Vestry
The Vestry is the governing and decision-making body of an Episcopal church, consisting of elected lay (non-clergy) representatives. Vestry members must be “Voting Members,” which means they are official members at Holy Comforter, confirmed, 16 or older, and faithful in attending worship, and in giving of their time, talent and treasure.
Vestry members have responsibility for the financial condition and physical assets of the Parish. They approve the annual operating budget and oversee the hiring and compensation of the Rector. They are also ambassadors for Holy Comforter with visitors, identifiable by their Vestry badges on Sundays. They are a friendly presence eager to help all parishioners get connected or be heard. They advise the Rector on strategic planning for the parish’s overall well-being, spiritual as well as temporal.
Quarterly financial forums update parishioners on the financial status of the parish at 11:30 in Henry Hall on the following upcoming dates:
2024 Quarterly Updates
3rd Qtr. – Annual meeting 11/10/2024
Your 2024 Vestry Members
Joyce Bott
Senior Warden / Vestry Liaison for Finance & Administration
HOCO has been my church home since late 1994, when I moved from Winston Salem, NC to Charlotte, NC. I have been involved in the life of the church in many capacities: a youth leader, lector, adult choir, bell choir, on the boards of the weekday school and Endowment/Foundation, member of the search committee for our former rector David Hodges, served a prior term on our vestry, as well as participating in various outreach activities like Room In the Inn.
Personally, I am the parent to two young adults: Grace and Ruthie. Professionally, I am a health & welfare benefit consultant, advising my clients on their employee benefit package, managing the renewal cycle and financial impact of proposed changes, as well as offering employee education and communication vehicles, all while keeping in mind the client’s overall compensation strategy. I hold a bachelor’s degree from Boston University in psychology and a Masters of Business Administration from Wake Forest University.
Vestry Liaison for Finance & Administration (2024)
Carlyle Knox
Junior Warden / Vestry Liaison for Facilities, 2701 Circle Group
Vestry Liaison for Facilities, 2701 Circle Group (2024)
Anne Binns
Clerk / Vestry Liaison for Adult & Youth Spiritual Formation
The Episcopal Church has been an important part of my life for as long as I can remember. I am a cradle Episcopalian, and my childhood is filled with memories of acolyting, EYC, church camp, and more. Fun fact – Ian and I met on an outreach trip with our respective college Episcopal Campus Ministries!
I feel so blessed to be part of the Holy Comforter community. My life has been enriched by the worship and relationships we share. I am thankful that my children are growing up knowing the love and values of this church family. As they grow older, I love that they get to become the next generation of acolytes and EYC. I hope that our family can continue to share the love and generosity we receive from this community.
Vestry Liaison for Adult & Youth Spiritual Formation (2025)
Mary Amos
Vestry Liaison for Women’s Ministries
Over the past 40 years since Allen and I started attending Holy Comforter, I have served on the Vestry four times. I consider it an honor to serve our church in any way because I am so grateful to have this parish and it’s family in our lives.
Vestry Liaison for Women’s Ministries (2025)
Jason Evans
Vestry Liaison for Parish Events – Small Groups Monthly/Weekly
Vestry Liaison for Parish Events – Small Groups Monthly/Weekly (2024)
Tom Cooke
Vestry Liaison for Communications & Technology
And a Gracious Good Day!
I grew up in the south, and actually attended elementary school and junior high school (Middle School for you young folk) here in Charlotte. After attending Chapel Hill, I moved to the Los Angeles area for about 10 years. After having had enough fun in CA, I moved back to Charlotte. I married, we had a child, Emma, and then divorced.
Shortly after that, my sister, Tammy Langley, informed me that Emma and I would be attending Holy Comforter moving forward. And she was right. We immediately found a real home with the wonderful congregation of our church. Being involved always felt right and soon I was on the “Spatula Ministry” crew helping with breakfast, and then was asked to stand for Vestry. I think I ‘lost’ that first election, but soon enough began the first of several stints on the Vestry. As time marched on, Holy Comforter remained a vital part of my life. I married Brenda Thompson at Holy Comforter, and Emma and her step-sister Tina were baptized and confirmed.
