The St. James’ Vestry, our elected governing body, is comprised of parishioners who represent a broad spectrum of our community and are responsible for the “temporal affairs of the parish,” for stewardship of church money and property, and program development and oversight. Their work often goes unnoticed, but each member has a passion for, investment in, and commitment to our life together in Christ. So when you come to worship, you can focus on what’s really important.
YOUR CHURCH. YOUR LEADERS. YOUR CALL.
Election overview
At the Annual Meeting on May 22, 2023, the parish will elect a Warden and five Vestry members. Nina Huffman and Aaron Simpson have each completed one three-year term. Eligible for re-election, they have each chosen to stand again. Tristan Bultman and Stephen de Francesco completed their second three-year term and are ineligible for re-election.
Who can vote
All baptized parishioners of 18 years or older who have been in regular attendance at worship services at St. James’ and are contributors of record are encouraged to vote. Rules of eligibility will be enforced per the parish by-laws.
A note on Fixed Slate Elections
At the Annual Meeting in May 2018, the parish approved a change to our By-laws, to move from contested elections for Vestry service to having the parish elect a fixed slate of candidates, in which the number of candidates proposed by the Nominating Committee matches the number of open positions.
The Nominating Committee met in January. The committee consisted of Anne Strassner, Chair, Tristan Bultman, Missy Condo, Norris Daniels, Stephen de Francesco, Susanna Guffey, Marcy Sendax, and Chris Workman. Brenda Husson served ex-officio. The Committee received several nominations from the congregation, all of which were thoughtfully and prayerfully considered. In our work together, we discussed the criteria that we felt was important for the slate given the continuing and current Vestry membership, as well as the Expectations and Responsibilities of all Vestry members.
THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE PRESENTS THE FOLLOWING SLATE FOR THE ST. JAMES' 2023 ANNUAL PARISH ELECTION:
Richard considers it a privilege to serve on the Vestry after having done so once before for six years during the transformative “Master Plan” years in the late 1990s/early 2000s. Professionally his career has been a mix of twenty years in private banking and more recently in residential real estate. For over three decades, in times of joy and difficulty, St. James’, has played a critical, influential and stabilizing role in Richard’s life. He has two grown children, Charlotte and Preston, who were baptized and confirmed at St. James’ and grew up participating in Sunday School, children choirs, and as acolytes. Upon their graduation, he shifted from the 9:10am service to being one of the Usher Captains for the 11:15am. It is however the Candlelight Communion service at 6:00pm, with its contemplative and centering qualities, that has become his mainstay. Richard is grateful for St. James’ participation in Renewal Works and the opportunities for spiritual growth that are available through these rich and varied offerings. It is his hope these programs, often small groups welcoming a blend of newcomers and parishioners of longstanding, will continue to grow in participation. They are sources of inspiration and connection that provide the means and pathways for each of us to strengthen our relationship to and love for God and to one another.
Name: Cabot Henderson
Family: Alana Henderson (wife); Cabot Henderson (son); Cordelia Henderson (daughter)
Personal statement: I am extremely grateful to be considered for the vestry. Since my wife and I joined the church in 2012 to find a place to baptize our oldest child, drawn initially if truth be told mostly by the beautiful service and music, we have found St. James’ to be an ever-growing presence in our family’s lives. From the opportunity to nourish my faith as we celebrate communion at the 9:10 service, to the development of my children’s spiritual journeys, to being a member of a parish that actively helps those in need in the city and world we live in, I am proud to call myself a member of St. James’ and look to help maintain its mission in the community. Outside of St. James’, I work as a financial analyst and am proud father to two children in the choir.
Name: Zachary Hora-Moir
Family: Reginaldo Hora-Moir (husband)
St. James’ ministries: 6:00 pm service candle volunteer, Daily Office scheduler, Gay Men’s Small Group facilitator, Adult Formation committee member, healing prayer minister
Personal statement: St. James’ has been my church home for the past 8 years. It is where my husband and I were married, and it is where we have had our faith nurtured and strengthened. I am excited to serve on the Vestry as a way to give back to a community of faith that has given so much to me. St. James’ is committed to being a place where people in all stages of life and at all levels of faith are welcomed and loved, and I am looking forward to serving our community as we continue this important work.
I am excited and honored to serve on the Vestry of our vibrant church, which happily has been my family’s spiritual home for more than 20 years. I am a strong advocate for our outreach ministries, which provide opportunities for participants to deepen our relationships with God, the St. James’ clergy and staff and fellow parishioners. This energizing work demonstrates the extraordinary gifts of St. James’ – the collective spiritual gifts of the institution – drawn from generations of devoted and impactful parishioners and leaders. I believe our Christian duty calls us to engage with the broader community and share these gifts to promote the common good, now more than ever.
Name: Madeleine Rice
Family: Marc Rice (husband), Lila (daughter), and Cokie (daughter)
St. James’ ministries:
Current | Layreader, Member of Grants Committee, Volunteer at Friday dinner program
Former | Member of Newcomers Committee, Mission Committee, volunteer at the Tuesday Lunch Program
Personal statement: It would be a great honor to serve on the Vestry, representing my fellow congregants and supporting the new rector, clergy, and staff as we enter this exciting new transitional phase of our church. St James’ has been my church home, along with my husband Marc and our daughters Lila and Cokie, since 2008. My spiritual life has grown and deepened through the many meaningful programs and services that St James’ offers. Over the course of these years, through today, I continue to volunteer in mission driven work at the Friday dinner program, serve as a Lay Reader at the 6pm Candlelight Communion, attend forum discussions, and most recently am a member of this year’s Catechumenate class. I am constantly inspired by the incredible members of the St James’ community to grow in faith and to serve others and look forward to doing so in this new role.
Aaron P. Simpson is an attorney, husband and father, and an active member of the St. James’ community. In fact, all the members of the Simpson family are active in the life of the parish, serving in liturgical roles during worship and in Children’s and Family Ministries. “Like the city itself, what we love about St. James is that it is a Church for everyone. All are graciously welcomed through those doors on Madison Avenue by our wonderful clergy and invited to grow in their Christian faith, participate in a diverse array of programs and ministries, and develop authentic relationships with their fellow parishioners.”
Prior to coming to St. James’, Aaron served on the Vestry of St. John’s Church in Larchmont. He is on the Advisory Council for the College of Liberal Arts at his alma mater, the University of Texas at Austin.
