Bylaws and Rules

Article I Name

Section 1.1 Name:

The name of this organization shall be the Universalist Gnostic Communion. It is the successor to the Universal Church of Autogenes.

Article II Principles and Purposes

Section 2.1 Principles:

We, the member congregations of the Universalist Gnostic Communion, covenant to affirm and promote

The inherent worth and dignity of every person;
Justice, equity and compassion in human relations;
Acceptance of one another and encouragement to Gnosis (defined as continual, relational and full knowledge of the Self and of God, and the resultant changes of consciousness) in our congregations;
A free and responsible search for truth and meaning;
The right of conscience and the use of the democratic process within our congregations;
The goal of world community with Gnosis, peace, and liberty for all;
Respect for the interdependent web of existence of which we are a part;

The living traditions which we share draws from many sources and paths:

Direct experience of the transcending mystery and wonder (which we call God), affirmed in all cultures and traditions, which moves us to cultivate a direct relationship with our innermost selves and of God;
Words and deeds from enlightened and spiritually mature men and women which encourage us to embrace full knowledge of ourselves and of God;
Wisdom from all of the world’s religions and spiritual traditions which inspire us in our cultivation of Gnosis;
Sethian, Valentinian, Thomasine, Hermetist, Manichean, and all other Gnostic teachings which call us to that individual path called Gnosticism;
The sciences which teach warn us against the idolatries of the mind, the heart, and the spirit;
Social innovations in freedom which teach us that all individuals are worthy of all stages and stations in life and spiritual advancement including all levels of ordination and consecration;
The teachings of the classical Wisdom traditions which teach us the need to learn from the past without being bound by the past;
The teachings of Earth-centered traditions which celebrate the interdependence of all life and emphasize the need for harmonious living with the rhythms of the natural world;
Understanding and gratitude for the religious pluralism which enriches and ennobles our faith, we are inspired to deepen our understanding and expand our vision. As free congregations we enter into this covenant, promising to one another our mutual trust and support.

Section 2.2 Purposes:

The Universalist Gnostic Communion shall devote its resources to and exercise its powers for religious, educational, and humanitarian purposes. The primary purpose of the Communion is to serve the needs of its member congregations, organize new congregations, extend and strengthen Universalist Gnostic institutions and implement its principles.

Section 2.3 Non-discrimination:

The Communion declares and affirms its responsibility, and that of its member congregations and organizations, to promote the full participation of persons in all of its and their activities and in the full range of human endeavor without regard to race, ethnicity, gender, disability, affectional or sexual orientation, age, language, citizenship status, economic status, or national origin and without requiring adherence to any particular interpretation of religion or to any particular religious belief or creed.

Section 2.4 Freedom of Belief:

Nothing herein shall be deemed to infringe upon the individual freedom of belief which is inherent in the Universalist heritage or to conflict with any statement of purpose, covenant, or bond of union used by any congregation unless such is used as a creedal test.

Article III Membership

Section 3.1 Member Congregations

The Universalist Gnostic Communion is a voluntary communion of autonomous, self-governing local ministries and fellowships, referred herein as member congregations, which have freely chosen to pursue common goals together.

Section 3.2 Congregational Polity and Ecclesiastical Hierarchy:

Nothing in these Bylaws shall be construed as infringing upon the congregational polity or internal self-government of member congregations, excluding the congregation to call, train, and ordain its own ministers. As per the demands of our lineage, the right of ordination is reserved for the Bishop, Elder, High Priest, and High Priestesses on the approval of the Board of Directors of the Universalist Gnostic Communion. However, the congregation has the right and duty to determine the authority and function of its clergy, and to control its own property and funds. Any action by a member congregation called for by these Bylaws shall be deemed to have been taken if certified by an authorized officer of the congregation as having been duly and regularly taken in accordance with its own procedures and the laws which govern it.

Section 3.3 Admission to Membership:

A ministry or fellowship may become a member congregation upon acceptance by the Board of Directors of the Communion of its written application for membership in which it subscribes to the principles of and pledges to support the Communion. The Board of Directors shall adopt rules to carry out the intent of this Section.

