ARTICLE I: MEMBERSHIP

Section 101: Corporate Members

The Church corporation shall have no members. Any action which would otherwise require approval by a majority of all members shall only require approval of the Church Council. All rights which would otherwise vest in the members shall vest in the Church Council. Nothing in this statement shall be construed to limit the right of the Church to refer to persons associated with the Church as ‘members’ even though such persons are not corporate members, and no such reference in or outside of these Bylaws shall constitute anyone being a member. The Church may confer by amendment of its Articles or of these Bylaws some or all of the rights of a member upon any person or persons who do not have the right to vote for the election of officers or on a disposition of substantially all of the assets of the Corporation or on a merger or on a dissolution or on changes to the Corporation’s Articles or Bylaws, but no such person shall be a member of the corporate entity.

Section 102: Classes of Membership

There are to be three classes of membership in the Church:

1. non-voting General Membership
2. voting Church Council Membership
3. voting Church Council Officer Membership

Section 103: Qualifications

Qualifications for the three classes of membership are as follows:

1. Non-voting general membership shall be granted to any person over the age of eighteen (18) years who agrees with and affirms our Church Vision and Mission, who agrees to abide by the rules and provisions as stated in our Articles of Incorporation and By-Laws, and who comes with a spirit of service, cooperation, respect, and love. Prospective members who make these agreements and sign the Church’s membership roster shall be considered full and welcomed members of the Church. Non-voting members may attend Church Council meetings by invitation of an Officer of the Council, when a simple majority of the Council votes to approve the invitation, but will retain their non-voting status.
2. Voting Church Council membership shall be conveyed on a person duly nominated and voted onto said Council by a simple majority vote of Officers in a properly convened meeting where a quorum is present.
3. Voting Church Council Officer membership shall be conveyed on a person duly nominated and voted onto said Council by a simple majority, to serve in a position designated as having particular and specific qualifications and responsibilities as outlined in Article II of these By-Laws.
4. Special note about children under the age of eighteen (18): We value our children and recognize their contribution to our community and our church; they often teach us as much as they learn from us. Any child of any member shall be welcomed in membership, providing that he or she is able to understand and agree with our Church Vision and Mission. Children whose parents or guardians are not Church members must have permission from their parents to join our Church; while we recognize each person’s right to choose his or her own path, we acknowledge and respect the parents’ role in training their children as they see fit. A signed permission form should be on file for any person under eighteen who desires fellowship with us on a regular basis.

Section 104: Attendance

Having the opportunity to work and worship together as a community of spirit being one of the reasons for establishing this Church, attendance at Church events and activities is encouraged and, to a degree, expected. Therefore, the following guidelines concerning attendance have been adopted:

1. All Church members are invited and encouraged to attend any and all Church activities, events, services, and other programs free of charge, unless fees are assessed for specific materials, entrance charges, or fund-raising purposes. In the event a member is unable to afford such fees or charges, the Church Council is authorized to make a determination of need in order to waive or subsidize those fees or charges. This shall be accomplished by an affirmative majority vote in a properly called meeting of the Council in which a quorum is present.
2. Members who do not attend any Church services or activities for the period of six (6) months will be considered probationally inactive, and members of the Church Council will attempt to establish some form of contact to determine a) if the member has decided to leave the Church, or b) is in need of assistance from the Church.
3. Members who do not attend any Church services or activities for a period of one (1) year will be considered inactive. Council members will attempt to establish contact to determine the cause. If no extenuating circumstances prevail, as defined by the Council, the member will then be removed from the Church roster. If extenuating circumstances prevail, the member may request that his or her name be kept on the Church roster or listed as "at-large," at the discretion of the Council.
4. Church Council Members and Officers are expected to attend as many of the Church’s services, activities, programs, and events as possible and appropriate. A Council Member or Officer whose attendance becomes a matter of concern to the other members of the Church or the Church Council will be approached by a Council Officer in order to determine if a) the member has waned in his or her calling to serve on the Church Council or in the Church as a whole, or b) the member is in need of assistance from the Church. If the attendance problem is deemed serious, the Council Member’s status will be evaluated and handled as described in Article II of these By-Laws.
5. Attendance at services, rituals, and ceremonies is restricted to members of the Church and their invited guests, unless otherwise specified. This is to assure the safety and security of our membership. Any non-member who wishes to visit our Church functions may do so by contacting any member in good standing, who may then issue an invitation to an appropriate event. While we hold to our policies of non-exclusiveness and interfaith acceptance, we regretfully acknowledge that there are persons who seek membership in small church groups for disruptive purposes or to proselytize, which goes against our Vision, Mission, and Statement of Belief; therefore, attendance at many of our events is restricted. In addition, since many of our activities take place in private homes and/or on private land, we have implemented this small security measure for the protection of our host families and our members.
6. Attendance at some services, rituals, ceremonies, classes, social events, and other programs may be open to the public when specified by the Council and promoted as such. From these events, prospective members or interested parties may be invited to our more spiritually-oriented, private events.

