A. A covenant member in this church is any person who has been baptized,
      presented to the Church by the Board of Deacons and made public
      confession of faith in Jesus Christ as expressed in the United Church
      of Christ Statement of Faith.

   B. Covenant members shall attend the worship of the church regularly,
      participate in the celebration of the Lord's Supper, strive to live
      the Christian life, share in the life and work of the church,
      contribute consistently to its support and benevolences, and
      seek diligently the spiritual welfare of the membership and the
      community.

   C. Any Covenant member, upon request, may be granted a letter of transfer
      by the Clerk, or dropped from the membership roles.

   D. Any Covenant member who for a period of one year has not attended the
      church's worship or contributed to its support will receive a letter of
      concern from the Board of Deacons, mailed to the last known address.
      If no response occurs within 30 days, they may be dropped from the
      covenant membership roles by a recommendation from the Committee and a
      vote of the Council.

  

   A. The council shall be the executive body of this church.  One-half of its
      members shall constitute a quorum.  It shall be composed of the Pastor,
      Moderator, Clerk, Treasurer and the Chairpersons of all Boards and
      permanent committees.  Any member may appoint a representative to attend
      any meeting in his/her place.

   B. Vacancies on any permanent committee or board shall be filled by the
      Council upon recommendation of the Nominating Committee for the unexpired
      term.

   C. The Council shall be the policy-making body and transact the business of
      the church.  All acts and deliberations of the Council shall be subject
      to revision by the total Covenant membership.

   D. The Council Shall:
      1. Review the budget as presented by the Trustees and recommend it, with
         or without amendments to the church membership at the Annual meeting
         duly called under Article IX.

      2. Instruct the Stewardship Committee as to the amount of pledged income
         that will be required to satisfy the budget.

      3. Keep a complete and accurate record of its proceedings.

      4. Be custodian of all church records, and report to the church at its
         regular and special meetings.

      5. Instruct the proper officers on all fiscal matters.

      6. Appoint such other committees as it may deem necessary, in addition
         to the stated boards and committees.

      7. Meet at least quarterly for the transaction of such business as may
         properly come before it.  Special meetings may be called by the
         Moderator as provided in Article IX (B.1).

      8. The Council shall appoint a Treasurer pro-tem in the absence of a
         treasurer.
  

	
   A. Pastor
      1. The Pastor shall be called by the church and shall hold office without
         limitation of time.  In order to terminate this relationship three
         months' notice shall be given by either party; or termination shall be
         by mutual consent between the Pastor and the church.

      2. The Pastor shall become a Covenant member of the church and Church
         Council after accepting a call to serve as minister.

      3. The Pastor shall:
         a. Be in charge of the spiritual welfare of the congregation, preach
            the Word, and be entrusted with the stated services of public
            worship and the administering of the Sacraments.

         b. Exercise the privilege of religious teacher and counselor in public
            and private.

         c. Be a non-voting, advisory member of all boards and committees
            directly responsible to the church.

         d. Notify the Clerk promptly of all Baptisms, church memberships, and
            dates of admission and deaths.

         e. Have general supervision of the day-to-day operations of the Church,
            with authority to spend up to $250.00 for any given request before
            requiring consultation with the Chair of the Board of Trustees.

	
   B. The Pastoral Search Committee
      1. The Pastoral Search Committee, consisting of the Chairperson of the
         Board of Deacons, the Chairperson of the Board of Trustees, the
         Moderator, and from four to six additional covenant members solicited
         by the Council, has the responsibility of seeking a candidate for any
         vacancy in the office of Pastor.

      2.  As soon as a Pastoral vacancy occurs, it shall be reported to the
         Maine Conference of the United Church of Christ.

      3. The Pastoral Search Committee may request the Minister of the
         Conference to secure relevant information about any minister whom it
         wishes to consider for the vacancy.

      4. A minister may confer with the Minister of the Conference concerning a
         Pastoral vacancy.  At the minister's request, his or her name shall be
         submitted by the Minister of the Conference for consideration by the
         local church Pastoral Search Committee.

      5. The Pastoral Search Committee shall present to the Covenant membership
         of the church the name of the candidate it recommends to fill the
         vacancy.  An 80% majority vote of the Covenant membership at a special
         meeting of the Church constitutes a call to serve as minister.

