2027 Vestry Slate

Dear Incarnation,

Incarnation will elect its 2027 vestry members at our October Parish Meeting. We have 3 open seats (rather than the usual 2) to replace outgoing vestry members Will Montague, Buz Schultz, and Elena Benning; Elena is stepping down one year early due to her involvement in Holy Comforter. For this reason, one of the elected new members will only serve for one year to complete Elena's term.

Because there are 3 candidates for 3 seats, this year's vestry election will simply be an affirmation vote. Our strong preference is to have more candidates than seats on the ballot in order to offer the congregation a true choice in vestry elections. However, despite a large number of excellent nominees this year (11), only 3 agreed to stand for election.

In the past, when we have found ourselves in this predicament, we have pursued another round of nominations/vetting in order to give the congregation a true choice (this happened last year). Vestry elections are one of the few places where the congregation directly participates in the governance of an Anglican church, and that's very important to us. But this year, given the higher number of seats to be filled and the ongoing difficulty of filling a slate, the vestry decided to allow for an affirmation ballot. (This is permitted by our bylaws.)

We do not intend for this to become a pattern. But for that, we need your help. Please consider serving on vestry in the future! You have something unique and important to offer, and although vestry is a big commitment, it's also a joy (but don't take my word for it; please ask a current or former vestry member about their experience).

All that said, I could not be more thrilled with this year's slate. Each of these candidates brings wisdom and experience that will serve our church well in this particular moment of our life together. I am so grateful for each one of them and their willingness to serve. Please read their bios below, pray for them, and be encouraged: God has called three humble and gifted servants to help lead our church. Their term will begin in January 2027.

We will vote in person at our Parish Meeting on October 25 (with an affirmation ballot, there's no need for our usual electronic election). You will be able to vote yes, no, or abstain at that time. If you have concerns about this slate, please email them directly to the Nominations Committee between now and the election: nominations@incarnationanglican.org.

Thank you!

Amy

Webb McArthur

I grew up in the church, the son of a Presbyterian minister, in the deep, deep South where there was little divide between church life and life. I thank God that I have always known his presence, even in formative times of doubt. As the preacher's kid, I felt I asked too many questions when I was young and received too unsatisfactory answers. In college my faith began to break and grow, perhaps for the first time, as I became less afraid of doubt and found peace in holding the mysteries loosely. Through friendships, study, and yes, the local church, I found myself embracing a metaphysics of the person (feel free to roll your eyes), which reoriented what I believe about the deeper reality, truth, and holiness. I found Anglican worship in DC and have been blessed by the mystery and universality of the liturgy. Today I am more aware of the presence and goodness of God through his people.

Whitney, Thatcher, and I found Incarnation several years ago, right when we needed it. We have been encouraged and comforted by all the small, meaningful, and caring ways in which Incarnationers show up. This church lacks pretense, pride, and anxiety in a way I have never experienced. Like many others, it has been the soft landing we needed. To risk platitudes, it truly is a special place, and more than anything it has reminded me of how God is good. After many years of volunteer involvement before we came to Incarnation, including leading small groups and the eucharistic ministries, I have been able to enjoy a time of rest here.

I was a bit surprised to learn I had been nominated for vestry, but I know that this is a way for me to contribute to the special place. I want to listen and learn. I am excited to be able to contribute by helping mature the church as an organization, safeguard our children, and plan for the future. I believe I bring the skills to contribute in these areas. But I also know that God keeps surprising us, and so I want to do this work with an open heart and mind. I am all too aware of growing tensions within our denomination and our country, and while I pray for the mighty hand of God's justice to be swift in these areas, my prayer for Incarnation is that it continue to be a place of refuge, healing, and peace.

Tami Ritsema

My name is Tami Ritsema and I have been attending Incarnation for about 3.5 years now. I was blessed to be raised in a home where the gospel of Jesus Christ was taught both in word and in deed. As I grew older my faith has matured along the way. I am so thankful, especially during these turbulent times, to know that God is loving, active in our lives and in the world, and that there is more to life than what we see around us.

My main service at Incarnation has been with the Hospitality Team. It is so fun to “set the table” for good conversations and moments of encouragement.

I am excited to see Incarnation continue to grow in both numbers and in purpose. I am thankful for the outstanding leaders that God has blessed us with. I find it especially exciting that we have lots of families with young children — I think many young families in our area are desperate for real community. We have so many wonderful Christian families in our church and I think their presence and commitment make IAC a welcoming place for more families who are longing to have a credible, safe spiritual home.

Grant Sung

While I can identify a specific event during college when I became intellectually and spiritually alive to the historic, living, and personal Jesus, upon reflection it’s clear to me that God knew, cared for, and guided me from my very earliest days. I have benefited from sound bible teaching in churches over many years, but I am especially grateful for refreshment — of my hope in Christ, my spiritual imagination, and my desire to serve — in which Incarnation Anglican Church has played a most-significant role.

I am grateful that in the eight years that Nancy and I have been members of this community, I have had opportunity to participate in so many ways! For me, that has included a one-year term on the Vestry, hosting small groups, leading children's and adult choirs, retreat planning and cooking, as well as preaching. Other activities have included the music team, facilities search team, the personnel committee, and serving in the nursery.

I’m excited to see how God continues his faithfulness by refreshing and growing this community — even as we "risked" planting Church of the Holy Comforter earlier this year. I'm also grateful that, after years of "sojourning" to worship in so many locations across South Arlington, he has provided us a place at Beverley Hills where we can embody — incarnate — God's kingdom through our presence, our welcome, our worship and partnership among our neighbors in Arlandria.