Guidelines & Responsibilities of the Vestry
| History of the Vestry | The term vestry originated in Great Britain and referred to the room next to the nave of the church where the sacred vessels and vestments were kept. Those conducting parish business met in this room and came to be known as the vestry. The executive committee of the vestry is made up of the two wardens and the rector. The principle behind this, as well as the whole structure of the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion, is one of ordered and diffused authority. | |||
| Canon law and the Vestry |
The canon law of the Church charges the vestry with the following responsibilities:
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| Eligibility for Vestry |
To serve on the Vestry in the Episcopal Church, one must meet the following requirements:
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| Make up of the Vestry |
The Vestry is made up of 15 members:
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| Election |
Vestry members are elected at the annual meeting of the parish the first Sunday of May of each year. Wardens are elected for a term of two years. They may be re-elected one more term but to run a third time they need to be off the Vestry for one year. At-large members are elected for a term of 3 years. They may be re-elected one more term but to run a third time they need to be off the Vestry for one year. |

