|
PREAMBLE We the undersigned members of Elderwood Circle, responding with faith and honor to the call of the Divine Spirit, desiring to unite together to worship the God and Goddess, administer the sacraments, and carry out the mission of the Divine Spirit, do hereby adopt this constitution and solemnly pledge ourselves to be governed by its provisions. In the name of our Lord the God, our Lady the Goddess and the Divine Spirit. So mote it be.
Chapter 1. NAME AND INCORPORATION C1.01 The name of this congregation shall be the Elderwood Circle C1.02 For the purpose of this constitution and the accompanying bylaws, the Elderwood Circle is herein designated as “this congregation.” C1.03 This congregation shall be incorporated under the laws of the State of Missouri.
Chapter 2. DECLARATION OF FAITH C2.01 This congregation declares that there is a Goddess great in all her many aspects and that there is a God great in all his aspects. C2.02 This congregation declares that the Goddess and the God who have the power to grant life, death, joy, pain, justice, mercy, and any other gifts or curses to all. a. There is an eternal wheel of justice through which all souls will cycle b. Karma is the name of the wheel of justice c. The experiences of souls are balanced through many lives d. The God and Goddess continually teach us through lessons learned in each life. e. We are responsible for our own actions, not some evil entity. It is only our own selves we can blame when we make a mistake or act with dishonor. C2.03 This congregation accepts that The Ordains were divinely inspired and were the way the divine one teaches us of faith, life, and existence. 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 the traditions from which we have arisen are derived from the world’s oldest earth religion. C2.06 This congregation believes the traditions that we have evolved from the Celtic, Teutonic, Mediterranean, and many other polytheistic and pantheistic sources too numerous to mention and going back through history as far as we have evidence for. C2.07 This congregation believes that our faith was reconstructed from the previously mentioned sources during the first half of the 20th century. a. The youth of a religion does not invalidate the purpose of a religion or experiences that it brings to the followers lives. b. all religions were once young with still devout followers. C2.08 This congregation declares that the evidence of our faith’s sources can be found all over the world. a. The evidence can be found in the ruins of Babylon, Egypt, India, Greece, Rome, and China. b. Written evidence can be found in the Celtic ohm, Egyptian hieroglyphics, and the Germanic runes as well as the reports of the archeologists through the years. C2.09 This congregation declares that the actual roots of our tradition 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 Philosopher’s Stone.
Chapter 3 NATURE OF THE CHURCH C3.01. All religious power belongs to the Divine Spirit, the God and the Goddess, The Council of Elders, and to the High Priest and High Priestess. C3.02. The circle exists as a fellowship that is inclusive, within reason, and as a local congregation gathered for worship and religious service. a. We will maintain admission requirements for the safety of our members. b. The admission requirements will be public and available upon request. c. Special cases will be reviewed by the wider council one at a time. C3.03. Wicca as we know it today was brought to America in the early sixties by Raymond Buckland. a. This congregation is non-profit. b. Any money received beyond the payment of bills and improvement of the church shall be given to specified charities. C3.04. This congregation does not condone the practice of “Black Magick,” or the desecration of any person, place or thing. The Old Religion does not seek converts, those wishing to convert of their own freewill must show their worth and sincerity. C3.05. The congregation believes that there are many pathways to Enlightenment, some are long, 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 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: Celtic, Teutonic, Greco-roman, Egyptian, Babo-Sumerian, Hindu, Native American Indians, the native African religions, Oceana, Asian peasantry, and the religion of the aborigines of Australia. C3.08. This congregation believes that some aspects of the Old Religions are as old as human experience and are derived from the ancient fertility cults of earth mother and sky god whose symbols transcend individual cultures. C3.09. We find the ancient religions of the earth to be harmonious with nature and its celebration of life, death, and birth expressed seasonally. C3.10 This congregation declares that the :old religion” though a synthesis of several cultures, is still natural in both origin and mode of expression. C3.11 This congregation declares that the festivals correspond to the cycles of nature or the cycles of the sun C3.12 The eight festivals are listed below with their approximate date and Christian name and/or nearest related holiday. a. Yule December 21st Christmas Winter Solstice b. Imbolc February 2nd St Bride’s Day Valentine’s Day c. Ostara March 21st Easter Esther d. Beltane May 1st May Day Walburga e. Litha June 21st St Johns Day Midsummer f. Lughnasadh August 2nd Loaf Mass Fruit Harvest g. Mabon September 23rd Thanksgiving Harvest Home h. Samhain October 31st Halloween All Souls Eve C3.13 This congregation declares that these festivals were renamed because of the dominance of Christianity during the last 1900 years or so; and Christianity’s habit of renaming pagan holidays and taking them for their own use. C3.14. This congregation declares that an Earth Religion in formation and existence, resembles a tree. It emerges from