 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 672125, 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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