Dear Friends,

Each year, the congregation gathers to elect members of the parish to serve on the Vestry. In secular terms, the Vestry functions as the Board of Directors for the local congregation. This governing body bears fiduciary responsibility for the legal, financial, and property matters of the parish and, in partnership with the Rector, helps set the parish’s policy and vision.

The Episcopal Church is not congregational in its governance. This means the parish does not vote on the budget or the direction of our ministries. Instead, the congregation entrusts those decisions to the Vestry with the Rector presiding over the group.

The Vestry has 12 members, each serving a three-year term, and each year the congregation elects four new members unless there is a vacancy. These 12 members speak and vote on behalf of the entire parish, which makes the Vestry election one of the most important decisions we make together.

Because the Vestry tends to the temporal matters of the church, it seeks to be shaped by spiritual ones. Each meeting begins with prayer and devotion as we seek to do God’s will. Our conversation centers on what God is up to in our midst and how we can organize ourselves to pursue God’s call for us in this time and place.

Talking about property, finances, and policy may sound mundane, but they are what make it possible for us to respond in a faithful way. Tending to them well is one of the ways we live into our mission to make Christ known by our love for all.

To serve on the Vestry, a person must be a confirmed member of the parish and canonically resident at Ascension, at least sixteen years old, faithful in corporate worship, and known to the Rector and to the Treasurer as a regular contributor to the parish’s program. Members who have served on the Vestry within the last year are not eligible to be nominated. The exception is a member who was appointed to complete an unexpired term and served less than a year.

Vestry members do not need to be experts in finance, law, or building maintenance. We look for people who love God and are committed to following Jesus, who are active and knowledgeable about the life of the parish, and who bring enthusiasm and vitality to this ministry.

We also look for a willingness to check our egos at the door, speak less, and listen more, remembering that God’s vision for the parish is bigger than any one person’s. Vestry members pray daily for the parish and its leadership, pledge financial support, offer their talents, and help foster understanding, forgiveness, and reconciliation.

Vestry members attend monthly Vestry meetings, quarterly team meetings, and the annual Vestry retreat (January 8-9, 2027). They are also regular in weekly worship and active in the life of the parish through programs, classes, and service.

To nominate someone, complete the online nomination form by Sunday, November 22. Paper forms are also available in the parish office and may be returned to the Vestry box in the workroom. Please talk with the person you are nominating first so they can prayerfully consider it. Someone other than the candidate must submit the form.

Additional nominations may also be made at the Annual Meeting.

We will gather for the Annual Parish Meeting on Sunday, December 6, to elect four Vestry members to serve three-year terms (Class of 2027-2029).

In the meantime, I invite you to prayerfully consider those whom you think may be called to this ministry. If you have questions about what Vestry service involves, I would be glad to talk with you or connect you to a current Vestry member.

Faithfully,

Jack+