be ratified without change at the
next annual meeting by a two-thirds majority vote of
those present and voting; and
c. have the effective date included in
the resolution and noted in the constitution.
C17.03. Any amendments to this
constitution shall be sent by the secretary of the
congregation to the Synod of the Church of ....... in
America. The amendment shall become effective within 120
days from the receipt of the notice by the Synod unless the
Synod informs this congregation that the amendment is in
conflict with the constitution and bylaws of the Church of
....... in America and/or the constitution and bylaws of the
Association of Cymmry Wicca.
(CHAPTER EIGHTEEN STATES THE AUTHORITY FOR
CONTINUING RESOLUTIONS:)
Chapter 18
CONTINUING RESOLUTIONS
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