Vestry and Staff Directory

St. Francis Vestry 2012      

Term 2012    David Cypher              Patti Schiesz*           Bob Byrd*

Term 2013    Chris Gonzalez             Ellen Hamilton          Terri Coley  

 Term 2014    Jeremy Tucker             Gene Griffin               Joe May                   

*Appointed for One Year.        

Ellen Hamilton, Senior Warden  2011  ellenhamiltonpt@bellsouth.net                    

David Cypher,  Jr.  Warden Outside 2011  mcypher741@aol.com

Larry Van Slyke,  Jr. Warden Inside 2011  vanslyk@bellsouth.net

 The Vestry of St. Francis                                                               

As a parish, St. Francis is governed according to the Constitution and Canons of the Episcopal Church USA, as well as the Diocesan Canons of the Episcopal Diocese of Alabama.

Along with our rector, the community of St.Francis is led by nine elected lay-members who serve on our vestry. Three new members are elected every year to serve for a three-year term. Together they discern, plan, and oversee the life and mission of the parish.

In 2006, the vestry made the decision to organize itself into three "Parish Commissions," in order to give greater support to our rector and staff, and meet the growing needs of the church. The three commissions are: Outreach and Education, Parish life, and Parish Administration.

Each commission is made up of three vestry members who work together in a mutually supportive manner to oversee the various ministries under their care. Commissions and vestry assignments are evaluated once a year after we elect new members, offering our vestry members the opportunity to try areas of service that may be new and different to them.

Each vestry member is also assigned a "Vestry Circle," or portion of our church membership, to stay in communication with over the course of the year, making themselves  available to respond to questions and relay information on events in the church's life to our members.

Part time staff, including an Administrative Assistant, Youth Director,  Church Musician, and a Deacon support our parish organization.  We also are blessed to have the help of many volunteers who assist with accounting and treasury, office support, and the many other ministries of St. Francis.