      6. In the call, the terms of the relationship shall be stated, including
         the agreement by Williston-West Church to participate in the Pension
         Fund of the United Church of Christ, and other terms agreed between the
         candidate and the committee.  The minister the church, the Cumberland
         Association, and the Minister of the Conference shall each receive a
         copy of the call.

      7. When a minister accepts a call to this church, the church and the
         minister may join in requesting the Cumberland Association to arrange
         for a service of installation or recognition.  If such a service takes
         place, a report of this service shall be signed by the proper officer
         of the Association and by the Minister of the conference, and copies
         shall be sent to the Secretary of the United Church of Christ and to
         the council for Church and Ministry.

      8. The Pastor may be discharged at a special church meeting called
         pursuant to Article IX (B.1), provided there is a quorum of at least one
         third of the Covenant members present.  Prior to such vote the Pastor
         shall be entitled to speak to the meeting and to respond to questions.
         The discharge vote shall be by secret written ballot and shall require
         a two-thirds majority of those present voting for the discharge.  The
         Pastor shall be entitled to three months of further service from the
         date of the discharge vote.

	
   C. Moderator
      1. The Moderator shall be a covenant member and shall be elected at the
         Annual Meeting to serve as chairperson of the Council for a term of
         one year and may serve two consecutive years.

      2. The Moderator shall be the Chief Executive Officer of the church and
         shall be an ex officio member, with vote, on all boards and committees.

      3.  In the Moderator's absence or in the case of the Moderator's inability
         to carry out the functions of the office, the Chairperson of the Board
         of Trustees shall serve until a replacement is elected.

      4. The Moderator shall preside over all meetings called pursuant to
         Article IX and all meetings of the Council, and shall serve as
         chairperson of the Council.  In the absence of the Church Clerk, the
         Moderator shall appoint a clerk pro-tem.

      5. The Moderator shall be responsible for calling special church
         meetings pursuant to Article IX (B.1).

	
   D. Clerk
      1. The Clerk shall be a covenant member and shall be elected to serve
         for a term of one year.

      2. The Clerk shall:
         a. Keep a complete record of all business meetings of the church and
            Council,  all Baptisms and church memberships, with dates of
            admission, dismissal or death.

         b. Secure all letters of transfer for new members and issue all letters
            of transfer of membership or dismissal.

         c. Present for the Annual Meeting a written report of the past church
            year.

         d. Prepare a membership list to be published with the Annual Church
            Report.

         e. Submit to the Church secretary a copy of the minutes of each Council
            meeting.

         f. Submit to the council within two weeks after the Annual Meeting, for
            publication and distribution to the church members, a list of all
            officers of the church and all members of the boards and permanent
            committees.

         g. Notify Delegates of meetings at which their presence is required.

         h. Provide notice of all meetings called pursuant to Article IX to all
            covenant members of the church, either by the Sunday Bulletin or by
            direct mail, stating the time, the place, and the business of the
            meeting.

         i. Notify all officers of the church, members of committees, and
            delegates of the church promptly after their election.

	
   E. Treasurer
      1. The Treasurer shall be a covenant member and shall be elected to serve
         for a term of one year, and may, with the approval of the Board of
         Trustees, serve three consecutive terms.  The Treasurer shall be a
         member of the Council, attending its regular meetings.  The Treasurer
         must have the financial  background to fulfill the duties as prescribed
         in the Bylaws.

      2. The Treasurer shall:
         a. Have custody of all moneys belonging to the church and insure the
            deposit of all money received in the name of the church accounts,
            except as otherwise provided in these articles.


         b. Disburse money only on the order of the Board of Trustees, and keep
             such records and make such reports as the Trustees may determine.

         c. See that benevolence funds are remitted to the organizations and
            benevolences for which they have been contributed.

         d. Give bond in such amount and with such surety as the Board of
            Trustees may designate, the cost of same being paid by the Church.

         e. Establish and approve Internal Controls in Financial Administration
            of all Church funds.

         f. Serve as an advisor to the Church Council and the Christian
            Enlistment Committee and work with the Board of Trustees and the
            Church Council in communicating the financial situation of the
            Church to the Congregation.

         g. Appoint a Trustee to carry the responsibility of the Treasurer in
            his or her absence.

