THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF WESTON

(a member of the United Church of Christ)

BY-LAWS

As Amended February 7, 2010

ARTICLE I

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

SECTION 1. NAME AND CHARTER

The name of this Church shall be The Congregational Church of Weston. It shall be chartered as a not-for-profit corporation under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

SECTION 2. PURPOSE

The purposes of this Church shall be the public worship of God in accordance with the faith and the polity of the United Church of Christ. It shall strive for the development of Christian character, the encouragement and promotion of worship and prayer, and the fulfillment of our mission in the world as a Christian Church looking for the Kingdom of God.

SECTION 3. POLICY

a) The government of this Church is vested in its members, who exercise the right of control in all its affairs, subject to the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

b) This Church is a member of the United Church of Christ and shall participate in the work of its constituent bodies.

c) Embracing an ecumenical and interfaith spirit, this Church shall cooperate with other churches and religious institutions.

d) Being Open and Affirming, this Church welcomes anyone who meets its membership qualifications.

ARTICLE II

MEMBERSHIP

SECTION 1. MEMBERSHIP QUALIFICATION

The only qualification for membership in this Church is willingness on the part of those who enter its membership to follow the Lord Jesus Christ and to live His teachings. Persons shall be admitted to membership in this Church upon profession of their Christian faith, by presentation of satisfactory letters of transfer from other Churches, or by renewal of the covenant, which follows:

≥Confessing my love for God and my faith in Jesus Christ, I now enter into the membership of this Church. By so doing I declare my purpose to live a Christian life and to share in the work and covenant with God and the congregation, to be loyal to this Church, to attend its appointed Services, to promote its usefulness as Godπs instrument, and to walk with its members in love and faithfulness. Trusting in the grace and the help of God, I do so covenant.≤

In special cases, candidates for membership may be admitted in absentia, if the reasons are satisfactory to the Pastor and Diaconate.

SECTION 2. RIGHTS OF MEMBERS

a) All members shall be entitled to participate in and vote on any matter before a Congregational Meeting.

b) Any member who desires a letter of transfer to any other Church is entitled to receive it by request; such letter of transfer shall be signed by the Pastor or by the Clerk of the Church.

c) Any member who desires to be released from the covenant of this Church, may terminate it by written request to any of the following: Pastor, Clerk, Moderator, or a member of the Diaconate.

d) A Member:

1. whose address has long been unknown, or

2. who for a period of two years has not attended the Churchπs worship

and has not contributed financially to its support, or

3. who no longer lives in the area,

after notice is given to said member by either the Pastor, a member of the Diaconate or the Clerk, and following recommendation of the Clerk and the Pastor and by vote of the Diaconate, the member may be removed from the rolls of this church.

ARTICLE III

MEETINGS OF THE MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH

SECTION 1. PLACE

Meetings of the members of this Church shall be held at the church or at such other place as may be designated in the notice of the meeting.

SECTION 2. ANNUAL MEETING

There shall be a regular meeting of the congregation of the Church, called the Annual Meeting, for the purpose of receiving and acting upon the reports of the Treasurer and Review Committee, and reports of the Church activities from the Pastor, the Moderator, the chairperson of the Diaconate and the chairpersons of all Committees, for adopting a budget for the current fiscal year, for electing officers, and for such other business as may be proposed by the Moderator, the Church Council or any Committee of the Church; to be held between January 15 and February 15 of each year at such time as the Moderator with the consent of the Church Council shall designate.

SECTION 3. SPECIAL MEETING

A special Meeting of the Church may be called at any time by the Moderator or the Pastor. One can also be called by the Clerk upon the written request of any five members of the Church. Any such request shall state the time, place and purpose or purposes of the proposed meeting. At all special meetings, no business shall be transacted other than set forth in the notice thereof.

SECTION 4. NOTICE OF MEETINGS

Notice of any meeting of the Church stating the time, place and purpose or purposes thereof shall be mailed, or emailed, to all members at least ten (10) days prior to said meeting.

