By-Laws of Saint John's Episcopal Church of Palmerton
Rector
The Rector (or the Senior Warden if there is no Rector) shall have control of
the worship and spiritual jurisdiction of the church and other powers and
duties as are prescribed by the Canons of the General Convention.
Vestry
Number: The business of the corporation shall be managed by a Board of
Directors to be designated as the "Vestry" and to consist of nine (9) members,
and two (2) junior members.
Qualifications: Vestry member shall be lay, baptized persons who shall have
been worshipers in the church as their usual place of public worship for one
year and upwards, and who shall appear by the books of the corporation to have
contributed towards the current expenses of the corporation, during each of two
years immediately preceding their election.
Mode of Election: Three (3) members of the whole number of Vestry members
shall be elected each year to serve for three (3) years. A vestry member shall
not be eligible for re-election within one (1) year after having served two (2)
terms. However, a Vestry member appointed to fill an unexpired term may seek
election for the limit of two terms upon expiration of the appointment.
Powers and Duties: The Vestry shall have the power to fill vacancies. The
Vestry shall meet monthly at times and places as they determine. Meetings may
be suspended in July and August. Special meetings of the Vestry may be called
by the Rector or upon written request of five (5) members of the Vestry. The
Rector shall be ex-officio president of the vestry and shall preside at all
meetings. In the event of a tie vote, the Rector's vote shall be deciding.
The Vestry shall have power to elect Deputies to the Conventions of the Diocese
of Bethlehem.
Quorum: Five (5) Vestry members shall constitute a quorum
Attendance: Any vestry member absent inexcusably (as determined by the Vestry)
from three (3) consecutive meetings shall forfeit office.
Vestry Meetings
Chairman: The Rector shall preside at the meetings of the vestry. In the
absence of the Rector, the Senior Warden shall preside, or if he is absent, the
Junior Warden shall preside. If the Junior Warden is absent, a chairman pro tem
shall be chosen.
Agenda: The meetings of the Vestry shall be opened with Prayer, and the Order
of business shall be as follows:
1. Reading of the minutes
2. Report of the Treasurer
3. Report of the Commissions
4. Reading communications
5. Unfinished Business
6. New Business
Rules:
The rules for conducting business shall be those used to the governing of
similar deliberative bodies. The Vestry may adopt some standard manual of
order and require conformity thereto. The ayes and nays may be called for by
any member and shall be recorded by the Secretary
The Standing Commissions:
1. Christian Education
2. Evangelism
3. Fellowship
4. Finance
5. Outreach
6. Pastoral Care
7. Property
8. Stewardship
9. Worship
Officers:
There shall be a Senior Warden and a Junior Warden chosen from among the Vestry
members, a Treasurer, a Secretary or Clerk. The Senior Warden shall be
appointed by the Rector, or a majority vote of the Vestry members if there is
no Rector. The other officers shall be elected by the Vestry.
Membership Meetings:
The Annual Meeting of the Corporation at which Vestry members shall be elected
shall be held in the Church building on the Third Sunday in January, unless the
Vestry sets another time. Notice of the Annual Meeting shall be given to all
members of the church by mail at least ten days in advance of the meeting.
Special meetings of the members of the church may be called by the Vestry
after notice by mail at least ten days in advance of any special meeting.
The presence of twenty-five (25) members at any meeting of the members shall
constitute a quorum for the transaction of any business of the church.
Members:
The members of the Corporation who shall be qualified to vote at any election
for vestry members and any questions that may come before the meeting shall be
all lay baptized persons who shall have been worshipers in this Church as their
usual place of worship for at least one (1) year, and who shall have contributed
towards the current expenses of the church during each of two years immediately
preceding such election or meeting. There will also be two (2) Junior Vestry
members, who have been confirmed, chosen from the Sunday School. No Junior
Vestry members may vote on financial matters.
By-Laws:
The Vestry, by a vote of the majority of all its members, shall have the power
to make By-Laws for the management of the property of the Corporation. The
regulation of the affairs and amendments shall be proposed in writing at a
meeting thirty (30) days before final action is taken, provided that the said
By-Laws are not inconsistent with the Constitution or Laws of the United States
or with the Constitution or Laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the
Charter of the Corporation.
Election of a Rector:
In case of the vacancy of the position of Rector, it shall be the duty of the
Vestry to call a new Rector.
Adopted December, 2007