Constitution and By-laws

___________Parish

ARTICLE I. Declaration of Conformity

___________ adheres to the Constitution and Canons, Doctrine, Worship and Discipline of the Episcopal
Church in the Philippines (ECP) and the Episcopal Diocese of Santiago (EDS), and acknowledges the
authority of the Synod and Diocesan Convention. The Parish also conforms to the Vision, Mission and Goal
of the ECP and EDS.

ARTICLE II. Geographical Area

____________Parish shall be composed and consisted of the Barangays of _________ in the

Municipality/City of__________ and all other areas unorganized stations within.

ARTICLE III. Members

Section 1. The members of the Parish are the baptized persons residing within the Parish boundary as
specified in Article II, and all such other individuals outside the Parish limits who desire to be members
and register as such.

Section 2. Members have the right to: receive the Sacraments, Pastoral Care, Christian Nurture and to
Participate in all activities, programs and Annual meetings of the Parish, provided, that only the members
who are fifteen (15) years old are eligible to vote.

Section 3 It is the obligation of every member to fulfill their baptismal covenant, uphold the
doctrine, worship and discipline of the church, participate in corporate worship and support the church
through the offering of their Time, Talents, and Treasure.

ARTICLE IV. Meetings

Section 1 The Annual Meeting of the Parish shall be held at ________________, on the _____ Sunday
of January or at any date close to the same deemed convenient. The presence of atleast 30% of the
members presently residing in the area with ages of 15 years and above shall constitute a quorum.

Section 2 Special meeting(s) of the Parish may be called when so requested in writing by the Rector or
majority of the members of the vestry. The special meeting shall be limited to the agenda so stated in
the notice.

Section 3 The Order of the Business for the Annual Meeting shall be as follows:
a. Opening Prayer
b. Singing of the Pambansang Awit
c. Certification of a Quorum
d. Approval of Agenda
e. Reading of minutes of previous meeting
f. Reports of Rector, Vestry, Committees and Organizations
g. Elections of members of the Vestry
h. Election of Delegates to Diocesan Convention
i. Other matters
j. Closing prayer
k. Adjournment

Section 4 The Order of the Business matter may be amended by a majority of vote of members
present as propriety and convenience may necessitate.
 ARTICLE V. The Rector

Section 1 The Rector shall be called by the Vestry, in consultation with the Parishioners, and accordance
with Title I, Canon 12 of the Diocesan Canons and Title III, Canon 19 of the Constitution and Canons of
the Episcopal Church as follows:

a. When a Parish is vacant, the Vestry shall notify the fact to the Bishop. When the Vestry of
such parish shall for thirty (30) days fail to make provisions for the services, it shall be the duty of the
Bishop to take measures as he may deem expedient for the temporary maintenance of divine services.

b. No election of a Rector shall be had until the Vestry shall have submitted to the Bishop the list
of Nominees for approval. In case a Nominee is canonically resident of a diocese other than the one where
the parish electing belongs, a written permission from the said diocese is necessary.

c. No call for a Rector shall be had until the name of the prospective candidate shall be made
known to the Bishop and enough time, not exceeding thirty (30) days, has been given to him to
communicate to the Vestry .

d. Written notice of the election duly signed by the Parish Wardens shall be sent to the
Ecclesiastical Authority of the Diocese. If the Ecclesiastical Authority be satisfied that the person so
chosen is a duly qualified minister of this church and that he has accepted the Rectorship, the notice shall
be sent to the Secretary of Convention who shall record it and shall be sufficient evidence of the
relationship between the rector-elect and the Parish.

Section 2. The term of a Rector is for a period of 4 years and could be re-elected. The said term
however depends on the Memorandum of Understanding between the Rector and Vestry if satisfactorily
adhered to.

Section 3. A yearly evaluation will be done by the Rector and the Vestry if the Memorandum of
Understanding is sufficiently fulfilled. Failure of observing the Memorandum of Understanding should be
immediately brought to the attention of the Bishop, in writing, by any of the parties for proper action.

Section 4. The Rector shall preside at all Parish and Vestry meetings. The Senior Warden or Junior
Warden may preside in any vestry meeting when called by the Rector.

Section 5. The Rector shall have control over the Worship, Spiritual and Temporal (properties and
finances of the Parish) Jurisdiction of the Parish, subject to the Rubrics of the Common Prayers, the
Canons of the Church and Godly counsel of the Bishop.

Section 6. The Rector shall be chaplain to all church organizations within the Parish.

