Word of the Week
Vestry
From the Latin word vestire, meaning "to clothe". Originally the word referred to the room where the clergy would vest, that is, dress in the clothing or vestments that were appropriate to the worship service.
As time went on, lay leaders would gather with the clergy as they vested to discuss the affairs of the parish. Hence, the term became formalized to refer to the body of lay leaders instead of just the room. [Some parishes still maintain a vestry room in addition to a sacristy; the sacristy being the place where the communion vessels and appointments are kept. Have I lost you, yet?]
The vestry is the governing board of the parish and consists of the rector, wardens, and lay members. It is also common for the rector, wardens and treasurer to form an executive committee which meets separately from the vestry to establish the agenda and address immediate issues.
Canonically, the vestry is the group elected by the communicants to make the basic decisions about the church budget, and manage the parish's temporal affairs.
Decisions about worship and music are made by the rector, often with the aid of individuals with specific knowledge or interest in those areas.
From the Latin word vestire, meaning "to clothe". Originally the word referred to the room where the clergy would vest, that is, dress in the clothing or vestments that were appropriate to the worship service.
As time went on, lay leaders would gather with the clergy as they vested to discuss the affairs of the parish. Hence, the term became formalized to refer to the body of lay leaders instead of just the room. [Some parishes still maintain a vestry room in addition to a sacristy; the sacristy being the place where the communion vessels and appointments are kept. Have I lost you, yet?]
The vestry is the governing board of the parish and consists of the rector, wardens, and lay members. It is also common for the rector, wardens and treasurer to form an executive committee which meets separately from the vestry to establish the agenda and address immediate issues.
Canonically, the vestry is the group elected by the communicants to make the basic decisions about the church budget, and manage the parish's temporal affairs.
Decisions about worship and music are made by the rector, often with the aid of individuals with specific knowledge or interest in those areas.
posted by Vicar at 5:31 AM
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