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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 2021 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.

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.

Dave Sevigny

Dave has been a member of St. Raphael’s for over 20 years and has been married to Paula for over 30 years. They have 2 adult children, Lauren (LA) and Andrew (Chattanooga), who were raised at St. Raphael’s. Dave is in semi-retirement after a successful 30 year career with his own business.  He now invests his time in his passion, helping small businesses in the Lexington area. Over the past 20 years, Dave has held most every leadership position at St. Raphael’s and the Diocese, and also has served as a deputy for three separate General Conventions.  In his free time, he enjoys non-profit work, (serving on several boards), and the freedom to enjoy his lake place and travel.

Janis

Janis Rosebrook

I am a life-long Episcopalian. I moved here to Lexington 2 ½ years ago from Los Angeles. I’ve been a member of St. Raphael for a year and a half. In Los Angeles, I was a vestry member, and was a member of Diocesan Council. I served 4 terms as President of the Board of Directors for the Diocesan adoption agency.

At St. Raphael I work in the office (reorganizing the church files), am a Sunday School Teacher, lay reader, and was in charge of the acolytes. I retired from UCLA 12 years ago. At UCLA I was Assistant Dean and CFAO of a large research unit. I do not have children, but do have a nephew who lives in Bowling Green. I’m proud of his service as a first responder.

Tim Allen

Tim Allen united with St. Rahael in 2019 after serving as pianist and youth/young adult leader for 13 years at Mt. Lebanon Missionary Baptist Church in Louisville, KY. Being versatile with 10 years in the mental health field, 4 years in the Jefferson County Coroner’s office, 20 plus years in hospitality and 5 years in real estate. A father of 2 sons, 2 horses and 2 dogs he enjoys gardening, bicycling, boating, hiking, skydiving and generally being one with God and his creations. A member of Lexington Build. Filling in where needed he is currently working with the St. Raphael Children’s Chapel looking forward to the journey of the church and the spiritual growth of our community.

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.

Kathy Gannoe

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.

Amanda Whorley

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!

Alex Bongard

Alex Bongard

I was a cradle Episcopalian at St. Raphael’s and served on the Vestry when I was in high school. I got engaged to Nisa Ingram and we wanted to be married in the church. Rev. Helen officiated at our wedding November 5. I am currently working at Target while studying to become a History teacher. Since attending regularly again I have reconnected with parishioners I remember as a youth and have met some who have joined in the interim. I am excited to serve on the Vestry again and provide a perspective from my generation.

Clerk:  Dave Sevigny

Treasurer: Paula Sevigny

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