Durham University Methodist Society Constitution (Updated 17^th March 2006)

1) Name and Status

The Society shall be called "The Durham University Methodist Society".
The aims and objectives of the society shall be as follows:
1. To strengthen individuals in the fellowship of a Christian group, where, by prayer, Bible study and discussion, they can realistically face the problems and doubts of faith, and the full challenge of commitment to Christ.
2. To help members make a witness, both as individuals and as a Society, to their Christian faith in the life of the University and of the community, through Christian involvement, service and presentation to the personal challenge of Christ.
3. To stimulate members to full awareness of their vocation in the world.
4. To establish and maintain contact with Methodist students, and prepare them to take an active part in the local church, both now and in the future.
5. To further interest in, and understanding of other denominations and organisations, as well as our own, and, through joint prayer meetings and activities, to work earnestly with other Christians towards a united Christian witness in the University.

2) Membership

Membership shall be open to all members of DSU and NCDSU. Any others may become members of the society only with the approval of the Executive Committee. The Society shall not discriminate on the grounds of age, race, gender, sexual orientation, religion or disability.
Honorary Membership shall be granted to The Methodist Chaplain to the University, any ordained Minister or Lay Worker appointed to Elvet Methodist Church, the Director of the Wesley Study Centre, any ordained Methodist Minister working as a College Principal, Senior Tutor or Chaplain within the University. Others may be invited to become Honorary Members at the discretion of the Executive Committee.
The minimum membership fee for the Society shall be set annually by the DSU Finance and Services Committee.
Non-members may be admitted to Sunday meetings at the discretion of the Executive Committee and a charge may be levied. Other meetings shall be open to Members of the Society, all members of DSU, and guests of Members, subject to approval.
1. Members must request permission from the President in advance to bring a guest to such a meeting. The President may either approve this request or refer it to the Executive Committee for further discussion. If the application is referred to the Executive Committee, a 62.5% majority is required to prevent the guest from attending the meeting.
2. The decision made by the President or Executive Committee remains in force until either it is queried by any member of the society or until the end of the Executive Committee's tenure.
3. Members may apply to bring the same guest up to twice per term. Thereafter the guest should apply to become a member of the society.
The Societies Officer shall be admitted to meetings of the Society provided that DSU Finance and Services Committee believe there is a good reason for them to attend and inform the society in advance either in writing or by ITS email.

3) The Executive Committee & Annual General Meeting (AGM)

The officers of the Society shall comprise: a President, Secretary, Treasurer, Staff Treasurer, Retreats and Missions Officer, Community Services and Liaison Officer, Prayer and Worship Secretary, two Group Leaders, Music Co-ordinator, Web-page Co-ordinator, Catering Officer, Social Secretary. Of these thirteen officers, the following shall comprise The Executive Committee: President, Secretary, Treasurer, Retreats and Missions Officer, Community Services and Liaison Officer, Prayer and Worship Secretary, and two Group Leaders.
All Officers shall be elected at the Society's AGM, which shall be held in Epiphany Term each year. Notification of the AGM shall be circulated to all members at least seven days in advance. A minimum of two thirds of society members must be present at the AGM for voting to take place.
1. All candidates for offices must be Society Members and Members of DSU or NCDSU.
2. All officers shall assume their duties from the final day of the Epiphany Term of their election.
3. Officers shall be elected by simple majority, with the Chaplain being given the Casting Vote. Nominations shall close no earlier than the scheduled start of the meeting. They shall be posted on the Society notice board on the day of closing. Such nominations must bear the name of the proposer and seconder and the signature of the nominee. A candidate may stand for election to no more than one Executive office.
4. Votes on all other motions require a two-thirds majority to be passed.
5. A list of officers must be supplied to the Societies Officer who shall be informed of any change to the list within seven days of that change.
6. It shall be the responsibility of the College Representatives to supervise the selection of their successor(s) with full consideration of the qualities appropriate to their role, and to notify the selection to the AGM for ratification.
7. If a Committee member resigns, a by-election shall be held at a Society General Meeting, the election procedure being as for the AGM.

