Grace Episcopal is led by a covenant agreement between the priest-in-charge and the vestry, including a Senior Warden and a Junior Warden. Vestry members are elected by the parish during the Annual Meeting. Vestry members serve three-year terms which are staggered to have two new vestry members each year. The vestry consists of the clergy and a proportional number of lay members. The rector, vestry, parish treasurer, and parish clerk meet monthly on the fourth Monday.
Our vestry is the legal representative of the parish with regard to all matters pertaining to its corporate property.
Vestry members are elected at the annual parish meeting. A nominating committee seeks candidates in the months prior to the January annual meeting. Nominations are also welcomed from the floor.
The presiding officer of the vestry is the rector. There are 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.
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.
Grace also has three part-time paid positions overseen by the priest and vestry: the parish administrator, the music director, and the sexton.
The parish has a Financial Planning Team which primarily oversees investments and previews, with the Treasurer, the annual budget prior to the vestry’s review and approval. Grace has by-laws and an extensive strategic plan.
Additionally, we have multiple committees led by members of the congregation carrying on our ministries: worship, adult education, outreach, care and support, hospitality, newcomers, and children’s ministry.