SECTION 5. QUORUM

At any meeting of the Church, either the lower number of twenty-five (25) members or twenty percent (20%) of the members entitled to vote as certified by the Clerk and present in person shall constitute a quorum.

SECTION 6. FISCAL YEAR

The Fiscal Year for the Church shall be the calendar year.

ARTICLE IV

THE PASTOR

SECTION 1. PROCESS FOR CALL OR REPLACEMENT

The Pastor shall be called or dismissed by a two-thirds vote of the Members present and entitled to vote at any Meeting of the Church duly called for such purpose as provided in Article III. Upon the death, resignation or dismissal of the Pastor, the Councilπs Stewards shall appoint, with the approval of the Church Council, a Pastoral Call Committee of not less than five (5) members, representative of diverse segments of the Church, to interview candidates and to present its recommendations for a Pastor to the Church at a meeting specifically called for such purpose.

SECTION 2. PASTORAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The Pastor shall preach the gospel, administer the Sacraments, care for the spiritual welfare of the congregation, lead the Church toward broadening and strengthening its ministry and supervise all worship and work. The Pastor shall be accountable for the conduct of the pastoral duties just listed, the administration of the Church Office, and the management of all the paid staff members. The Pastor shall be a member of the Church Council, the Board of Councilπs Stewards, and ex officio member of all committees and auxiliary organizations.

SECTION 3. ACCOUNTABILITY

The Pastor is responsible to the Moderator and to the Personnel and Pastor Parish Relations Committee.

SECTION 4. ENGAGING AN INTERIM PASTOR

Upon the resignation, dismissal or death of the settled Pastor, the Moderator and Councilπs Stewards will take responsibility for identifying potential candidates for the Interim Pastor. They will take their recommendations to the Church Council for selection. The Church Council is responsible for hiring the Interim Pastor.

ARTICLE V

OFFICERS

SECTION 1. THE MODERATOR

The Moderator shall be the lay leader of the Church and shall preside at all meetings thereof. The Moderator shall also be chairperson of and preside at all meetings of the Church Council and the Board of Councilπs Stewards. The Moderator is authorized to sign all contracts and other legal documents approved by vote of the Church Council or a congregational meeting, as attested by the Clerk. The Moderator shall be an ex-officio member of all Standing Committees and the Diaconate.

SECTION 2. THE ASSISTANT MODERATOR

The Assistant Moderator shall perform the duties of the Moderator when the Moderator is unavailable. When the Moderatorπs term of office is complete, the Assistant Moderator will generally stand for election to become the Moderator.

SECTION 3. THE TREASURER

The Treasurer shall be responsible for the receipt of, and accounting for, all monies contributed to the Church or otherwise legally due the Church and for the deposit of same to the account of the Church in any bank approved by the Finance Committee. The Treasurer shall take responsibility for the payment of all debts and other legal obligations of the Church as authorized by the annual budget adopted by the Church or as specifically approved by vote of the Church Council. The Treasurer shall assure that detailed books and records of the income and disbursements of the Church are kept in a manner approved by the Review Committee and will maintain a ledger of all assets and liabilities of the Church in like manner. The Treasurer shall prepare the accounts for review as soon as possible after the close of each fiscal year. The Treasurer shall prepare interim reports for each meeting of the Council and an annual report for the Annual Meeting of the Church. The Treasurer may sign or endorse, on behalf of the Church, all checks, drafts and negotiable instruments drawn on the Churchπs accounts or payable to the Church. The Treasurer shall report to all meetings of the Finance Committee and the Church Council in such form as they shall require and shall be a member of the Finance Committee and Church Council.

SECTION 4. ASSISTANT TREASURERS

The Assistant Treasurer for Receipts shall be responsible to the Treasurer for all matters relating to incoming receipts to support the church. These duties include: collection and deposit of weekly offerings, tracking of pledge payments, and accounting of gifts and donations for tax purposes. The Assistant Treasurer for Receipts may attend meetings of the Church Council in the absence of the Treasurer, and may vote thereat.