4) Executive Committee Meetings

Executive Committee Meetings shall be open to all members of the Society.
Only Executive Committee members shall be entitled to vote at such meetings. A minimum of two thirds of the Executive Committee must be present for voting to take place. A 62.5% majority is required for any motion to be approved.
Non office holding members of the Society shall contribute to discussion in Executive Committee meetings only at invitation of the President.
Issues that the President deems to be of a sensitive nature shall be discussed by the Executive Committee in closed session.
The President shall request the presence at Executive Committee Meetings of non Executive officers when issues relevant to such an officer's area of responsibility are to be discussed. In such circumstances non Executive officers shall have the right to participate fully in the debate.
A provisional agenda for Executive Meetings shall be given verbally in the Sunday evening meeting preceding the Executive Committee Meeting. All of the Society members shall have the right to suggest items for the inclusion on the agenda. The acceptance of such an item is at the discretion of the President.

5) Society General Meetings

There shall be a General Meeting of the Society open to all members to be held once a term. This meeting shall discuss any matters to the organisation or spiritual life of the Society. If any such matters have not been put forward of the proposed date the meeting need not take place. Notice of the meeting must be given seven days in advance.
Committee vacancies may be filled at a General Meeting. Notice of the vacancies must be posted at least three days before the General Meeting at which the nominations close. A minimum of half of the society's members must be present for voting to take place. Officers shall be elected by simple majority, with the Chaplain being given the Casting Vote. Votes on all other motions require a two-thirds majority to be passed.
Sub-committees may be formed, responsible to the creating committees, and which may be overruled by the creating committee.

6) Finance

Grants may only be claimed for student members of the Society who are members of DSU.
Accounts
i) A Society affiliated to the Union shall bank with the provider of DSU's main account. A Separate Social Account or Events sub-account may be held only with the permission of DSU Finance and Services Committee.
ii) Accounts for at least the previous three years shall be kept and may be inspected by members of the Society, DSU Treasurer, the Societies' Officer or Finance and Services Committee. Failure to keep proper records will render the Society's Executive liable to repay any DSU grant. DSU grants must not be used to subsidise social events. All payments made by the Society must be intra vires.
iii) A copy of the Annual Accounts must be submitted to DSU after presentation at the AGM and may be audited by the Societies' Officer in conjunction with the DSU Finance Manager.

7) Business of the Society

Records of the Society's business for at least the previous two years shall be kept for inspection by members of the Society, the DSU Treasurer, the Societies' Officer or Finance and Services Committee.

8) Amendments to the Constitution of the Society

Amendments to the Constitution must be approved by at least a two-thirds majority of the members present at the General Meeting
Society Constitutions and all amendments to them must be ratified by DSU Finance and Services Committee.
Any constitutional amendments and regulations concerning Societies' affairs that are laid down by DSU Finance and Services Committee shall be binding on all Societies.

9) Extraordinary General Meeting

An Extraordinary General Meeting of the Society may be called at the written request of eight members. At least seven days notice must be given.
A minimum of half of the societys' members must be present for voting to take place. Officers shall be elected by simple majority, with the Chaplain being given the Casting Vote. Votes on all other motions require a two-thirds majority to be passed.
Any or all members of the Society's Officers shall be removable by a simple majority of the Society's members in General Meeting.

10) Equal Opportunities

The Society President must sign the DSU Equal Opportunities Declaration on behalf of the Society at re-ratification each year. Failure to do so will result in de-ratification by DSU Finance and Services Committee. Any actions contravening this contract will be investigated by the Societies Officer and may result in DSU Finance and Services Committee de-ratifying the Society.

MethSoc is the oldest student Christian society at the University of Durham. Despite our name and our ties with the Methodist Church we are not a society exclusively for Methodists but are open to members of all Christian denominations. In fact, a considerable number of our thirty current members are not Methodists themselves.

We are a close knit and friendly group of people who offer an open and welcoming atmosphere in which we can come to better know God and support one another in our spiritual journeys. Although we do many social activities together, our primary focus is on God and exploring our understanding of him.

1

2

3

4

There are no upcoming events in the Methsoc calendar

Bible Study Wednesday Afternoon

@Upper Room Elvet Methodist Church

Bible studies are very relaxed and informal. They last about an hour with the oppertunity for prayer at the end. Come when you can leave when you need to.

