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The Vestry of St. Stephen's Church


The Vestry is the body of lay people, elected from among the members of the Parish, who are the agents and legal representatives of the parish in all matters concerning its corporate property. It gets its name from the days when churches only had two rooms: the worship space, and the small adjoining room where the clergy kept their vestments (called the “vestry”) and in which the church council would meet to make decisions.  In addition to being the legal and financial representatives of the Parish, the vestry is responsible to:
  • Cooperate with the Rector in promoting the spiritual welfare of the parish
  • Accept responsibility for mission in the community, diocese, nation, and world
  • Be the means by which the diocese and the national church communicate with the Parish
  • Represent the Parish in its relations with the Rector
  • Be a council of advice for the Rector
  • Encourage people to enter the ordained ministry
  • Look after the care and maintenance of parish facilities
  • Take proper care of the finances of the Parish
  • Present a complete statement of the financial condition of the parish to the Annual Meeting
  • Fill the Rector’s position in the event of a vacancy
Here are the 2009 members of the St. Stephen's Vestry and the Blessing and Action Groups and other committees on which they serve:

Rita Baker, Senior Warden; Helping Others
Alison Lemke, Junior Warden; Spiritual Growth
Jonnelle Farver
Herb Freeman
Alan Halferty; Finance Committee
Kathy Trotter; Helping Others
Richard Wobst
Jennifer Mehmen; Spiritual Growth

The Vestry appoints four officers every year: Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Clerk of the Vestry, and Parish Treasurer.  The word “warden” derives from an Old English word meaning “to watch over, guard, or keep,” so the Wardens of the parish are those who watch over, guard, and preserve the parish, making sure that all things are provided as necessary for the orderly worship of God.  The Senior Warden acts on behalf of the Vestry and chairs vestry meetings in the absence of a Rector.  The Junior Warden takes over as Senior Warden when that person’s term ends.  The Clerk of the Vestry records the minutes of Vestry meetings, facilitates communication in the Vestry, and certifies official Vestry actions.  The Parish Treasurer keeps the parish books, receives and disburses parish funds, and pays the Diocesan pledge.  These officers and other Vestry members occasionally take on other duties when requested by the Vestry. 

(See The Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church canon I.14 “Of Parish Vestries;” and canons 24, 25, and 26 of the Canons of the Diocese of Iowa.)

St. Stephen's Vestry also maintains a Finance Committee, which advises the Vestry on financial matters and drafts the parish budget; and an Endowment Committee, which advises the Vestry on management of the parish endowment and carries out the Vestry's decisions.  For information about either of these committees, please contact the Rector.