Vestry Candidacy Submissions
Open November 6–20, 2025
At the Annual Parish Meeting on February 8, 2026, the parish will elect five new Vestry members to serve three-year terms, forming the Class of 2026. According to the Customary of the Diocese of Dallas, the Vestry is accountable to the congregation for the supervision and conduct of the temporal affairs of the congregation. It also shares the responsibility with the Rector for setting the pace, shape, and direction of parish life.
In accordance with the Parish bylaws, the Vestry Nominating Committee has been duly constituted and includes the five retiring Vestry members and up to ten representatives of different parish organizations who are designated by the Vestry upon the advice of the Rector. The Senior Warden serves as Chair of the Nominating Committee. This year, members of the Nominating Committee include Will Beecherl, Sarah James, Joy Lockard, Steve Smiley, Andy Welch and retiring Vestry members JT Gage, Sally Jones, Elizabeth Steed, Lisa Longino, and Robert Hulsey.
The Committee is charged with prayerfully discerning and presenting a slate of five qualified nominees for election to the Vestry at the Annual Meeting. In its deliberations, the Committee seeks individuals whose gifts and experience will strengthen the Vestry’s capacity for faithful leadership - balancing continuity and renewal, and ensuring a diversity of ages, genders, worship attendance, and ministry backgrounds.
It is a privilege and a responsibility to serve on the Vestry, and now is the time to submit names of proposed new Vestry candidates to the Nominating Committee. The Bylaws of the Parish say, “Any confirmed communicant in good standing who is at least 18 years of age and who has been a financial contributor of record for one year before the election takes place is eligible to serve as a Vestry member.” Members of the Vestry and candidates for this leadership position must have demonstrated a strong commitment to be in Church every Sunday, Holy Days of Obligation, and other days of special devotion. The first and most solemn duty of a member of the Vestry is to lead by deed and example. Ideally, the Vestry should represent the whole church.
Please consider recommending someone whom you think would be a good Vestry member to represent our church in this role.
How does the process work?
Members of the parish are invited to submit written recommendations of proposed candidates to the Nominating Committee for consideration during the period from November 6 through November 20. Submissions will not be accepted after November 20.
The Nominating Committee will deliberate and prepare a single slate of five nominees from among the names submitted to present to the Vestry at its December meeting. These candidates must meet the canonical and bylaw requirements and be willing to serve. Once approved by the Vestry, those names will be placed in nomination and voted on by the Parish during the Annual Parish Meeting.
Please note: Only the slate of nominees approved by the Vestry upon recommendation of the Nominating Committee will appear on the ballot at the Annual Parish Meeting. There is no provision for additional or floor nominations during the meeting itself.
This process ensures that all potential nominees are prayerfully and equitably considered by a broad spectrum of faithful and engaged parishioners, and that those presented for election have given their consent to serve if chosen. It reflects our parish’s commitment to discernment through representative leadership and orderly governance under the Canons.
The final slate will be published to the parish with biographical information and photographs available on this website by January 15, 2026. Voting instructions for qualified members will be provided before the Annual Meeting.
We invite your prayers for the Nominating Committee and for all who may be called to serve in this vital leadership ministry. We hope you will participate by submitting your information regarding your proposed candidate using this link.
The information you provide will be submitted to the Nominating Committee, which is charged with the responsibility of nominating five persons to be considered for election to the Vestry. You must have the consent of the person whose candidacy you would like for the Nominating Committee to consider. You both will receive a confirmation email acknowledging the receipt of your submission. If you do not receive a confirmation email, please call Gay Hayslett at 214-217-5617 or send an email to .