222 Parish government

222.1 Annual meeting

The parish shall hold an annual meeting to review the total life of the parish and to elect the parish council.

The parish council presents reports on all aspects of the life and work of the parish and the meeting deals with any matters referred to it by the council, committees, members or regional and national courts of the Partners. The meeting may make recommendations to the parish council.

222.2 Other meetings

By giving reasonable notice (not less than two clear Sundays) the parish council may call other parish or congregational meetings and the parish council may refer to meetings of the members of the Cooperative Venture for decision, any matters that are within the responsibility of the parish council

These meetings will be for the purpose advertised.

Such meetings may be called on the parish council's initiative or at the request of a regional court or national court or at least five members in writing.

222.3 Voting

Those on the parish roll (See 221.3) are eligible to vote on all matters. Others attending meetings may speak and move motions but may vote only on matters which the Partners from time to time determine.

Parish council

222.4 Oversight

There shall be a parish council, which, with the ministers, shall have responsibility for all aspects of parish life.

222.5 Representation

The parish council shall normally be constituted in such a way that each Partner or congregation is adequately but not necessarily proportionally represented. The number of members on the council may be revised from time to time as the parish meeting may decide.

In cooperating parishes where there is an Anglican Partner, the constitutional requirement remains to be able to form a quorum of vestry which can on occasion be able to meet separately if requested by a bishop or diocese.

222.6 Membership

The parish council shall normally include:

a) as many of the following as the parish meeting may from time to time determine

1. i)     those elected to a specific service in the parish, eg. elders, stewards, managers, vestry and synods persons
2. ii)    those elected for service on the council
3. iii)    those coopted to committees ? who may include some not on the parish roll (See 221.3)

b) all appointed to exercise ordained ministry within the parish

    (Ministers Emeriti are eligible for election under 222.6 a) ii)

c) all lay workers appointed by the parish council

d) all elected officers. (See 222.15)  

222.7 Nomination

a) Those holding membership in the parish (See 221.1) may be nominated for election.

b) Where applicable councillors shall be nominated by the participating congregations in sufficient numbers to fulfil at least the minimum constitutional requirements of their Partners.

222.8 Election

The election will take place at a parish meeting, the meeting taking some account of 222.7 b).

222.9 Term

Councillors are elected for a term (usually three years) retiring in rotation and eligible for re-election.

222.10 Meetings

The parish council normally meets at least bimonthly, and having given reasonable notice, at other times as required.

222.11 Quorum

A quorum for meetings of the parish council shall be either an ordained minister and eight councillors or an ordained minister and one quarter of council, whichever are the fewer.

222.12 Voting

All elected members of the parish council may exercise a vote. Ministers not in the chair may exercise a vote in accordance with the practice of their church.

222.13 Functions

The functions of the parish council include:

a)    encouraging Christian commitment and devotion

b)    exercising effective pastoral care of all persons for whom the parish is responsible

c)    fostering the mission of the congregation(s) to the wider community

d)    fixing times and places of public worship and arranging for the administration of the sacraments in accordance with the usage of the Partners

e)    keeping pastoral and parish rolls and receiving at least annually a report on their revision

f)     seeing that all minutes and records required by Partners are kept, secured and produced when required

g)    arranging for the election of representatives to regional and national Partners courts. These are chosen from the membership of the parish according to the requirements of the Partners courts. (See definitions 123)

h)    being responsible for effecting the decisions of the Partners and bringing relevant local concerns before them

i)     being responsible for the financial administration and property maintenance of the parish and the presentation of budgets and audited annual accounts

j)     arranging the procedure for the nomination and election of members to the parish council

k)    reporting to the parish meeting at least annually.

l)     ensuring the safekeeping of all archive material (see 444)

222.14 Committees

a)    The parish council may form committees to carry forward the functions and policies of the council. The council appoints these committees, sets their terms of reference and receives regular reports on their work. Committees may be formed according to local needs. Committees have planning and executive functions within the policies approved by the parish council.

b)    Pastoral oversight within the parish is a primary responsibility of the whole council either through the pastoral oversight committee(s) or by council members. All ministers are members of any such committee. This oversight and care include the nomination by a minister of candidates for baptism and or confirmation, the keeping and revision annually of rolls of members and persons under pastoral care. Records of baptisms, church services and weddings shall be properly kept. (See 443, 444)

c)    It is expected that there will be committees on Christian education, finance, administration and property matters.

d)    The parish council may nominate to the parish meeting or may co?opt additional members to the committees from among the members or from other persons associated with the parish who have gifts for particular kinds of service.

e)    Committees meet as frequently as required (usually monthly) and report regularly to the parish council.

222.15 Officers

a) Chairperson. The council elects a chairperson who is not necessarily the minister. The chairperson may move or second a motion and speak to any matter, but exercises only a casting vote.

b) Secretary. The parish council will elect a secretary responsible for seeing that proper minutes and records are kept and correspondence attended to.

c) Wardens. Where one of the participating Partners is Anglican, two wardens shall be nominated, one by the minister(s) or in the absence of the minister, the bishop, the other as in 222.7(a) ie. nominated by Anglican members and elected at the annual meeting.

d) Synods persons. Where the Anglican Church is a participant it is necessary to elect a synods person. (See 223.2)

e) Treasurer. The parish council shall elect or appoint a treasurer.

f) Such other officers as the annual meeting shall from time to time determine.

g) Senior Member. The parish council after consultation with the minister(s) may elect from among its members or officers one or more as the senior, representative member(s) in the parish. It shall be the responsibility of those so elected to see that the minister(s), spouse(s) and family(s) receive personal support, to represent the parish to the minister(s) and wider community and such other duties as the parish council may request. (See also 216.4)

Parish life, order and mission