Executive Council

The Executive Committee of the Congregational Church of New Fairfield is the policy formulating and program planning body of the Church. It is defined in Article VIII Section A of our by-laws. It is responsible for coordinating and supervising the various boards and committees of the church and performing such other functions as may be assigned to it by the congregation. If required, it acts on behalf of the church.

Committee Members

The individuals holding the following positions act as members of the Executive Committee

• The following officers defined in Article VI of our by-laws:
  • Moderator (who acts as its chair)
  • Vice Moderator
  • Church Clerk (who acts as its secretary)
  • Treasurer
  • Financial Secretary
  • Historian
• Chairman Board of Deacons or designated representative
• Chairman Board of Trustees or designated representative
• Chairman Board of Christian Education or designated representative
• Chairman Board of Missions or designated representative
• Three lay members representing the congregation at large
• The Pastor, ex-officio
• The Minister of Music, ex-officio

General Description and Responsibilities

The Executive Committee ordinarily meets on a monthly basis, though other meetings may be called by the Chairman or at such other times as a quorum of six members shall determine. The church's Moderator acts as the chairman of the committee and the Church Clerk acts as its secretary.

Pastoral Search Committee and Vacancies

In the event of the resignation of the Pastor, a prospective list of people to serve on a Pastoral Search Committee, composed of not more than nine members of the Church, shall be presented at a special Church meeting by the Executive Committee for consideration and approval of the Church Membership. The Executive Committee shall act on the replacement of vacancies which occur on Boards, Committees or of Officers upon recommendation of the Nominating Committee.

Acting on Recommendations and Employment

The Executive Committee is charged with acting upon the recommendations of the Board of Deacons and Pastor as to the calling and release of the Minister of Music, the recommendations of the Board of Trustees and Pastor as to the calling and release of the Sexton(s), the recommendations of the Board of Trustees and Pastor as to the calling and release of the Church Secretary, and the recommendation of the Board of Christian Education and Pastor as to the calling and release of the Youth Minister.

With the responsible boards and existing staff members, the Executive Committee sets policy concerning job descriptoins, days off, sick leave, vacation time, continuing education or training, and salaries and other benefits.

Appointments and Resignations

No later than the May quarterly meeting, the Executive Committee is charged with appointing a member from the Church's list of active members to serve as Chairman of a delegates committee to fill the church's quota of delegates to represent the church at meetings and functions of the Fairfield East Association and the Connecticut Conference of the United Church of Christ.

Resignations from boards and committees are to be presented to the Church Clerk in writing. Resignations may occur at any time and will be accepted by the committee at its regularly schedule meetings.

Annual Budget

The committee coordinates the construction of an annual budget to be presented to the congregation for adoption at the November quarterly meeting each year.