|
Chapter XII
Sub-Synods
G-12.0112
The governing bodies below each of the two Primary
Sub-Synods Synods, (Auburn and
Westminster), shall be
Sub-Synods
and Presbyteries that are aligned with
that
Primary Synod (Westminster or Auburn).
These
Sub-Synods and Presbyeries
shall
govern the individual congregations that
have voted to align themselves with the same
specific
Primary Synod (either Westminster or
Auburn) with which the Sub-Synod and Presbytery
are aligned with.
G-12.0113 Each Primary Synod
(Westminster and Auburn) shall
each have eight Sub-Synods, they shall have the
same geographical boundaries. The boundaries
shall be based upon the prior synods geographic
boundaries as follows:
First Sub-Synod: (boundaries of the prior Synod of
the Pacific and Synod of Southern
California and Hawaii)
Second Sub-Synod: (boundaries of the prior Synod of
Alaska and Northwest and Synod of the
Rocky Mountains)
Third
Sub-Synod: (boundaries of the prior Synod of the
Sounthwest and Synod of the Sun)
Fourth Sub-Synod: (boundaries of the Synod of
Mid-America and Synod of Lakes
and Prairies)
Fifth
Sub-Synod: (boundaries of the Synod of Lincoln
Trails and Synod of the Covenant)
Sixth Sub-Synod: (boundaries of the Synod Living
Waters and Synod of the South Atlantic)
Seventh Sub-Synod: (boundaries of the Synod of the
Trinity and the Synod of the
Northeast)
Eighth
Sub-Synod: (boundaries of the Synod of the
Mid-Atlantic and Synod of
Puerto Rico)
G-12.0114 Each Primary Synod (Westminster
and Auburn) shall
Cooperation have eight Sub-Synods
based upon the boundaries in
between Auburn section G-12.0113. The boundaries of each Primary
and Wesminster Synod's (Auburn and Westminster) Sub-Synods shall
primary Synods be
identical. This will allow the Sub-Synods of both
Primary
Synods to cooperate in the
administration
of retreats and other
PCUSA
conference properties within their
boundaries.
These properties will be jointly
administered
by the two Sub-Synods representing
their
respective Primary Synod (Auburn or
Westminster)
in that geographic region.
Each
Primay Synod's Sub-Synod shall be
granted
equal time and access to the properties.
G-12.0115
Membership When
a Sub-Synod meets it shall be composed of
commissioners
elected by the member Presbyteries
aligned
with the same specific Primary Synod (either
Westminster or Auburn), that the Sub-Synod
is aligned with, in that geographic region.
With
the consent of a majority of its
Presbyteries,
aligned with the same Primary
Synod (Auburn or Westminster), in that region,
the
commissioners from each Presbytery shall
be divided equally between elders and
ministers of the Word and Sacrament.
Selection of commissioners shall seek
the full participation and representation
of all members of the respective
Presbyteries of that specific Primary
Synod (Westminster or Auburn).
Each person elected moderator
shall be enrolled as a member of that Sub-Synod
until
a successor is elected and installed, and
then shall be enrolled as a corresponding
member of the Sub-Synod.
G-12.0116 Sub-Synods are the
intermediate governmental
Responsibilities unit between the Primary Synods (Auburn
and Westminster) and their Presbyteries. The
Sub-Synod is responsible for the mission of their
Primary
Synod's (Westminster or Auburn) member
churches and Presbyteries throughout its region.
It
therefore has the responsiblity and power
a. to develop, in conjunction with its presbyteries,
a broad strategy for the mission of the church
and its Primary Synod (Auburn or Westminster)
within its geographic boundaries
b. to initiate mission through a variety of forms
in light of the larger strategy of their Primary
Synod (Westminster or Auburn) and the
General Assembly
c. to develop, in conjunction with its Primary
Synod (Westminster or Auburn) and its
presbyteries, joint plans and objectives
for the fulfillment of mission, providing
encouragement and guidance to it's
Primary Synod's (Auburn or Westminster)
presbyteries within its geographic
boundaries and overseeing its work.