the Earth, it grows, it changes (both cyclically in seasons and continually upward and outward), it 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 4. STATEMENT OF PURPOSE C4.01. This congregation is a people created by the Divine Spirit, empowered through the God and Goddess, and sent to bear witness to The Divine Spirit’s creative, fulfilling, and sanctifying activity in the world. C4.02. To participate in The Divine Spirit’s mission, this congregation as part of the Church shall: a. Worship the Divine 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 Divine Spirit as passed down to us through stories of the God and the Goddess. c. Carrying out the mission of the Divine Spirit by making ourselves available to those people who are trying to find us to bring them in faith to the Divine Spirit and by doing all ministry. d. Serve in response to the Divine 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 based on the tenets of the Divine Spirit so they may reach joy and enlightenment and follow their mission in this world. f. Demonstrate the unity given to the people by living in harmony with the love of the Divine Spirit and by gathering together to express and preserve the unity through prayer and action. C4.03. To fulfill these purposes, this congregation shall: a. Provide services of worship and administer the sacraments b. Provide pastoral care and assist all members to participate in this service. c. Challenge, equip, and support all members in the trials of their lives. d. Respond to human need, work for justice and peace, care for the sick and suffering, and participate responsibly in society. e. To teach our ways we received from the God and the Goddess through history, story, and music. f. Motivate its members to provide financial support for the congregation’s ministry g. Foster relationships with other Wiccan congregations. h. Foster and participate in ecumenical relationships consistent with 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. C4.05 This congregation shall, from time to time, adopt a policy statement which will provide specific direction for its programs.
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. All Authority is delegated to the congregation except that given to the council of elders or the guilds unless membership in the congregation drops below ten. a. The council of elders shall have the authority to invest or terminate a high priest of high priestess b. the council of elders shall approve an annual budget. c. 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
d. 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 e. sell, mortgage, lease, transfer, or otherwise dispose of its property by any lawful means. C5.04 The congregation as a whole shall a. elect a council of elders b. establish or disband guilds as needed c. to support, proselytize, publish, research and teach the religious arts, sciences and concepts of Wicca d. establish and maintain places of worship in accordance with our traditions e. establish, maintain and conduct schools of religious instruction for children and adults f. provide courses of religious instruction which shall prepare members and qualify them to be ordained priests and priestesses (ministers) g. to ordain priests and priestesses (ministers) of the Religious orders associated with it h. to charter other congregations associated with the Elderwood Circle and the Eclectic tradition of Wicca i. exercise any, all and every power to which an establishment of religion is entitled j. 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 6. CHURCH AFFILIATION C6.01. This congregation is an independent congregation following the Eclectic tradition of Wicca. C6.02. This congregation accepts the “Rede” and agrees to the purposes of Wicca in America and shall act in accordance with them. C6.03. This congregation shall cease to exist if the congregation gives an 80% yes vote to such an action.
Chapter 7. PROPERTY OWNERSHIP C7.01. Should the congregation be dissolved, the real estate shall revert as follows a. the member who has retained the longest documented membership in this congregations shall become sole owner of any debt independent real estate (1) If the founding member of the congregation is still an active member of the congregation at the time of dissolution, then they shall have the right to claim any debt independent property (2) If there is more than one member who meets the previously mentioned requirements, then the real estate shall be sold and the profits of the sale shall be split equally between them. b. Any unclaimed real estate can be either: (1) donated as is to a charity specified at the time of dissolution (2) sold and then donated to a charity specified at the time of dissolution C7.02. Non real estate property shall be handled as such: a. if the original donator of said property wishes, they can reclaim their property b. if property is left unclaimed, then any member can file a claim with the person handling the transactions of dissolution c. any property left unclaimed after 60 days can be handled in a manner consistent with the specified in C7.01 section b of this constitution. C7.03. Any property ownership decisions will be made by the council of elders for property valued at greater than 150 dollars per transaction. a. any property decision can be remanded for review under three conditions (1) 75% of the congregation wishes it (2) 50% of the guildmasters agree (3) the high priest or high priestess concurs b the council of elders decides to review the decision at a later time C7.04. Upon dissolution, all debts must be cleared before property can be claimed. C7.05. If part of the congregation remains, the name and property of the congregation shall be kept by the remaining members of the congregation.
