Committee on Faith and Practice

(Adapted from text approved by the Committee On Faith and Practice at some time prior to Nov. 1, 2003.) 

Purpose:  The Committee on Faith and Practice is charged with ongoing review and adaptation of the Faith and Practice to reflect the current beliefs and practices of Intermountain Yearly Meeting, seeking input from all IMYM Friends in this process, and promoting continuing study and discernment of our unique vision as Intermountain Friends.  From time to time, as directed by the Yearly Meeting, the Committee shall arrange for the publication and distribution of a book of discipline (Faith and Practice) or related pamphlets and/or brochures. 

Membership:  Members are a Clerk appointed by the Yearly Meeting, representatives from each monthly meeting, and Friends with special skills and talents co-opted by the Committee.  Monthly Meetings may appoint up to two representatives.  Co-opted members shall be from meetings affiliated with the Yearly Meeting.  The number of co-opted members may not exceed one third the number of monthly meetings affiliated with the Yearly Meeting.  Co-opted members are not counted against the number appointed by their monthly meetings.  The Clerk of the Faith and Practice Committee is a member of the Executive Committee and ex officio to the Continuing Committee. 

Terms:  The Clerk is appointed for a three year term on the recommendation of the committee, forwarded by the Continuing Committee, and may serve two such terms.  All terms (representatives, officers, and co-opted members) are three years in duration and may be repeated twice for a total of nine consecutive years.  Persons may be reappointed after an absence of one term (3 years).  Young Friends are invited to participate as members of the Committee.  (See Note 1.)  The Committee will also maintain a liaison with the Committee on Procedures. 

Responsibilities of Committee members include:

1.  Presenting to the Monthly Meeting materials produced by the Committee for discussion, discernment and seasoning.

2.  Seeking the sense of the Monthly Meeting about matters of faith and practice.

3.  Preparing and sending to the Committee comments from the Monthly Meeting and interested individuals.

4.  Attending committee meetings and reflecting the sense of the Monthly Meeting on items under consideration.

5.  Assisting in drafting statements about beliefs, practices, customs, testimonies, etc. within the Yearly Meeting.

6.  Maintaining the Monthly Meeting’s documents regarding faith and practice discussions and make such documents available to interested individuals.

7. Providing a midyear report to the Continuing Committee and an annual report to the Yearly Meeting for publication in the Documents-in-Advance.

8.  Undertaking such other tasks as shall be requested by the Yearly Meeting.

Executive and Continuing Committees:  The Executive Committee meets in late summer to evaluate the various aspects of the most recent annual gathering and begin planning for next year's annual gathering.  The Clerk of the Faith and Practice Committee may be asked to submit a written evaluative report in advance of this Executive Committee meeting.  In its winter meeting a few months later, the Continuing Committee completes the planning for the next annual gathering.  The Yearly Meeting pays upon request the travel expenses to these meetings. 

Financial arrangements:  Expenses required for travel and accommodations of the members to as many as two meetings per year (exclusive of meetings held during the Annual Session) will be borne by the Yearly Meeting.  An operating budget to cover clerical supplies and mailings will be submitted annually to the clerk of the Finance Committee for Yearly Meeting consideration.  Other than in draft form for distribution within Intermountain Yearly Meeting, the publishing and distribution of a book of discipline shall take place only after approval of the Yearly Meeting, which shall receive a recommendation from the Finance Committee at that time.  Reports of expenses (including those donated and “in kind”) will be submitted on claim forms through the Committee’s clerk or designee to the Treasurer for reimbursement as requested. 

Notes and Concerns:

1.  How are Young Friends invited to participate as members of the Committee?