What Does It Mean to be on Vestry?
WE are about to choose four new vestry members for OUR vestry, and hopefully some of my musings will inspire many of you to consider being part of this ministry. As I finish my third and last year, my mind and especially my heart are full of where our church has been and where we are going. As Phillip often says, “It’s all good” and it is! That is not to say these last 5 or so years have been the smoothest in our history.
Your vestry members have prayed and worked, laughed and cried, dreamed and listened, made big decisions and trite decisions, taken vacation days to be at retreats, zoomed and met together, hugged and kept our distances, prayed more, dreamed more, agreed and disagreed, never stopped respecting one another, worried a little and grown in our faith, seen so many of our prayers answered and waiting for a few more answers, given thanks for so many leaders in our church family and looked for ways to get more of us involved, felt great humility and also great gratitude for this historically significant church and for our wonderful parish family. Going forward, these wonders will continue, but with Phillip now chosen, called, and among us, those little worries and trite decisions are lessening. Praise God!
A vestry has responsibilities as stated in church canons such as shared leadership with the rector and functions much as a board of any nonprofit, with responsibilities for finances and management of property and human resources. As stated in a publication from The Episcopal Church Foundation, “Many aspects of the vestry’s role are defined by entities beyond the congregation –local, state, and federal laws and diocesan and Episcopal Church canons—as well by the church’s own constitution and bylaws. This publication goes on to say so much more about a vestry’s role in wrestling with questions of faith and the mission and vision of the congregation.
I could share so much more. There are so many leaders and hard working staff members making significant impacts on our parish. We are stronger now in so many ways as we continue forward. Phillip and his family are excited to be here. THE Spirit emanates from them. One of my prayers is that each of you recognize The Spirit that is working among us. I also pray that we can worship all together soon. I pray that we will all prayerfully consider being part of the success of our stewardship campaign. We have much to do to the glory of God. Let us all dream as one.
Much love,
Jane Martin