The Assistant Treasurer for Investments shall be responsible to the Treasurer for all matters relating to the investment of the various funds held by the church for its operation and future use. The duties include the establishment of an investment philosophy for each fund, the selection of appropriate investment vehicles for the various funds in line with their purpose and philosophy, and the management of these investments. This person will track the performance of the investments and report these results to the Finance Committee on a regular basis. The Assistant Treasurer for Investments is a member of the Finance Committee.

SECTION 5. THE CLERK

The Clerk shall attend all meetings of the Church, the Church Council, and the Board of Councilπs Stewards, and record all actions and proceedings thereof. The Clerk shall give, or cause to be given, notice by fixed media such as letter or email of all regular and special meetings of the Church and keep on file all official reports of the Church. The Clerk shall keep in safe custody the seal of the Church and shall affix said seal to any instrument requiring it, and attest the same by signature as Clerk. The Clerk shall also perform these following specific duties: keep accurate records of all Baptisms, Marriages, and Deaths within the Church members, both active and inactive; and handle the records of transfer of membership into and out of the Church. At least annually, the Clerk shall prepare and publish a list including the names and addresses of all active members of the Church for distribution to the members of the Church.

Each year one of the Stewards shall be appointed to function as the Assistant Clerk and will act in the absence of the Clerk and assist the Clerk as requested. In the absence of both the Clerk and the Assistant Clerk at any official meeting, a Clerk pro tem shall be appointed by the Moderator.

ARTICLE VI

ANNUAL ELECTIONS AND APPOINTMENTS

SECTION 1. ELECTION OF OFFICERS

The following officers of the Church shall be elected at the Annual Meeting of the members of the Church to serve for a term of one (1) year commencing immediately following the Annual Meeting: Moderator, Assistant Moderator (when required), Treasurer, two Assistant Treasurers, and the Clerk. The list of nominees and the offices to be filled shall be included in the call to the Annual Meeting.

SECTION 2. TERMS OF OFFICE.

All officers shall be elected for a term of one (1) year and serve until their successors are elected. The Moderator shall generally hold office for at least 2 but not more than 4 successive one-year terms. The other officers shall not serve more than three (3) successive one-year terms, unless this provision is waived in any particular instance by the unanimous vote of the Board of Councilπs Stewards and agreed upon by the Members of the Church at the Annual Meeting.

SECTION 3. MODERATOR AND ASSISTANT MODERATOR

The Moderator shall advise the Pastor, Clerk and Councilπs Stewards prior to the Annual Meeting if he/she does not intend to seek reelection one year hence. At this time, but no later than the Annual Meeting where the Moderator is seeking his/her fourth consecutive term, an Assistant Moderator will be elected. This individual shall be a Councilπs Steward.

SECTION 4. MEMBERSHIP REQUIREMENT

All officers, Councilπs Stewards and Deacons shall be members of the Church.

SECTION 5. INITIATION OF RESPONSIBILITIES

All newly elected Officials shall take office immediately following the Annual Meeting.

SECTION 6. QUORUMS

A majority shall constitute a quorum for any meeting of the Church Council, the Board of Councilπs Stewards, the Diaconate and all official Church Committees.

SECTION 7. DOCUMENTATION OF BUSINESS

All meetings shall be documented by minutes containing decisions, actions and identifying responsible individuals. Each committee is responsible for identifying a person to take these notes. Notes are to be archived and retained for 5 years.

SECTION 8. VACANCIES

A vacancy in any office may be filled until the Annual Meeting of the Church by the Moderator after consulting the Pastor, and with the advice and consent of the Councilπs Stewards.

ARTICLE VII

CHURCH COUNCIL

SECTION 1. PURPOSE AND POWERS

The Church Council (sometimes also referred to as the Council) shall be the policy making body of the Church between meetings of the members of the Church. It shall facilitate, promote and coordinate the life and ministry of the Church. Between meetings of the Church members, the Council shall have and exercise all the powers of the Church members except those specifically reserved to the full membership, as provided herein. All questions concerning the powers, duties, rights and obligations of any duly constituted Committee of this Church shall be resolved by the Council. It shall determine the policies and act upon the recommendations of all committees. It may appoint delegates to Councils, Conferences or other bodies. The Church Council will meet quarterly, or otherwise upon request of the Pastor, the Moderator, or at least three of its members.