d. to implement, the principles of
participation and inlcusiveness in
employing
personnel and in establishing
the
membership of its committees, councils,
boards, and other policy making and policy
recommending bodies, in order to ensure
fair representation in its decision making.
e. to develop and provide resources as
needed to facilitate the mission of its
presbyteries, as well as guidance and
criteria for evaluation;
f. to consult with its member presbyteries
with regard to their general mission
budgets,
the establishment of administrative
staff positions, equitable compensation,
personnel policies, and fair employment
practices.
g. to coordinate the work of prebyteries'
committees on ministry and assist its
member presbyteries in matters related to
the
calling, ordaining,and placement of
ministers, consistent with their Primary
Synod's (Westminster or Auburn)
theological standards and guidelines;
h.
to facilitate communication among its
presbyteries
and their Primary Synod
(Westminster or Auburn)
i.
to facilitate joint action in mission with
other denominations and agencies in its
region
j.
to provide services and programs for
Presbyteries, sessions, and members
within
its area, and within its Primary
Synod (Westminster or Auburn)
that can be performed more
effectively from a broad regional
base.
k.
to serve in Judicial Matters in accordance
with the Rules of Discipline
l.
to warn or bear witness against error
in
doctrine or immorality in practice
among
congregations and
Presbyteries aligned with the same
Primary Synod (Auburn or Westminster)
as the Sub-Synod is aligned with.
m to
review the records of the Presbyteries
aligned
with the same Primary Synod
(Westminster or Auburn), that the
Sub-Synod is aligned with, and to take
care that they observe the Constitution
of the church.
n. to
maintain regular and continuing
relationship
with their Primary
Synod
(Westminster or Auburn)
including:
(1) Seeing that the orders and
instructions of their Primary
Synod
(Westminster or
Auburn)
are observed and
carried out,
(2) Proposing to their Primary
Synod (Auburn or Westminster)
such measures as may be of
common concern to the mission
of the whole church
o. to establish and maintain those
ecumenical relationships which will
enlarge the life and mission of the
church in its region;
p. to provide a system of administrative
services
to fulfill its objectives and
programs
q. to establish and superintend the
agencies
and task forces necessary
for
its work, including establishing
a
sub-Synod council, when the
sub-Synod
deems that one is
necessary
to provide for the
regular
review of the functional
relationship
between the Sub-Synod's
structure, its
mission, and its
relationship
to its specific Primary
Synod
(Auburn or Westminster),
and the
Presbyteries within its
geographic
region that are
aligned
with the same Primary
Synod
(Westminster or Auburn).
r.
to establish a nominating committee
composed
of equal members of
ministers,
laywomen, and laymen
s.
to establish and maintain Cross-
Over Committees between the
two Sub-Synods in the same region
(Auburn and Westminster)
(1) One Committee to establish
continuing maintenance of, and
dates of use of the retreats and
facilities within both Sub-Synods'
(Westminster and Auburn)
geographic area. Time of use
should be evenly divided between
the two sub-Synods;
(2) Another
Committee to address
critical needs of the poor
in the region, with an emphasis
on healthcare and homeless
families.
G-12.0117
Meetings Each Sub-Synod (of
the Westminster and Auburn Primary
Synods) shall hold a stated meeting at least biannually.
The Moderator
of each Sub-Synod shall hold a special
meeting
at the request or with the concurrance of three
ministers and three elders representing three Presbyteries
aligned
with the same Primary Synod (Westminster or
Auburn), as the Sub-Synod, all of whom must have been
commissioners to the last preceding stated
meeting of the Sub-Synod. The Sub-
Synod
may fix its own higher number. Should the
Moderator be unable to act, the stated clerk of the
Sub-Synod shall, under the same conditions, issue
the call. If both the Moderator and the Stated Clerk
are unable to act, the most recent Moderator, shall
under the same conditions, issue the call. The
Primary Synod (Auburn or Westminster) may direct
the Sub-Synod to convene a special meeting for the
transaction of designated business. Commissioners
to the special meeting shall be the commissioners
elected
to the last preceding stated meeting of the
Sub-Synod or their alternates. Presbyteries belonging
to the same Primary Synod (Auburn or Westminster),
as
the Sub-Synod, may elect a commissioner or
alternate to replace one who has died or
changed Presbytery membership.
Notice of a special meeting shall be sent not less
than
fifteen days in advance, to each commissioner
elected
to the last preceding stated meeting of the
Sub-Synod,
and to the stated clerk of each Presbytery
aligned with the same Primary Synod (Westminster or
Auburn),
within that Sub-Synod region. The notice
shall set out the purpose of the meeting and no other
business than that listed in the notice shall be transacted.
G-12-0118
A quorum of the Sub-Synod. The quorum shall
include an equal number of elders and ministers
representing
the larger of: at least three
Presbyteries or one-third of the Presbyteries,
aligned with the same Primary Synod
(Westminster or Auburn) as the Sub-Synod
G-12-0119 Presbyters in good standing in other governing
Corresponding
bodies of the same Primary Synod (Westminster
Members or
Auburn), who are present at any meeting of the
Sub-Synod, may be invited by the Sub-Synod to sit
as corresponding members with voice but without
vote.
G-12-0120 Each Presbytery within the same Primary Synod
Participation (Westminster or Auburn) shall participate in the
Sub-Synod's responsiblities and service through its
elected
commissioners to the Sub-Synod. Each
Presbytery within the same Primary Synod
(Auburn or Westminster) shall elect at least five
elders and five ministers to serve as commissioners
to their Sub-Synod. The Sub-Synod council, shall be
elected by the commissioners and non-commissioner
ministers
and elders from the Presbyterties within
that geographic Sub-Synod which are aligned with
the
same Primary Synod (Westminster or Auburn),
as the Sub-Synod. The Sub-Synod shall devise a
process of rotation of members on the Sub-Synod
council from among the Presbyteries within the
same Primary Synod (Auburn or Westminster),
in
that geographic region. The Sub-Synod shall
provide a process for assuring balance
on
all committees so that all Presbyteries
are fairly represented.
G-12.0121
Committee on Each Sub-Synod shall establish a committee on
Representation Representation, which shall advise the Sub-Synod's
nominating committee of any need for nominations
in particular catagories needing increased
representation. The committee on representation
shall report at least biannually to the Sub-Synod
of progress toward fair representation.
G-12.0122 The Sub-Synod
may authorize the administrative
Staff staff
services of a Sub-Synod executive and may
establish
other staff positions as needed. The
executive shall be nominated to the Sub-Synod
by its council or by a special representative
nominating committee elected for that purpose
In the employment of all personnel, including
administrative
staff, the Sub-Synod shall observe
the principles of fair representation taking
into
account equal employment opportunity
and
affirmative action. The Sub-Synod may
authorize the use of Sub-Synod administrative
staff services for a Presbytery within their Primary
Synod (Auburn or Westminster) at the request of
the Presbytery.
G-12.0122 Each Sub-Synod of a Primary Synod (Auburn
General or Westminster) shall establish a Sub-Synod
general
Mission mission budget to support the
Primary Synod's
Budget mission within
its region. As the sub-Synod raises
and
expends funds, it shall do so in th light of the
priorities of their Primary Synod and of the whole
church.
The Sub-Synod shall make its plans
and determine its general mission budget
after receiving recommendations from their
Primary
Synod (Westminster or Auburn) and in light
of
the comprehensive strategy of their Primary Synod
(Auburn or Westminster) and the whole church
G-12.0123 The Sub-Synod
shall keep a full and accurate record of
Records its
proceedings which shall be submitted at the next
succeeding meeting of their Primary Synod
(Westminster or Auburn) for its general review and
comment. It shall report to their Primary Synod the
number of Presbyteries and, in general, all important
changes that have occurred within its bounds.
G-12.0124 The
Sub-Synod shall have a full finanacial review of all
Audit
books and records relating to finances, once a year by
a
public accountant or public accounting firm. Such
auditors should not be related to the treasurer
(or
treasurers). Terminology in this section is meant
to provide general guidance and is not intended to
require
or not require specific audit procedures or
practices as understood within the professional
accounting community.
G-12.0125 The Sub-Synod shall obtain property
and liability
Insurance insurance to protect its facilities, programs,
staff,
and elected and appointed officers.
|