Section 105: Revocation of Membership

Membership is only denied or revoked for persons whose conduct, words, and actions constitute harmful, illegal, or abusive behavior, or whose conduct, words, and actions display attitudes of prejudice, intolerance, or malicious partisanship. We are an interfaith Church, and while as such we recognize each person’s right to his or her own beliefs, we suggest that those whose belief systems are fundamentally exclusivist, rigidly hierarchal, or overly dogmatic may find themselves more comfortable in a church home other than SpiralGround. Denial or revocation of membership privileges shall be handled by the Church Council as specified in the By-Laws.

ARTICLE II: GOVERNANCE

Section 201: General Council Guidelines

Governance of this Church shall be through the Church Council, assisted by various Officers, Committees, and other Members as set forth in the Articles of Incorporation (see Article VI) and these By-Laws.

1. The Church Council shall consist of the initial Officers and voting Church Council members, whose terms shall be for the period of fifty (50) years. The term of Officers’ positions (Chair, Co-Chair, Secretary, Treasurer) shall be for five (5) years. Officers may serve as many terms as they wish but must be reconfirmed by vote at the end of each term.
2. The Church Council may increase the number of Council Members and/or Officers and/or fill vacancies on the Council at a properly convened meeting of the Church Council. To become a Council Officer or Member, a candidate must be nominated through a letter of recommendation by an existing Officer and approved by a simple majority vote of the Church Council members then entitled to vote. No individual shall be named or elected as an Officer or member of the Church Council without his/her consent.
3. The Church Council may remove any Council member or Officer who is found to be derelict in his or her duties to the Church, or whose conduct, words, and actions constitute harmful, illegal, or abusive behavior, display attitudes of prejudice, intolerance, or malicious partisanship, or make apparent a lack of commitment to the Church’s Vision Statement, Mission Statement, and/or Statement of Belief. Such an Officer or member may be removed by a simple majority vote of the Council in a properly convened meeting in which a quorum is present.
4. Candidates for the Church Council other than the initial members and Officers must be general members in good standing whose commitment to the mission, vision, and principles of the Church and willingness to serve have been demonstrated over the period of at least "a year and a day" (one calendar year plus one day.)
5. Church Council Officers- and Members-Elect must affirm their commitment to act in accordance with all Church procedures, Articles of Incorporation, Bylaws, and other regulations required by section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service code and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
6. The Church Council shall consist of no fewer than four (4) Officers: Chair, Vice-Chair, Secretary, and Treasurer, and no more than thirteen (13) active Officers and/or Members.
7. Council Officers At-Large will be considered inactive and have no voting privileges, but remain in an advisory capacity to the Church Council, and their numbers do not count toward the Council limit of thirteen (13) Officers and/or Members.

