VESTRY
In the Episcopal Church, a vestry is a group of elected laypeople who serve as the governing body of a parish, overseeing its administrative and financial matters. The vestry works closely with the rector (priest) and is responsible for the overall health and well-being of the congregation.
Key roles and responsibilities of the vestry include:
- Financial Oversight: The vestry manages the parish’s finances, including approving budgets, handling investments, and ensuring proper stewardship of resources.
- Property Management: The vestry is responsible for the maintenance and care of church buildings and grounds, and for making decisions regarding property purchases or sales.
- Hiring and Supporting Clergy: The vestry plays a role in hiring the rector or priest in charge and is involved in supporting clergy in their ministries. They may also provide assistance in matters related to clergy salaries and housing.
- Setting Goals and Vision: The vestry helps establish the church’s mission, long-term vision, and goals, and supports the rector in fulfilling those objectives.
- Congregational Care: While clergy often lead spiritual life and ministry, vestry members also have a role in fostering community and supporting outreach efforts, programs, and services.
Vestry members are typically elected by the congregation, and they serve fixed terms, which can vary (usually 1 to 3 years). The size and structure of a vestry can vary from parish to parish, depending on the size of the congregation and local custom.
In addition to the vestry, the Episcopal Church has a broader structure of governance, with bishops and diocesan conventions, but the vestry focuses on the local level of parish governance.