Tavistock United Reformed Church shall order its life in accordance with the United Reformed Church’s Manual (Section B) and The Basis of Union as agreed and amended by the United Reformed Church General Assembly.
The following Rules are additional, for the purpose of aiding the smooth running of the local Church.
Membership
All persons who are in sympathy with the Constitution and mission statement of the Church and are seeking to
live their lives in accordance with the teachings of Jesus are eligible for Membership. The Minister, Elders and Members should ensure new and regular attenders who are not Members are made welcome in the Church. The Minister shall invite regular attenders into Membership. Thereafter when they feel ready to be received into Membership they should ask the Minister or Church Secretary to be admitted and will be welcomed within the context of Sunday worship as soon as possible. The Membership Roll shall be updated annually by the Minister and Elders.
Holy Communion
Holy Communion is normally celebrated once a month. All are welcome to partake.
Church Meeting
The functions of the Church Meeting are set out in the URC Manual (Section B 2(1)). A Church Meeting is required
at least every quarter. The Church Meeting normally meets bi-monthly except during August and December. The Minister chairs this meeting but in his/her absence the Secretary or an Elder shall take the chair. All Church Meetings are open meetings but only Church Members may vote. Voting is by show of hands except when Elders are elected or a Minister is called when voting shall be by secret ballot. A secret ballot may be held at other times at the request of a Member and with the agreement of the Church Meeting. A ‘Quorum’ at any meeting shall be 25% of the registered Membership or 5 whichever is the higher. Should there be an equality of votes the ‘Chairperson’ will have a second or casting vote, especially in relation to any Landfill Communities Fund matters. The Elders shall propose and the Church Meeting shall appoint such committees, temporary or permanent, as is deemed necessary by the Church Meeting for the proper running of the Church’s affairs. Such committees shall be chaired by the Minister, the Church Secretary or an Elder. These committee meetings should prepare minutes and report back to the Minister, Elders’ Meeting and Church Meeting.
Elders’ Meeting
The functions of the Elders’ Meeting are set out in the URC Manual (Section B 2(2)). The Elders’ Meeting normally meets bi-monthly except during August.
Election of Elders
Elders are ordained for life. The term of service is 3 years. After 2 consecutive terms of service Elders shall stand down for one year after which they may stand for re-election. Elders are elected at the Annual General Meeting which shall be held within 4 months of the end of the financial year. All members of the local church who are over 18 years of age and have been in Membership of the United Reformed Church for at least 12 months are eligible to serve as Elders. At the Church Meeting prior to the AGM Members will be informed of Elders who are standing down and those who do not wish to seek re-election. Members will be invited to nominate new Elders subject to their willingness to stand for election. All nominations must have a proposer and seconder and be submitted to the Church Secretary two Sundays in advance of the AGM. Voting shall be by secret ballot at the AGM. A two thirds majority of those present and eligible to vote is required to be elected. 2 scrutinisers shall be appointed by the Church Secretary to count the voting slips. The results will be handed to the Minister to declare the results.
