In the Episcopal Church, the Vestry is the legal representative of the Parish with regard to all matters pertaining to its corporate property and finances.  The Vestry at Grace is composed of nine members of Vestry (who each serve three-year terms), two Co-Wardens, the Treasurer and Assistant Treasurer, and the Clerk of the Vestry, and are elected at the annual Parish Meeting held in February each year.  The Rector is the presiding officer of the Vestry. Members of the Vestry are responsible for helping to define and articulate the mission of the congregation, supporting the parish’s mission by word and deed, selecting a Rector, ensuring effective organization and planning, and managing the resources and finances of the Parish.

Why is this governing board called a Vestry?  Well, in England the annual election of Church Wardens took place in Easter week.  All adult male member of the Parish gathered at the church to hear the outgoing Wardens render their accounts and to elect their successors.  These meetings took place in a room off the chancel where the clergy vested, thus the assembled parishioners became known as the Vestry.  These were open Vestries to which all adult males were members.  Over time, and for the sake of expediency, congregations began to transition to closed Vestries to which a set number of parishioners (usually six to twelve) are elected to sit on the Vestry.  Today, anyone (male or female) who is 16 years of age or older are permitted by the Canons to be elected to the Vestry.  At Grace Church, the Vestry normally meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month in the library, and Vestry meetings are open to any member of the Congregation who wishes to attend, though permission must be granted to speak to any particular issue.  Minutes of any Vestry meeting are available to any member of the congregation.  Please contact the church office to request minutes: office@gracechurchnb.org.