Meet the Vestry
The 2012 Vestry Photos are forthcoming.
Vestry Roles, Responsibilities and Ministries.
What is the Role of the Vestry?
The Vestry is the elected governing body of the parish. At St. Christopher's, the Vestry consists of 12 members. The term of office is three years. Members of the Vestry are elected at the Annual Parish Meeting, which is held in January of each year. Vestry members must be communicants of St. Christopher's Church and at least 16 and older.
As a whole the Vestry:
- The Vestry articulates and communicates the Vision Statement: To Know Christ, to love Christ, and to serve Christ in others.
- Vestry members are required to subscribe to follow the declaration and promise: " I do believe the Holy Scriptures of the Old and New Testament to be the Word of God, and to contain all things necessary to salvation and I do yield my hearty assent and approbation to the doctrines, worship and discipline of The Episcopal Church; and I promise that I will faithfully execute the office of Vestry member of St. Christopher's Church, in Region VII, in the City of Springfield, Virginia, according to my best knowledge and skill. "
- The Vestry also has canonically specified responsibilities for the stewardship of church and property and working with the Rector on personnel management and program development and oversight. Upon a departure of a Rector, the Vestry is also responsible for calling an interim or new rector, with the assent of the Bishop.
St. Christopher’s Vestry Officers and their responsibilities and ministries:
Senior Warden - Chris Erbe
Meet monthly with the Rector and Junior Warden to prepare for Vestry Meetings, Support and advise individual commissioners as needed, Sign off on payments from designated funds, Serve as backup sign-off for all commission areas, Sign contracts and banking documents. Ensure Lay Delegates and Alternates to Annual Diocesan Council and Region VII Council are elected in March. Ensure Diocesan (November) and Region VII (December) pledges are signed and mailed. Collect and disburse the staff purse (December)
Junior Warden – Janet Bush
Negotiate and sign user group contracts, after approved by Rector or Vestry at the discretion of the rector. Serve as point of contact for user groups. Meet monthly with the Rector and Senior Warden to prepare for Vestry meetings. Serve as backup sign-off on payments from designated funds. Serve as backup sign-off for all commission areas. Attend and oversee the activities of the Memorial Committee (Jr. Warden or Rector per By-laws)
Diane Owen - Register
Take minutes at all Vestry meetings. Distribute minutes to Vestry members. Post copies of minutes in the church office. Take charge of all Vestry records and keep current entries of all proceedings of the Vestry in a well-bound book to be provided for that purpose. Deliver the records and minute book to the Rector or Wardens when the Register’s term of office expires (per Canons)
Buildings - Alex Johnson and Grounds – David Kirks
Commissioners are responsible for recruiting members who will serve in both advisee and service capacities. Commissioners will, with the help of their committees and approval of the rector when the canons dictate oversee the care and up-keep of our two buildings, and surrounding grounds, paying special attention to:
Buildings: Coordinate parish-wide volunteer efforts, Negotiate and mon itor maiteance contras for HVAC and cleaning, know where all equipm,ent and elctric items are located, be sure all light bulbs are working particulary exit signs, work closely with the grounds commissioner, set up spring and fall cleaning days, be availabe for emergency calls when problems arise and, when possible, meet contractors at chruch, keep congregation up to date on any problem areas, work clsoely with the Pre-school Director, rely on as many people as possible to hlep you, be aware of problem areas and check on regular basis.
Grounds: Oversee snow plowing of the parking lots (with a contractor_ and sidewalks (with volunteers), grass cutting and bush trimming in season, maintenance of yard-care equipment, Semi-annual parish clean-up/or work days, leaf raking. Plan long-termn yard beautification efforsts, ensure gutters are maintained and cleaned out when needed, responsible for effective budget planning to ensure contract services are available for plowing and gutter cleaining. Participate in developing an annual budget for Grounds expenses, monitor and authorize budgeted grounds expenses, ensure specified gardens (Memorial Gardens, et.) are maintained neatly.
Christian Formation – Debbie Olsen
Work with the director of Christian Formation to support and oversee all Christian formation programs including adult, youth and children Sunday School classes, Lenten programs, junior and senior high youth groups, Intergenerational Sunday School activities, Vacation Bible School and other Christian Education programs. Vestry Commissioner will participate in developing an annual budget for Christan education expenses. Oversee, monitor and authorize budgeted Christan formation expenses. In addition the Commissioner will be a liaison from the Vestry with the Preschool Board, with a voice and vote on that panel. Commissioner will represent the Vestry's interests and take any concerns from the Board to the Vestry, and vice versa.
Finance - Carroll Hill
Serve as Vestry liaison to the Finance Committee. Attend and co-chair, along with the Treasurere, Finance Committee meetings held as needed -at least quarterly, work with Vestry Commissioners in looking into questions and concerns regarding their budget lines. Ensure the annual audit is completed on time (due in August). With the finance committee and input from all Vestry commissioners, prepare the annual budget in time to deliberate on and vote for the next year's budget before the December meeting of the current year. Work with the Treasurer and Bookkeeper to address budget and payment questions and issues.
New Membership Incorporation – Dawn Cannaday
Work with the Rector, Vestry and appropriate committees or task groups to develop activities and programs for attracting, welcoming and incorporating new members. Work with the rector on advertising, compiling new member packets and brainstorm on other ways to attract and incoporate newcomers into the life of the parish. Organize and oversee implementation of new member welcome teas, dinners or other programs through the help of volunteers/committee in consulatation with the rector.
Outreach – Chris Medding
Chair the Outreach Committe, along with non Vestry Co-Chair(s) (if any) and other members of the Committee will work, in coordination with the rector and Vestry as to ways in which to engage in and support Outreach, as well as reach out on a regular basis for volunteers from throughout the parish family to participate in. All Outreach activities vetted by the committee and next brought to the Rector and Vestry (at the Rector's discretion) for approval. Implementation will be handled by the Outreac COmmittee. Vestry Commissioner will participate in developing an annual budget for Outreach Programs, monitor the income/outcome and authorized budgeted Outreach Committee payments.
Parish Life – Brent Guernsey
Oversee fellowship activities including but not limited to: Sunday fellowship hours, special celebratory and funeral receptions done by St. Christopher's members, parish picnic, prayer breakfasts and other food/hospitality programs. Work with the Christopher’s members to provide meals for parish families in times of need, help with all parish dinners and other social functions. Contine to put together sub-committees as desrived above and the St. Martha's Guild. Oversee budget and approvals rgarding the purchases for fellowship supplies.
Stewardship – Mary Johnson
Will serve as the Chairperson of the Committee. Working with the committee will develop the committe's annual budget. Will monitor and authroize budgted steardship expenses. In conjunction with the committee, and in consulation with the rector, will adopt the theme for "Fall Stewardship (annual Giving) Campaign" and facilitate the conduct of the campaign, including finding ways to encourage pledging and engaging in or working towards a billical tithe. Will work with the committe to develop programs outside of Annual Giving Campaing in order to inform the parish of the joy of planned giving in terms of their time, talent, and treasure. Maintain contact with the Diocesan Committe on Stewardship in order to consult on various aspects of stewardship and progrmas, such as the Annual Stewardship Conference, which will enhance St. Christopher's overall stewardship program.
Worship – Pam Osborn
Will serve as Chairperson of the Committee and in that role as a liaison from the Vestry to the WOrship Committee, Attend Worship Committee meetings as needed (at least quarterly). Will participate in developing an annual budget for Worship Programs, Monitor and authorize budget worship expenses.
