Bylaws

BYLAWS OF THE THIRD CHURCH OF CHRIST, SCIENTIST, BOSTON

3512 WASHINGTON ST., JAMAICA PLAIN, MA 02130, USA

Formally adopted on October 2, 2019 by the new and combined memberships of the Third

Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston (Hyde Park) and The Christian Science Society of Jamaica Plain.

OCTOBER 2, 2025

1. Mission Statement

Third Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston (Jamaica Plain) supports spiritual discovery and healing for our

members, friends, and community through the study of the Bible and Jesus’ teachings and the writings of

Mary Baker Eddy.

In our church services and meetings, Sunday School, Reading Room, community work, and public talks,

we commit ourselves to maintaining an environment of inclusiveness, joy, and unconditional love.

Our mission is to bring our love for God, for each other and our neighbors, for church, and for Christian

Science as taught by Mary Baker Eddy to our community in bold, fresh, dynamic ways that:

• Support healing both inside and outside of our church walls

• Support the active, vibrant practice of Christian Science

• Enable each individual to grow in his or her ability to follow Christ Jesus

• Help our neighbors learn more about Christian Science and its relevance to their lives

• Express the completeness of church, based on the Manual of The First Church of Christ, Scientist,

in Boston, Massachusetts (The Manual), including services and testimony meetings, lectures,

Sunday School, and Reading Room activity.

2. Statement of Branch Church

Requirements

This branch adheres to all requirements in “The Mother Church and Branch Churches” (Article XXIII,

pp. 70-74) of the Manual of the Mother Church, The First Church of Christ, Scientist in Boston,

Massachusetts.

3. Elected and Appointed Church Roles

Those serving in elected church roles may hold office for two consecutive terms, subject to an election

between terms. The church roles that are subject to elections are listed below.

3.A. Co-op (Board)

The Co-op oversees all church-related business and property and supports the progress of projects

deemed important by the membership. The Co-op consists of three elected positions: Facilitator

(president), the Clerk, and one Member.3

Co-op Members

Facilitator

(two-year term)

The Facilitator moderates Co-op and business meetings and is a Co-op member.

Member

(two-year term, elected in alternate years)

The Member manages the operations of the church as a Co-op member.

Clerk

(one-year term)

The Clerk is the custodian of church business records and represents the Church in external

communications. The Clerk receives and disseminates official church communications, facilitates

member applications, and shepherds the membership withdrawal process.

3B. Treasurer

(two-year term, appointed by the Co-op)

The Treasurer maintains church financial records, tracks all church deposits and expenses,

monitors all financial accounts, is one of two signatories for church banking and investment

accounts, and oversees deposits.

The Treasurer works with the Co-op to create an annual budget, presents an annual report at the

corporate meeting, updates the membership regarding church spending at each business meeting,

and arranges a review of church finances by a qualified third party every 2-3 years or as requested

by the Co-op. An emergency expense over $1,000 not included in the budget requires

membership approval.

3C. Readers

(one-year term)

Readers must be members of The Mother Church. (See Church Manual, Article III, Section 6).

They are not required to be members of the Third Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston.

4. Elections

Elections are typically held annually, and the complete membership list is sent out for open positions. The

names of all eligible members are listed with each open position. Members may remove their names from

each open position before the vote. Names left under each open position are eligible for election.

Candidates are elected by a simple majority vote, with at least 50% of the membership required for a

quorum. Individuals may be re-elected in each role for up to two consecutive terms.4

4A. Voting

The church strives to make decisions by consensus. When consensus is not possible, a simple majority

vote of the membership is required. Voting to change the Bylaws or disband the church requires the

approval of three-quarters of the membership.

At least two members should tally votes. Candidates for elected roles should never tally votes pertaining

to their candidacy.

5. Unelected Church Roles

Church roles that are not subject to elections are listed below:

5.A Team Members

Church members may create and maintain teams to serve the functions of the church. Any

member may propose creating or disbanding a team to the Co-op. Church members and attendees

may participate in one or more church teams at any time by self-selection. Some examples of

church teams include the Reading Room Team, the House Team, the Finance Team, and the

Lecture Team.

5.B Employees

With the approval of the membership, the church may hire employees on a full-time, part-time, or

per diem basis to fulfill roles not covered by the church teams, such as Custodian, Soloist,

Librarian, Musician, etc.

6. Reading Room

The Reading Room is our church’s connection to our neighbors. Those serving in the Reading Room:

• Introduce community members to Christian Science

• Host in-person and hybrid activities

• Invite members to participate in community activities

• Collaborate with neighborhood businesses to address community issues

• Keep the window displays fresh and vibrant

• Provide information to the church website and Facebook teams5

7. Business Meetings

The Co-op sets the agenda for business meetings, which are held at least three times per year. Additional

meetings may be scheduled for business or other purposes. Members may send items to the Co-op for

inclusion. Regular church attendees may attend the meetings and share ideas, but may not vote.

8. Membership

Joining this church signifies a love of the teachings of the Bible and the writings of Mary Baker Eddy, a

dedication to the tenets of Christian Science, and a commitment to active membership. A branch church

member may not consider themselves a member of any church or religious organization other than The

Mother Church, the First Church of Christ, Scientist, Boston.

Applicants for membership are encouraged to spend time getting to know Third Church’s services,

culture, and community before applying. However, applicants’ comfort and experience with Christian

Science may vary. Therefore, the exact length of this get-to-know-you period is not specified a priori but

is up to the individual applicant.

8A. Membership Process

1. Applicants complete and submit the online form.

2. The Clerk sends the application to the membership, notifies the welcome team, and

recruits two member volunteers to interview the applicant.

3. The interviewers send a summary of the interview to the membership.

4. The Clerk gives the membership one week to share their thoughts about the applicant.

5. At the close of that week, the Clerk emails a membership vote with a one-week window

to respond. At least three-quarters of the membership must vote in favor for the applicant

to be accepted. The Clerk informs the membership and the applicant of the decision.

6. The new member is welcomed after a Sunday service as close as possible following

admission. During the fellowship, they are invited to sign the church membership book.

8B. Withdrawal of Membership

Should an individual decide to withdraw membership, s/he can request a letter of withdrawal

from the Clerk, which will be sent upon request. Within a week, the Clerk will remove the former

member from the membership communications listserv and notify the membership of the

withdrawal.6

8C. Conflict Resolution

We commit to solving difficulties with healing as the goal (see Matthew 7:12 and Matthew

18:14-17).

8D. Removal from Membership

A member can be removed from membership via a vote of at least three-quarters of the

membership in favor of the removal.

9. Disbanding

At least three-quarters of the membership must vote to approve the dissolution of the church. The church

automatically disbands and distributes its assets if membership falls below four.

9A. Distribution of Assets

If the church disbands, its remaining assets shall be distributed to area Christian Science churches and

societies in good standing, if at all possible, and/or to The Mother Church—The First Church of Christ,

Scientist, Boston, MA.