Vestry

In the Episcopal Church, the Vestry is the group of lay members elected by their fellow parishioners to serve with the Rector (head priest) as the leadership and governing body of the Church. Through monthly and other special meetings, the Rector and Vestry are responsible to set and oversee the vision of ministry for the Church, and to conduct the business of the Church as required by Canon or civil law. All committees, commissions, or other church groups and their ministries come under the oversight of the Vestry.
 

BRYAN THOMPSON (2013)
SENIOR WARDEN
bktinsc@comcast.net or bryan.thompson@agentownedrealty.com

JOE SYLVAN (2014)
JUNIOR WARDEN
joe@thesylvangallery.com
 

ROBERT BARBER (2014)

bowensisland1946@att.net

Serving on the vestry is a call to a sacred ministry. As the governing board of our church, it requires the application of baptismal vows to business experience in carrying out the mission and ministry of our congregation.

To be eligible to serve on the vestry, one must

• Be a confirmed or received member of the Episcopal Church enrolled as a member of the parish, 18 years of age or older
• Have been regular in attendance at church services in the year preceding election
• Made and maintained a financial pledge or have been a contributor of record in the year preceding the election

A vestry member is expected to

• Participate in the monthly vestry meeting held on the third Thursday at 6:00 pm
• Pledge financial support early in the stewardship campaign
• Serve as agents and legal representatives of the parish in all matters concerning corporate properties and the relations of the parish to its clergy
• Ensure that standard business methods as outline in canon law will be observed
• See that worship continues when a parish is without a Rector, and to call a new rector
• Serve as a leader of standing committee, such as Finance, Outreach, Personnel, Communication, Education, Hospitality, Pastoral Care, Building/Grounds, or Worship
• Serve on a rotating service schedule as a greeter and lock up the church afterwards
• Provide a welcoming presence to visitors at services, wearing an identifying name tag
• Elect delegates to attend the annual diocesan convention
• Participate in the annual vestry planning retreat in February
• Write committee reports for the web site, Deacon, and annual report of the parish
• Respond in a timely manner to all vestry-related business, preferably via e-mail
• Work with the Rector to develop the spiritual life of the congregation
• Learn about the governance and responsibilities of the vestry
• Support, attend, and volunteer in as many parish events as possible
• Be enthusiastic and fair, and respect the dignity of every member of the parish

Vestry Minutes

Please click below to download minutes from Vestry meetings.
 

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Downloads

Title	Date
Vestry Minutes - March 2013	04/25/2013
Vestry Minutes - February 2013	04/11/2013
Special Vestry Meeting Minutes - January 10, 2013	02/28/2013
Vestry Minutes - January 2013	02/28/2013
Vestry Minutes - December 2012	01/24/2013
Vestry Minutes - November 2012	01/10/2013
Vestry Minutes - October 2012	01/10/2013
Vestry Minutes - September 2012	01/10/2013
Vestry Minutes - August 2012	01/10/2013
Vestry Minutes - July 2012	08/23/2012
Vestry Minutes - June 2012	07/25/2012
Vestry Minutes - May 2012	07/25/2012
Vestry Minutes - April 2012	05/22/2012
Vestry Minutes - March 2012	05/22/2012
Vestry Minutes - February 2012	04/12/2012
Vestry Minutes - January 2012	02/16/2012
Vestry Minutes - December 2011	02/16/2012
Vestry Minutes - November 2011	02/16/2012
Vestry Minutes - October 2011	02/16/2012
Vestry Minutes - September 2011	10/27/2011
Vestry Minutes - August 2011	09/14/2011

Copyright 2011, St. Stephen's Episcopal Church
67 Anson Street
Charleston, SC 29401

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