Vestry
Vestry of The Church of the Ascension 2024
Linda Baile - Senior Warden
Andy Aman - Junior Warden
Joseph Aman
Dayl Baile
Bob Phillips Jr.
Carolyn Phillips
Stacey Rettew
Bart Rettew - Treasurer
Jack Daugherty - Clerk
Before we define what a vestry is and explain what it does, we need to define what a parish is. The term is used in the 1979 Book of Common Prayer and in earlier editions, means a self-supporting congregation under a rector, as opposed to a mission or other congregation under a vicar, a priest appointed by the bishop. Some state laws provide for the incorporation of Episcopal parishes, and the election of rectors, wardens, and vestry members. Many diocesan canons distinguish between a fully self-supporting congregation with a full-time priest and one which is not, calling the former “parishes” and the latter “missions.” However, other Episcopal dioceses call all congregations “parishes,” or simply “congregations.” In English canon law, a parish is an area under the spiritual care of a priest. The term is used without any specific definition other than a “Congregation of this Church” in the canons of the Episcopal Church.
The vestry is the legal representative of the parish with regard to all matters pertaining to its corporate property. The basic responsibilities of the vestry are to help define and articulate the mission of the congregation; to support the church’s mission by word and deed, to select the rector, to ensure effective organization and planning, and to manage resources and finances.
The number of vestry members and the term of office varies from parish to parish. Vestry members are usually elected at the annual parish meeting. The presiding officer of the vestry is the rector. There are usually two wardens. The senior warden leads the parish between rectors and is a support person for the rector. The junior warden often has responsibility for church property and buildings. A treasurer and a secretary or clerk may be chosen. These officers may or may not be vestry members.