Section 202: Council Chair

1. Purpose
1. To assure that the Council fulfills its responsibilities for the governance of the Church
2. To work at the behest of the Council to ensure that it achieves the Mission of the Church
2. Duties and responsibilities
1. Provides leadership to the Council, the policy-making body of the Church.
2. Effectively facilitates Council meetings, and works with the Council to develop meeting agendas. Delegates Council meeting facilitation to the Co-Chair as needed.
3. Maintains consistent and direct contact with the Co-Chair with regards to all Church business and activities, with a view toward ensuring the Co-Chair’s ability to perform any and all of the Chair’s duties and responsibilities.
4. Consistently focuses the Council’s attention on matters of institutional governance that relate to its own structure, role, and relationship to the vision and mission. Monitors and directs adherence to the Church’s culture and values in all endeavors.
5. Encourages and provides leadership to the Council and Committees for strategic planning.
6. Works with the Co-Chair to recommend the composition of Council Committees.
7. Serves ex officio as a member of all committees and attends their meetings when invited, or as the Chair deems necessary and/or appropriate.
8. Assists in recruiting Council members and other talent for whatever assignments they are needed.
9. In consultation with the Co-Chair, develops and implements Officer transitions and training.
10. Ensures that the Council is satisfied that it has fulfilled all of its responsibilities, and prepares for presentation to the Council an annual evaluation of its performance to those ends, as well as the pace, direction, and organizational strength of the Church overall.
11. Monitors any and all monetary disbursements prior to checks being signed and issued.
12. Holds contractual authority and signatory powers for church financial transactions such as bank accounts. May delegate such powers to Co-chair on a directed basis.
13. Fulfills such other assignments as the Council agrees are appropriate and desirable for the Chair to perform.
3. Qualifications
1. Is a current member in good standing, and an Officer of the Council.
2. Understands and embraces the purpose and mission of the Church and is willing to keep its activities on track to accomplish those goals
3. Displays well-developed communication and conflict resolution skills
4. Possesses dynamic problem-solving skills and utilizes creative, critical, and strategic thinking
5. Models effective teamwork and teambuilding abilities
6. Recognizes the importance of group synergy, and is capable of working to maximize the dynamic interaction of the Council, committees, Church members, and other organizations in realizing the mission of the Church
7. Models the character and the ethical, moral, and spiritual core values embraced by the Church
4. Expectation of commitments of time and financial support
1. Number of hours will vary, depending on the activity of the Church. The Chair position is a moderately time-consuming position, and candidates should carefully evaluate their priorities, abilities, and commitment before accepting the position of Council Chair.
2. The Chair, like all Officers of the Church Council, is expected to attend the majority of regularly scheduled church activities.
3. The Chair, like all Officers of the Church Council, is expected to make a financial commitment to the Church according to his or her ability, as a model of good stewardship and commitment to the Mission of the Church.
5. Training and development
1. The Church has a duty to make Council development training opportunities available to the Chair as much as is feasible, including training classes, books and other training materials, relevant conferences and symposiums, software, etc.
2. In addition to training in managerial skills, the Chair is expected to continue on his or her own path of spiritual growth and development. The Church is committed to helping facilitate this in any way possible.
6. Term
1. A term lasts five years.
2. The Chair may serve as many terms as he or she is elected to serve.