SECTION 2. SPECIFIC DUTIES AND LIMITATIONS

The Church Council shall be responsible for approving the employment and dismissal of all employees of the Church except the Pastor. Each year the Council will perform four specific tasks including: setting goals for the year ahead in the first quarter; setting the calendar for the next year (September to August); proposing a budget for the next fiscal year (January to December); and reconciling the budget after the pledge drive is complete.

It shall not authorize the sale of any real property owned by the Church or the appropriation and expenditure of funds outside of the approved budget in excess of ten percent (10%) of the total budget as approved without a vote of the members of the Church at a duly called meeting authorizing such action. All policies established by the Council shall be subject to the review of the members of the Church at any regular or special meeting of members.

SECTION 3. COUNCIL MEMBERSHIP

The Voting Members of the Council shall consist of the following persons:

The Pastor, the Moderator, the Treasurer, and the Clerk (4)

The Stewards and the Deacon, who serves on the Board of Councilπs Stewards, (4)

Chairpersons of all official Church Committees (at least 2)

Thus, the Church Council consists of at least 10 members and may be larger depending on the number of official committees for any given year.

All members of the Church are welcome to attend Council Meetings and to participate fully in the discussion of any issue on its agenda, but they may not vote. Notice of all meetings of the Council shall be listed in the church calendar. If the Chairperson of any committee cannot be present at any duly called meeting of the Church Council, it shall be their duty to notify the Steward responsible for the Ministry in which the committee resides and/or to appoint another member of the committee to attend and to represent the committee at the Council meeting.

ARTICLE VIII

DIACONATE

SECTION 1. COMPOSITION AND TERMS OF SERVICE

The Diaconate shall be composed of at least 4 and no more than 6 Members, elected for a term of three (3) years each. However, at no time can more than 2 Members be in their third year of consecutive service. Vacancies can be filled with individuals serving for 1 or 2 year terms as needed. The Deacons shall not be eligible to succeed themselves in office and cannot be re-nominated to return to the Diaconate until a hiatus of at least one year. At the Annual Meeting, the Members shall elect Deacons and fill any other vacancies on the Diaconate.

SECTION 2. RESPONSIBILITIES

The Diaconate shall coordinate its work under the general direction of the Church Council and shall assist the Pastor in sharing responsibility for the spiritual life of the Church. In the absence of the Pastor, the Diaconate shall make provision for the devotional services of the Church, but no other Clergy shall perform professional services without the consent of both the Pastor and the Diaconate. In addition, the Diaconate may assist the Pastor in the administration of the Sacraments, and the oversight of pastoral care.

Each year the Diaconate shall elect a Steward for the Ministry of Spiritual Life and a chair of the Diaconate from among its members. The Diaconate shall appoint sub-committees it may deem necessary to fulfill its duties.

ARTICLE IX

THE COUNCILπS STEWARDS

SECTION 1. PURPOSE AND COMPOSITION

The Councilπs Stewards (or simply Stewards) are individuals whose collective role is to provide support for the Pastor in the administration of the Pastorπs goals, to draft policy that will be brought to the Church Council for ratification, address strategic goals, and serve as the Nominating Committee prior to the Annual Meeting.

There will be one Steward responsible for each Ministry (see Article X). The Moderator functions as one of the Stewards, one is a Deacon appointed by the Diaconate, and the others are elected as part of the slate of offices and chairpersons at the annual meeting.

At the first meeting of the Board of Councilπs Stewardπs following the Annual Meeting each year, final assignment of a Steward to each Ministry will be made. One of the Stewards will be designated Assistant Clerk, and will function as clerk to document the proceedings of meetings if the Clerk is not available. One of the Stewards will be designated Assistant Moderator if one has not been elected Assistant Moderator at an Annual Meeting when the Moderator is in the final year in office. This individual will function as Chair of meetings when the Moderator cannot attend.

