Vestry - St. Raphael Episcopal Church

The vestry is the legal representative of the parish with regard to all matters pertaining to its corporate property. The number of vestry members and the term of office varies from parish to parish. Vestry members are usually elected at the annual parish meeting. The presiding officer of the vestry is the rector. There are usually two wardens. The senior warden leads the parish between rectors and is a support person for the rector. The junior warden often has responsibility for church property and buildings. A treasurer and a secretary or clerk may be chosen. These officers may or may not be vestry members. The basic responsibilities of the vestry are to help define and articulate the mission of the congregation; to support the church’s mission by word and deed, to select the rector, to ensure effective organization and planning, and to manage resources and finances.

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/library/glossary/vestry

The St. Raphael 2024 Vestry

Amy Smereck, Sr. Warden

Amy Smereck has attended St. Raphael since spring of 1999 with husband Chris Bollinger and their two children, Beth and Thomas, now adults. She has served multiple stints on the Vestry and as Treasurer and was Sr.
Warden in 2007. She has been involved in formation for children and youth, designed and maintains the church website and email lists, and sings in the choir. Amy has served on the Diocesan Budget Committee and was a co-chair in 2021. Amy is currently a self employed freelance writer and marketer. In her spare time, she enjoys cooking, traveling, crossword puzzles, and curling up with a good book. Since the first time in attendance, Amy and family have found St. Raphael’s to be a truly welcoming congregation, one that is open to all no matter where they are on their spiritual journey.

Term ends: 2024

Laurie Daugherty, Junior Warden

Laurie Daugherty and her husband, John, joined St. Raphael in 2019. Previously they were members of Southern Hills United Methodist Church where Laurie taught children’s Sunday school when her children were young. Their two daughters are now away at grad school. This past year Laurie has been a member of the Finance Committee and Property Committee. In her professional life, Laurie is an attorney with Montague Law, PLLC where she advises business clients and works with several nonprofit organizations. In her free time, Laurie enjoys gardening, yoga and traveling to new destinations. She has found a warm and welcoming church
home at St Raphael and is honored to serve on the Vestry.

Term ends: 2024

John Hazlett

John Hazlett is a husband, father, teacher, Coach, Veteran, and Christian. He has been married for 29 years this November 4 to his lovely wife Leah Newsom, and my son, Brandon, who is currently stationed at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. This will be his 25th year of teaching at Rosenwald-Dunbar Elementary in Nicholasville, a journey from the classroom to enjoying the last 11 years as the Physical Education Teacher. He has been an Assistant Coach in Youth Football and Cross Country, and for the last 7 years has been coaching wrestling in Jessamine County. He served 30 years in the Army, with time on active duty during Desert Storm, to the Army Reserve as a Drill Sergeant, and finally to the National Guard as a Senior Infantry Instructor and acting Command Sergeant Major with the 238th Regiment, before officially retiring in 2016 as a Master Sergeant. He enjoys furry critters, sunsets and landscapes, traveling, and coffee on cool mornings, (well actually every morning.) He tends to be shy and reserved, although you would never guess it. However, with all the success that he has enjoyed, it was St. Raphael’s that took him in at the lowest and most troubled point of my life. The shelter and comfort that he found at St. Raphael’s gave him the opportunity to reconnect with my faith and to serve others. He’s still learning and growing as a Christian and feels blessed to do so at St. Raphael’s.

Term ends: 2024

Kathy Gannoe

St. Raphael has become my church home over the past year and a half. It has
been a joy to worship here and to see opportunities for service. My entire life my husband and I were involved in church work at every level. I welcome the opportunity to use these experiences at St. Raphael. Professionally my work has been advocacy for persons in the disability and the aging community. Now that I am retired and widowed, I look to my new church family for opportunities to serve and to fellowship.

Term ends: 2025

Amanda Whorley

I grew up attending St Raphael’s. I have good memories of serving as
an acolyte, crucifer and singing in the choir as a preteen and teenager. While in college I attended Good Shepherd. When my kids and I needed extra love and support we returned to St Raphael’s. I am a social worker working at Baptist Health Hospital in Lexington for 11 years. I have three children Isaac, 20; Mason, 15; and Alaina, 13. I have enjoyed serving on the Altar Guild for many years and recently assisting with Children’s Chapel. I am grateful to be able to serve on the Vestry at St. Raphael’s. I love that our church is warm and welcoming!

Term ends: 2025

Mike Hart

Mike and his wife, Tracy, began attending St. Raphael Church in 2017 and became members thereafter. Previously, they were members of Church of the Resurrection where Mike served on the vestry, supervised two major construction projects, and traveled to Haiti on four mission trips.

In 1970, Mike married his first wife, a lifelong Episcopalian, at Christ Church and began his journey with the Episcopal Church. While attending Christ Church, Mike was in charge of the Diocesan Habitat for Humanity project, building houses for four years, and the Diocesan Boy Scouts project. Mike has two sons and Tracy has a son and a daughter and together they have eight grandchildren with a ninth on the way.

Currently, Mike is in the process of retiring and enjoying life to the fullest with relaxation and lots of travel. Mike is happy and grateful for the opportunity to serve St. Raphael, his new church home.

Term ends: 2025

Lisa Booth

Lisa Booth and her husband Mike have attended St. Raphael’s since 2018. Lisa is a clinical support professional at Family Practice Associates. The couple live in Lexington. They enjoy spending time with their family, grandkids, and pets. Lisa is a member of the Crafter’s group.

Term ends: 2026

Carol Summers

Carol Summers and her spouse (Michael) have recently retired. We enjoy camping, boating, traveling and have many hobbies. We have attended St. Raphael since 2008.

Term ends: 2026

Clerk: Kathy Gannoe

Treasurer: Paula Sevigny