Church Leadership

We, the Vestry of St. Stephen's, are pleased to serve our parish in all manners of aid. The vestry has experience in a number of fields, from teaching and childcare to contracting and finance. We look forward to building up our ministries side-by-side with our fellow parishioners.

The vestry serves as the legal and governing body of the parish, overseeing all matters related to its corporate property and ensuring the well-being of the congregation. The size of the vestry and the length of each member’s term vary by parish, but members are typically elected by the congregation at the annual parish meeting.

The vestry is led by the rector or priest-in-charge, who serves as its presiding officer. Additionally, the vestry includes two wardens, each with distinct leadership roles. The wardens acts as a primary advisors and support to the rector or priest-in-charge and the senior warden takes on leadership roles in the absence of a rector. 

The primary responsibilities of the vestry are to define and uphold the mission of the congregation, ensuring that the church remains faithful to its calling in word and action. The vestry also plays a crucial role in selecting and supporting the rector, fostering effective organization and strategic planning, and overseeing the stewardship of financial and physical resources to sustain the ministry of the church.