HOMEThe
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 OthersAlison 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.
(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.
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