Section 3.5 Certification of Membership:

A member congregation shall be recognized as certified during the fiscal year of the Communion in which it becomes a member and during each subsequent fiscal year in which it established that during the immediately fiscal year it:

a. Conducted regular religious or ministerial services;

b. Held at least one business meeting of its members, elected its own officers and maintained adequate records of membership;

c. Has on staff at least one Minister duly ordained by the Communion.

Member congregations must furnish the Communion with a report of their activities showing compliance with subsection (a) and (b) above. A member congregation shall also be considered to be certified for that part of any particular current fiscal year which precedes that deadline established by the Board of Directors for submitting proof of compliance with subsection (a) and (b) above if during the next preceding fiscal year such a congregation filed the required report.

A member congregation which has not been certified for three consecutive fiscal years shall be deemed inactive and placed in an “inactive congregation” category.

The Board of Directors shall make rules to carry out the intent of this section and shall determine which member congregations meet the requirements set forth herein for any fiscal year of the Communion.

Section 3.6 Termination of Membership:

A ministry or fellowship upon written notification to the Communion may withdraw from the Communion at any time. The Board of Directors may terminate the membership of any congregation that, pursuant to the provisions of Section 3.5, has been placed in an “inactive congregation” category maintained by the Communion but shall do so only after consultation with the local congregation, whenever possible; The Board of Directors may also terminate membership if it has been proven that the congregation has violated the principles or purposes put forth by this document but shall do so only after consultation with the local congregation, whenever possible.

Section 3.7 Associate Member Qualifications:

The Board of Directors may admit to associate membership in the Communion any organization whose purpose and programs it finds to be auxiliary to and supportive of the principles of the Communion and which pledges itself to support the Communion. The Board of Directors may terminate such associate membership upon a finding that the organization no longer meets the foregoing qualifications.

The Board of Directors may adopt rules governing the requirements for admission to and retention of associate membership. The Communion shall neither exercise control over nor assume responsibility for the programs, activities or finances of any associate member.

Section 3.8 Independent Affiliate Organizations:

The Board of Directors may admit to affiliate status those independently constituted and operated organizations whose purpose and intentions it finds to be in sympathy with the principles of the Communion, and may terminate such status upon finding that the organization no longer meets the foregoing qualifications or is not in compliance with the rules relating to such organizations. The status granted is that of independent affiliate. The Board of Directors shall adopt rules governing the requirements for admission to and retention of affiliated status. The Communion shall neither exercise control over nor assume responsibility for the programs, activities, or finances, or finances of any independent affiliate.

Section 3.9 Autonomy of Associate Member Organization and Independent Affiliate Organizations:

Nothing in these Bylaws shall be construed as infringing upon the control of associate member organizations and independent affiliate organizations by their own membership.

Section 3.10 Members of Member Congregations:

For the purposes of these Bylaws, a member of a member congregation is any individual who pursuant to its procedures has full or partial voting rights at business meetings of the congregation and who is certified as such by an authorized officer of the congregation.

Article IV Election of Presiding Bishop

Section 4.1 Qualifications:

Those Bishops, High Priests, High Priestesses, and Elders who are in active status and good standing may be nominated to the position of Presiding Bishop.

Section 4.2 Election:

A simple majority of all voting members of the Communion may result in the election of the Presiding Bishop.

Section 4.3 Term of Service:

The term of service for a Presiding Bishop is lifetime.

Section 4.3 Termination of Service:

The Presiding Bishop may terminate his or her service with a notice of retirement. The Board of Directors may terminate the service of the Presiding Bishop upon proof of direct violation of the Principles and Purposes of the Communion.

Section 4.4 Appointment of Board of Directors:

Once elected, the Presiding Bishop shall appoint the Board of Directors. These appointments shall be at the discretion of the Presiding Bishop.

Section 4.5 Term of Service for the Board of Directors:

The term of service of the Board of Directors is lifetime.

Section 4.6 Termination of Service for the Board of Directors:

Any member of the Board of Directors may terminate his or her service with a notice of retirement. The Board of Directors may terminate the service of any single Board member upon proof of direct violation of the Principles and Purposes of the Communion.