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. Novice 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 covens, circles, or groves in the Wiccan religion. b. Initiated members are consecrated persons who have been initiated by the process of completing their Quest, being named and adopted into this congregation or by transfer as Initiated members from other covens, circles, or groves. 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, c. support the work of this congregation and of the Elderwood Circle through contributions of their time, abilities, and financial support as stewards of The Divine Spirit.
Chapter 9 THE HIGH PRIEST AND HIGH PRIESTESS C9.01. Authority to choose a High Priest and High Priestess shall be vested in this congregation by at least a 70% majority vote of members present and voting at a meeting regularly called for that purpose. The council of Elders or the Wider council shall be the ones to recommend the new High priest or high priestess C9.02. Only a 4th degree or higher with in this circle or a 3rd degree from other functioning covens may apply to the leading position of the Elderwood Circle. Other requirements are as follows below. An applicant for High priest or High priestess must have: reached the age of Saturn return must have been a pagan for 7 years must have at least one year experience as a maiden or squire must have attended 3 sabbats and 6 esbats with this congregation C9.03. Consistent with the faith and practices of the Elderwood Circle 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 Divine 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 Elderwood Circle. 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 an agreement between the church and the ministers. C9.05. Termination of a High priest or Priestess goes accordingly 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 council of Elders 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 Wider council, when such difficulties are personally known or have been brought to the Wider Council’s 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 council of elders with the advice of the committee shall declare the position vacant. Upon the restoration of a disabled priest or priestess to health, the council of elders 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 council of elders 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. 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 council of elders. 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 council of elders 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 wider council with the consent of this congregation and the Council of Elders. Such interim priest or priestess shall have all rights and duties of a regular minister.
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 Wider Council, and shall be called at the written request of 65% of voting members or the Wider Council. 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, listed on the e-group as long as the e-group exists for at least 60 days prior to the meeting, and by mail or e-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 or e-mail shall go to the last address listed with the bard of the circle shall be sufficient notice. 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 Wider Council.
Chapter 11 OFFICERS C11.01. All officers of this congregation shall be the ones holding the title of “Guildmaster,” or “assistant Guildmaster.” C11.02 The officers of this congregation shall have duties set forth in the bylaws. C11.03 The officers and council of elders together constitute the “Wider Council” of this congregation.
Chapter 12 COUNCIL OF ELDERS C12.01 All those who wish to be on the council of elders shall meet specific requirements before entering the council. These are listed below. A person must passed beyond their Saturn return have seven years in the craft two years as a guild member one year as a guild master or assistant master three years as member of the congregation C12.02 The powers and duties of the council of elders shall be set out in the bylaws.
Chapter 13 CONGREGATION COMMITTEES C13.01. A Nominating Committee, Call Committee and other congregational committees may be formed as the need arises, by decision of the Council of Elders and as set out in the bylaws.
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 Divine Spirit. 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 may be organized only after authorization has been given by the Council of Elders.
Chapter 15. DISCIPLINE OF MEMBERS C15.01 Denial of beliefs as described in this constitution, conduct grossly unbecoming of a congregation member, unreasonable member to member conflict, persistent trouble making, and violating congregational rules are enough to merit activation of the congregational disciplinary procedures. C15.02 Disciplinary procedures are set forth in the by laws, which can be obtained on request. C15.03 Any action of discipline can be reviewed at a later date if testimony or evidence to the contrary of the previous conclusions of investigation come to light.
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.
Chapter 17. AMENDMENTS C17.01 Amendments to this constitution may be proposed by at least 25% of the congregation’s written signatures. C17.02 All proposed amendments must be presented in writing. C17.03 There will be a 60 day wait on consideration of amendments by the council of elders. C17.04 If the council approves of the amendment, it will be voted on by the entire congregation at the next annual meeting. C17.05 Ratification of an amendment will take 75% of the congregation members in attendance voting yes to ratify it. C17.06 The amendment will go into effect 120 days after approval.
Chapter 18 CONTINUING RESOLUTIONS C18.01 The Council of Elders of this congregation may enact continuing resolutions which describe the function of the various committees or organizations of this congregation.
|
