The Select Vestry is the governing and business management committee of the parish – responsible for the finances, property maintenance, communication, and compliance with regulations. The clergy manage the spiritual aspects.
The membership comprises:
- Clergy
- Churchwardens
- Glebewardens
- Up to 12 additional other elected parishioners
The Rector acts as Chairperson, and an honorary secretary and honorary treasurer are nominated.
There are usually two churchwardens per church – and because we have two churches we have a total of four churchwardens. Each church has a rector’s warden, who is nominated by the rector – and a people’s warden, who is elected by the congregation.
The glebewarden is responsible for the upkeep of the parish lands and buildings.
Formation and operation
The members of the Select Vestry are elected once a year during an annual general meeting of the congregation, called the Easter Vestry meeting. The date of the Easter Vestry is announced some weeks in advance. All members of the church (who are on the electoral roll) are entitled to nominate and vote for Select Vestry members.
If you are a new member of our congregation, make sure you get on the electoral roll ahead of the Easter Vestry. Forms are available in church in the weeks before the meeting.
Once elected, the Select Vestry meets usually monthly. The meeting is chaired by the Rector, and it follows an agenda. An overview of the discussion and any decisions made or actions assigned are captured in the minutes of the meeting.
The Select Vestry provide a vital function in keeping the parish organised and compliant. They act as trustees of the parish’s assets, employers of any parish staff, and as representatives of the wider church congregation.
If you are interested in serving on the Select Vestry, the Church of Ireland has an Introduction to Serving on a Select Vestry document (PDF) that give more details.
More about the Select Vestry: https://www.churchofireland.org/parish-resources/select-vestry