What IS a 'Vestry', anyway?
The Vestry, in the Episcopal Church, is very like what other denominations might call an 'Administrative Board' or 'Parish Council'.
According to the Episcopal Church website:
"The vestry is the legal representative of the parish with regard to all matters pertaining to its corporate property. The number of vestry members and the term of office varies from parish to parish. Vestry members are usually elected at the annual parish meeting. The presiding officer of the vestry is the rector. There are usually two wardens. The senior warden leads the parish between rectors and is a support person for the rector. The junior warden often has responsibility for church property and buildings. A treasurer and a secretary or clerk may be chosen. These officers may or may not be vestry members. The basic responsibilities of the vestry are to help define and articulate the mission of the congregation; to support the church's mission by word and deed, to select the rector, to ensure effective organization and planning, and to manage resources and finances."
At St. Alban's, the vestry is made up of 2 wardens officially (Senior and Junior), and the previous senior warden often sits as a non-voting member as 'Warden Emerita/us'.
Members-at-large are elected for a 3 year term, 2 people at a time. Thus we have 6 vestry members.
In addition, the Treasurer (currently not a voting member, or even a member of our Parish), and a Vestry Clerk (recording secretary) attend, although neither is an official member, nor can they vote.
According to the Episcopal Church website:
"The vestry is the legal representative of the parish with regard to all matters pertaining to its corporate property. The number of vestry members and the term of office varies from parish to parish. Vestry members are usually elected at the annual parish meeting. The presiding officer of the vestry is the rector. There are usually two wardens. The senior warden leads the parish between rectors and is a support person for the rector. The junior warden often has responsibility for church property and buildings. A treasurer and a secretary or clerk may be chosen. These officers may or may not be vestry members. The basic responsibilities of the vestry are to help define and articulate the mission of the congregation; to support the church's mission by word and deed, to select the rector, to ensure effective organization and planning, and to manage resources and finances."
At St. Alban's, the vestry is made up of 2 wardens officially (Senior and Junior), and the previous senior warden often sits as a non-voting member as 'Warden Emerita/us'.
Members-at-large are elected for a 3 year term, 2 people at a time. Thus we have 6 vestry members.
In addition, the Treasurer (currently not a voting member, or even a member of our Parish), and a Vestry Clerk (recording secretary) attend, although neither is an official member, nor can they vote.
Our Rector (Priest)
Mother Julie Calhoun-Bryant
Our Wardens
The Wardens, together with the Rector, are responsible for running the church. They are the 'cabinet' or 'executive body' if you will.
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Members-at-Large
Class of 2020
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Margo Kowalczyk
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Meg Houston
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Class of 2021
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Gelene Lewis
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Bert Bookhout
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Class of 2022
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Jan Bookhout
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Fred Wilson
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Vestry Clerk
Vestry Recording Secretary, if you will
Kate Bell
Kate Bell
Fred Wilson