All members of St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral congregation are invited to attend the 2021 Annual Meeting to elect four parish Vestry members and twelve Delegates/Alternates to the Diocesan Convention. The Annual Meeting will open on Sunday, January 24, 2020 at 9:45 AM for the purpose of announcing the candidates and opening nominations from the floor and go into recess until it resumes at 9:45 AM on Sunday, January 31, 2021. The agenda will include:
- The Annual Parish Election of 4 Vestry members and 12 delegates to Diocesan Convention.
- Brief reports from parish leadership and committees.
See the complete agenda for all three sessions of the 2021 Annual Meeting here.
PLEASE NOTE: Voting will take place via a special web link sent out during the meeting on January 31. If you cannot use Zoom, or if you plan to join the meeting over the phone, or have limited internet access, or if you have any other concerns, you may phone Erik Donner in the cathedral office at 206.323.0300 x217. Erik will record your vote anonymously and keep your vote strictly confidential. You must call between Monday, January 25 at 9 a.m. and Friday, January 29 at 4 p.m. to be counted.
Who makes up the Vestry?
The Vestry currently consists of 17 members: 12 elected from St. Mark’s Parish, three diocesan members appointed with the consent of the Bishop, the Dean who chairs the Vestry, and the Bishop (or his designee). Additionally, the Chancellor, Treasurer, and Clerk serve with the Vestry as non-voting officers. All Vestry members are to be persons with demonstrated qualities of dedicated commitment to St. Mark’s (or their own parish), leadership and vision with responsiveness to the needs, concerns and hopes of the world.
Vestry leadership resides with the Dean and individuals who are traditionally known as “wardens”, together with other Vestry Officers. In accordance with the By-laws Article IV, Sec. 1, the Senior Warden and Chancellor (the Cathedral’s attorney) are appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Dean. The Junior Wardens, Clerk and Treasurer are elected by the Vestry. Currently, the Dean prefers to appoint as Senior Warden the leader chosen by the Vestry.
Each member serves for one three-year term. This year, the members completing their terms are: Julia Logan, Senior Warden; Carrie Davis, Kari Nasby, and Michael Perera.
The Vestry shall aid and support the Rector to promote the spiritual welfare and growth of the Parish. The Vestry shall transact the temporal affairs of the Parish.
—Saint Mark’s Cathedral Bylaws
In considering the Vestry Nominees
When choosing among the Vestry candidates, the Nominating Committee invites you to consider the following about each person:
-
Dedication to the Saint Mark’s community that is demonstrated by regular participation in worship and prayer
-
A gift for leadership with the ability to communicate effectively and work constructively with others
-
Support of the mission and ministries of Saint Mark’s that is demonstrated by active ministry leadership and a history of regular pledging of financial support
-
Experience with organizational structures and development
-
Ability to understand the large and complex financial life of the Cathedral
-
Understanding of the challenges involved in living through the dual missions of a Cathedral and a Parish
-
A commitment to strengthening the Cathedral’s role in the community
-
A desire to maintain strong Parish relationships within the Diocese
Who can vote in the Parish Election?
St. Mark’s Constitution (Art.1, sec.3) provides: In accordance with the Constitution and Canons of the Diocese of Olympia, “Parish Communicants” are those baptized persons who are faithful in corporate worship and who have received the Sacrament of Holy Communion at St. Mark’s at least three times during the previous year (unless good cause prevented) . . .”; "Parish Communicants in Good Standing” are those Parish Communicants age sixteen years or older, who are recorded contributors to the support of St. Mark’s with money or with personal service. . .Unless subsequently defined otherwise by Diocesan or Episcopal Church canons, “Parish Electors” shall include all the Parish Communicants in Good Standing.” For purposes of voting at the 2021 Annual Meeting, the inability to have received the Sacrament of Holy Communion at St. Mark’s at least three times during the previous year because of the Cathedral closure due to the pandemic will be considered to be “good cause.” At the meeting’s opening on January 24, nominations may be offered from the floor.
Nominating Committee
This committee is designated by the Cathedral’s Constitution and Bylaws to present to the annual Parish meeting a list of nominees for Parish representatives. The committee also invites nominations for delegates to Diocesan Convention. The process involves careful vetting of all candidates and includes interviews with those standing for election to the Vestry. This year’s committee membership is: Lynne Markova, Chair; Carrie Davis, Julia Logan, Senior Warden; Peter McClung, Junior Warden; Michael Perera, John Selberg, and Dean Steve Thomason, ex officio. Questions? Contact: nominations@saintmarks.org.
