The vestry is the elected governing body of the church. St. Mary’s vestry consists of 12 lay members of the congregation and the rector. Four members are elected to three-year terms each year at the annual meeting. The vestry typically meets on the second Tuesday of most months. This year, vestry member Tim Williams is writing monthly reports to keep you informed about what our vestry is up to!
We are excited to publish the year’s first monthly vestry report to the parish. We began our new year as a vestry—and the Lenten season—with our annual retreat in Florence, beginning Friday evening, March 6 and ending Sunday, March 8, 2025. We welcomed four new members—Jessica Barnhart, Aimee Lodge, Tim Williams, and Court Wirth—and spent the first evening getting to know one another over a delicious meal prepared by our senior warden, David Turner. Afterward we played a fun team-based game involving “spies” using code words to prevent assassins from ending the game!
Saturday was dedicated, first, to orienting new members, followed by team work to determine the major projects the vestry feels called to undertake in the coming year. After brainstorming, deliberation, and prayer, we agreed on two major projects: building a welcoming community and continuing the work of enriching our sense of belong in our parish. Two individual committees formed to take on each of these projects and began to outline goals. In the evening, we enjoyed more fellowship followed by another wonderful meal, this time prepared by Bingham+
On Sunday, Daylight Savings Time fooled no one, and we gathered for delicious homemade waffles, prepared by yet another vestry master chef, Peter Verrey. We then celebrated Eucharist against the backdrop of a sunny sky and shimmering Siuslaw River. Following Eucharist, we held our first official meeting of the year. Business included electing Victoria Smithweiland as junior warden, Mary Anne McMurren as clerk, and Ron Scharfer as treasurer. We approved convention delegates and vestry alternates, and vestry representatives to parish committees. In all, the weekend was an energizing one, and we are eager to serve our fellow parishioners in the coming year.