Article V Ordinations and Consecrations

Section 5.1 Ordination to Minister of Gnosis:

Ordination is seen first and foremost a process of initiation into the lineage of the apostles of Jesus. This view in no way imposes a religious tradition, doctrine, or dogma upon the applicant. Ordination to minister of Gnosis gives the recipient all rights and privileges as a ‘normal’ protestant ministerial ordination. The individual to be ordained must be deemed worthy by his or her mentoring Priest, Priestess or Teacher, and his or her application must be approved by the Board of Directors of the Universalist Gnostic Communion. The Board of Directors reserves the right to reject the application of ordination of any applicant.

Section 5.2 Ordination to Priest, Priestess, or Teacher of Gnosis:

Ordination to Priest, Priestess, or Teacher of Gnosis is the second level of initiation in the lineage of the apostles of Jesus. The individual to be ordained must be deemed worthy by his or her mentoring Priest, Priestess or Teacher, and his or her application must be approved by the Board of Directors of the Universalist Gnostic Communion. The Board of Directors reserves the right to reject the application of ordination of any applicant.

Section 5.3 Consecration to Bishop, High Priest, High Priestess, or Elder:

Consecration to Bishop, High Priest, High Priestess, or Elder is the third and last level of initiation in the lineage of the apostles of Jesus. The individual to be ordained must be deemed worthy by his or her mentoring Bishop, High Priest, High Priestess or Elder, and his or her application must be approved by the Board of Directors of the Universalist Gnostic Communion. The Board of Directors reserves the right to reject the application of ordination of any applicant.

Section 5.4 Apostolic Succession and the Person of Jesus:

The Universalist Gnostic Communion carries the lineage of the apostles of Jesus. The individual’s view of Jesus, the apostles, and the traditions attached to the same are of a personal nature, and no requirement for expression or acceptance is made by the Universalist Gnostic Communion. A list of the lines of succession of the UGC are made available upon request.

Rules of the

Universalist Gnostic Communion

Rule I Name

No existing rules applicable to Article I.

Rule II Principles and Purposes

Rule 2.1 Democratic Process:

Because the Communion is committed to the use of the democratic process, because its governing institutions are accountable to our congregations, because accessibility is critical to countering systemic and institutional oppression and because openness and trust are characteristics of a healthy religious community, the UGC Board shall establish policies to allow for the maximum transparency of its proceedings and of the proceedings of all UGC committees, commissions and task forces, consistent with their effective functioning. These policies shall include:

a. Providing advance notice of dates and locations of regular business meetings, and making agendas, reports and minutes available promptly;

b. Providing avenues for comment on issues on the meetings’ agendas;

c. Accommodating observers at regular business meetings, with the exception of executive sessions.

Implementing this rule shall be the responsibility of the Board of Directors.

Rule III Membership

Rule 3.1 New Congregations:

It is the policy of the Universalist Gnostic Communion to encourage and assist the development of new congregations as well as to support and aid existing member congregations as stated in the purposes of the Communion.

Rule 3.2 Procedures for Admission:

A ministry or fellowship may become a member of the Communion upon approval by the Board of Directors of the Communion of a written application for membership.

The application shall include:

a. A statement that the applicant subscribes to the principles of the Communion and pledges itself to support the Communion;

b. A copy of the articles of incorporation or other organizing documents and the bylaws of the applicant;

Rule 3.3 Membership Requirements for Admission:

There are no membership requirements for admission.

Rule 3.4 Rules and Regulations for New Congregations:

It is essential that Universalist Gnostic congregations be affirmative in spirit, inclusive in fellowship, and mutually supportive in their relationship with other congregations. The following statements represent the Communion’s best judgment as to the meaning of this general statement and shall be used by the Board in determining action upon applications for membership.

a. In receiving the application of a new congregation for membership in the Communion, the Board of Directors shall satisfy itself that the group is makings its application in good faith and that it will make a sincere effort to carry out the purposes of the Communion.

b. The Communion interprets its statements of purpose to mean that no congregation may be accepted into membership if its bylaws exclude from its local membership any person because of race, ethnicity, gender, disability, affectional or sexual orientation, language, citizenship status, economic status, or national origin.

