The Vestry is the elected, lay governing board of an Episcopal parish. A Vestry acts in accordance with the Constitution and Canons of The Episcopal Church, USA; the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania; the By-Laws of St. Paul's Episcopal Church; and the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania as they may pertain to certain legal matters concerned with the the incorporation of the Parish. The Vestry serve as elected lay representatives of the parish and every Vestry member is availalbe for conversation about actions taken by Vestry and for input from parishioners. Vestry members are elected to serve a three-year term with terms expiring in different years to ensure some continuity in Vestry membership. If you have any questions about Vestry you can speak to any Vestry member.

The Vestry meets the second Wednesday of every month from 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. in the Shreiner Room of the Lockwood-Reilly building. ALL are welcome to attend Vestry meetings and may be granted voice to express comments or concerns for consideration by the Rector and Vestry. The only exception to attendance at a Vestry meeting is when they go into Executive Session (discussion and votes on extremely sensitive or confidential matters). Executive sessions are rare and will be announced and held either at the beginning or the end of general Vestry meetings.

Following is a more detailed description of Vestry responsibilities and Expectations and eligibility to serve on Vestry at St. Paul's.

Vestry Responsibilities and Expectations

The vestry of an Episcopal Church has three primary responsibilities as agents and legal representatives of the Parish in all matters concerning its corporate property and the relations of the Parish to its clergy:

1. To take care of parish finances;
2. To take care of parish buildings;
3. To facilitate the process through which the parish elects individuals to fill various positions in parish leadership: the election of Vestry; the election of Delegates to the deanery; and the election of Deputies to diocesan convention. When the parish is without an incumbent rector, the vestry is responsible to work with the Diocese to secure an interim rector and to oversee the search process and election of a new rector.

Beyond these, the vestry has a number of other responsibilities related to the life of the Parish. These include assisting the rector in developing and overseeing various committees and in making plans for the growth of the parish (e.g. Strategic Planning), and providing leadership and support to the various aspects of Parish life and ministry (e.g. promoting stewardship and participating in Parish worship and events), communications both within the Parish and externally; and ensuring an appropriate level of parish participation in the life of the wider Church (especially our diocese), our local community, and the world.

To be eligible to serve as a Vestry Member at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, one must have official membership at St. Paul’s through the recording of Baptism in the Parish register of baptisms (for those coming from another Episcopal Church this is accomplished thorugh the Letter of Transfer); be a Confirmed (either through Confirmation or Reception in the Episcopal Church) Communicant in Good Standing in this parish for at least six months; and having been nominated for election during the appropriate nomination period.

Once elected to serve on the Vestry, each Vestry member will offer a pledge of finances, time, and talent to the ongoing mission and ministry of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church (and through support of the parish; support of the diocese, the national Church, and global Anglican Communion).

Vestry members are to provide lay leadership by word and action and should be faithful participants in corporate worship and to commit themselves to a life of regular prayer and the reading of Holy Scripture.

Vestry Members will attend the majority of Vestry meetings held during their term as well as an annual Vestry retreat.

It is the responsibility of the Vestry, as a board, to ensure that there is significant vestry representation at all parish programs and events. Additionally, every Parish Committee will have either a Vestry member who sits on the committee or serves as a liaison between the committee and the Vestry.