Our Vestry
Left-Right Top Row: Matt Small (Sr. Warden: Administratve & Personnel), Chris McCrae (Fellowship) & Bill Ledbetter (Worship)
Left-Right Bottom Row: Anne Tower (Missions, Outreach & Evangelism), Bill Riggs (Discipleship) & John Perrow (Jr. Warden: Buildings & Grounds)
The Duties of the Vestry
The Diocesan Canons state that a Church shall have a Vestry which shall consist of not fewer than three or more than twelve members. Based on the canonical guidelines, Church of the Messiah has a Vestry consisting of six confirmed communicants in good standing who are elected by the Congregation for three year terms. Each year, two new members are elected for three-year terms to replace the two members whose three year terms are expiring.
The duties of the Vestry include:
1. Elect the Rector of the Church, with the advice of the Bishop
2. Ensure the Rector is properly supported, that his salary is paid in full and with regularity, together with the pension premiums and other obligations due from the Church
3. annually review the compensation of the Rector in keeping with the published guidelines of the Diocese
4. Make all necessary provision for Church music, with the advice and consent of the Rector and subject to his control
5. Advise the Diocese by November 30th of the percentage of its annual disposable income that will be shared with the Diocese in support of Diocesan Programs and remit the resultant sum to the Treasurer of the Diocese in regular monthly installments.
6. Transact all temporal business of the church, e.g.: (a) providing for the appointment of Trustees pursuant to the laws of the Commonwealth of Virginia to hold title to the property of the Church
7. Make and execute all contracts for erecting, furnishing, and preserving the Church edifice and other property
8. establish a Finance Committee as required by Canon 25 (Finance Committees)
9. Ensure all business methods in Church Affairs comply with Canonical requirements
The Junior and Senior Wardens are elected annually by the Vestry and have the following duties:
1. To oversee the operation and maintenance of the Church property;
2. To see that the Church is duly prepared for every occasion of public worship, attend to the accommodations of the congregation with seats, and maintain order and decorum at the time of public worship;
3. To collect the offerings of the people;
4. To provide out of Church funds, under the direction of the Vestry, a sufficient supply of vestments and books to be used in public worship and also the elements for each celebration of the Holy Eucharist;
5. To see that the sexton and other employees properly discharge their duties.