Discerning Leadership Opportunities at Saint Mark’s

Vestry Member and/or Diocesan Convention Delegate Openings

Every fall, Saint Mark's Cathedral Vestry appoints members from the parish to serve as a Nominating Committee to discern and present candidates to stand for election by the parish to the Vestry and to the role of Diocesan Convention Delegate. Serving on Vestry and/or as a Convention Delegate are both significant leadership ministry opportunities that help define and articulate the mission of the church, steward our resources and share team ministry with Saint Mark’s clergy and staff.

There will be four open positions on Vestry as members rotate off after serving their three-year term. Parish Bylaws require that two candidates are nominated for each open Vestry position. Therefore eight candidate opportunities are open. In the case of the Diocesan Convention Delegate slate there will be twelve open positions. The Bylaws do not require a double slate of candidates for Delegates. Elections will occur at our Annual Parish Meeting on January 26, 2025.

Every Sunday in October, after the 9 a.m. and 11 a.m. services, members of the Nominating Committee will be present in the Coffee Corner. Come by to learn about the experience of those who are currently serving. Pick up material that further clarifies the role and responsibilities of Vestry membership and Convention Delegate. Nomination Forms will be available. Parish members can self-nominate or nominate another parish member with their permission.

Here is some of what current Vestry members are saying:

“Serving on vestry has enriched my life tremendously. It has increased my faith and my knowledge about Saint Mark's Cathedral.”    —Alexandra Thompson, Vestry member 2023–26

 

“Serving on the Vestry has been such a wealth of blessings for me.”    —Justin Mills,Vestry member 2022–25

 

“It is a privilege to be a part of this, and to see the reality of ‘Wherever two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.’”    —Greg Hamm, Senior Warden, 2024/25

 

“Serving on the vestry might be compared to working in the kitchen of a well run restaurant: you are directly involved in the shaping and making of so much of the work of this place. And you are invited to move more deeply into the community that forms the parish. But to say that leaves out the spiritual and sacramental dimensions that lie at the heart of the work, so that this community takes shape as the living and breathing body of Christ.”   —Doug Thorpe, Vestry member 2023–26

 

“Don't assume that you'll be overwhelmed with responsibilities, or that you need to have some special expertise to serve on the Vestry. What the Vestry offers is an opportunity to learn more about Saint Mark's goals, explore the "sausage making" that helps bring them to life, and take a deeper dive into the ministry of your choice—from creation care to communications to facilities. We meet monthly for approximately two hours, including dinner.”    —Martha Craig, Vestry member 2024–27

Nominating Committee Members: Carrie Davis, Adrienne Hubbard, Jim Buskirk, Liz Shea, Beatrix Hamm, Co-Chairs: Maria Coldwell and Scott Hulet