c. All member congregations must be congregational in polity; the final authority to make dicisions must be vested in the legal membership of the congregation.

d. All member congregations must have at least one active and ordained minister on staff. However, each congregation shall determine the authority and function of its ministerial staff.

e. Any congregation who can perform its own ordinations must do so without consideration of race, ethnicity, gender, disability, affectional or sexual orientation, language, citizenship status, economic status, or national origin. If such consideration is proven, that congregation will be deemed in direct violation of the Principles of the UGC and their membership terminated.

f. Member congregations shall project and embark upon a balanced program designed to encourage the cultivation of Gnosis.

g. New congregations are expected to establish and maintain cooperative relations the Universalist Gnostic Communion, as appropriate and feasible.

Rule 3.5 Required Annual Report:

In each fiscal year of the Communion (July 1 to June 30), each member congregation shall file with the Secretary of the Communion an Annual Report on the form and in the manner provided by the Communion. The Annual Report shall include a certification by a minister or principal officer of the member congregation stating:

a. Whether or not the member congregation complied with the conditions set forth in Section 3.5 of the Bylaws during the Communions prior fiscal year;

b. That the information provided to the Communion in the Annual Repost is true and correct to the best of the minister’s of principal officer’s knowledge.

For purposes of determining compliance with Section 3.5 of the Bylaws, a member congregation shall be deemed to have conducted ‘regular ministerial activities’ if it has performed at least 10 activities of ministry during the fiscal year.

A member congregation’s Annual Report for a particular fiscal year and, if submitted separately, the related certification must be received by the Communion on or before February 1 following the close of that fiscal year.

Rule 3.6 Limitations of Associate Membership:

It shall be the policy of the Board of Directors to limit admissions to associate memberships at the discretion of the Board of Directors.

Rule 3.7 Non-Segregation:

Each associate member organization shall in all aspects of its work refrain from the practice of segregation based on race, ethnicity, gender, disability, affectional or sexual orientation, language, citizenship status, economic status, or national origin. This rule is not intended to preclude associate member organizations designed to benefit groups organized to ensure their fuller participation in the larger society and to fulfill their unique spiritual needs.

Rule 3.8 Application for Associate Membership:

Each applicant for membership shall submit with its application:

a. An attested copy of its purposes, objectives, and bylaws;

b. The approximate number of members in the organization;

c. A list of principle officers with their personal mail addresses and the principle mail address of the organization;

d. A financial statement (if applicable) showing income and expenses for the latest fiscal year preceding the date of filing and showing assets, liabilities and net worth as of the end of such fiscal year;

e. The dates on which its governing board met during the twelve months immediately preceding the date of filing;

f. Any yearly reports of its governing body and its principle officers sent to members during the twelve months immediately preceding the date of filing;

g. (if applicable) evidence that it enjoys tax exempt status:

1. Under section 501(c)(3) of the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1954;

2. As a registered charity as provided for in the Income Tax Act (Canada); or

3. Under the laws of the country governing the applicant’s tax status;

h. If the applicant does not enjoy tax exempt status, the reason or reasons it does not;

i. A statement outlining the intended use of associated membership, if granted, and the goals and objectives of the organization that will be served by such use;

j. A statement outlining what advantage it is believed there would be to the Communion and to the furtherance of the principles of the Communion outlined in Bylaw Section 2.1.

k. Any other information which the Board of Directors of the Communion shall require.

Rule 3.9 Annual Report:

Except in the year is admitted to membership, each associate member shall send to the Communion on or before April 30 an annual report which shall include the data required by subsections (b), (c), (d), (e), and (f) of Rule 3.8 and any other information which the Board of Directors shall require.

Rule 3.10 Application for Independent Affiliate Status:

Each applicant for independent affiliate status shall submit with its application:

a. An attested copy of its purposes, objectives, and bylaws;

b. The number of members or member groups in the organization;

c. A list of the principal officers with their personal mail addresses, congregation membership or congregation;

d. A financial statement showing income and expenses for the latest fiscal year preceding the date of filing and showing assets, liabilities and net worth as of the end of such fiscal year;

e. The dates upon which its governing board met during the twelve months immediately preceding the date of filing;