1.15pm Bring and Share Lunch

2.00pm Bible Study

This term we are looking at John's Gospel.

Session 1 : Learning from the humanity of Jesus (John 1 v 1-14)

Session 2 : The Banquet - Food and Friendship (John 2 v 1-12)

Session 3 : Becoming Disciples of Christ (John 15 v 1-17)

Session 4 : Knowing God and being known (John 14 v 1-14)

Session 5 : Church and our relationships (John 13 v 1-17, 34 - 35)

Session 6 : Real ways to reach out (John 17 v 13-26)

24^th May – 30^th May

a) The week ahead

b) Retreat and Missions Week (Email Stuart if you are interested in attending � stuart.abram@durham.ac.uk)

c) DUECC Chapel Crawl

d) Concert at Shakespeare Hall, North Road

e) Vocal Training 2010 : Rhythms of Life

f) The Cheese Society : Discussion on DSU policy

The week ahead .....

Wednesday Bible Study

@Upper Room Elvet Methodist Church

1.15pm Bring and Share Lunch

2.00pm Bible Study

Looking at John�s Gospel with the theme �Knowing God and being known� (John 14 v 1-14)

Friday Evening

Worship in the Barn

@ Trev�s Barn

(Trev�s Chapel � the small building on the edge of the road between Trevs and Mary�s)

7.30pm

Sunday Evening � Main Meeting

@ Upper Room Elvet Methodist Church

7.00pm Fellowship Meal

7.30pm Guest Speaker

This weel Ali Stacey-Chapman will be leading a discussion of Why bother? What's the point?. A chance to discuss and share ideas about why Methsoc exists, why we come and the importance of the society in our lives and in the life of the university.

Other exciting news.....

Retreat and Missions Week 2010

From Stuart....

Communion: Sharing Jesus - MethSoc Retreat and Mission Week 2010

This year we are grouping together our Missions and Communities Week and Retreat around the theme of "Communion: Sharing Jesus" so as to provide a week of fun, friendship, sea, sand, sun and... prayer! The lovely and ever-efficient Julie is arranging for us to stay at the beautiful Seahouses in the local Methodist Church from Friday 4th June (the very end of exams!) until Sunday 6th when we will hopefully take part in worship and leave refreshed and energised after the busy exam season. The programme for the retreat is focussed on St John's Gospel and the relationship we have with Christ and through him with the Father and the Holy Spirit. So there's plenty of prayer, hopefully communion, a pub lunch, discussion, Bible study and plenty of free-time to relax and enjoy the salt spray and the fresh air.

It would be utterly wonderful if you could e-mail me to tell me you're interested so we can get an idea of numbers.

stuart.abram@durham.ac.uk

Costs should be relatively low and I also would like two people to preach/talk informally at the Morning and Evening Prayer of Saturday, so if you're training as a local preacher, this is a golden little opportunity.

This is but the start, however, of Mission Week. Tuesday 8th will provide another opportunity to get away from it all (at least from Durham) with a day of litter-picking and barbecuing at the beach, finishing with Communion with Julie. If anyone would like to preach or give testimony then this will be most welcome. It is also likely to be a healing service and is an excellent opportunity to invite friends/enemies/monsters who might be interested in MethSoc or Christianity.

At the moment these are the two, definite events but it is my hope that we can distribute 1,000 leaflets about the Christian faith through letter boxes around Durham which will include an invitation to an informal lunch/service/coffee event where people will be able to chat informally to Christians (i.e. you) about Jesus and Christianity. Katie has already been volunteered, I mean volunteered, to give her testimony and if you would like to speak too, let me know!

Other events will hopefully include raising money for destitute Christians in the Holy Land selling cakes and the like around the lovely city of Durham. The prayer for the week, that I would ask you all to use as often as you can is as follows:

God our Father,

You exalted our Lord Jesus Christ,

The King of eternal glory,

With great power into your kingdom in heaven,

That he might reign over all things.

Grant to all who confess his holy name

The strength of his grace,

That we, abiding as his faithful people,

May be strengthened and purified in

The holy communion of his most precious body and blood.

