Vestry Paper Reader Stories

Vestry Papers informs, inspires, and affirms thousands of vestry members to lead more effectively. See how:

The Rt. Rev. Rayford High, Suffragan Bishop of Texas:

“When I make my visitations to parishes in my diocese, I encourage vestries to subscribe to Vestry Papers. I know our leaders are using this resource because they tell me how helpful it is, and I have begun to see the fruits of our labor together. For instance, one senior warden told me that the vestry of his parish was evaluating their rector and focusing on him as if he were running a business. After reading Vestry Papers, they realized they should be shifting their attention to the spiritual and leadership role of a priest as well. Then there’s the church that assigns articles in Vestry Papers to its vestry members. At the beginning of each month’s meeting, they analyze their assigned article. This practice has really helped them grow as a group.”

Good Shepherd Episcopal Church, Tryon, NC:

Since 1908 Good Shepherd has been the center of ministry for Tryon, NC. A small congregation in a close knit community, its members are especially committed to its ecumenical conscious¬ness and actively involved in local outreach ministries serving children and families, providing food and housing assistance, offering Christian education and pastoral care, and more.

The lay leadership of Good Shepherd are not passive readers of Vestry Papers. As part of their focus on continuing vestry education, members report back to the whole group their learn¬ing and insights, sharing not only valuable information and best practices, but learning together how to become more effec¬tive leaders. They also make Vestry Papers available to the entire congregation, keeping everyone involved in the learning process.

“I think Vestry Papers is important for vestries who feel lost. I’ve told my vestry many times that there is no point in reinventing the wheel – Vestry Papers has laid it out for us. All we have to do is use it! I also share topics with my clergy colleagues to facilitate discussion around important issues.”

The Rev. Walter L. Bryan, Rector

St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, Bronx, NY

Since 1899 St. Margaret’s Episcopal Church, located in the Longwood neighborhood of the South Bronx in New York, has served as a vital center of worship and outreach in the community. Its work includes food programs, after school programs that have helped improve children’s academic performance and enabled those who have begun the program not speaking English to gain fluency, summer day camp, as well as serving as a site for Head Start and Alcoholics Anonymous.

“At times our vestry has felt as though we are the only church that has the problems and challenges we have,” says the Rev. Theodora N. Brooks. “When they see the issues addressed in Vestry Papers, they know they are not alone.”

In addition to attending to day-to-day parish business at their meetings, the vestry of St. Margaret’s also reads and discusses relevant Vestry Papers articles, and is currently focused on some of the topics raised in the Christian Hospitality issue.