Vestry

St. John’s Vestry is an elected board of fifteen lay leaders who, with the Rector, provide oversight of the spiritual and material concerns of the parish. The Vestry is responsible for discerning the spiritual and programmatic goals of the congregation; casting the vision; overseeing finances; approving policies; and providing strategically for the equipment of St. John’s members for mission and ministry. At St. John’s, the Vestry is more than just a board; it is a working group and a spiritual ministry grounded in discernment, prayer, participation, and follow through.

Vestry members, who represent the congregation in every area of decision making, are elected at the annual parish meeting held in early February and serve staggered three-year terms. The Vestry meets monthly.

Each Vestry member serves as a commissioner to a particular area of ministry within the parish (e.g. youth formation, mission, outreach, etc.). Commissions exist to support and shape the ministries of St. John’s. On this page, you will find all our current Vestry members and the Commissions they serve.

This body of spiritual leaders is currently led by:

Leslie Redding, Senior Warden

Steve Peters, Junior Warden

Cindy Sessions, Treasurer

Kathy Bye, Finance Chairperson

Taska Zorn, Secretary

George Gwynn, Chancellor

Convention Delegates

The Annual Diocesan Convention is an annual gathering of clergy and elected lay representatives from every congregation across the Diocese of Florida. Its purpose is to build community among our parishes; receive reports from the Bishop and diocesan committees; elect and approve appointees for diocesan committees; approve the diocesan budget; and vote on resolutions that come to the floor. They will also participate in voting for the new Bishop of the Diocese of Florida once that election is called.

The delegates represent St. John’s at the Annual Diocesan Convention and are persons gifted in leadership and devoted to St. John’s, the Diocese, and the larger Episcopal Church. They typically serve for two years.