Section 203: Council Co-Chair

1. Purpose:
1. To assist the Chair to ensure that the Council fulfills its responsibilities for the governance of the Church
2. To work at the behest of the Council to ensure that it achieves the Mission of the Church
2. Duties and responsibilities
1. Assumes and exercises, in the absence or incapacity of the Chair, all the powers and duties of the office of Chair (see Chair position description.)
2. Assumes the office of Chair in the event that the Chair resigns, vacates, is removed, or otherwise becomes ineligible.
3. Assists the Chair in the performance of that office’s duties, and maintains direct and consistent contact with the Chair with regards to all Church business and activities, with a view toward Co-Chair’s ability to perform those duties.
4. Provides encouragement, feedback, and counsel to the Board Chair in all matters of Church business.
5. Upon being specifically designated by the Chair, effectively facilitates Council meetings.
6. Works with the Chair to recommend the composition of Council Committees.
7. Ensures that all Committees have fulfilled their responsibilities, and prepares for presentation to the Council an annual evaluation of the efficacy, comportment, and performance of Committees and the Committee Chairs, as well as their adherence to the Church’s stated Vision, Mission, and Purpose.
8. Ancillary to the Chair, serves ex officio as a member of all committees and attends their meetings when invited, or as deemed necessary or appropriate by the Chair or the Co-Chair.
9. Plans, coordinates, and facilitates an annual Council Retreat, delegating responsibilities and duties as necessary to other Council Members and Officers.
10. Maintains consistent and direct contact with the Co-Chair with regards to all Church business and activities, with a view toward ensuring the Co-Chair’s ability to perform any and all of the Chair’s duties and responsibilities.
11. Participates closely with the Chair to develop and implement Officer transitions and training.
12. Works directly with the Treasurer to monitor the ongoing financial business of the Church, and serves as liaison between the Treasurer and the Council Chair, as necessary, between scheduled meetings.
13. Is responsible for review of all licensing, permits, insurance, and other such documents obtained for Church functions and activities, coordinating with Chair for their final review and approval prior to such events. Maintains communication with the Chair to determine if and when the forwarding of such documents to legal counsel for review is warranted.
14. Takes active leadership in Church strategic planning, in consultation with other Council Members and Officers.
15. Works directly with the Secretary to monitor that all Church records, minutes, correspondence, and electronic documents and communications are appropriately handled, distributed, and archived.
3. Qualifications
1. Is a current member in good standing, and an Officer of the Council.
2. Understands and embraces the purpose and mission of the Church and is willing to keep its activities on track to accomplish those goals
3. Displays well-developed communication and conflict resolution skills
4. Possesses dynamic problem-solving skills and utilizes creative, critical, and strategic thinking
5. Models effective teamwork and teambuilding abilities
6. Recognizes the importance of group synergy, and is capable of working to maximize the dynamic interaction of the Council, committees, Church members, and other organizations in realizing the mission of the Church
7. Models the character and the ethical, moral, and spiritual core values embraced by the Church
4. Expectation of commitments of time and financial support
1. Number of hours will vary, depending on the activity of the Church. The Co-Chair position is a moderately time-consuming position, and candidates should carefully evaluate their priorities, abilities, and commitment before accepting the position of Council Co-Chair.
2. The Co-Chair, like all Officers of the Church Council, is expected to attend the majority of regularly scheduled church activities
3. The Co-Chair, like all Officers of the Church Council, is expected to make a financial commitment to the Church according to his or her ability, as a model of good stewardship and commitment to the Mission of the Church.
5. Training and development
1. The Church has a duty to make Council development training opportunities available to the Co-Chair as much as is feasible, including training classes, books and other training materials, relevant conferences and symposiums, software, etc.
2. In addition to training in managerial skills, the Co-Chair is expected to continue on his or her own path of spiritual growth and development. The Church is committed to helping facilitate this in any way possible.
6. Term
1. A term lasts five years.
2. The Co-Chair may serve as many terms as he or she is elected to serve.

Section 204: Council Secretary

1. Purpose:
1. To facilitate the record-keeping and organization of the Church Council.
2. To work at the behest of the Council to ensure that it achieves the Mission of the Church
2. Duties and responsibilities
1. Maintains records of the Church and the Church Council and ensures effective management of these records.
2. Manages minutes of Church Council and other meetings.
3. Ensures meeting minutes are distributed to Council Members, Officers, and/or General Members are needed after each meeting, within the time frame specified within these By-Laws.
4. Is sufficiently familiar with legal documents (Articles, By-Laws, IRS letters, etc.) to note applicability during meetings.
3. Qualifications
1. Is a current member in good standing, and an Officer of the Council.
2. Understands and embraces the purpose and mission of the Church and is willing to keep its activities on track to accomplish those goals
3. Displays well-developed communication and conflict resolution skills
4. Possesses dynamic problem-solving skills and utilizes creative, critical, and strategic thinking
5. Models effective teamwork and teambuilding abilities
6. Recognizes the importance of group synergy, and is capable of working to maximize the dynamic interaction of the Council, committees, Church members, and other organizations in realizing the mission of the Church
7. Models the character and the ethical, moral, and spiritual core values embraced by the Church
4. Expectation of commitments of time and financial support
1. Number of hours will vary, depending on the activity of the Church. The Co-Chair position is a somewhat time-consuming position, and candidates should carefully evaluate their priorities, abilities, and commitment before accepting the position of Council Co-Chair.
2. The Co-Chair, like all Officers of the Church Council, is expected to attend the majority of regularly scheduled church activities
3. The Co-Chair, like all Officers of the Church Council, is expected to make a financial commitment to the Church according to his or her ability, as a model of good stewardship and commitment to the Mission of the Church.
5. Training and development
1. The Church has a duty to make Council development training opportunities available to the Secretary as much as is feasible, including training classes, books and other training materials, relevant conferences and symposiums, software, etc.
2. In addition to training in managerial skills, the Secretary is expected to continue on his or her own path of spiritual growth and development. The Church is committed to helping facilitate this in any way possible.
6. Term
1. A term lasts five years.
2. The Secretary may serve as many terms as he or she is elected to serve.

