A Thank You to All Vestry Members
On behalf of the Episcopal Church Foundation (ECF), I want to thank all new vestry members, as well as those who are returning for another year of service to your congregation. Serving on a vestry is holy work that requires constant faithfulness, commitment, and openness to the movement of the Spirit. In partnership with the clergy, you are responsible for the spiritual, strategic, and financial well-being of your congregation – in other words, the very heart and soul of the church!
As a former vestry member myself, I am familiar with the challenges and joys, and ups and downs, that vestry service brings. Know that I, as well as all of ECF’s staff, will keep you in our prayers as you embark on this exciting leadership journey, discerning what God is calling your congregation to be as the Body of Christ in your own particular time and place.
Finally, know that ECF is here to help. As an independent, lay-led organization, ECF exists to help congregations thrive. We’ve included just a few resources below that I hope you will find helpful as you begin your new year of vestry service. Most importantly, feel free to be in touch with us at any point along the way. We’d love to hear from you.
With hope and best wishes for your New Vestry Year!
Donald Romanik
President of the Episcopal Church Foundation
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The New Vestry Resource Guide: Whether you’re a first time vestry member or a seasoned veteran, the Vestry Resource Guide offers an approach for leaders of congregations and faith communities to consider and tailor to meet their own needs. Topics include the ministry of the vestry, leading a community of faith, stewardship, and navigating transitions in clergy leadership. The newVestry Resource Guide is available in English or Spanish, and in both print and e-book formats, and is available
The ECF-Kanuga Church Leadership Conference takes place on February 19-21 in Hendersonville, North Carolina, and brings together vestries and other church leaders for learning, reflection, and formation. It’s a time and space for vestries to ask the big questions facing their congregations, featuring outstanding speakers and workshop leaders presenting ideas and resources, not only to inspire, but also for practical tools in ministry.
ECF Vital Practices - Reboot Your Vestry: For many, the beginning of a new calendar year represents an opportunity to ‘reboot’ things that just aren’t working as they should. To kick off the new year, ECF Vital Practices invited experienced leaders from across the Episcopal Church to share a leadership approach, experience, or strategy for refreshing or renewing a vestry or other leadership team. Their offerings are available in the January and February issue
ECF Webinars on Vestry Leadership: Get 2016 off to a great start! ECF's free webinars are a great way to get your congregational leadership teams engaged in the strategic, leadership, and financial topics that are essential to the health of your congregation. This winter’s lineup includes vestry orientation, endowment investment strategies for 2016, senior warden ministry, vestry retreat planning, and basics of a capital campaign. Get your teams !