I can currently be found most Sundays at the back of the church, helping with getting our service out into “the Cloud” for folks near and far to enjoy the beauty of our church and liturgy.
Our church remains an important part of our lives, and I’m proud and honored to be asked to help again with moving our parish forward.
Vestry Liaison for Communications & Technology (2025)
Bob Murphy
Vestry Liaison for Parish Events - Large Annual
I have been a member of Holy Comforter since 1986, shortly after Camilla and I moved our family to Charlotte. We raised our family at Holy Comforter and have been faithful supporters of the Church during the 36 years since then.
Vestry Liaison for Parish Events - Large Annual (2025)
Tim Cavins
Vestry Liaison for Hispanic/Latinx Ministries
Our family came to Holy Comforter about 30 years ago. I was raised Roman Catholic, married the daughter of an Episcopal Priest, and the rest is history, as they say. I have learned to love our Episcopal version of Christianity over these years. To say that “we raised our children” at Holy Comforter is not really an exaggeration. Lauren’s father, along with HC clergy, baptized one daughter and one granddaughter here. Our children were acolytes, active youth and confirmands at HC. Our son David and daughter-in-law Betania were married here. My wife Lauren and daughter Sarah have both served on Holy Comforter’s staff in the past. It is my hope that Holy Comforter will be the beautiful, active faith community that it has been for us for generations to come.
I have served on Vestry 3 times, serving once as Junior Warden. I led the Annual Giving Campaign 6 times and was on the Search committee that called Kevin Brown. More recently, I have been an unofficial helper in Hispanic Ministries. Lauren and I have a passion for that ministry, and we most frequently attend the “La Misa” service.
I have always felt that Holy Comforter, with our beautiful space and worship, with our sincere welcome for ALL, and our tradition of innovation, is a special faith community. Love really does grow here
Vestry Liaison for Hispanic/Latinx Ministries (2026)
Nikki Manke
Vestry Liaison for Outreach & Missions
Jon and I joined Holy Comforter 10 years ago this past spring. We visited several churches in the area and the warm welcoming, and sincere gratitude of our presence always brought us back. Since joining, we have been inspired by the active participation Holy Comforter takes to serve our surrounding community, and we wanted to be a part of it.
Vestry Liaison for Outreach & Missions
Jacqueline Howells
Vestry Liaison for Worship & Music
I joined Holy Comforter in 2013 while expecting my daughter Amelia. Amelia and her little sister Juliette were both baptized here at the church and attended La Escuelita Weekday School. I was confirmed at Holy Comforter and was baptized at St. Francis Episcopal Church in Stamford, Connecticut. I served two 3-year terms as a board member for the Foundation from 2017 through 2022.
Vestry Liaison for Worship & Music
Karen Crane
Treasurer
Diana Smith
Vestry Liaison for Invite, Welcome, Connect & Stewardship
While in college participating in the Canterbury group at All Saints Episcopal Church in Atlanta Ga, I was confirmed. Paul and I were married at Holy Comforter, and our children James and Melissa were both baptized and confirmed here. We have always been active in attendance and service.
I have held many volunteer positions here, leading when called upon to do so, and being an active participant and supporter the rest of the time. I have chaired the Tuesday night supper club and got to know many of our older (at that time!) members and to love Lyn Adams’ baked onions. I’ve chaired the kitchen committee (before renovations that added the pre-function area), and led the ECW. I started the original Parents Night Out, where parents took turns hosting the other children. I’ve been a Sunday School and ESL teacher and a VBS volunteer. I have participated in the handbell choir, the singing choir (one crazy summer), and have served as Children’s Choir Mom. Recently I have served on the Reopening Task Force and 2701 CG helping to maintain the buildings and grounds. I currently serve on the Pathfinders CG, within youth ministry as a volunteer EYC advisor, and occasionally on the AV Team.
Vestry Liaison for Invite, Welcome, Connect & Stewardship
Natalie Castro
Recording Secretary /Vestry Liaison for Pastoral Care
Nominations
Every September, a nominating committee led by an outgoing Warden and comprised of outgoing Vestry members begins the process of collecting and vetting nominees who present themselves or are presented by fellow parishioners for the Vestry and Foundation.
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