Section 205: Council Treasurer

1. Purpose:
1. To facilitate management of the financial records, disbursements, budget, and other monetary consideration of the Church.
2. To work at the behest of the Council to ensure that it achieves the Mission of the Church
2. 2) Duties and responsibilities
1. Works directly with the Chair and Co-Chair to monitor the ongoing financial business of the Church.
2. Keeps current, accurate financial records and reconciles monthly bank statements.
3. Prepares quarterly reports for presentation at business meetings, or upon request by another Council member, upon one week’s notice.
4. Assists Chair and Co-Chair in developing an annual budget and advises the Church Council of possible deviations from budget.
5. Signs and issues checks for expenses as directed by the Church Council.
6. Holds signatory powers for Church financial transactions such as bank accounts, as specifically directed by the Church Council.
7. Fulfills such other assignments as the Church Council agrees are appropriate and desirable for the Treasurer to perform.
3. Qualifications
1. Is a current member in good standing, and an Officer of the Council.
2. Understands and embraces the purpose and mission of the Church and is willing to keep its activities on track to accomplish those goals
3. Displays well-developed communication and conflict resolution skills
4. Possesses dynamic problem-solving skills and utilizes creative, critical, and strategic thinking
5. Models effective teamwork, teambuilding abilities, and financial acumen and responsibility.
6. Recognizes the importance of group synergy, and is capable of working to maximize the dynamic interaction of the Council, committees, Church members, and other organizations in realizing the mission of the Church.
7. Models the character and the ethical, moral, and spiritual core values embraced by the Church
4. Expectation of commitments of time and financial support
1. Number of hours will vary, depending on the activity of the Church. The Co-Chair position is periodically a very time-consuming position, and candidates should carefully evaluate their priorities, abilities, and commitment before accepting the position of Council Co-Chair.
2. The Co-Chair, like all Officers of the Church Council, is expected to attend the majority of regularly scheduled church activities
3. The Co-Chair, like all Officers of the Church Council, is expected to make a financial commitment to the Church according to his or her ability, as a model of good stewardship and commitment to the Mission of the Church.
5. Training and development
1. The Church has a duty to make Council development training opportunities available to the Treasurer as much as is feasible, including training classes, books and other training materials, relevant conferences and symposiums, software, etc.
2. In addition to training in managerial skills, the Treasurer is expected to continue on his or her own path of spiritual growth and development. The Church is committed to helping facilitate this in any way possible.
6. Term
1. A term lasts five years.
2. The Treasurer may serve as many terms as he or she is elected to serve.

Section 206: Settlement of Disputes

Any dispute arising between any church members pertaining to any matter involving Church business shall be resolved by the Church Council. It is expected of Church Council Members and Officers that they possess sufficiently developed spiritual maturity to work out any disputes amongst themselves without arbitration.

ARTICLE V: COMMITTEES

The Church Council shall have the authority to appoint ad hoc or advisory committees as necessary or deemed appropriate, in order to effectively facilitate the programs and other activities which fulfill the Church’s Vision and Mission. Any such committee and its component members shall be appointed by a simple majority vote of the Church Council in a properly convened meeting. No member shall be appointed to any committee without his or her knowledge and consent. Duties, responsibilities, authority, and duration of committees shall be defined by the Council in properly called meetings.

