We will have a Congregational Meeting on Sunday, March 20, 2022, following the worship service, for the election of elders and deacons and to make a by-law changes.

For election as Ruling Elder and to the Session:

Chris Baldwin, Dave Fleurquin, Josh Lehman, and Shawn Peterson

Ruling Elders for re-election to the Session:

Terry Bradley, Greg Buchalter, Andrew Hess, Ted Roth, and Alex Saks

For election as Deacon and to the Diaconate:

Caleb McConnell and Bill McBride

Deacons for re-election to the Diaconate:

Tom Baird and Carl Steers

By-Law Changes:

Article VI, Section II, A. 4, which currently reads:

“Tenure. Terms shall be for three years. Any elder serving two consecutive terms, full or partial, shall ordinarily be ineligible to serve a further term until at least one full year has elapsed.”

Shall be amended by (parts to be deleted are stricken through):

“Tenure. Terms shall be for three years. Any elder serving two consecutive terms, full or partial, shall ordinarily be ineligible to serve a further term until at least one full year has elapsed.”

So that the amended part shall read:

“Tenure. Terms shall be for three years.”

Article VI, Section II, B. 6, which currently reads:

“Tenure. Terms shall be for three years. Any deacon serving two consecutive terms, full or partial, shall ordinarily be ineligible to serve a further term until at least one full year has elapsed.”

Shall be amended by (parts to be deleted are stricken through):

“Tenure. Terms shall be for three years. Any deacon serving two consecutive terms, full or partial, shall ordinarily be ineligible to serve a further term until at least one full year has elapsed.”

So that the amended part shall read:

“Tenure. Terms shall be for three years.”

Rationale:

• Officers perform a variety of tasks in their roles of shepherding and governing.  Many times, the assignments do not line up with the start of a mandatory sabbatical.  For example, an officer could be serving as the Elder representative on the ECA School Board or could be working with a couple working through a rough spot in their marriage.  If the Officer is required to take a sabbatical before the responsibility is complete, the work may be delayed or the officer gets less than a full sabbatical.  This change would allow for flexibility

• Shepherding involves the development of relationships of various lengths of time. Mandating a year off every six years could be disruptive to shepherding relationships

• Each Ruling Elder can request a leave of absence from any or all of their official duties when their ministry and personal circumstances make it wise to step away for a particular season