  

	
   A. General Provisions
      1. All boards and permanent committees shall derive their membership
         from the Covenant members of the church body, unless otherwise stated
         herein, and shall be regarded as integral parts of the church by the
         Council.

      2. Each board and permanent committee shall organize itself as it deems
         necessary.

      3. The chairperson of each permanent committee, or his or her
         duly-appointed representative, shall be a member of the Council, and
         as such, shall attend regular meetings of the Council.

      4. All boards and permanent committees shall report to the Council at
         its regular meetings and shall make a written report to the church
         at its Annual Meeting.

      5. A member of any board or permanent committee or officer, after
         serving two full terms of office, shall be ineligible for reelection
         for one year, unless otherwise stated.

      6. All boards and permanent committees shall meet regularly.

      7. The Sunday Church Bulletin shall be the official publication for
         the purpose of notifying members of official business.

      8. Each committee shall submit a budget request to the Board of
         Trustees by September 15 of each year.

      9. All moneys received in the name of the church shall be delivered
         to the Treasurer.

      10. All moneys received in the name of the church shall be delivered
         to the Treasurer.

	
   B. Board of Deacons
      1. The Board of Deacons shall consist of twelve covenant members,
         four to be elected each year to serve a term of three years.

      2. The Board of Deacons Shall:
         a. Assist and support the Pastor in the spiritual interests of the
            church and community.

         b. Prepare the elements, assist in the administration of the Sacraments
            of the Lord's Supper and of Baptism, the reception of Covenant
            members; caring for the sick, the poor, the sorrowing; the
            indifferent, and the stranger.

         c. Assist the Pastor in preparation and presentation of candidates for
            Covenant membership, and arrange for a substitute in the temporary
            absence of the Pastor.

         d. Work with the Membership Committee in the annual review of
            individual membership status.

         e. Be responsible for appointing a head usher who shall have the
            supervision of all ushering in the church.

	
   C. Board of Trustees
      1. The Board of Trustees shall consist of nine covenant members, three
         of whom shall be elected each year to serve a term of three years.
         The Trustees shall be Covenant members of the Church.  The chairperson
         of the Board of Trustees shall be elected to serve for a term of one
         year, and may, with the approval of the Board of Trustees, serve three
         consecutive terms.

         The chairperson of the Board of Trustees shall be a member of the
         Council, attending its regular meetings and shall call the chair
         regular monthly meetings of the Board of Trustees.

      2. The Board of Trustees shall:
         a. Take charge over all the financial affairs of the church, including
            care and custody of all church properties subject to the direction
            of the Council and except as these articles provide differently.

         b. Accept all gifts, bequests, and trusts in the name of the church,
            and administer all such in accordance with the provisions of the
            donors.

         c. Prepare an operating budget, including an account for Missions and
            Benevolences. A preliminary budget shall be presented to the Council
            for discussion at its regular fall meeting and to the Stewardship
            Committee following the Council's fall meeting.  The final budget,
            after approval by the Council, shall be presented to the church at
            its annual meeting.

      3. The Board of Trustees shall have the power to buy, sell, mortgage,
         lease or transfer properties upon special authority being granted by
         a vote of the Covenant members.  The Trustees, after approval by the
         Council, may authorize any extraordinary expense if funds are available
         and may borrow an amount not to exceed 10% of the current annual
         budget.  Approval of the Covenant membership must be given if borrowing
         is to exceed this amount.

      4. The Trustees may appoint a Memorial Gifts and Planned Giving Committee
         to:
         a. Educate and encourage the congregation regarding memorial gifts and
            planned giving opportunities.

         b. Receive, acknowledge and transfer donations received to the Board of
            Trustees unless said donations are otherwise restricted.

         c. Make recommendations to Board of Trustees regarding appropriate
            investment of funds.

      5. The trustees may appoint other special committees who shall be
         accountable to the Board of Trustees.

	
   D. Board of Christian Education
      1. The Board of Christian Education shall consist of a minimum of six
         members, two to be elected each year to serve a term of three years.

