Annual Vestry Meeting: What Is It and Why Should I Attend?

The Annual Vestry Meeting is the Annual General Meeting of the parish. There are a number of important items of business that make up the meeting. We receive various reports including from our bishops, Rev. Dana in conjunction with her sermon, and the wardens, that all speak about what has happened in the year past and look forward to the year to come, in terms of our mission as the Church. Complimenting these reports are the audited financial statements and the budget and we have recently included a Stewardship report that helps to give context to the numbers. While the leadership team spend considerable time working to present a realistic budget, it is the congregation that makes the commitment to the budget by voting on it. As the majority of the income is from envelopes and fundraising, it is up to all of us to do our part. There are also reports from the various ministries and groups within the church that demonstrate the wide variety of ministry that we are involved with. Each year we also elect and appoint the various leaders and representatives for the parish. We are always open to more people joining the Advisory Board, and you are welcome to sit in on a meeting if you would like to get a better idea of what we do. The final piece of business that sets the course for the coming year is the Social Justice and Advocacy Motion. The motion each year addresses an issue that has come to the forefront that year. 

All who are able are encouraged to attend the Vestry meeting. The criterion for voting is the following declaration:

“I solemnly declare that I have been a member of the Anglican Church of Canada and of this congregation for at least three (3) months, that I have attended regularly scheduled services of worship with this congregation at least three (3) times in the past year, that I am of the full age of sixteen (16) years and that I have not voted as a member of any other vestry during the previous three (3) months, nor do I intend to vote in any other vestry during the ensuing year.”

We aim to have the Vestry booklet emailed out about 10 days in advance of the meeting, as well as having hard copies available at the church the Sunday before (February 15). Everyone is encouraged to read it, and if there are questions to come prepared to ask (If you do have questions that you think require additional information, please contact the wardens ahead of time to give them some opportunity to gather that information.) Attending the meeting is important, because it is the best way to know what is happening and ensure the health and vitality of the parish for years to come.

Notice of Meeting: Sunday February 22, following the service, in person and on Zoom. We encourage people to attend in person if they are able, but you may also join us by Zoom. We expect to have the Zoom room open around 11 am, and as soon as we can transition from worship, we will begin the meeting, likely closer to 11:15 or shortly after.