Vestry Nominations 2023

This spring, we will mark a significant transition in the life of St. John's as Seamus Mitchell completes his two consecutive two-year terms as Senior Warden. Seamus has been an invaluable leader of the Vestry, confidante to me, and supporter of the church, and we all owe him a great debt of thanks. During his tenure, Seamus has continued the Stewardship Revitalization, supported the once-in-a-generation rehabilitation and expansion of our Cemetery, overseen important staff changes at the church, lent his counsel to our endowment, finance, and governance committees, and has been a source of strength to me as I have navigated difficult personal and professional times. He has been a friend and advisor on so many matters it would be hard to share them all.

In every way, Seamus has been an incredible and very productive warden.

This month we begin the search for a new warden. The next warden will work closely with me and with Jeremy Bradford, who continues his service to the church as Junior Warden, to help pursue the mission that God has called St. John's to accomplish over the next two to four years.

The By-Laws state that "the vestry members, including the Wardens and clergy, shall constitute the corporate body of the Parish and shall be the agents and legal representatives of the Parish in all corporate activities, as well as the Parish's relations with its clergy and the Diocese." And again, "among the duties of the Vestry are as follows: calling of a rector, stewardship of buildings and grounds and fiduciary responsibility for the finances of the church." That is a lot to ask.

The Wardens also serve as ex-officio members of all standing committees of the Vestry, including Buildings and Grounds, Finance, Stewardship, and Personnel Committees, as well as the executive committee of the Memorial Cemetery of St. John's Church.

Given all that we have going on at St. John's, it is a really important job.

Former St. John’s treasurer Anne Pace has agreed to lead our Nominating Committee. She and the Nominating Committee will be calling for nominations shortly to present a candidate at the annual meeting. While that meeting is in the Spring of this year, the committee would like any suggestions by Ash Wednesday, February 22nd. I hope that many of you will prayerfully consider who might be called into this important ministry at St. John's. Anyone interested in learning more about the work is welcome to visit with either Seamus or me as you seek to discern if you are called to the work.

This is an exciting moment of opportunity for St. John's and for all of us. I ask for your prayers and goodwill as we move through it.