SECTION 2. TERM OF OFFICE

The term of the Moderator is defined elsewhere (Article V.Section 1). A new Diaconate representative will be nominated each year from among the members of the Diaconate. The remaining Stewards will serve a 3-year term, but no more than two Stewards can be in the third year of their three-year terms. A sufficient number of Steward(s) will be nominated each year, to bring the number of Stewards to equal the number of Ministries.

SECTION 3. THE BOARD OF COUNCILπS STEWARDS

The Board of Councilπs Stewards, sometimes referred to as the Board of Stewards, will be comprised of the Pastor, Moderator, Clerk, and the Councilπs Stewards. This group will meet on a regular basis, but no less than 4 times a year. Special meetings can be called by the Moderator at any time that agenda items need timely attention. Special meetings can also be requested by the Pastor or any two Stewards. Requests for special meetings shall be submitted to the Moderator in writing with agenda items specified.

SECTION 4. RESPONSIBILITIES AND LIMITATIONS

The Stewards are members of the Church Council. Each year in December, they will serve as the Nominating Committee, with each Steward being responsible for generating a list of committees needed within their Ministry in the next year and a slate of members to function as chairs of those committees. Officers, new Deacons and new Stewards shall also be nominated and a slate prepared with at least one person for each office to be filled by election at the Annual Meeting of the Members of the Church.

The Board of Councilπs Stewards is a board of the Church Council and as such all strategic initiatives and policy recommendations must be ratified by the Council before they can be implemented. An exception to this general limitation is its function as Nominating Committee, where the slate of officers and committee chairpersons will go directly to the congregation for ratification.

ARTICLE X

THE MINISTRIES

SECTION 1. ORGANIZATION

All official activities of the Church shall be carried out by a Ministry or a committee within it. Each Ministry shall have a specific mission. The Councilπs Stewards can propose to modify a mission, add, delete or combine Ministries and Committees. Such proposals will be voted on at the Annual Meeting and require a majority vote to be enacted.

Each year, one of the Councilπs Stewards will be assigned as a liaison to each Ministry. Such individuals will take responsibility for the assigned Ministry, but are not to direct the activities of any committee. The Steward shall communicate with the chair of all committees within their Ministry so that the needs of the various committees are understood and considered in any policy recommendations made by the Board of Stewards. The Members further serve as a communication conduit for information back and forth between the Board of Stewards and the committee chairs.

There shall initially be five (5) Ministries: Faith Formation; Hospitality; Outreach; Spiritual Life; and Support. A Deacon will function as the Steward responsible for the Spiritual Life Ministry. The Moderator or one of the other Stewards will be assigned to the other Ministries at the first meeting of the Board of Stewards following the Annual Meeting.

SECTION 2. INITIAL MINISTRIES, MISSION STATEMENTS AND RESPONSIBILITY

A. SPIRITUAL LIFE MINISTRY

The mission is to develop and support our congregationπs individual and corporate spiritual life through worship, music, prayer, and study while fostering pastoral care and deeper caring wihtin the congregation and beyond.

Areas of responsibility include spiritual practices for the wellbeing of the congregation at all ages and stages, congregational and community care giving, worship (Sunday and Special Services), sacraments and rites, music, arts, adult faith formation and ecumenical and interfaith collaboration.

B. FAITH FORMATION MINISTRY

The mission is to create a welcoming, safe, nurturing, and intentional learning environment for children, youth, and families to grow in their understanding of Godπs love in Christ and to witness to that love in the world.

Areas of responsibility include oversight of faith discovery for children,

developing a meaningful course of instruction and faith deepening for confirmands,

organizing significant service/learning experiences for Middle School and Senior High Groups, and support for family life.

C. OUTREACH MINISTRY

The mission is to develop and support our congregationπs outreach to those in need as we claim Christπs call to social responsibility and justice.