Let your name be so exalted among us

That our week of service, prayer and proclamation

May make known the might of his love,

The depth of his glory and the joy of his knowledge.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen

DUECC Chapel Crawl

DUECC are hosting a chapel crawl based on the theme �God�s Presence in our lives�.

Thursday 10^th June

10am-1pm

More details to follow

All welcome!

Concert at Shakespeare Hall, North Road

Saturday 29th May

2.30pm

Given by 'Elvet Bridge' from Park View Community College, Chester-le-Street. There will be a variety of music including jazz, show songs, guitar solos and ballads, and the concert is in aid of the church's Access for All project, so please come along and support if you can.

Vocal Training 2010 : Rhythms of Life

SPEAK are holding their annual training weekend Vocal Training 2010 : Rhythms of Life in September 2010.

�A long weekend exploring the life giving patterns of activity and rest, seasons, Sabbaths and SPEAK; time out from the busyness of life and activism to stop and listen to God�s heartbeat�

10^th -14^th September 2010

Bidwell Guide and Scout Centre

Cost �55 (discounts for early payment)

For more details www.speak.org.uk

The Cheese Society : Discussion on DSU policy

The Cheese Society has sent out a message to all society presidents asking for discussion on the DSU societies policy, specifically the rule that societies must have a compulsory charge for membership. They feel that this goes against their belief in free membership for all, and have also called for a societies forum to be set up. MethSoc operates the system that if anyone should be unable to pay for membership then their nominal fee will be provided from society funds, so this does not affect us greatly, but if anyone has any comments they would like to contribute to the discussion, please email Michael on m.j.greenhalgh@durham.ac.uk

Quote of the Week:

�Courage is not simply one of the virtues, but the form of every virtue at the testing point�

C. S. Lewis

We thought these might be useful. Do let us know if you discover any other exciting links in the vast expanse of the world wide web.

Bible gateway Read and search the bible online
The Interface Where Christianity meets culture - participate in online Christian discussions
Lost in Wonder Take a spiritual journey through the Methodist Church's online prayer labyrinth. The meditative journey is in ten stages and incorporates images, words, music and actions.
Youth for Christ's prayer labyrinth Labyrinth reshapes a 12th-century ritual for the 21st century. Its maze-like path takes you on a symbolic journey, creates space to unwind and think - in particular about our relationships with ourselves, one another, our planet and God
Miniature Earth Imagine a world scaled down to a village of 100 inhabitants....
A Word in time Daily bible study linked to the Methodist handbook.
Pray without ceasing Ideas for prayer
What is distinctive about Methodism Find out more about what the Methodist church believes
Elvet methodist church News and Events at Elvet Methodist church

Aber Methsoc Methsoc at Aberystwyth University
Quest Methsoc at Bath University
Birmingham Methsoc Methsoc at Birmingham University
Bristol Methsoc Methsoc at Bristal University
Cambridge Methsoc Methsoc at Cambridge University
Cardiff Methsoc Methsoc at Cardiff University
Edinburgh Methsoc Methsoc at Edinburgh University
Keele Paradise Methsoc at Keele University
Manchester SCM Methsoc at Manchester University
John Wesley Society Methsoc at Oxford University
Sheffield SCM Methsoc at Sheffield University
Warwick Christian Focus Methsoc at Warwick University
York Christian Focus Methsoc at York University

On Friday we have a relaxed evening of discussion, prayer and worship in Trevelyan College, Room B3-7 at 7.30pm.

Fri 28^th May

7.30pm

Worship in the Barn

@ Trev�s Chapel

Upcoming Events this term:

� Films including �The Prince of Egypt� and �Are Christians being Persecuted�

� Picnic/Barbeque

� Music and Worship at Trev�s Barn

� Discussion topics including Evangelism, Free Will and Predestination

� Prayer Walk�

�

Michael	President
Jen	Secretary
James	Treasurer
Jonathan	Bible Study Leader
Jennifer	Community Services and Liaison

Durham University Methodist Society Constitution (Updated 17th March 2006)

Durham University Methodist Society Constitution (Updated 17^th March 2006)