Church Council
Purpose and Duties:  The Church Council shall act on behalf of the members in conducting all affairs of the Church that do not require a vote of the members at a Church meeting and shall further the overall program of the Church by coordinating the work of the Boards and Committees.  All actions of the Council may be rescinded or set aside by vote of the congregation at a Church meeting. 
      The Church Council may establish policies, including policies regarding confidentiality of personnel matters and the composition of search committees.  It shall prepare the agenda for all business church meetings and prepare the suggested wording of proposed amendments to the Bylaws and motions to be voted on at said meetings.  This shall not impair the right of any active member to present a proper motion that is within the call of any Church Meeting.  Prior to each Annual Church Meeting, the Church Council shall review and approve or disapprove the recommendations of the Nominating Committee.
      The Church Council shall have the power to fill any vacancy in any elected position until the next regular meeting of the Church.
      Membership:  The Church Council shall consist of the following members, each with vote:  the Moderator, the Clerk, the Treasurer, the Chair of each Board and Standing Committee, and the head of any recognized auxiliary.

Board of Deacons
Purpose and Duties:  The Board of Deacons, with the Pastor, is responsible for the spiritual wellbeing of the Congregation. The Board shall be responsible with the Pastor for the order and scheduling of worship services; for supporting an open and healthy relationship between the Pastor and the members; and for giving attention and care to members who are shut-ins, hospitalized or otherwise in need of special care.  It shall be alert to new people coming into town and shall introduce them to the Church. The Board shall receive recommendations for membership and act thereon. The Board shall make an annual survey of the membership rolls to determine if members are active or inactive, and arrange visits as needed.  It shall arrange for greeters, ushers and the temporary supply of the pulpit, either directly or through a committee responsible to it.
      The Board shall appoint one of its members to the Nominating Committee.
      Membership:  The Board of Deacons shall consist of nine members who shall serve for terms of three years; three to be elected each year.  They shall be eligible for reelection to one additional term, after which they shall be ineligible for one year.

Board of Trustees
Purpose and Duties:  The Board of Trustees, under the direction of the congregation, shall have charge of the business and financial affairs of the Church, including investments, maintaining the building / grounds / furnishing and raising funds for the endowment, missions and operation of the Church and its ministries.  It shall solicit input from each Board and Committee and prepare an annual budget for review by the Church Council.  It may authorize the use of Church facilities by other organizations on conditions that fulfill the hospitality and enhance the mission of the Church with the approval of the congregation.  It shall have the authority to hire and supervise all maintenance staff, either temporary or permanent, and make permanent improvements and additions to the property.  It shall submit to the Annual Business Meeting a budget for the ensuing year.  The Board shall be responsible for the Every Member canvass. 
      It shall have no power to sell mortgage or transfer real property of the Church or incur any indebtedness in the name of the Church without the consent of the congregation by a 3/4 vote.
      It shall provide for the payment of salaries and other expenses and through the Treasurer and Financial Secretary for collection and disbursement of all Church funds.
      The Board shall appoint one of its members to the Nominating Committee.
      Membership:  The Board of Trustees shall consist of nine members; three elected each year for three-year terms.  Trustees shall be eligible for reelection for one additional term, after which for one year they shall be ineligible for reelection.  The Treasurer of the Church shall be an ex-officio member of this Board, with voice and without vote.

Board of Christian Education
Purpose and Duties:  The Board of Christian Education shall have the supervision and direction of the entire educational work of the Church, including adults, youth and children.  The Board shall recommend the budget for educational purposes and secure proper equipment and supplies.  It shall authorize and support new projects in educational ministries.  The Board shall cooperate in the educational aspects of all Boards, Committees and Church organizations.
      The Board shall appoint one of its members to the Nominating Committee.
      Membership:  The Board of Christian Education shall consist of six members; two elected each year for three-year terms.  Members shall be eligible for reelection for one additional term, after which for one year they shall be ineligible for reelection.

