St. Matthews Episcopal Church

St. Matthew's has a Vestry composed of fifteen members of the parish who are responsible for the running of the business side of the church as well as various Commissions. Each year five people "retire" from a three year term on the Vestry, as five more people are elected at the Annual Meeting, which will be held on Sunday evening in January. Elections at this Annual Meeting will also be held for representation to the Diocesan Council and the Endowment Committee.

After the Annual Meeting, the Vestry members will be invited to attend a get acquainted coffee. A Vestry Retreat will follow the Friday and Saturday after the annual meeting. This retreat will familiarize the Vestry members with procedures and provide them with an opportunity to bond with one another and share in fellowship.

Click here to for the Vestry Application

These are the requirements for eligibility per the Canons and By-laws for the Vestry:

1. At least 18 years of age
2. A baptized and confirmed (or received) communicant in the Episcopal Church and a member of the St. Matthew's parish
3. Have not previously served a full term on the Vestry within the past 12 months.

The following items are also to be considered as part of your commitment to serve the community at St. Matthew's.

1. Pledge a 10% tithe or be seriously heading towards a tithe by making annual increases in percentage giving.
2. Agree to a three-year consecutive term unless otherwise stated and take a leadership role.
3. Attendance at regular and special worship services and parish events. This is especially important if you are the Vestry Person of the Month.
4. Each person serves as Vestry Person of the Month (VOM) at least one month of the year. VOMs are responsible for overseeing donated funds at the church’s main (usually 10:30am) service and other church events plus serving as greeters and hosts when needed. Additionally, each Vestry member oversees donations at the early (usually 8am) service once each quarter.
5. Attend all Vestry meetings and special Vestry workshops.
6. Recognize that membership on the Vestry is a commitment to service and Stewardship should be at top of your call to service.
7. First year members will be involved in the Stewardship Commission which will include participation in the following:
   • Attend the Stewardship Conference at Camp Allen (July/August 2010)
   • Attend Stewardship Commission meetings
   • Help with Stewardship Commission tasks
8. In addition to serving on the Stewardship Commission, first year members may join other Vestry members serving on one of the following commissions:
   • Building and Grounds Commission
   • Communications Commission
   • Finance Commission
   • Outreach Commission
   • School Board Liaison
     (The above should be decided upon with the approval of the Rector and Senior Warden. When considering these roles, please understand that the Vestry and Rector are attempting to share and disperse authority and that care will be taken for any Vestry person not to be overly burdened. Therefore, if a first year Vestry person assumes leadership over a Commission, then expectations for involvement in stewardship or other commissions would be lessened.)
9. Attend the Annual Vestry retreat 
10. Attend the Diocesan Vestry and Wardens seminar at a church in Austin
11. Be willing to listen, learn and lead.
12. Have a record of leadership in at least one area of the parish life and ministry.

And according to the Diocesan canons, subscribe to the following declaration:

"I am persuaded that the Holy Scriptures contain all doctrine required as necessary for eternal salvation through faith in Jesus Christ: and I accede to the Doctrine, Discipline and Worship of the Protestant Episcopal Church." [from Canon 9, Canons of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Texas. ] I meet the requirements of the Canon and with God's help will do my best to comply with St. Matthew’s additional requirements for vestry members. I understand that the personal information contained on the Candidate Information Form will be published and made available to my fellow parishioners at St. Matthew's.

Vestry applications can be downloaded here or picked up in the church office. Forms should be turned in to the church office by early December. This is a publication deadline, not a nomination deadline. If you have questions about serving on the Vestry please feel free to contact This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .