Who is in Charge?
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Send by emailJames 4:15 “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.
Actually, its not so much, who is in charge, for we know God is in charge, but who is charged with directing what we shall do within the boundaries God has set for us all here at Christ Church and in the world.
This all brings me to the topic, just who is in charge here at Christ Church. We are organized on a corporate model, with a CEO and board of directors known in the church as Rector and Vestry. The CEO/Rector is called (elected) by the Vestry and must be affirmed by the Bishop of the Diocese as Rector. His or her duties are specifically defined in Religious Corporations Law of the State of New York as “presiding officer of the vestry.” Other duties and conditions are defined in the Rector’s Letter of Agreement with the Vestry.
Our Vestry consists of five members, two Wardens and three Vestry Persons. While Wardens as senior members of the Vestry have a roll to play in certain situations, as in the absence of a Rector, when doing the business of the Parish the Rector and each Warden and Vestry member have one vote.
Our Vestry is further organized in five Commissions – Discipleship, Buildings and Grounds, Mission and Outreach, Communications, Evangelism and Finance. A Vestry member acts as Chairperson of each Commission, and membership in the Commissions is drawn from interested and committed members of the Parish. The Commissions meet regularly, include Bible study in their program and provide valuable input to Vestry decisions.
Currently the Commissions and their Vestry leaders are engaged as follows:
- Discipleship. Led by Warden Kevin Steckline, this Commission is conducting a study of the Bible and Basic Biblical Theology in preparation for a Parish mentoring program.
- Buildings and Grounds. Vestry member Anne Sebeck and her Commission have accomplished several projects include painting and repairs to the Rectory, new garbage shed, stabilization of church roof shingles and front steps, plus compilation of short-, mid- and long-range goals,
- Missions and Outreach. Vestry member Renee Farnham and Deacon Donna Steckline combine our Parish outreach, including St. Afterschool during the school year, Vacation Bible School in the summer and planning mission trips with regular Bible study.
- Communications. The parish newsletter, Parish House use calendar, Parish correspondence, grant writing and Vestry minutes are included in those functions overseen by this Commission headed by Vestry member Garrick Hoadley.
- Finance. Providing the Vestry and Parish accurate and timely financial information on which to base a budget for doing God’s work in our community and the world is the responsibility of Warden Terry Colf’s Commission.
