Vestry

Vestry members serve as trustees of the parish, taking charge of church property and regulating its temporal (secular) concerns. The vestry consists of lay people elected by communicants in good standing, ages 16 and older. In general, vestry members help minister in whatever manner is appropriate to the laity for the furtherance of the gospel. The vestry speaks for the people of the parish. St. James Parish has appointed vestry commissions in several specific areas of responsibility.

Vestry members serve three-year terms, with four new members elected at the Annual Parish Meeting held in January each year. Retiring members are ineligible to serve again for one year. The vestry elects a senior warden annually upon nomination by the Rector and a junior warden from among the remaining members. The vestry also elects a clerk and a treasurer (not necessarily members of the vestry). St. James Vestry meets the second Monday of each month. Minutes are available to parishioners at the parish office.

Our Next Vestry Meeting

The St. James Strategic Plan can be found here


Rector: The Rev. C. Phillip Craig, Jr. – [email protected]


Senior Warden: Alex Murchison – [email protected]

Junior Warden: Rachel Colonna – [email protected],


Treasurer: Mike Brown

Clerk: Dianne MacAskill

Class of 2024: Rachel Colonna – [email protected], Web Cowden – [email protected], Alex Murchison – [email protected], Barbara Whitesides – [email protected]

Class of 2025: Dean Gornto- [email protected], David Joyner – [email protected], Erin Trask – [email protected], Brandon Candler Tully – [email protected]

Class of 2026: Tom Dodson- [email protected], Todd Hinshaw, [email protected], Billie Holland- [email protected], Mary Lyons Rouse, [email protected]

Vestry Liaisons to Committees and Boards for 2024

  • St. James Day School Board – Rachel Colonna, Billie Holland
  • St. James Foundation Board – Rachel Colonna, Todd Hinshaw
  • Mt. Lebanon Chapel Board – Alex Murchison, Web Cowden
  • Finance Committee- Alex Murchison, Rachel Colonna, Tom Dodson
  • Buildings & Grounds Committee – Alex Murchison, Dean Gornto, Brandon Tully
  • Committee for Racial Unity – Barbara Whitesides
  • Kitchen Committee – Billie Holland, Web Cowden
  • Personnel Committee – Alex Murchison
  • Youth and Young Adult Committee – Brandon Tully

Vestry Liaisons to Commissions for 2024

You can find the most recent updates from our Vestry and Leadership here: