The Role of the Vestry

The Vestry serves as the parish’s legal and financial body and, with the Bishop’s approval, calls a new rector when the position is vacant. At St. Elizabeth’s, as in many Episcopal churches, the Vestry also functions as a team of mission leaders, with the rector serving as Chair by national canon. When there is no rector, the Senior Warden—consulting with the Vestry and under the Bishop’s authority—oversees the congregation’s welfare and ministry.

 

Wardens


Sandy Sullivan (2026)

Michael Dickson (2028)

 

Vestry

Catherine Carter (2026)

Bruce Firkins (2026)

Sheryl Jordan (2026)

Emma Reichert-Pasterick (2026)

Denise Barrand (2027)

Catherine Cardew (2027)

Steven Gorey (2027)

Andy Hoy (2027)

Steve Anderson (2028)

Joan Cooke (2028)

Jeremy Sabella (2028)

Elizabeth Thauer (2028)

 

Treasurer

Steven Gorey

 

Clerk

Catherine Carter

 

Diocesan Convention Delegates for 2025 Convention

Peter Angelica

Buffy McKay
Sandy Sullivan

 

Convention Alternate for 2025 Convention

Mary Hayes

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Parish and Diocesan Offices​

Each autumn, following St. Elizabeth’s custom, the Vestry forms a Nominating Committee—co-chaired by the Wardens—to propose candidates for election at the January Annual Meeting. The committee includes outgoing Vestry members and an equal number of other parishioners.

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Vestry Candidates

The Nominating Committee proposes four candidates for three-year Vestry terms.

 

Qualifications for Vestry Members

Any parish member in good standing may be proposed to the Nominating Committee for nomination. Principal qualifications of Vestry members are: regular attendance at worship, active participation in the life of the congregation, sharing stewardship work of the congregation (including making a financial pledge and serving in the Annual Ingathering), and the ability to attend monthly Vestry meetings, semi-annual Parish Work Days, and the annual Vestry Retreat each winter. Since the Vestry is a working body, the ability to attend the annual retreat and the monthly meetings is an essential qualification for nomination and election. Vestry members serve a single three-year term.

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Diocesan Offices

The Nominating Committee also proposes at least two delegates and one alternate for the Diocesan Convention each January. Delegates should be active, regular Sunday attenders, committed to the wider Church, and able to attend the full Convention. To support communication with the Diocese, delegates are often current or recent Vestry members.

 

Please Make Suggestions

The Nominating Committee welcomes your suggestions for these roles. Please send nominations to the Church Office, c/o the Nominating Committee.

 

Wardens

To conform to New Jersey statutes, the parish elects a warden every year for a two year term.  Wardens may serve for a maximum of 6 years in succession, although typically serve only two terms for a total of 4 years.  At the first meeting following the election, the Vestry designates the Senior and Junior Warden based on experience. Wardens need to be confirmed members of the Episcopal Church and need to have served a term as a member of the Vestry. When the office of Rector is vacant, the Senior Warden, in consultation with the Vestry and under the authority of the Bishop, is responsible for the welfare and continuing ministry of the congregation. The custom at St. Elizabeth’s for some years has been for one Warden to be a man, and one a woman.

 

For at least the last two decades, our custom has been for the serving Wardens and the Rector to propose a candidate for the open position of Warden to the Nominating Committee, and the Committee, if they have no objection, includes that nominee in the list of candidates they present to the parish at the Annual Meeting.