Your Vestry 2023 Call on Us with Your Suggestions Gary Buff, Sr. Warden Phyllis Nottingham, Jr. Warden, Buildings & Grounds Paul Richard, Finance Billy Archuleta, Music & Landscaping Marilyn Farrow, Outreach Gini McDermott, Pastoral Care Brian Uerling Elizabeth Halley Jonathan Vordemark Janice Wagner |
A vestry was a committee for the local secular and ecclesiastical government for a parish in England and Wales, which originally met in the vestry (the room where the clergy vested, or changed clothes), and consequently became known colloquially as the "vestry". The vestry “shall be agents and legal representatives of the Parish in all matters concerning its corporate property and the relations of the parish to its clergy” (Canon 14).
The members of the St. James vestry are active volunteer leaders, elected to overlapping three-year terms at the annual parish meeting each January.Their primary responsibilities are to oversee parish finances and buildings and to give leadership in parish programs, ministry, and worship. The vestry of St. James meets monthly, and consists of the rector, a Rector’s Warden, a People’s Warden, and seven members. Also present at vestry meetings are the treasurer, who reports on current financial conditions and the clerk of vestry, who takes the minutes. Parishioners are welcome to attend vestry meetings.
Vestry Nominations
As you think about the future of St. James at this unprecedented time, please give prayerful consideration to volunteering to serve or nominating someone to serve on the St. James Vestry. The vestry is the place where the business of the church is conducted. But it's not just all about budgets! It's about partnering with the rector on the oversight and direction of ministries, navigating as the church in a pandemic, envisioning the future of the church and our relationship with outside parties in the community and the diocese. And, yes there is the budget.
The ideal candidate is someone in the church who has had a connection to one or more of our ministries and who pledges to our financial support. It's not about the amount of the pledge, it's about the commitment to the financial well-being of the church and has a specific skill or interest they would like to contribute to the church.
As you think about the future of St. James at this unprecedented time, please give prayerful consideration to volunteering to serve or nominating someone to serve on the St. James Vestry. The vestry is the place where the business of the church is conducted. But it's not just all about budgets! It's about partnering with the rector on the oversight and direction of ministries, navigating as the church in a pandemic, envisioning the future of the church and our relationship with outside parties in the community and the diocese. And, yes there is the budget.
The ideal candidate is someone in the church who has had a connection to one or more of our ministries and who pledges to our financial support. It's not about the amount of the pledge, it's about the commitment to the financial well-being of the church and has a specific skill or interest they would like to contribute to the church.