      2. The Board of Christian Education shall:
         a. Have direction over all educational work of the church.

         b. Promote the development of Christian nurture and character among the
            congregation.

         c. Determine Sunday school policies, build the curricula, set the goals
            and supervise the instruction.

	
   E. Board of Missions and Christian Outreach
      1. The Board of Missions and Christian Outreach shall consist of a minimum
         of six members, two to be elected annually to serve for a term of three
         years.  One person from this board shall serve as an advisory member of
         the Stewardship Committee.

      2. The Board of Missions and Christian Outreach shall:
         a. Supervise and correlate the missionary and benevolence programs of
            the  church, overseeing the distribution of funds in this area.

         b. Provide the congregation with educational material on the missionary
            work of the church.

         c. Encourage the members of our church to grow in Christian social
            concern and action by calling attention to current social issues
            and seeking practical  ways in which members of the church may
            cooperate effectively with other churches and existing agencies
            in their approach to social issues.

	
   F. Stewardship Committee
      1. The Stewardship Committee shall consist of six members, three to be
         elected annually to serve for a term of two years.  The Treasurer and
         a representative of the Board of Missions and Christian Outreach shall
         be advisory members of this committee.

      2. Stewardship Committee shall:
         a. Conduct a program of stewardship education throughout the year.

         b. Organize and supervise the raising of budgeted funds for the church.

         c. Secure, train, and organize Stewardship workers to assist in
            receiving the annual pledges of the people of the church.

         d. Be responsible for the annual pledge follow-up throughout the year.

         e. Seek pledges from new members and others.

	
   G. Fellowship Committee
      1. The Fellowship Committee shall consist of a minimum of six members,
         three to be elected annually to serve for a term of two years.

      2. This committee shall be responsible for:
         a. Providing meals to those persons in need.

         b. Providing for coffee fellowship following church services.

         c. Maintaining the church kitchen.

	
   H. Music Committee
      1. The Music Committee shall consist of a minimum of six members, three
         to be elected annually for a term of two years.  At least two members
         of the committee shall be non-choir members.

      2. This committee shall select and support a Music Director and an
         Organist as needed and, in concert with the Pastor, shall administer
         the music programs of the church.  This committee shall also arrange
         for all maintenance of organ, pianos, bells, music library, and robes.

	
   I. Nominating Committee
      1. The Nominating Committee shall consist of a minimum of three members,
         to be elected annually by the Church Council and the Pastor.

      2. No later than November 15th of each year the Pastor shall call the
         committee together for the purpose of electing a chair.

      3. This committee shall prepare and submit nominations of all church
         officers, delegates, and members of boards and committees to the
         Covenant membership of the church at the Annual Meeting in January,
         unless otherwise stated in these articles.

      4. The committee shall publish for two consecutive Sundays, at least two
         weeks prior to the annual meeting, the list of nominees.

	
   J. Membership Committee
      1. The Membership Committee shall consist of a minimum of four members with
         at least two to be elected annually for a term of two years.

      2. The Membership Committee shall:
         a. Maintain current lists of names and addresses of church-associated
            persons  and, with the Board of Deacons, conduct an annual review
            of individual membership status.

         b. With the Board of Deacons, present to the Council in December the
            names of persons who have not attended the church for worship or
            contributed to its support and, upon direction of the council,
            contact persons  regarding their membership status, reporting the
            results to the Council.

         c. Work closely with the Pastor, the Deacons, and the Fellowship
            Committee to maintain an awareness of people who need pastoral
            contact.

	
   K. Garden and Flower Committee
      1. The Garden and Flower Committee shall consist of a minimum of four
         members with at least two to be elected annually for a term of two
         years.

      2. This committee shall be responsible for the provision of flowers each
	     Sunday in the church sanctuary and special flowers for Christmas and
         Easter.

      3. The Garden and Flower Committee shall oversee the planting,
         maintenance, and care of the church perennial and annual gardens and
         shall recommend to the church Council any improvements for the church
         grounds.

	
   L. Pastoral Relations Committee
      1. The Pastoral Relations Committee shall consist of five members, the
         Chairperson of the Deacons, the Chairperson of the Trustees, the
         Moderator, and two people selected by the Pastor, each of whom will
         serve for a term of one year and may serve three consecutive terms.

