Vestry
Our church is led by its Rector, a priest that is called by our Vestry and approved by the Bishop.
Additional ordained clergy and lay leaders are called to assist with the mission and ministry of our congregation, currently numbering over 500. Vestry members are lay people elected by the congregation at its annual meeting to serve three year terms. The Vestry, a term originating in the ancient church as a place where vestments were stored, and where lay leaders of the congregation might meet with the rector, is charged with supervising the temporal business of the church in accordance with the church's By-laws. Vestry leadership is provided by a Senior Warden and Junior Warden, who are elected by the Vestry each year for one year terms of office. A Treasurer, responsible for the financial activity, and a Register, who serves as the Secretary for the Vestry, comprise the other officers of the parish, and are elected by the vestry for one year terms. Various committees and commissions are established to conduct both the temporal and spiritual activities of the parish, staffed by lay persons called to the specific areas of ministry |
Grace Episcopal’s current Vestry is composed of twelve lay persons, whose terms expire as indicated:
Class of 2023 Don McQueen Julie Russell Chris Smith Kathie Woods Class of 2024 Bill Adams Emily Morrison Mary Leslie Tise- Junior Warden Margaret Wachenfeld- Senior Warden Class of 2025 Beth Baptist Tom Estes Keith Perry Kathie Trossi Treasurer: Rich Stock |
|
|
Grace Episcopal Church has three Trustees who hold legal title to the property of the church in trust for the Diocese of Virginia. These Trustees are appointed by the Vestry and must be approved by the Virginia Circuit Court to serve in this capacity. This practice has its roots in the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, written by Thomas Jefferson and supported by James Madison, which was passed by the Virginia Assembly in 1786. The governing law is now contained in the Virginia Code, Title 57, Article 2, "Property Held for Religious Purposes," adopted in 1950. Its substance is also embodied in Canon 15 of the Diocese of Virginia: “Church Property”. Under the law, Episcopal churches are unincorporated associations, incapable of holding title to real property. The limited role of the Trustees is to hold title to the property of the church on behalf of the Vestry, but they have no role in its management or use. The Trustees must also execute all documents necessary in connection with the purchase, sale, or encumbrance of church property.
Over the years, the Trustees of Grace Church have periodically received funds from gifts or bequests of members of the church and the community at large to be used in their discretion for the confidential charitable benefit of church or community members suffering unusual hardships. The church maintains a Trustees Fund to hold these funds until they are put to use for these purposes.
The Trustees are Barclay Rives, Corky Shackelford, and Reg Woods.
Over the years, the Trustees of Grace Church have periodically received funds from gifts or bequests of members of the church and the community at large to be used in their discretion for the confidential charitable benefit of church or community members suffering unusual hardships. The church maintains a Trustees Fund to hold these funds until they are put to use for these purposes.
The Trustees are Barclay Rives, Corky Shackelford, and Reg Woods.