Board of Memorials
Purpose and Duties:  The Board of Memorials shall maintain the Memory Book, which has attained a position of veneration in the life of the Church.  The Board shall receive all gifts made to the Church as memorials and shall record them in the Memory Book.  Memorial gifts of cash, designated by the donors for specific capital projects of the Church, e.g. debt reduction and permanent improvements shall be transferred to the Treasurer of the Church.  Cash gifts not so designated shall be held by the Board and used in its discretion for the purchase of articles of permanent use or ornamentation, for projects for the benefit of the congregation, or for transfer to the Treasurer of the Church to assist in some project such as debt reduction or a permanent improvement to the Church property.  In the purchase of articles costing more than $1,000.00, the Board shall first obtain the approval of the Church Council.  The Board shall arrange with the Pastor for dedication on Memorial Day Sunday and Thanksgiving Sunday of all gifts recorded in the Memory Book since the last previous dedication.  If appropriateness of gifts or planned memorials is in question it may be referred to the Church Council.
      Membership:  The Board of Memorials shall consist of three members; one elected each year to serve a term of three years and may be reelected for a second term, after which the member shall be ineligible for reelection for one year.

Board of Music
Purpose and Duties:  The Board of Music shall have overall responsibility for the musical program of the Church, including recommending a professional Organist/Director of Music on behalf of the Church to the Board of Trustees; providing direction for the work of the Organist/Director of Music; arranging for directors for the Church choirs; procuring music for the Church choirs; and planning for special musical events for the Church and community in cooperation with the Organist/Director of Music.
      Membership:  The Board of Music shall consist of three members; one member to be elected each year for a three year term.  Members shall be eligible for reelection to a second term, after which they shall be ineligible for reelection for one year.

Board of Benevolence and Stewardship
Purpose and Duties:  The Board shall have the responsibility of determining how and where the Church expends its stewardship monies specified in the annual budget.  It shall generate a list of local organizations that can benefit from donations and educate the congregation on stewardship opportunities.  The members of the Board shall be sensitive to the needs of the following groups in the priority listed:
      a. the congregation
      b. residents of the Town of Bridgewater, and
      c. the mission and ministry of the Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ.
The persons on this Board shall use their expertise to seek those people in organizations, which demonstrate a financial need and use appropriate judgment on the amount of assistance required.  The Board may cooperate and encourage the cooperation of other groups with community, state and national organizations of our denomination on specific programs. 
      The Board will keep minutes of its meetings and shall report its recommendations and actions in the Good News on a regular basis.
      If a donation provided is deemed inappropriate for public discussion, the Board shall report it to the Board of Deacons. 
      It shall recommend to the Board of Trustees an annual budget.
      Membership:  The Board of Benevolence and Stewardship shall consist of three members elected by the congregation, with each elected to a three-year term.  These members shall be eligible for reelection to a second term, after which they remain ineligible for one year.  A fourth member of this Board shall be appointed on an annual basis by the Board of Deacons and shall be a member of the Diaconate.  The Chairperson of the Committee will be one of those elected by the congregation.
      The Board shall appoint one of its members to the Nominating Committee.

Nominating Committee
Purpose and Duties:  The Nominating Committee shall be responsible for exploring the talents, expertise and interests of the members.  It shall solicit the views of the Boards as to the numbers and terms of office of the Chairs and Board/Committee members in keeping with the Bylaws.  It shall prepare with the assistance of the various other bodies of the Church and with the approval of the Church Council the slate of officers, members of Boards and Standing Committees and such other personnel as the Church Council may designate to be voted on at the Annual Church Meeting.  The slate shall include the recommended length of the term to be served.  The Committee shall assist in filling vacancies between annual church meetings, except that vacancies on the Board of Deacons shall be filled by that Board.
      The Committee shall also make nominations for delegates to the Litchfield South Association and the Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ.
      Nominations of this Committee shall not preclude nominations from the floor.
      Membership:  The Nominating Committee shall be composed of five members, one to be elected by each of the Boards of Deacons, Trustees, Christian Education, and Benevolence and Stewardship, and the fifth to be elected at the Annual Church Meeting.