Areas of responsibility include developing the congregationπs social justice responsiveness, promoting and supporting service/learning projects and experiences across the congregation, discernment of support to service providers, offering financial and human resources, providing outreach to the needs of the local community, such as Countryside Playschool, and advocating for denominational, ecumenical, and interfaith partnerships.

D. HOSPITALITY MINISTRY

The mission is to nurture our shared ministry of welcome, care, and support for one another as we reach out to invite others to join us in fath and faithfulness.

Areas of reponsibility include evangelism, Sunday morning hospitality, attracting, inviting, and welcoming newcomers and members into the life of the church. Responsibilities may also include hosting programs which deepen our faith and meaning, as well as our intergenerational connections and communications.

E. SUPPORT MINISTRY

The mission is to call forth and steward our human, financial, and material resources to enable our shared mission.

Areas of responsibility include calling forth and managing financial assets of the Church, maintaining and developing our Church building, parsonage and grounds, providing for, evaluating, and supporting Church staff, including Pastor, supporting and mediating any relational concerns the congregation or Pastor may have.

SECTION 3. COMMITTEES WITHIN EACH MINISTRY

Each Ministry will have at least one committee within it. The role of the committee is to implement activities consistent with the mission of the Ministry. The number and type of committees within each Ministry are recommended by the Board of Councilπs Stewards and approved by the congregation at its Annual Meeting as part of the nomination process each year.

SECTION 4. MAKING CHANGES TO MINISTRIES OR COMMITTEES

A Ministry can be added, deleted, or ministries can be merged for the year ahead by a majority vote of the Congregation at it annual meeting.

Changes in a Ministryπs mission and responsibilities can be recommended to the Board of Stewards by any member of the church. The Board of Stewards will consider the change, and if they agree, recommend amended language for the mission, or for the responsibilities, to the Church Council. If approved, the change can then be implemented as a pilot change, but must be taken to the congregation as a By-Laws amendment for consideration within two years.

Committees can be added, deleted or two or more committees can be merged at the end of any year by the proposal of the Board of Councilπs Stewards in its role as Nominating Committee, followed by the proposal receiving the majority vote at the next Annual Meeting. Members can request the formation of a committee by submitting a request in writing to the Moderator, Pastor or any Steward. The list of committees will be reviewed and approved by the Church Council at its January meeting and the Chairpersons elected at the Annual Meeting by the Congregation. At any time during the year, a new committee can form if there is enough interest from members to do so. The chair of this new committee will inform the Moderator and the Board of Councilπs Stewards will assign it to an appropriate Ministry for support. This new committee will not be official, nor have representation on the Council, however, until it is added to the official committee list during the nomination process for approval at the next Annual Meeting

ARTICLE XI

STANDING AND SPECIAL COMMITTEES

SECTION 1. FINANCE COMMITTEE

The Finance Committee shall consist of a Committee Chair, the Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer for Investments, the Steward of the Support Ministry, and the Pastor and Moderator ex officio. Both the Assistant Treasurer for receipts and the Chair of the pledge drive may attend as agenda requires. The Finance Committee is responsible for the management and oversight of all financial affairs of the church. Its role is to develop long-term financial plans and strategies, oversee the annual pledge drive, and oversee the investment strategy. It will support the Treasurer and assist in compiling reports for the Council and for annual meetings of the congregation.

SECTION 2. PERSONNEL AND PASTOR-PARISH RELATIONS COMMITTEE

The Personnel and Pastor-Parish Relations Committee shall consist of the Moderator, one junior and one experienced Deacon, the Chair of the Finance Committee, the Steward of the Support Ministry, and the immediate past-moderator. Usually, the past-moderator will serve as chairperson for the committee.

The purpose of the Committee is two-fold: First, it will function as a personnel committee in which it will assure written personnel policies and job descriptions are available for all staff position, and that they are updated as necessary. It will assure that all contracts are current and appropriate. It will assure regular performance evaluations are carried out for all staff members. It is not responsible for carrying out evaluations, but it must assure that they are done by the appropriate committees. It will act as arbitrator in cases of dispute and it will review all issues that could potentially lead to termination of a staff member, and make recommendations to the Council if termination is deemed appropriate.

