Vestry Members

Role of the Vestry

The vestry of an Episcopal church has three primary responsibilities. The first two are managerial: to take care of parish finances and the parish buildings. The third is to choose individuals to fill various positions of leadership and representation: the choice of a rector, the choice of delegates to the diocesan convention, and the selection of others as the diocesan canons may stipulate. The vestry also serves as an advisory council to the rector who by church law is the parish’s chief liturgical and pastoral officer.

Membership

The vestry consists of lay members of the church elected by the congregation at the annual parish meeting. The vestry of Emmanuel church currently has seven elected members. Each year, the vestry elects the Senior and Junior Wardens. The remaining officers, Secretary and Treasurer, are chosen by the vestry from among the members of the vestry or the congregation at large. Vestry members normally serve a three year term and must be members in good standing of the parish.

2024-25 Vestry Members

Karen Byer

Senior Warden

Karenbyer1@gmail.com

Bob Henderson

Junior Warden

Two.Hendersons@yahoo.com

Michelle Tharpe

Secretary

buznest@yahoo.com

Tom Winn

twwinn@aol.com