VESTRY ELECTIONS
Due to COVID-19 safety concerns, the Office of the Bishop has suggested that we conduct a Virtual Vestry Election.
There are currently 4 seats open on the Vestry, as well as 1 seat open for Warden. If you have any questions about the election process, please email the Nomination Committee directly at stjo.nominations@gmail.com. Please see the election schedule and information below.
Election Schedule
Nominations Open
Nominations Closed
Election Slate Announced
Ballots Due
Election Results Announced
December 27, 2020
January 3, 2021
January 10, 2021
January 20, 2021
January 30, 2021
VESTRY MEMBER
The vestry is the legal representative of the parish with regard to all matters pertaining to its corporate property. The number of vestry members and the term of office varies from parish to parish. Vestry members are usually elected at the annual parish meeting. The presiding officer of the vestry is the rector. There are usually two wardens. 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 select the rector, to ensure effective organization and planning, and to manage resources and finances. (From An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, A User-Friendly Reference for Episcopalians, 2000, Church Publishing)
Key Responsibilities of a Member of the Vestry
-
Work collaboratively with the Rector and the rest of the vestry team to create a vision and plan of action that reflects and/or discerns God’s call for St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church.
-
Support the programs of St. Joseph’s through a commitment of service and giving and encourage the members of the church to support those programs.
-
Extend a hearty welcome to newly baptized, confirmed, received, transferred members, guests, visitors, and parishioners.
-
Work with the rest of the team to strategically allocate, manage, and prioritize the fiscal resources of the church.
-
Visibly participate in parish life ministries and encourage unity among all groups and ministries in the church;
-
Pledge financial support early in the stewardship campaign.
Time Requirements of a Member of the Vestry
Vestry members must be willing and able to devote their time to working as part of the church’s leadership and are expected to commit time for:
-
Vestry meetings;
-
Work related to Vestry committees and sub-committees;
-
Vestry retreat(s);
-
Weekly worship services (rotating occasionally if more than one);
-
Congregational events: coffee hours, meals, fundraisers, adult education programs, etc.;
-
Support and participate in the congregation’s ministries;
-
Diocesan meetings, as necessary;
-
St. Joseph’s Annual meeting.
Skills & Desired Qualities
-
Have a love of God and demonstrate a commitment to following the way of Christ;
-
Be active in, and knowledgeable about the congregation, its programs and governance;
-
Be fair, interact well with people and strive to earn the respect of the members of the congregation;
-
Purposefully strive to “check one’s ego at the door”;
-
Purposefully strive to be a servant of the people without the need to be the “most important person” in the congregation or the need to be the one with the right answers to everything;
-
Have enthusiasm and vitality for this ministry.
-
Be active ministers of the Gospel in daily life and work;
-
Pray daily for the rector, leaders and members of the congregation;
-
Bring one’s whole self to the table by being present – mind, body, and spirit;
-
Risk openness with one’s ideas, beliefs and desires.
Requirements
The length of term for a Vestry Member is 3 years and requires the person be:
-
Baptized;
-
Regular attendants of worship services;
-
Contributors for at least twelve (12) months prior to the election;
-
Eighteen (18) years of age or older.
Vestry eligibility are prescribed by the State of New York Religious Corporations Law (Article 3 Section 43), the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal 2018 (Title 1 Canon 14), and the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island Constitution, Canons, and Rules of Order 2019 (Title 1 Canon 3). Be advised that the criteria to be a vestry member differ from the criteria to be a church warden.
WARDEN
Officers of a parish. Two wardens are typically selected to serve with members of the vestry. The wardens are generally ranked "senior" and "junior." The mode of selection and duties of the wardens are determined by state law, diocesan canon, or parish by-laws. The senior warden is usually the primary elected lay leader of the congregation, and serves as a principal liaison between the parish and the rector. The junior warden is often given responsibility for the upkeep of the parish buildings and grounds. The senior warden typically presides at vestry meetings in the absence of the rector, and the junior warden presides at vestry meetings if both the rector and the senior warden are absent. In case of clerical vacancy, the senior warden may be the ecclesiastical authority of the parish for certain purposes. In some parishes, the senior warden is known as the "priest's warden," and the junior warden is known as the "people's warden." (From An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church, A User-Friendly Reference for Episcopalians, 2000, Church Publishing)
Wardens are advocates of the congregation and the Rector, and often work as “go-betweens” in order to address issues and disputes. St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church has two wardens, and does not designate either as “junior” or “senior.”
Key Responsibilities of a Warden
-
Support the Rector and the rest of the vestry team to create a vision and plan of action that reflects and/or discerns God’s call for St. Joseph’s Episcopal Church.
-
Advocate for the congregation by listening to their ideas, concerns, and issues related to the mission of the church.
-
Support the ministries of St. Joseph’s by acting as an advisor to, and member of all ministries and church organizations.
-
Support the programs of St. Joseph’s through a commitment of service and giving and encourage the members of the church to support those programs.
-
Extend a hearty welcome to newly baptized, confirmed, received, transferred members, guests, visitors, and parishioners.
-
Work with the rest of the team to strategically allocate, manage, and prioritize the fiscal resources of the church.
-
Visibly participate in parish life ministries and encourage unity among all groups and ministries in the church;
-
Pledge financial support early in the stewardship campaign.
Time Requirements of a Warden
Wardens must be willing and able to devote their time to working as part of the church’s leadership and are expected to commit time for:
-
Meetings with the Rector, sometimes with little to no notice;
-
Meetings, conversations, and calls with members of the congregation, special committees, and leaders of ministries and church organizations;
-
Vestry meetings;
-
Work related to Vestry committees and sub-committees;
-
Vestry retreat(s);
-
Weekly worship services (rotating occasionally if more than one);
-
Congregational events: coffee hours, meals, fundraisers, adult education programs, etc.;
-
Support and participate in the congregation’s ministries;
-
Diocesan meetings, as necessary;
-
St. Joseph’s Annual meeting.
Skills & Desired Qualities
-
Display a love of God and neighbor, and a commitment to the Church and its mission;
-
Model an exemplary Christian life, and regular church attendance;
-
Commitment to working in partnership with the Rector;
-
Be honest and open, but non-adversarial;
-
Ability to initiative to work independently and collaboratively for the good of the church and the congregation—is able to “make things happen;”
-
Be available for regular meetings, sometimes on short notice;
-
Unflappable, non-reactionary when difficult things arise; a “non-anxious presence.”
-
Ability to address the congregation with confidence.
Requirements
The length of term for a Warden is 2 years and requires the person be:
-
Baptized;
-
Regular attendant of worship services;
-
Contributors for at least twelve (12) months prior to the election;
-
Eighteen (18) years of age or older
-
MUST be a confirmed communicant in the Protestant Episcopal Church.
Vestry eligibility are prescribed by the State of New York Religious Corporations Law (Article 3 Section 43), the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal 2018 (Title 1 Canon 14), and the Episcopal Diocese of Long Island Constitution, Canons, and Rules of Order 2019 (Title 1 Canon 3). Be advised that the criteria to be a vestry member differ from the criteria to be a church warden.