Wardens & Vestry

Put your trust in the Lord and do good.  Psalm 37:3

Clergy and laity share in the responsibility of leading our parish. The vestry is the governing board of the Parish of Epiphany, working with the clergy and staff to carry out God's mission for our church. The vestry consists of the rector, two wardens, the treasurer and associate treasurer, the clerk, and 15 members of our parish elected by the church members at the Annual Meeting. The vestry is responsible for overseeing the church's activities and addressing general matters of parish policy and management. The wardens act as legal representatives of the parish, working closely with the rector in the daily operations of parish life.

How would you describe the job of a . . . 

VESTRY MEMBER (3-year term, unless completing a term underway)
The work of the vestry has two faces, leadership (both spiritual and temporal) and operational management. The rector and vestry in a collaborative and cooperative manner, engage in short and long range planning to determine the congregation’s vision & mission.  The vestry assists the treasurer and the associate treasurer in the creation and maintenance of the parish budget that supports the congregation’s vision & mission, programs, staff, and facilities.

The vestry strives to ensure adequate resources and effective stewardship to accomplish our mission. The vestry keeps the congregation informed about their work and encourages clear and direct communication. The vestry is also responsible for the congregation’s visible presence in the wider community. Vestry members are encouraged to see themselves as spiritual and evangelical beings and as co-creators of ministry with the rector and other staff members. Vestry members should be able to make the following time commitments: vestry meetings (generally the third Wednesday of each month), committee work, vestry retreat, annual meeting, weekly worship services, and congregational events (taking care to seek out old friends and new). Vestry members assist in the “furtherance of the Gospel and well-being of the parish.” 

Vestry members must generously give of their time, talent and treasure if they expect other members of the congregation to do so.

WARDEN  (2-year term; up to 3 consecutive terms)
The wardens are elected members of the vestry and provide leadership to the vestry and to the congregation. In addition to presiding at vestry meetings and the vestry responsibilities noted above, the wardens meet regularly with the rector to review the life and work of the congregation, plan ahead, anticipate and resolve problems. Frequent emails are common. Wardens are available to discuss any and all concerns with the rector and with members of the congregation. The wardens sit on the executive committee, and work with the treasurers and clerk to plan and assist in financial forecasting for the parish. Wardens are expected to attend services and most church events. Wardens also support and assist the rector, doing whatever needs to be done, and they take special care for the personal well-being of the rector and his family. Wardens are accountable to both the rector and the parish.