Staff


Governance and Staffing
As a part of the Episcopal Church in the United States and in the Diocese of Virginia, Holy Comforter reflects those democracies with their checks and balances. The processes of elections, licensing, confirmation and the calling of clergy are summarized at the bottom. The current holders of Priest, elective offices and staff positions are below.

	Clergy & Staff The Reverend Geoffrey Coupland, Rector Martha Jones, Minister of Music Carey Perkins, Parish Administrator Stephanie Cox, Housekeeper Andrea Skeens, Nursery Supervisor
	Vestry John Vandervelde, Senior Warden; liaison for Christian Formation. Art Raymond, Junior Warden; liaison for Stewardship. Terry Long, Register Helen Reese, Treasurer; liaison for Finance. Kay Thorson, Assistant Treasurer. Lori Anderson, liaison for Parish Life. Phyllis Dawson, liaison for Worship. Diane Gilkenson, liaison for Pastoral Care. Cameron Hunt, liaison for Outreach. Bill Smith, liaison for Property. Gayle Turner, liaison for Evangelism & Marketing.

Trustees

: Helen Reese
: Terry Long
: John I. Oatts

Foundation Members

: John I. Oatts

: Sue Taylor
: Deborah Usry
: Steve Van Voorhees


Election and Responsibility
Members: The primary witnesses of Christ in the World. Support the Parish with their time, their talent and their annual pledges of money. Elect Vestry members who serve three-year rotating terms and cannot be re-elected without a one-year gap. Elect Foundation Trustees who serve three-year rotating terms and can be re-elected for up to three terms.	Vestry: Has responsibility for and is in charge of property and finances. Elects (calls) a Rector when needed. Elects Delegates to the annual Diocesan Council. Service on the Vestry requires that a member pledges and has been confirmed or received into the Episcopal Church.
Rector: Has responsibility for and is in charge of worship, music and education. Must be licensed by the Diocesan Bishop. Selects and manages the paid staff. Has a vote at the annual Diocesan Council.	Foundation: Manages and disburses selected endowed funds. Service as a Trustee requires prior service on the Vestry.

The Commissioning of the 2009 Holy Comforter Vestry


Diocese
A geographic collection of parish churches, headed by a Bishop and a council or convention of parish-elected lay delegates and licensed clergy. There are three dioceses in Virginia.
Virginia Diocesan Council: Meets annually, usually in February. Made up of lay and clerical (ordained "minister") orders. All licensed clergy have voice and vote. Lay delegates elected by their Vestries have voice and vote. Critical issues may require a majority vote by the separate lay and clerical orders. Elects Bishops as needed. Has responsibility for and is in charge of property and finances. Determines by vote the canons (rules) of the Diocese. Appoints committees, some of which share approval powers with the Bishop.	Diocesan Bishop: The Bishop is the spiritual and temporal head of the Diocese. Confirms or receives new members for the whole church. Ordains clergy - Deacons and Priests - and joins two or more other bishops in ordaining a new bishop. Licenses various liturgical roles including clergy, lay Eucharistic ministers, lay readers, servers at the Eucharist, lay preachers, etc.. At the every-three-year General Convention has voice and vote in the House of Bishops.

Episcopal Church
The name of the church in the United States that has its roots in the Church of England. The common name for the world-wide collection of these churches is the Anglican Communion which forms a "consultative communion" meeting collectively every ten years. Its fastest growth is in Africa and Asia where its members outnumber those of the European and North American churches.