Vestry 2023 is Anon!

By Kevin Smith

For newer members of our congregations, or anyone who could use a reminder, Vestry is the annual meeting of the Cathedral community as a whole. Anyone who is an accustomed worshiper at the Cathedral, and who has been on the Parish List for at least three months, is welcome to attend. This year it will be on Sunday February 26  following the 10:30 am Eucharist, in-person.

Vestry meetings look both at the past, as well as towards the future. The meeting includes updates about what has been happening over the past year among Cathedral clergy, staff, lay leaders, and throughout the Cathedral's many ministries and activities.  We remember our departed siblings in Christ who are now with God. Led by our Treasurer, we review the Cathedral's financial health and consider a 2023 budget. We also consider the report of our Nominations Committee - this year consisting of Jane Hope, Richard Sulkers and Mark Halyk - and elect lay leaders to work with the Dean and Rector, clergy, and staff in guiding the Cathedral into the future. 

Vestry is not a "legislative body" or a "shareholders meeting", the way you may know similar gatherings to be from other walks of life. It is different, because the Church and its governance structures are different. Although the annual Vestry meeting's core functions are to consider and approve the annual budget and to elect lay leaders, it has been the Cathedral's practice to invite Vestry members to submit non-binding resolutions for consideration and discussion by Vestry. This is because while in Anglican practice Vestry does not "legislate" for a parish or have a formal role in establishing policy, we recognize that all of us together are the "whole Church", and this opportunity allows Cathedral parishioners to bring forward certain issues for wider discussion.

With that in mind, anyone wishing to submit a resolution for consideration at Vestry should please do so in writing to Kevin Smith (smithkevinwilliam@gmail.com) with a copy to Dean Chris (chris@thecathedral.ca) by no later than 10 February, 2023. 

We ask that you register via Eventbrite to take part in Vestry. Please Register here to take part. If you have not been on the parish roll for at least three months prior to Vestry, you will not be able to vote.  

Vestry documents are available for download and review here.