Who is Eligible to Serve on the Vestry?
According to the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, Canon 11, Section 4: Only lay persons who are confirmed adult communicants in good standing of the church, as defined in General Convention Canon 1.17., shall be eligible for election as Vestry Members of such church. However, regardless of eligibility of a person for election, no person shall be elected at a duly convened congregational meeting to consecutive full terms on a congregation’s Vestry or Vestry Committee.
So what does this mean in plain English?
“Confirmed Adult Communicant in good standing” means the following: - You are age 16 or older. - You have been baptized and confirmed in the church, and we have your baptism and confirmation duly recorded. - You are active in worship, and have received communion at least 3 times this year. - You have been faithful in working, praying, and giving for the spread of the Kingdom of God (meaning you are active and intentional about your participation in the life of the church and are known to the treasurer of the church). Furthermore, this Canon states that you can only serve one consecutive full term (3 years) on the Vestry.
Sabine Bibb
I am so honored to have the Vestry nominate me as a Vestry candidate this year. I would consider it a privilege to serve our congregation. Some quick basic facts about me! I am an Air Force brat and grew up mostly in Germany. I have been a resident of Loudoun County for 29 years. My husband Brett and I have been married for 29 years and we have twin boys. We have attended Trinity for 12 years. I attended George Mason University before starting my dual careers at Dulles Airport and a local newspaper. The past 25 years or so I have kept busy working, raising my two boys and breeding horses. I love going to college football games, attending many concerts and musical events and traveling. Initially we were drawn to Trinity by friends and the children’s programs. Quite simply, our whole family enjoyed going to church! I have served as a Sunday school teacher when my children were younger and as a Lay Eucharist Minister for many years. I have also served on various committees including Stable Tour and the kitchen renovation. I enjoy working with Tommy! We love hosting coffee hour a few times a year with friends. The fellowship of coffee hour is instrumental in fostering the sense of community of our church. Given the opportunity to serve on the vestry I would look forward to supporting and serving our church family.
Kathryn Gemmer
My role throughout my life has been to serve the Lord in whatever capacity he calls me to serve. I feel that my service through a role on Vestry would allow me to offer my vision of promoting God's word through a modernization of the way we approach education and messaging in a modern society. My professional work as Science Department Chair and teacher of science at Woodgrove High School in Purcellville allows me to combine my knowledge of youth and the way we approach communication with today's technology driven platforms in a very real context. I am a Navy wife of thirty plus years. I have taught high school science (biology, chemistry and physics) for twenty five years, as well as worked with the East Tennessee State University College Of Education and the Tennessee Board of Regents, consulting and researching the way we recruit and train young teachers for service in our public schools. At Trinity I am a dedicated member of our choir and I have taught several forum sessions for the Adult Christian Education Committee. I chaired the search for an administrative hire last year. I presently chair the Hunt Country Stable Tour.
Johanna Jackson
I am Johanna Jackson and I would be honored to serve on the Trinity Vestry. My family and I began attending Trinity Episcopal in 2010, after moving back to the greater DC area following a seven-year stint in Southern California. We chose Trinity because of Rob’s thoughtful sermons, the beautiful music, and warm congregation. My journey to the Episcopal Church began when I was a teenager growing up in Latin America in a US Foreign Service family. Bob and I were married in St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Napa, California. We christened all three of our children in the Washington, DC Diocese, and were active members of St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Monrovia, California. At Trinity I participate in Parish Life, am a Lay Eucharistic Minister, and really enjoyed our Trinity Tables group. The recent marriage of my son at Trinity, with some of our Trinity friends joining friends from long ago, was a very great joy. My professional career has focused on supporting children with disabilities in their development. I currently manage Loudoun County’s Early Intervention Program. My private obsession is gardening.
Joe Markus
Joe Markus has been a member of Trinity Church for over 30 years. He is married to Sandra Markus with whom he resides on Trappe Road in Upperville VA. He has three daughters and four grandchildren. His daughter, Stacy, and her husband, Jason, have recently been attending Trinity with their two children. Joe has a varied business background which he has used previously, serving for 2+ years as chair of Trinity's Finance Committee.
Melissa Nea
As a cradle Episcopalian, raised in Texas, I came to this area originally as a teenager for secondary school and then continued for college at Georgetown University. After graduating I was continually drawn back to this very special part of Virginia. It became clear that my heart is here and this is home. I have my own business as an interior decorator based in Middleburg. I officially joined Trinity in 2012 and have felt so much love and encouragement as I have become a part of this parish family. I have just completed 4 years of EFM through Sewanee and Emmanuel in Middleburg. It was not education for the ministry with a big M as they say, but education for ministry in your own personal way. Between EFM and my involvement at Trinity I feel I have truly come to understand what it means to be an active member of a church community. Trinity has given me so much as I have served as a member of the Healing Ministry, the Flower Guild, and as a volunteer for Vacation Bible School, Blessing of the Animals, the Christmas Auction party and Stable Tour. The love, encouragement and dedication of our members has made an immense impact on my life. Vestry is one way I can serve, give back and utilize the strengths I have developed in my own business, through EFM and as a volunteer member at Trinity. I have had the opportunity to know parishioners from many other Episcopal parishes and it has helped remind me of the many different perspectives and approaches of different congregations. It has also solidified in me that I have found my home in Trinity, and I am so eager to contribute to this parish and congregation.