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Charter of St. Mark's Worship Committee

Table of Contents

  1. Scope of Committee's Authority
  2. Principles
  3. Resources
  4. Committee Membership
  5. Leadership
  6. Policies
  7. Amendments

I. Scope of Committee's Authority

The Worship Committee is responsible for all worship at St. Mark's, subject to the authority and spiritual jurisdiction of the Rector under the Constitution and Canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church and the Diocese of Washington.

II. Principles

The Committee is guided in its work by the following vision of worship and the manner in which it may speak to those who attend St. Mark's:

  1. Worship:

    • is the central gathering of our community, rooted through the Eucharist in the life and suffering of Jesus and in his communion with all who follow him;
    • is firmly grounded in the Anglican Communion and traditions, but is open to change that deepens our religious experience;
    • leads us more deeply into the mystery of God and our lives;
    • expresses our longing for God and reassures us of God's love in the midst of our brokenness;
    • connects with the issues of our daily lives;
    • celebrates the ordinary and extraordinary in our lives and deepends our understanding of them;
    • nourishes faith, accepts uncertainty, enhances and frees creativity, and strengthens bonds with our communities;
    • renews our spirits and sends us into the world anew to do the work God has given us to do;
    • is inclusive, open to all who would worship with us;
    • is the work of the people;

  2. Old and new members alike, as well as visitors, come to St. Mark's from diverse backgrounds, religious traditions, and experiences. The Committee therefore strives for worship that accepts all of us where we are in the fullness of our diversity.

III. Resources

  1. The Committee seeks and relies upon high levels of lay responsibility for and participation in worship, consistent with the needs and desires of our clergy and laity, and subject to the Constitution and Canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church and of the Diocese of Washington.

  2. The foundational materials for our worship are the Bible; the Book of Common Prayer, 1979; and the Hymnal, 1982.

  3. Other resources that enhance our worship -- writings, dance, drama, the talents of members and nonmembers, and materials from other traditions -- are welcomed as part of our worship.

IV. Committee Membership

The Committee shall be comprised of:

  1. Two Sacristans;
  2. A Secretary;
  3. A Treasurer;
  4. All active LIONs (Liturby is Our Nexus) -- that is, all LIONs who have been, are, or will be responsible for leading a worship task force during the year.
  5. The Director of the Altar Guild and coordinators of other worship-related functions referred to in Article V.2., as well as a representative of the choir, selected in consultation with the choir and the Director of Music; provided, that the Sacristans, with the approval of the Committee, may appoint a represenative from the 9:00 service and one from the 11:00 service for a participar worship-related function and choir;
  6. The Rector and all other salaried clergy;
  7. Other paid Parish staff having worship responsibilities, as the Rector may direct; and,
  8. Members-at-Large -- that is, members of the Parish who wish to attend the meetings of the Committee and participate in its activities, but who may not vote.

V. Leadership

  1. Sacristans

    1. The Committee shall be co-chaired by the two Sacristans.

    2. The Sacristans shall be elected by the voting members of the Committee at its May meeting, subject to approval by the Vestry; provided, that the election shall be held at the March meeting of the Committee in 1992.

    3. The Sacristans shall serve one-year terms. A person shall not serve more than two consecutive one-year terms, and after serving two terms, shall not be eligible for another term as Sacristan until after the passage of two years.

    4. A Sacristan may be removed from office by the Vestry.

    5. If a vacancy occurs in the office of Sacristan, it shall be filled by election by the voting members of the Committee at its next regularly scheduled meeting, subject to approval of the Vestry. Notice of such a special election shall be given to all voting members of the Committee.

  2. Appointed Positions

    1. The Sacirstans shall appoint:

      1. The Secretary;
      2. The Treasurer;
      3. The Director of the Altar Guild;
      4. Coordinators for the Acolytes, Beadles, and Lay Servers; and,
      5. Any other coordinator the Sacristans consider to be necessary to carry out worship-related functions.

    2. The foregoing appointments shall be made[at the June meeting of the Committee], after consultation with the groups concerned, subject to approval by the Committee. The persons occupying these positions shall serve for one-year terms, [from June to June].

    3. The appointees shall be responsible to the Sacirstans for performance of their duties and may be removed by the Sacristans.

    4. A vacancy in any of the foregoing appointed positions may be filled, for the unexpired term, by the Sacristans, subject to approval by the Committee.

    5. A person shall not be eligible to serve in any of the foregoing appointed positions for more than three consecutive one-year terms, and, after serving three terms, shall not be eligible for another term in the same position until after passage of two years.

  3. LIONs

    1. The LIONs are a group of Parish members who have been approved to lead worship task forces, under the auspices of the Committee.

    2. LIONs shall receive such training, approval of qualifications and evaluation as the Committee shall direct.

    3. LIONs shall be selected to lead worship task forces for particilar seasons by such procedures as the Committee shall prescribe, and shall be subject to approval by the Sacristans and the Committee.

VI. Policies

  1. Conduct of Worship

    1. The Committee is responsible for all worship at St. Mark's, subject to the authroity and spiritual jurisdiction of the Rector. The Committee shall establish policies, plan, and assist in the conduct of worship.

    2. The Committee may delegate responsibility to worship task forces, ad hoc groups, or individuals for planning and assisting in one or more services, subject to such guidelines or instructions as the Committee believes appropraite. A worship task force ordinarily shall be lead by one or more LIONs.

  2. Budget and Expenditures

    1. The Committee shall prepare, approve, and submit to the Vestry (through the Finance Committee) a proposed budget for the worship and music accoutns of the Parish budget, and for any other portions of the Parish budget that the Vestry may designate. The music budget shall be prepared in close consultation with the Music Director.

    2. Expenditures from the budget accounts that are subject to the Committee's jurisdiction may be approved by either Sacristan or by the Treasurer, subject to Parish rules and procedures and under such general guidelines and arrangements as the Committee or Sacristans may, from time to time, adopt.

    3. Any seven voting members shall constitute a quorum, [except that for the annual election of Sacristans or voting on a Charter amendment, a quorum shall consist of a majority of the voting members.]

    4. A formal motion, duly seconded, may be made by any voting member of the Committee. A motion shall pass if approved by a simple majority of those present and voting.

    5. The Committee shall meet at least once each month, unless the Committee otherwise provides.

    6. The Committee invites and welcomes feedback and suggestions from all Parish members. All meetings of the Committee shall be open to any member of the Parish who wishes to attend. Any Parish member may present her or his views about worship at St. Mark's at a Committee meeting, subject to such constraints as to time and other matters as the Committee believes appropriate.

VII. Amendments

Amendsments to this Charter may be adopted by formal motion, duly seconded, and passed by two-thirds of voting members present and voting. Notice of a proposed Charter amendment shall be given to all voting members [one month] in advance of the meeting at which the vote on the amendment is to be taken.

Amendments to this Charter must be approved by the Vestry.

Adopted by the Worship Committee: ____________________
Approved by the Vestry: _____________________________