From the senior warden: "Serving on the Vestry has helped me grow spiritually and opened my heart"

Dear Friends,

​It’s dark in the mornings when I wake up now. Nights and days are cooler, falling leaves blanket the driveway. And I’m heading into the final three months of my surprise term as your senior warden. What an adventure I never expected to have in my life! You know that annoying commercial about “young people becoming their parents”? It does happen. Both my mother and stepmother were “church ladies.” Stepmother Gloria was the first female senior warden at her church in Kansas City.

I want to take this opportunity to share my experience of vestry service. Why? Two reasons:

1. I believe the reputation of the Vestry deserves an upgrade. When we began recruiting new members last year, several of us discovered that serving on the Vestry had a somewhat ominous reputation. Some individuals rolled their eyes when we mentioned it, while others politely changed the subject or suddenly felt called to visit the restroom.

2. This fall we are actively recruiting at least four new members for three-year terms on the Vestry. We are seeking people of all ages, backgrounds, and diverse experiences who want to share their time and talent with our community.

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After three years of service, I’m here to tell you vestry service doesn’t deserve its bad rap. This past year, our Vestry collectively agreed to focus on amping up our visibility, fun quotient, and engagement in parish life. The goal was for our vestry service to be deeply impactful and meaningful. We didn’t neglect the hardcore business of the church, reviewing budgets and expenditures and making policy decisions. We asked and encouraged the hard questions. But I believe we accomplished our work along with much more than a modicum of uplift, inspiration, and support for each other.

Serving on the Vestry provides an opportunity to personally influence the direction of the church. It’s also an opportunity to develop new friendships and deepen existing relationships while working together to address the big challenges we face and fostering the steady flow of new projects that keep St. John’s vibrant and relevant. My goal as senior warden is to ensure that “all are welcome,” heard, respected, and included, echoing our communion invitation.

Learning more about all the good that St. John’s brings to our community and the world, I have gained a much deeper appreciation for our amazing parish community, dedicated clergy, and staff. Serving on the Vestry has helped me grow spiritually and opened my heart. I invite you to consider joining this blessed community of talented people who are committed to serving St. John’s and supporting each other.

Thank you to both of my mothers for their example of how life-enriching vestry service can be.

With love and gratitude,

Pat