What is the Vestry?
Vestry is a 3-year commitment to discern and support the Christ Church community through shared wisdom, shared work, and shared leadership alongside the Rector of the parish and other lay and clergy ministry leaders. All Vestry members commit to a Behavioral Covenant, are expected to attend all Vestry meetings (currently the 3rd Tuesday of each month, 6pm, at Christ Church), a Vestry Retreat (typically in February or March), and actively work to implement the mission of the Church.
The Work of a Vestry Member
A vestry member may be an active participant in a specific ministry at Christ Church (this is encouraged), but their work on the Vestry is oriented towards the good of the community as a whole. While the primary legal responsibility of the Vestry are our finances and buildings, budgets are “mission” documents, and the facilities are where most of our mission is carried out. A vestry member is not a representative of a group to the Vestry, but a person elected by the community to exercise discernment and wisdom on behalf of the whole. It may be helpful to think of Vestry as a working group who actively supports and participates in the work of giving hands and feet to the mission of Christ Church. In other words, it is not a monthly meeting and discussion, but shared work that may require effort outside of scheduled meetings.
The Qualities of a Vestry Member
A Vestry Member must be a good listener to both members of the parish and fellow Vestry members. They must be deeply committed to the common good of our community as a whole. They must be able to speak to a topic and stay on topic. They must exercise good judgment in the community. They must be willing to engage in difficult conversations with thoughtfulness, patience, and discretion. Vestry members must be willing to trust the lay and clergy leaders of the parish, and commit themselves to their support.
Running for Vestry
Anyone interested in participating in Vestry should discuss their interest directly with the Rector, Mother Maria. It is also advised you talk to other Vestry members as well. Only adult members, communicants in good standing who are active pledgers to Christ Church are eligible to stand for election to the Vestry.
At Christ Church, Vestry members are elected at the Annual Meeting (usually the first or second Sunday in February), after which there is a brief Vestry meeting to formalize specific positions and select a date for the Retreat. Their term starts immediately, at that first meeting.