In the role of manager of the Churchπs staff, the Pastor, in consultation with the employee and the appropriate committee chair, shall review the performance of all Church employees each year prior to fixing compensation in the budget, and review the results with the Personnel Committee, which will then make recommendations for compensation to the Council.

The second purpose of the Personnel and Pastor-Parish Relations Committee is to

consider and act upon all matters pertaining to the relationship between the Pastor and the congregation. Such matters include, but are not limited to, ratifying the Pastorπs annual goals, conducting an annual performance evaluation, recommending compensation, facilitating a periodic formal congregation-wide evaluation process, and providing a confidential communications channel between the Pastor and members of the congregation to address issues and concerns that either might have. Normally, the committee shall meet with the Pastor at least two (2) times per year or whenever any significant matters need to be addressed.

SECTION 3. REVIEW COMMITTEE

Prior to the Annual Meeting, the Chair of the Finance Committee shall appoint a Review Committee. The Review Committee shall be responsible for an annual review of the books and accounts of the Treasurer and shall report to the Annual Meeting of the Corporation. The committee will engage an outside professional reviewer to conduct this review. The Review Committee shall also approve the bookkeeping system to be used by the Treasurer during the ensuing year.

SECTION 4. AUXILIARY GROUPS

Auxiliary groups may be formed within the Church for such special and limited purposes not inconsistent with these By-Laws, as the Board of Stewards or the Church Council may approve. Such groups shall submit a report of their program and financial affairs to the Annual meeting of the Congregation.

ARTICLE XII

BEQUESTS AND GIFTS

SECTION 1. REPORTING

The Treasurer shall report all bequests, designated donations or restricted gifts to the Finance Committee and to the Church Council at its first meeting after notice of such a gift is received.

SECTION 2. APPROVAL

The Council may direct the Treasurer to refuse such bequests, donations or gifts which are restricted to purposes it deems inappropriate.

SECTION 3. ALLOCATION

The Finance Committee, subject to approval of the Council at the next meeting, shall allocate such bequest, donation or gift to the appropriate special or general account, and shall decide all questions concerning the purposes or uses to which such bequest, donation or gift shall be put. The Council may allocate such bequest, donation or gift for use for the current expenses of the Church, for investment, for special projects or for any other use or purpose it deems best within the terms, if any, of such bequest, donation or gift, except that of a bequest, donation or gift of $50,000 or more, for which said allocation shall be by vote of a meeting of the members of the Church.

SECTION 4. MANAGEMENT

Pending the decision of the Finance Committee, the Church Council or the Church, the Treasurer may hold the special gift or bequest in the form in which it was received, or may hold it in liquid form with or without interest.

ARTICLE XIII

SEAL

The common and corporate seal of the Church shall be round with the name of the Corporation and the date of the incorporation as follows:

≥THE CONGREGATIONAL CHURCH OF WESTON ≠ CORPORATE SEAL,

MASSACHUSETTS, 1960≤

ARTICLE XIV

DISPOSITION OF CORPORATE ASSETS

If the Members of the Church at a special meeting duly called for the purpose vote to close its affairs and dissolve the Church, the Council acting as its Board of Directors shall authorize a petition for the dissolution of the Church to be filed in the Supreme Judicial Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts setting forth in substance the grounds of the application for its dissolution and request the Court to authorize the disposition of its funds by transfer for such religious or charitable purposes as the members of the Church shall direct or in the absence of such direction to the Massachusetts Conference of the United Church of Christ to be used for some appropriate religious purpose.

ARTICLE XV

AMENDMENTS OF BY-LAWS

Any of these By-Laws may be amended by a two-thirds vote of the members present and voting at any Annual Meeting or any Special Meeting of the Members, called and held as provided in ARTICLE III, the substance of the proposed amendment having been inserted in the call.