How are we organized?

The Church of the Epiphany is governed by the  Vestry and Rector with guidance from the Bishop.  The Vestry members are elected to three-year terms during the Annual Meeting in January.  Duties include monthly vestry meetings (which are open to the community), and serving either as the head of a particular ministry or as liaison with a ministry group.  Our vestry meetings are presided over by the Senior Warden, who is appointed by the Rector.  A Junior Warden is elected by the congregation. In addition to the rector, the church employees several other professionals on its Staff. The Annual Budget for the church is managed by the vestry. The parish is subject to it By-Laws.

The Rector is not only a spiritual leader but an executive director.  Although the Rector is called by the Vestry, he or she also is the Bishop's representative to the congregation.

The Church of the Epiphany legally belongs to the Diocese of California and its Bishop.  The Episcopal Church, as indicated by its name, gives a great deal of authority to the bishops within each diocese.  That is why church rules may be interpreted differently in different dioceses.  The bishops elect the Presiding Bishop of the Protestant Episcopal Church of the United States.

Each national Episcopal church is a part of the worldwide Anglican Communion.  At this time, there are approximately 70 million Anglicans in the world.

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