ARTICLE VI.THE VESTRY AND ITS FUNCTIONS

Section 1 The Vestry shall be composed of the Rector; Seven (7) members elected by the
voting members of the congregation; the president of lay organizations;

Section 2 The term of office of the elected members shall be three (3) years except during
the first (1) election where the following are observed:
2.1 3 years – members who garnered the 3rd highest votes
2.2 2 years – members who garnered the 2nd highest votes
2.3 1 year – the 7th member

Thereafter, all elected Vestry shall serve for three (3) years. The term of office of the
President of organization shall depend on their respective organization. No elected members of
the Vestry shall serve for more than two (2) consecutive terms.

Section 3. The Vestry shall hold a monthly meeting preferably on the ____Sunday of each
month. A special vestry meeting shall be called by the Rector or at least five Vestry members in
case of an urgent matter that cannot wait for the regular monthly meeting.
Section 4. The quorum of any Vestry meeting shall be a simple majority of its members.

Section 5. The function of the Vestry shall be as follows:

5.1 The Vestry shall be the agent and legal representative of the Parish in matters
concerning its corporate, property, buildings and other structures of the Parish in accordance
with existing constitution, Canons, rules of the Diocese of Santiago specifically Sec. 9 And Sec.
10, Canon 11, Title I.
5.2 The Vestry shall act as the council of Advised to the Rector.
5.3 The Vestry shall promulgate rules to effectively pursue the implementation of its
action plan.
5.4 The Vestry shall constitute other committees to carry out specific activities.
5.5 The Vestry shall require committees and lay organizations to submit their respective
action plan for the year and accomplishment report relative to the action plan.
5.6 The Vestry shall create positions when necessary.
5.7 The Vestry shall prepare annual report of its accomplishments on its action plan.

Section 6. In case of vacancy in the Vestry, among the seven (7) elected members of the
remaining members shall elect one to serve the unexpired term.

Section 7. In case of vacancy among the presidents of the organizations, the vestry shall
inform the concerned organization to send its representative.

ARTICLE VII. THE OFFICERS AND THEIR FUNCTIONS

Section 1. At the Parish regular Vestry meeting, the Vestry members shall elect among
themselves its officers such as the: Senior Warden; Junior Warden; Secretary; Treasurer; and
the Auditor. On the request of the Secretary and Treasurer, an Assistant Secretary and
Assistant Treasurer may be elected from the other members of the Vestry.

Section 2. The Wardens

2.1 the Senior Warden is the Rector’s representative to the Vestry and shall preside at
the Vestry meeting when called by the Rector. He/she shall serve for one year or until his/her
successor shall have been elected.

2.2 the Junior Warden or the people’s warden is the representative of the congregation
to the Vestry. The Junior Warden shall preside at the Vestry meeting when called by the
Rector. He/she shall serve for one year or until his/her successor shall have been elected.

2.3 the Warden shall lead in the care, protection and maintenance of the church building
and other structures of the Parish.

2.4 they shall see to it that things needed for the conduct of worship and ministration of
the sacraments of the Parish is in order.

2.5 Each shall have a seat in a committee.

Section 3 the Secretary

3.1 the Secretary shall be from the Vestry. He/she shall serve for one year or until
his/her successor shall have been elected.
 3.2 the duties/functions of the Secretary are the ff:
a. takes accurate minutes of all meetings of the Vestry.
b. keeps records of the voting members of the Parish and general roll of all the
members of the Parish.
c. prepares communications for the Vestry and Parish such as: Official letters;
agenda of meetings in consultation with the Rector; notices of meeting; and prepares reports as
required.
d. seats in a committee of the Parish.

Section 4. Assistant Secretary

4.1 the Assistant Secretary assist the Secretary in the performance of his/her duties.
4.2 Acts as Secretary in the absence of the Secretary or when requested by the Rector
or Vestry.
4.3 Seats in a Parish committee.
4.4 the term of office is one year or until his/her successor have been
elected/appointed.

Section 5. the Treasurer

5.1 the Treasurer shall be from among the members of the Vestry and shall serve for one
year or until his/her successor shall have been elected.
5.2 the treasurer shall perform the following:
a. collects, receives, record and safeguards all monies and gifts and deposits the
monies in a reputable bank or safe placement facility authorized by the Vestry.
b. Disburses funds/monies and pay from duly approved vouchers.
c. fully documents all financial transactions with transparency.
d. prepares required financial reports of the Parish/Vestry.
e. Seats in a Parish committee.
f. Prepares annual budget.
g. he/she is a co-signatory of all disbursement.

