Vestry

In an Episcopal Church, the Vestry is an elective governing committee.

• What is a vestry and what does it do?
• Vestry Terms ending Dec 31, 2008
• Vestry Terms ending Dec 31, 2009
• Vestry Terms ending Dec 31, 2010
• Vestry Resources
  • Election Process
  • Budget & Reimbursements
  • Bylaws & Other Documents
• Church Officers
• Contact the Vestry

St. Mark's Vestry

The "Vestry" is composed of the Rector plus nine lay members of the parish. The nine lay members are Voting Members of the parish who have been nominated and elected by the parish to represent and lead the parish along with the Officers. Vestry members serve for a three-year term.

Most of the work of the Vestry takes place in the various Standing Committees. The various Vestry-in-charge either chair or appoint a chair for their respective Standing Committees (unless a Standing Committee is led by a staff person). Each Standing Committee has direct access to the Vestry through their assigned Vestry person, who provides guidance and oversight, oversees the Committee's budget, and can provide immediate Vestry approval for most actions. Thus we enjoy a bias toward action, as the Standing Committees do not have to negotiate the bottleneck of a monthly vestry meeting.

If you have questions about what it is like to serve on Vestry, please read the Vestry Job Description and other information available below.

Remember: Whereas the Bishop is elected by the clergy and delegates, and our parish officers are elected by our vestry, our vestry are nominated by and elected by the Voting Members of the Parish, not the Vestry. The Vestry does not control the nominations -- you do.

To nominate someone you want representing and leading our parish, or to run for the vestry yourself, complete and return a Vestry Nomination or Application form (see below) no later than the September 1, for the next election in October. Those elected will "learn the ropes" in the Fall, and take office Jan 1.

Remember that you may apply directly - you do not need for someone to nominate you.

Vestry Terms Ending Dec 31, 2008

Lisa Ghessie Membership Committee	Rob Pearre Finance Committee	Rick Vanasse Worship Committee

Vestry Terms to End Dec 31, 2009

John Robison Outreach Committee	Bill Koenig Audit Committee	Eddie Humphrey Spiritual Formation Committee

Vestry Terms to End Dec 31, 2010

Carl Mitchell Audit Committee	Ron Luman Strategic Planning Committee	Kathleen Huffman Pastoral Care Committee

Vestry Resources

Any Voting member may run for the vestry. Simply download the Vestry Application form, and submit no later than Sept 1.

Any Voting member may nominate any other Voting member for vestry. Simply download the Vestry Nomination form, and submit no later than Sept 1.

Those running for Vestry should become familiar with the following Vestry Documents, which are used throughout the term of service on Vestry:

Officers of the Parish

Officers are elected by the Vestry to lead the parish along with the Vestry. These officers include the Rector, Wardens, Treasurer, Registrar, Delegate for Convention, and other officers as may be designated by the Vestry.

All Officers are "Voting Members" of the parish and may or may not also be Vestry members -- with the exception of the Rector. The Rector is a member of the diocese, represents the Bishop, and serves for an indefinite term as the president and CEO of the parish. The Senior Warden presides in the Rector's absence at meetings of the parish and vestry, and is elected for a 2-year term (with an optional second term) beginning and ending in odd-numbered years. The Junior Warden presides in the absence of the Rector and Senior warden, and is elected for a 2-year term (with an optional second term) beginning and ending in even-numbered years.

An excellent description of Wardens can be found online.

Richard Laribee Rector Executive Committee	Rick Vanasse Senior Warden Executive & Personnel Committees	Farrell McAfee Junior Warden Property Committee
Kathleen Huffman Treasurer	Eddie Humphrey Diocesan Delegate '08	John Robison Alternate Delegate'08