200

LAWS OF MARYLAND

Ch. 97

of vestrymen.

302. Oath of parochial officers.

Every vestryman, registrar, treasurer and
churchwarden shall, before he acts as such, take and
subscribe the following oath of office, to be
administered by the rector, any vestryman then in office,
or a notary public of the State: "In the presence of

Almighty God, I,............... do solemnly promise and

declare that I will faithfully execute the office of

.......... of........... Parish, in.......... County,

without prejudice, favor or affection, according to the
best of my skill and judgment. And I further declare my
belief in the Christian religion."

303. Organization of vestry; election, etc., of
officers; meetings of vestry.

(a)  Organization meeting.

Immediately after the first or annual election of
vestrymen, or as soon thereafter as possible, the newly
elected vestrymen having first taken and subscribed the
prescribed oath of office, the vestry shall meet and
organize, and forthwith choose other parish officers.

(b)   Election of other parochial officers; terms;
registrar, wardens and treasurer may be vestrymen.

The first order of business shall be the election of
a registrar, two churchwardens (one of whom shall be
designated senior warden and the other junior warden),
and such assistant wardens as the vestry may deem
expedient or necessary, and a treasurer, and such
assistants or collectors of contributions as the vestry
may desire, all of whom shall be chosen from among those
qualified to vote at a congregational meeting, unless
modified by the parish bylaws pursuant to the provisions
of subsection (c) of this section, and the persons so
elected shall hold office for one year from the date of
the annual congregational meeting or until their
successors are elected and have qualified.

The registrar, wardens and treasurer may, but need
not, be members of the vestry.

(c)   Qualifications of parochial officers.

Any parish may by bylaws prescribe the
qualifications of the registrar, churchwardens and
treasurer.

(d)   Time and place of regular meetings.

The vestry shall hold regular meetings at such time
and place as they may adopt by a majority vote from time