ARTICLE IV: MEETINGS

For the purposes of conducting Church business, the following schedule and guidelines for mandatory meetings shall be kept:

1. Meetings shall be presided over by the Church Council Chair, Co-Chair, or other Council Members as designated by the Chair or Co-Chair.
2. Quorum: When the Council consists of an even number of persons, the quorum shall be 50 percent plus 1; when odd, the quorum shall be 50 percent rounded up to the next whole person.
3. Annual Meeting: Church Council Officers and Members present to the entire membership a comprehensive overview of the Church’s financial status, a summarization of the Church’s progress and programs over the past year, and a plan for the Church’s vision and activities for the year to come. This “State of the Church” address and Annual Business Meeting is to be held within the first two weeks of the Church’s fiscal year, which begins November 1.
4. Quarterly Church Council meetings: The Church Council shall meet quarterly, along with any of the general membership invited by the Council, to discuss plans, programs, activities, and other Church business.
5. Called meetings: Any Council member may call a special meeting to address special circumstances or concerns as needed.

ARTICLE V: FINANCES

1. The Church Council shall develop and maintain a written financial management system. This system will include, but not be limited to, procedures for the collection and disbursement of funds, the development of the budget, the establishment of special funds, investments, and acquisition and disposal of capitalized equipment and real property, and regular status reports to the Council and to the congregation.
2. The operating budget shall be approved by the Church Council. Budget estimates developed in accordance with the financial management system shall be presented to the congregation prior to Council approval.
3. The Fiscal Year begins November 1 and ends October 31.
4. We believe that the way any organization handles itself in the financial area is a reflection of its integrity in every area and its Vision and Mission overall. We acknowledge the limitless abundance of the Universe and are grateful for our ability to share in that abundance financially; this knowledge requires our responsible, trustworthy, and ethical handling of resources. Believing that like attracts like, a right attitude and handling of finances fosters right attitudes in many other areas, including our spiritual fulfillment and growth. Because of this belief, we have adopted these guiding principles when dealing with financial and material resources:
1. This Church and its ministry belong to All. These are neither monuments to anyone’s ego nor a legacy to anyone’s memory. The Church and all its members are servants of one another and of Spirit, but not slaves to any; our energy and resources are given freely, to be shared with all, for the benefit of all.
2. We view each contribution from members to this ministry as a sacrificial gift to the ministry we have all undertaken, and will view it with respect for both the spirit of that gift and our responsibility to use it wisely and appropriately, remembering our accountability for it.
3. We will not spend more money than we receive, believing that if a program, project, or other activity that requires financial commitment is worthy, needed, and timely, the resources to do so will be available. Similarly, we will not knowingly incur any debt that is not absolutely necessary, and if/when debt is incurred, we will make the settling of that debt a top financial priority.
4. We will seek to elect and confirm leadership that is free from the love of and attachment to money, so as to guard our Church against illegal, unethical, and damaging acts such as embezzlement, ill-gotten gains, unprincipled accounting practices, etc.
5. We will conform always to acceptable, thorough, and legal accounting procedures to assure ethical monetary principles.
.

ARTICLE VI: ORDINATION

The Church recognizes the Priesthood and Priestesshood of every human being, and believes that we all have access to the wisdom and enlightenment of the universe; however, we recognize that certain persons are "called apart" into a life of special service in Spirit. We look to these individuals when we wish to ritualize life changes such as marriages, funerals, baby dedications, spiritual commitment services, certain special holidays, and the like. To those who accept this call to minister, the Church may convey ordination so that they may preside over these and other rites, in accordance with the laws of the United States and of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Following are the requirements for one who wishes to make public and official his or her desire and commitment to serve in this role, which we call the Celebrant Minister (hereafter, "Celebrant"):

1. Has accepted the Call to minister, being willing and able to give service to all persons desiring spiritual discipleship, pastoral care, rites of consecration (marriage, funeral, dedication of children, confirmation, etc.), and other such ministries, without regard for personal gain or status.
2. Has committed his or her life to an ongoing cycle of spiritual growth and maturity.
3. Displays a high degree of consciousness, maturity, spirituality, responsibility, servanthood, and moral foundation that is apparent in his or her life.
4. Has an established and proven ministry that is ongoing and active.
5. Has been recommended for ordination by the Ordination Committee.
6. Provides two (2) or more letters of recommendation by his or her peers in the ministry.
7. Shows evidence of a program of study which prepares and continues to develop his or her abilities for this work.

