CHURCH OF THE REDEEMER- Morristown, NJ

The Vestry is the legal body of the Church of the Redeemer that oversees the property, real and financial and solicits and spends the moneys of the parish. The Vestry defines the vision of the parish and takes on the specific tasks to implement it. The Vestry defines the policies that will govern the common life of the community. The worship of the parish is the sole responsibility of the rector. As he/she chooses, this responsibility for worship may be shared. Since Vestry members are elected from the parish community, they are responsible for representing the community.

In fulfilling their role, it is understood that vestry members will:

Pledge to the parish both a financial and a ministry commitment.
Attend worship on a regular basis.
Attend monthly vestry meetings which take place each month except for August.
Attend other vestry meetings as determined by the Vestry. Currently, the Vestry is meeting the last Sunday of the month on a temporary basis, to address important issues that need dedicated time to discuss (like Capital Campaign projects and By-Laws changes).
Participate in a Vestry workday or weekend retreat once each year.
Take a major responsibility for one area of the parish's life. Serve as a vestry liaison to parishioners working in this area; assure that ministry members are trained and supported in their roles; communicate vestry decisions and request input from those participating in ministries; report monthly to the Vestry on the status of the ministry/committee.
Gather monthly reports from his/her area of responsibility and submit them in time for inclusion in monthly Vestry Meeting packet.
Based upon input from ministry teams, propose items for the Vestry agenda.
Make every effort to attend major parish events (e.g. new members' luncheons, coffee hour, parish picnic, stewardship events, special parish meetings, etc.).
Maintain awareness of the passions, needs and concerns of the members of the community; provide feedback on these matters to the Vestry or clergy.
Communicate and explain to parish members the decisions and policies of the Vestry along with the vision that guides its actions.
Bring to the Rector's Advisory Group meetings sensitive parish issues for discussion. All comments made at the Rector's Advisory Group meeting are confidential to allow freedom of discussion.
Give counsel and support to the rector and other staff members. Concerns about the staff are to be brought to the rector, as they report to the rector and the rector reports to the Vestry and to the bishop.

All discussion and deliberations in the Vestry meetings are open to the public, except for executive sessions. The Vestry's discussions and actions are part of the public record in the published minutes of each meeting. Employee matters are dealt with in executive session.

When a Vestry member's service began by filling an unexpired term of a former Vestry member, at the end of the partial term the member may submit his/her name for election for a full 3-year term at the Annual Meeting on the same basis as others seeking election.