The vestry is the elected lay body within the congregation that, with the clergy,
leads the administration of the parish. The vestry:
- helps to discern the vision toward which God is drawing the St. Mary's community;
- assists the clergy in: articulating and communicating the vision, holding the community
accountable for its realization of that vision, and keeping the mission of the Church
and that of the individual congregation clearly before the parish community;
- represents the legal agents of the parish and have specific responsibility for:
entering into contracts, finances, buildings and grounds, insurance, calling of
a rector, care for the clergy, and issues with respect to parish staff;
- The Wardens are selected from members of the Vestry;
- The Rector, while not a member of Vestry, serves as the presiding officer at the
Vestry meetings and works closely with the Vestry in shaping and implementing the
parish vision
- Develops annual budget to recommend to Vestry;
- During year the Accounting Warden continually reviews income and expenses of parish
against the budget;
- The committee is charged by the Vestry to oversee parish investments and report
on earnings and recommend changes in investment policy and disbursement of funds;
- The Wardens of the parish are always members of the Finance Committee;
- The Rector serves ex-officio on the Finance Committee
- Inviting and facilitating conversation about a deeper theology of stewardship;
- Design and implement annual parish-wide Stewardship campaign of time, talent, treasure,
and creation;
- Work with Finance Committee to provide pledge and giving information toward the
development of the annual budget
- Works with Rector and Vestry in the oversight, maintenance, and repair of St. Paul's
property (buildings and grounds);
- Works with those whom St. Paul's contracts for maintenance and repair of property;
- Works with the Accounting Warden and Finance Committee with respect to property
operation (e.g. utilities) and maintenance and repair costs;
- Works with the Whiteland Montessori School and other groups with respect to leasing,
renting, or using St. Paul's property
- Serves as central collection point of information to be disseminated to the parish
and through The Epistle (newsletter);
- Edit and work with with the Parish Administrator in providing edited/formatted content
for the The Epistle;
- Develop and issue Press Releases and other forms of publicity to the wider community
- Coordinate parish member volunteer sign-up for Sunday morning Coffee Hours;
- Plan special events, such as dinners, and recruit volunteers to help organize and
run the events
- Responsible for assessing St. Paul's outreach resources (financial and people) in
deciding on local and global outreach efforts, allocation of outreach funds for
efforts, and recruiting volunteers to assist in outreach efforts;
- The St. Paul's Missions Trust is responsible for issuing quarterly grants to local
and global individuals and organizations in need.
- Work with Clergy in developing Christian Formation programs for children, youth,
and adults at St. Paul's. This includes possible topics/themes, guest speakers,
curriculum and other resources;
- Help recruit, train, and support: Church School educators, youth group leaders,
and facilitators for Adult Christian Formation classes, workshops, and events
- Eucharistic Visitors - Visit homebound parishioners and bring Communion from the
Reserved Sacrament
- Intercessory Prayer - Offer daily prayers for those who request prayers either for
themselves or someone else.
- Helping Hands - Assist parishioners who need rides to worship, parish events, doctors
appointments, etc.
- Altar Guild - Prepare and take care of the Altar, linens, and vessels used for services
of The Holy Eucharist.
- Acolytes - Serve at main Sunday morning service and other services of The Holy Eucharist
as Crucifers, Torch-bearers, and assisting the clergy at the Altar during the preparation
for Holy Communion.
- Eucharistic Ministers - Assist the clergy during Communion by administering the
chalice to communicants and leading the Psalm and Prayers of the People
- Lectors - Read the Hebrew Scripture, (OT) and New Testament lessons from Holy Scripture
during services.
- Choir - Provide musical leadership for Sunday morning and other services.
- Ushers - Provide service bulletins, welcome materials, assist people in locating
the parish hall and restrooms, present the offerings of bread and wine, and facilitate
the collection of financial offerings during services, assist parishioners in coming
to the altar rail for Communion.