Vestry/Lay Leadership

What is the vestry?

The governing board of a parish in the Episcopal Church is called the vestry. This historic term refers to the group of lay (not ordained) members of the church elected for a three-year term to oversee running the business of the church. The vestry is the legal representative of the parish regarding all matters pertaining to its corporate property.

At St. Luke’s, classes or groups of vestry members are elected each year. As a class of members retires, new members are elected for a three-year term. The presiding officer of the vestry is the Rector (priest in charge). The Senior Warden, appointed by the rector, leads the parish between rectors. The Junior Warden has responsibility for church property and building maintenance.

The basic responsibilities of the vestry are:

• to help define and articulate the mission of the congregation
• to support the church’s mission by word and deed
• to ensure effective organization and planning
• to manage resources and finances
• to appoint a search committee and select a rector