      2. The Pastoral Relations Committee shall:
         a. Hold confidential dialogue, which is based on mutual trust, with
         the Pastor at regular intervals, at least six times a year.

         b. Develop an awareness of the expectations of the Pastor and the
            congregation, seeking harmony in all areas.

         c. Maintain an open line of communication with the Pastor and
            congregation in such a way that problems and concerns may be
            surfaced in a close and non-threatening way.

         d. Assume responsibility for reviewing the salary and benefits of the
            Pastor and making recommendations to the Board of Trustees.

	
   M. Delegates
      1. Eight delegates shall be elected at the Annual Meeting to serve for a
         term of one year.

      2. Upon notification by the Clerk or the Pastor, delegates shall attend
         meetings called by the Conference Office and by the Cumberland
         Association of Churches.

  

   A. Annual Meeting
      1. The annual meeting of the church shall be held in January.  The fiscal
         year of the church shall be from January 1 to December 31.

      2. The Pastor, the Moderator and the chairpersons of all boards and
         permanent committees shall submit in writing their annual reports at
         the close of the year.


   B. Special Church Meetings

      1. Special church meetings may be called by the Council or by a petition
         of the Council, signed by twenty-five Covenant members of the church.
         A notice specifying the nature of the business to be transacted shall
         be mailed to the covenant members fourteen days before the meeting and
         prior notice of such  meetings shall be given to the membership of the
         church for two consecutive Sundays.

      2. The Council shall call such meetings within three weeks from the
         receipt of the petition.

      3. All business meetings shall be conducted in accordance with Robert's
         Rules of Order.


  

   A. Williston-West Church may be dissolved at a special Church meeting
      pursuant to Article IX (B.1)) by a 75% vote of the covenant members present,
      provided there is a quorum of at least 50% of the covenant members.

   B. Upon dissolution of the church, its assets and all property and interests
      of which it shall then be possessed, including any devise, bequest, gifts
      or grants contained in any will or other instrument, in trust or otherwise
      made before or after such dissolution, shall be transferred to the Maine
      Conference of the United Church of Christ or its successors or assigns.
  

   As a statement of the openness of Williston-West, U.C.C. to all persons and
   as an affirmation of Christ's love for all individuals this church adopts the
   following statement and makes it part of these Bylaws.

      We, the congregation of Williston-West, United Church of Christ,
      declare ourselves to be open and affirming.

      With God's grace, we seek to be a congregation that includes all
      persons, embracing differences of gender, marital status, sexual
      orientation, age, mental and physical ability, as well as racial,
      ethnic, cultural or social-economic background. We welcome all to
      share in the life and leadership,  ministry, and fellowship,
      worship, sacraments, responsibilities and blessings of participation
      in our congregation.

      We commit to model a community of faith and spirit that works
      toward openness and understanding, offering justice, healing and
      wholeness of life for all people.  We believe that through our
      diversity, all can grow and practice a unity of faith that
      transcends our differences.

   Further, adoption of this statement affirms that same-sex couples may have
   a union celebrated in the sanctuary and that children of all people may be
   baptized into this community of faith.
  

   We believe in you, O God, Eternal Spirit, God of our Savior Jesus Christ
   and our God, and to your deeds we testify:

      You call the worlds into being,
         create persons in your own image,
         and set before each one the ways of life
         and death.

      You seek in holy love to save all people from
         aimlessness and sin.
      You judge people and nations by your righteous
         will declared through prophets and apostles.

      In Jesus Christ, the man of Nazareth, our
         crucified and risen Savior,
         you have come to us and shared our common
         lot, conquering sin and death and reconciling
         the world to yourself.

      You bestow upon us your Holy Spirit,
         creating and renewing the church of Jesus
         Christ, binding in covenant faithful people
         of all ages, tongues and races.


      You call us into your church
         to accept the cost and joy of discipleship,
         to be your servants in the service of others,
         to proclaim the gospel to all the world
         and resist the powers of evil,
         to share in Christ's baptism and eat at
            his table,
         to join him in his passion and victory.

      You promise to all who trust you,
         forgiveness of sins and fullness of grace,
         courage in the struggle for justice and peace,
         your presence in trial and rejoicing,
         and eternal life in your realm which has no end.
      Blessing and honor, glory and power be unto you.  Amen