Section 6 Assistant Treasurer

6.1 the Assistant Treasurer shall serve for one year or until his/her successor shall have
been elected.
6.2 Assists the Treasurer in the performance of his/her duties.
6.3 Handles the petty cash for the Vestry, the amount of which shall be determined by
the Vestry.
6.4 Acts as the Treasurer in the absence of the Treasurer.
6.5 Prepares financial reports as required
6.6 Seats in a Parish committee of the Parish.

Section 7. The Auditor

7.1 The Auditor shall be from the Vestry members and shall serve for one year or until
his/her successor shall have been elected.
7.2 He/she shall perform the following:
a. Examines/review/audit books of account and all financial records of the parish
including income generation projects in a quarterly basis and submits reports with his/her
findings and recommendations.
 b. Checks whether disbursement/expenses are valid and legitimate as per by-laws.
c. Seats in a Parish committee of the Parish.
d. Performs other functions that may be assigned by the Vestry.

ARTICLE VIII. REGULAR COMMITTEES

Section 1. There shall be atleast five (5) regular committees of which the members shall be
appointed by the Vestry. Each committee shall be composed of five (5) members whose officers
shall be elected among them. The chairpersons shall serve for three (3) years or until his/her
successor shall have been elected.

Section 2. The regular committees and their functions are the following:

2.1 Membership Committee

a. Assist the Rector in looking after the caring of members but not limited to the
following:
1. Pastoral visit;
2. Hospital or sick visit; and
3. Identify inactive members and potential members.

b. Submit report of its activities/accomplishments to the Vestry.

2.2 Worship Committee

a. Assist the Rector in the preparation before the service such as:
1. Preparation of the Altar;
2. Acolyte;
3. Music or prepare songs for the service; and
4. Lay Eucharistic Ministers

b. submit report of its activities/accomplishments to the Vestry.

2.3 Christian Education and Evangelism Committee

a. Plans and leads in the continuing education and equipping of the Parishioners
including youth and children such as Bible study, Sunday school; Vacation Church Schools
training/seminars for lay leaders, acolyte and altar guild.
b. Assist the Rector in the worship and disciplines of the congregation to include
music/choir; intercessory prayers and prayer group sessions.
c. Plans and cause the conduct of Lenten, Advent and other appropriate retreats.
d. Assist the Rector to organize and conduct Pastoral visits, outreach and
evangelism activities.
e. Submits reports of its activities/accomplishments to the Vestry.

2.4 Development, IGP and Finance committee

a. Explores and identifies possible income generating projects.

b. Develop assets and resources in order to be productive.
c. Identifies and implement ways and means of generating income for the Parish.
d. Responsible for the management and control of income expenditures.
 e. Prepare and implement the annual budgets in coordination with the
Treasurer/Assistant Treasurer.
f. submit report of its activities/accomplishments to the Vestry.
g. performs other functions that may be assigned by the Vestry.
2.5 Social Ministries Committee

a. Will be the one to lead in responding during disaster;

b. Representative for Ecumenical relations; and
c. Will lead also for Community and Social relations
d. submit report of its activities/accomplishments to the Vestry.

Section 3. Other committees shall be constituted as needed.

ARTICLE IX. AMENDMENT

Sec. 1. Any proposed amendments of the Constitution and By-laws shall be submitted in
writing for the consideration of the Vestry, through the Junior Warden, for deliberation during
the next annual general assembly or in special meeting of the congregation. But no amendment
shall ever be made which shall in any degree release the Parish from its allegiance to the
authority of the Episcopal Church in the Philippines and Episcopal Diocese of Santiago.

Sec. 2. A simple majority of the quorum is required for the approval/adoption of that
particular amendment.

Sec. 3. The approved amendment shall affect the particular section and/or Article only.

Sec. 4 The approved amendment shall take effect immediately after its
approval/adoption.

ARTICLE X. EFFECTIVITY

This Constitution and By-laws shall take effect immediately upon ratification by the General
Assembly and confirmation of the Ecclesiastical Authority.

Ratified, this ____ day of _______________.

Senior Warden Junior Warden Secretary

Asst. Secretary Treasurer Asst. Treasurer

Auditor ECW, President BSA, President

SKEP, President Auditor

RECTOR
Confirmed:

RT. REV. FRENZEL RAY P. PILUDEN

Diocesan Bishop, Episcopal Diocese of Santiago