ARTICLE VII: RITES AND CEREMONIES

Section 701: The Lay Priesthood

The Church accepts that humankind can find meaning, reinforcement, inspiration, and nourishment from the rites and ceremonies associated with their spiritual path. We believe that every person is capable of making contact with the Divine in worship, celebration, consecration, and in the quest for guidance, hence our policy of having our rites and rituals led by members of the congregation. Therefore, while we may make use of ordained Celebrants for some ceremonies, we encourage individual members to share their energies with the Church as a whole on a regular basis in other rites and rituals. These rites include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Regular worship services
2. Prayer and energy circles
3. Spirit circles (connecting to the Earth)
4. Cakes and ale (rite of thanksgiving and sufficiency)
5. Esbat services (moon rites)
6. Seasonal sabbat services
7. Elemental rites
8. Handfasting and Hand-Parting (not legally recognized)

Section 702: Clergy Officiated Rites

Ceremonies and sacraments that may be performed by an ordained member of our clergy, subject to any and all laws of the United States of America and the Commonwealth of Virginia, include, but are not limited to, the following:

1. Marriage (legal solemnization)
2. Baby and/or child dedications
3. Rites for the sick and dying
4. Funerals and/or memorials
5. Coming-of-Age celebration rites
6. Dedication/confirmation rites
7. Croning rituals
8. Ordination

ARTICLE VIII: CHARITABLE WORK

Recognizing our duty to care for the Earth and all that share it with us, our Church shall engage in such activities as to provide relief, protection, solace, aid, and support for causes that fall under the guidelines for charitable work under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service code. Individual programs and projects must be approved by a majority vote of the Church Council, after consideration of its worth, its relation to our Mission and purposes, and its organization’s status (if any) under federal non-profit laws. These projects and programs may include, but are not limited to:

1. Activities to alleviate hunger, homelessness, and basic human needs (food banks, blanket drives, shelters, etc.)
2. Activities to promote understanding, tolerance, and acceptance of minorities (social, national, religious, or otherwise)
3. Activities that foster ecumenical cooperation and/or strong, healthy, loving interfaith and inter-path relations
4. Activities that support other such 501(c)(3) organizations that benefit the community and the world at large through their efforts to improve or restore quality of life (American Red Cross, March of Dimes, etc.)
5. Activities that support the cause of animal rights, insofar as the recipient organizations do not engage in illegal, unethical, or irresponsible behavior and tactics in order to pursue their goals. (Appropriate organizations include local humane societies, shelters, pounds, etc.)
6. Activities that support, raise awareness of, and otherwise further environmental and/or ecological causes, insofar as the recipient organizations do not engage in illegal, unethical, or irresponsible behavior and tactics in order to pursue their goals.

ARTICLE IX: EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES

It is our belief that the Church is an appropriate and effective place for people of faith to learn, as it is a sanctuary of acceptance, love, and encouragement. For this reason, we place a high degree of priority on our educational programs and related activities. With approval from the Church Council by a simple majority vote, the Church will engage in programs including, but not limited to, the following:

1. Classes, workshops, and seminars on spiritual topics
2. Programs designed to increase the public’s awareness of and celebration of diversity in all its forms
3. Educational programs aimed at improving life skills, personal development, interpersonal relationships, and other affirming topics
4. Cooperative educational and enrichment efforts for home schooled students
5. Activities that promote ecological and environmental responsibility and awareness
6. Programs that strengthen and encourage self-sufficiency and self-esteem in people of all ages

ARTICLE XI: AMENDMENT

These by-laws, insofar as allowed by law, may be amended or replaced at any properly called meeting of the Church Council by a simple majority vote of those present and voting. Notice of any proposed change shall be contained in the notice of the meeting.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have signed and acknowledged these By-Laws this 23rd day of October, 2006.

_____________________________________
Leigh-Anne Sunshine Simmons Steincamp
Incorporator