The Vestry
In the Episcopal Church, the Vestry is the governing church board of trustees. The Vestry has three major purposes. Those three are: The Stewardship of Parish Finances, the Stewardship of Parish Property, and the Election of a priest to serve as the Rector, once approved by the Bishop. The Vestry shares decision-making with the Rector on all other areas of parish leadership. The parish Rector is the President of the Vestry and presides at all vestry meetings.
The business of the church is conducted in accordance with the parish Bylaws. St. Paul’s – Parish Bylaws Amended August 2022
The following policies provide guidance to carry out the day-to-day operations of St. Paul’s.
Up until 2022, there were nine elected vestry members at St. Paul’s. At the Annual Meeting each January, the congregation elects individuals from a nominating slate to fill open slots on the vestry. In January 2022, by a motion and approved vote, the rules were suspended for one year, and the vestry was expanded to 11 members. This change allowed for a smooth parish operation in a year of transition while a search was conducted for a new Rector. The Senior and Junior Wardens remained in their positions for an additional year, with terms that expired on December 31, 2022.
In August 2022, there was a revision in the bylaws to change the size of the vestry to six members, with this transition commencing January 2023. This change is reflected in the Bylaws Amendment of August 2022.
St. Paul’s Vestry meets most months of the year on the fourth Wednesday, at 7:00 PM. Currently, meetings are conducted in combination of in-person attendance and by Zoom. Minutes to vestry meetings, once approved, are posted at this link: Minutes of the Vestry
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2024 – Your Vestry:
Vestry Members With Terms Ending in 2027:
TaMara Oertel, Senior Warden, Liaison for Education & Finance
Karen Schaefer, Liaison for Outreach
Vestry Members With Terms Ending in 2025:
Joel Arnold, Junior Warden, Liaison for Building & Grounds, Intersection 150, Partners for Sacred Places
Celeste Lord Timlin, Liaison for Outreach
Tina Morrison, Clerk of the Vestry, Liaison for Worship
Vestry Members With Terms Ending in 2026:
Heather Gagnon, Liaison for Pastoral Care
Zan Millner, Liaison for Stewardship
Jan Bugbee, Treasurer, (Not a voting member of the Vestry.)
Staff and Parish Support:
The Reverend Father Thomas Manney, Priest-in-Charge
The Reverend Deacon Donna Kusky, Deacon in Residence
George Gibson, Director of Finance
Holly Richardson, Director of Music
Karein Russell, Administrative Assistant, Editor of the Epistle
Rafeal McDaniel-Walker, Gospel Choir Director
Ed Arter, Organist
Terence Whitehead, Sexton
Celeste Lord-Timlin, Audio/Visual & Technology
Edythe Peake, Web Editor
Elizabeth A. Jordan, Ph.D., Member of Diocesan Council
Jelecia Ford Geraghty, Member of Diocesan Standing Committee
For All Communication with the Vestry and Staff of St. Paul’s: office@stpaulschurchflint.com
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At the Annual Meeting in January 2023, the following individuals concluded their service on the vestry: Barbara Mannor, Rebecca Bennett, and Maggie Hart. They were recognized with the appreciation of the St. Paul’s community, and an acknowledgement of the contributions that they made.
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2023 Annual Meeting Summary
The Priest-In-Charge and the Vestry Scheduled the Annual Meeting as follows:
The Annual Meeting of St. Paul’s Episcopal Church
January 22, 2023 ——10:00AM
Below is an informal summary of the Annual Meeting. The formal minutes of the meeting have been approved, and are post on the page of Vestry minutes.
January 22, 2023 Annual Meeting Recap