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Vestry Resources - Vestry
General Information
Vestry Historical Origins (Ref. 12, A Vestry Member's Guide,
Bowen 1983)
• Early Church: Clergy controlled church property, church income, as well
as the conduct of all religious services.
• Late Middle Ages: Layman given recognition as "churchwarden" with
duties to keep the church in good repair.
• England: Whole parish met as a vestry in the vestment room, i.e., the
vestry.
• During American colonization, some parishes in Church of England
entrusted some parish functions to a "select vestry" of 12 - 24 men
including election of wardens, collection of church taxes, and care of
church property. Churches in Virginia and other colonies followed suit.
• Until American Revolution, authority and role of "select vestry"
contested. For example, selection of parish clergyman by vestry or royal
governor, appointed or elected, limit of responsibilities
• After Revolution, vestries took more control and began to function as
we know today.
• 1904 General Convention: Vestry formalized in Canon 13 of Title 1.
o Selection and term of
Office determined by State or Diocesan Law.
o Vestry agents and legal
representatives of the State or Diocese in matters concerning its
corporate property and relation to Clergy.
o Rector, when present,
presides at Vestry meetings.
National Church
• National canon law makes Senior and Junior Wardens jointly responsible
with minister and vestry for providing information to Bishop.
• Must notify bishop when Rector retires or resigns.
• Must send written notice of election of new rector.
• Wardens and vestry shall not permit any person to officiate without
proper license and ordination.
• Ordination of women as priests and bishops authorized at September 1976
General Convention.
Diocese of Texas
• Vestry elections permitted as early as October 1 st of preceding year.
• Vestry member term is three years; hold office beginning immediately
after January Parish Meeting following election.
• Requires declaration of faith: "Holy Scriptures contain all doctrine
necessary for eternal salvation...
• Cannot succeed themselves until after one year off the Vestry.
• Vote at 16; serve on Vestry at 18.
• Title to all real estate held by Diocese through Church Corporation,
i.e., Protestant Episcopal Church Council of the Diocese of Texas.
• Canonically resident clergy and 4 elected lay representatives attend
Diocesan Council as voting members.
Good Shepherd Incorporation and By-laws
• Annual Parish meeting no earlier than October of preceding year to
elect Vestry members.
• Representatives to Diocesan Council elected at January Parish meeting
and serve 3 year term.
• Incorporated May 28. 1982. School separately incorporated 2002.
• 12 Vestry men or women. 4 members elected each year for 3 year term.
• Monthly meetings of Vestry.
• Board of Directors of Corporation is Vestry.
• By-Law changes require affirmative vote of two-thirds of the Vestry.
Vestry Member Orientation_Nolting_2008
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