In the Episcopal Church, the vestry is the legal representative of the parish in all matters pertaining to the parish’s corporate property. Vestry members serve 3-year terms on a rotating basis, and new vestry members are elected by the congregation each January at the annual parish meeting of St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church. The rector serves as presiding officer during vestry meetings, and the Junior and Senior wardens also serve in leadership capacities. The senior warden leads the parish between rectors and is a support person for the rector; the junior warden has responsibility for church property and buildings. A treasurer and a clerk maintain financial records and meeting minutes.
The responsibilities of the vestry as a whole include:
- to help define and articulate the mission of the congregation;
- to support the church’s mission by word and deed;
- to support the search committee when selecting the rector;
- to ensure effective organization and planning, and
- to manage the parish’s resources and finances.
Bill Haney, Senior Warden
Bill is a resident of Lake Worth Beach and has been a member of St. Andrew’s since 2024. He was elected to the Vestry in 2025 and asked to serve as Senior Warden in 2026. He has volunteered with the Way Café and various other ministries for several years. Bill was born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania until his family moved to the Tampa Bay area in 1976. He is a graduate of Bryan College where he earned a degree in Psychology and Bible. He also has graduate academic degrees in Business, Counseling, and Higher Education, and is currently a licensed Florida Mental Health Counselor. He is retired from a career in academia. He lives with his lab/golden best friend named Phineas.
Steve Ragsdale, Junior Warden
Steve Ragsdale, confirmed at St. Andrew’s on January of 2002, has served on the Vestry for about 10 years. He gladly served as Senior Warden and currently serves as Junior Warden where he has 9 years of experience. Steve also served on the Commission on Ministry with Father Paul, the altar guild, and now serves as an usher. He is the consummate volunteer, which even includes installing the markers in the memorial garden. Steve truly values the real church family at St. Andrew’s and is ready to serve in any capacity.
Chris Diserio, Treasurer
Chris, his wife, Talia, and their dog, Lucy, have been residents of Lake Worth Beach since 2013. Chris and Talia began attending services at St. Andrew’s in 2017. Chris earned a degree in Finance from the University of Illinois and is a residential property manager in Fort Lauderdale. Chris has been a volunteer at the Way Café since 2018.
Vestry Members:
Bill Haney, Senior Warden
Steve Ragsdale, Junior Warden
Chris Diserio, Treasurer
Lee Massey, Secretary
Alison Albury
Barbara DeClerque
Chuck Jackson
Sandra Richards-Hunwick
Carol Sink
Ex Officio:
Fr. Chuck David, Care Committee