Vestry Nominees
At its monthly meeting last Sunday, Sept. 21, the vestry approved the Nominating Committee's slate of three incoming vestry members, as well as the parish delegates to the 195th Diocesan Convention. The slate will be elected at the first session of our Annual Parish Meeting on Sunday, Oct. 26 (see related article).
Our slate of vestry nominees include Audrey Brown, Leah McDowell, and Cheryl Morgan. Please find more information about each candidate below.
Additionally, Saint Andrew's parish bylaws afford members of the congregation to nominate other candidates. The bylaws state, "At the Annual Meeting, any parish member qualified to vote [i.e., a confirmed Episcopalian in good standing at Saint Andrew's] may nominate any qualified person [i.e., a confirmed Episcopalian in good standing at Saint Andrew's] for election to the Vestry, provided that such person is present to accept the nomination, that such person has provided prior consent to the nomination, and that the Rector has been notified of the intent to nominate such person no later than two (2) weeks prior to the Annual Meeting." The names of other nominees need to be submitted to Fr. Peter Helman by Sunday, October 12.
A Meet & Greet for the nominees will be held during Coffee Hour on Sunday, October 12.
Audrey Brown
Audrey Brown and her husband, Braxton Wagnon, joined St. Andrew's Parish in 2019. Soon after becoming a member, Audrey started volunteering for St. Andy's Pantry when Karen McIntyre invited her to help on a pantry distribution day. Audrey helps lead the Pantry now, and doing so has been a great honor. Serving our neighbors at the Pantry alongside other volunteers from St. Andrew's has become a primary joy and focus in Audrey's life. Audrey would love an opportunity to become more involved in the life of St. Andrew's Parish by serving on the Vestry. Audrey works at UAB in the technology transfer office. Outside of work and St. Andy's Pantry, Audrey enjoys traveling with Braxton, spending time with their dogs and cat, reading, and hiking.
Leah McDowell
Leah McDowell is in her 5th year as a choir teacher, currently teaching at Hueytown High School. She holds a bachelors degree in Music Education with a concentration in Vocal Choral Music from Samford University. Leah has been proudly serving in St. Andrew’s Choir for 3 years, and was confirmed in the Episcopal church in January of this year. She’s been singing in choirs for as long as she can remember, and has a true passion for sharing her love of choral singing with others. She recently married her loving husband, Chadwick in March of this year and is the proud mom to a sweet, senior cat and a snuggly, barky dog.
Cheryl Morgan
Cheryl Morgan, FAIA is an architect and planner. She is an Emerita Professor of Architecture, Auburn University College of Architecture Design and Construction. She was the Director of Auburn’s Urban Studio here in Birmingham until her retirement in 2013. She serves on the City of Birmingham’s Design Review Committee, is in Downtown Rotary, and is an advisor to the Freshwater Land Trust’s Redrock Trail System. She leads walking tours of our downtown and assists small nonprofits in developing impactful strategic plans.