SESSION

AUTHORITY & ACCOUNTABILITY:

Authorized by and accountable to the Official Board (0B) of Windsor United Church (WUC).

PURPOSE:

To oversee the spiritual health and well-being of the congregation of WUC

MEMBERSHIP:

Session usually has (20 - 30) members (Elders) preferably (25 - 30) nominated and elected at the Annual Congregation Meeting for a 4 year term (renewable). A quorum, which is required for all meetings where voting takes place, is defined as 50% of Session members. Elders must be members of the congregation.

The minister is an ex officio member.

The chairperson, secretary and any other officers are selected by the committee members for a 1 year term (renewable).

Session shall designate 1 elder for a 1 year term (renewable) to serve on:

Christian Education Committee

Building Usage Committee

Benevolent Fund

Technology Support Committee

Funeral Team Lead

Worship and the Arts

FUNCTIONS:

To provide orientation to new members of Session with regard to the duties and responsibilities.

• To prepare and serve Holy Communion.

• To approve baptisms upon the recommendation of the minister.

To approve requests for weddings to be held in WUC.

• To admit persons into full membership of WUC.

To issue and accept transfers of membership.

To be responsible for the oversight of the Official Rolls.

To establish, in consultation with the minister, the Order of Worship for Sunday and other services.

• To support the musical aspects of worship services as proposed by the minister and organist/choir director and the music team.

• To approve the use of the church sanctuary, in consultation with the Building Usage Committee, for all activities other than meetings by various WUC committees.

• To nurture the spititual needs of the members and adherents of WUC by staying connected to them. To do this, each member is assigned a district.

• To keep the minister informed and aware of the needs of the congregation.

• To recommend to the congegation, candidates for ministry and maintain contact with the candidate.

• To attend 0B meetings (all members of Session are members of the Official Board and entitled to vote at its' meetings) to report on Session activities, provide input and participate in decisions of the church and receive direction from the OB.

• To have the Chair prepare a year-end report for inclusion in the Annual Report of WUC for presentation at the Annual Congregation Meeting.

• All session business/discussions are confidendal.

• To find pulpit supply, in consultation with the Ministry and Personnel Committee, when needed.

OPERATIONAL GUIDELINES:

Meetings are held the second Tuesday of each month except for July and August and on the months that the 0B meets. Special meetings are called as required by the Chair or Minister. The agenda is prepared by the Chair in consultation with the minister(s). Minutes are recorded by the recording secretary, emailed to the session members and approved at the next meeting.

 

Recommended By:                                                          Date:                                                    For Session

Approved By:                                                                Date:                                                    For Official Board