News About Our Vestry Nominees
9. FOR VESTRY AND CHURCH MEETINGS Almighty and everliving God, source of all wisdom and understanding, be present with those who take counsel in The Vine’s Vestry for the renewal and mission of your Church. Teach us in all things to seek first your honor and glory. Guide us to perceive what is right, and grant us both the courage to pursue it and the grace to accomplish it; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Vine,
We have our Vestry nominee!
You have nominated nine folks to serve on Vestry. Three were not yet eligible, having arrived recently to The Vine or already serving on Vestry. Six came to a Vestry information/orientation last Sunday to get a fuller understanding of this role. They have all discerned with great intentionality whether they could serve The Vine in this way over the next three years — trust me, I know from being in communication with them.
- I am so encouraged by the intentionality of these nominees to discern. The Lord leads individuals — as well as the groups they are a part of — especially clearly when we listen. Your current and future leaders listen well.
Bryan Friesen is our new Vestry nominee! I and the many I’ve talked with about this are excited for Bryan’s leadership, experience, and discerning heart to join this group.
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Amy Grady and Chris Sequenzia are rotating off this term. They have served almost five years on our board-turned-Vestry, and have discerned the need to be leaders in other ways around The Vine.
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Our Vestry will start 2026 with four (Bryan, Clark, Claire, Dwayne) plus myself. This is smaller than we expected, yet mirrors the work your Vestry has envisioned over this coming year. We will intentionally create ministry teams for Vestry and non-Vestry members to serve on or lead, such as Missions, Prayer, Finance, and more. That we have a more nimble Vestry for such a year — and more capacity for leadership elsewhere — seems like the kind of unexpected provision that the Lord tends to give.
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Your Vestry members are committed to the full role of serving in this way. Many more now see the whole commitment more clearly, and are eager to prepare to serve in this way in future years. This is progress — growing in understanding and taking seriously this calling.
Most nominees who discerned “no” were hopeful (excited even!) to serve on Vestry in a future season. This means The Vine is postured for growth. That means get ready for what the Lord might be doing in and through us in the coming years!
Allow me to leave you with two questions to reflect on:
Who might Jesus be inviting into this community through you? And how might you join him in this invitation?
Are you called to serve in a greater leadership capacity? Where is your passion? Grab some time with me (or Hannah+) to explore and discern this sense of calling. Are you a future Vestry member, leadership team member or “spark plug” (i.e. leader/gatherer) for a certain ministry, or ordained minister? Our belief is that the Lord calls within community, so let’s discern together.
Michael+