ministries of stewardship and governance

The Vestry

The Vestry of an Episcopal church is like the governing board of directors, which meets monthly to take decisions on financial, personnel, and infrastructural issues, but also to drive the implementation of the mission and vision of the congregation

Each year our parish seeks and elects four new Vestry members Each Vestry member also serves on one of the subcommitees

The Vestry Mission and Ministry Subcommittee

The Mission and Ministry Subcommittee of the Vestry is made up of vestry members and non-vestry members This committee is charged with maintaining a strong and clear sense of our mission as a parish, ensuring that our ministries are aligned with that mission, and attending to the health of our varied ministries

The Vestry Administration Subcommittee

The Administration Subcommittee of the Vestry is made up of vestry members and non-vestry members This committee is charged with oversight of the maintenance of buildings and grounds, and policies related to campus safety (eg implementation of the emergency plan, COVID-related policies, etc )

The Vestry Finance Subcommittee

The Finance Subcommittee of the Vestry is made up of vestry members and non-vestry members This committee is charged with development and oversight of the annual budget, regular communication with the parish about the finances of the church, financial policies, and long-term financial planning for the health of the parish

Personnel Committee

The Personnel Committee is made up of vestry members and non-vestry members. This committee assists with personnel-related policies and procedures, advises the Finance Committee on pay scale questions, and advises the rector in personnel matters, while maintaining appropriately high standards of confidentiality.

The Land Committee

The Land Committee is made up of vestry members and non-vestry members. This committee monitors development contiguous to our property and is charged with making suggestions to the Vestry about how to respond and adapt to our developing landscape.

Stewardship Committee

The Stewardship Committee takes the lead each year in our annual October pledge campaign to secure the needed operating funds to make the mission of St James' possible Planning starts in August and the last phone calls are made in January