The Vestry of an Episcopal Church functions as a governing board. They are responsible for creating policy, caring for the facility, long term planning, and financial accountability. Committees that report to the Vestry include finance, endowment and stewardship. Serving on the Vestry or financial committees is a very important way to ensure the long-term health of our congregation.
Merle Moore, Sr. Warden
Following a 40+ year career in horticulture that included middle- and upper-management positions in an Ohio arboretum, botanical gardens at the University of Michigan and in Denver, and the Denver Zoo, I retired, with my wife, Patricia, to Estes Park. My work has also taken me from Thailand, South Vietnam and The People’s Republic of China, to Western Europe, and Brazil. My wife, Patricia, and I were married in the Bethlehem Chapel of the Washington Cathedral while I was in training for a two-year assignment with the U.S. Agency for International Development in South Vietnam. It was at that time that I began regularly attending the Episcopal Church, having previously been raised in the Christian Science faith. In 1996, I was confirmed in the Episcopal Church by my good friend and mentor, Reverend Sandra A. Wilson. Patricia and I have three grown children living in Colorado, Florida and Portland, Oregon. In addition to travel, I enjoy singing in the St. Bart’s choir, gardening, and photography.
I accepted Fr. Seth’s invitation to serve as Sr. Warden because I believe I can make a positive contribution in serving my church family. The attributes I bring to the job are the fact that I am a team player, I pay attention to detail and possess strong organizational skills. I have demonstrated ability to work well with other staff, students/youth, and volunteers, and I have high ethical standards. I strongly value diversity in all human endeavors and believe it to be a necessary component to insure the future of the Episcopal Church. It is important to me that St. Barts remain a strong, committed and nurturing force in the Estes Park community, and I would hope my service on the St. Bart’s Vestry as Sr. Warden will encourage and facilitate that outcome.
Walt Coleman, Jr. Warden
Walt Coleman, our Jr. Warden, was born in Georgia and has been an Episcopalian his entire life. After graduating from high school in Virginia he went immediately into the Army and served in 1945 and 1946. A graduate from Vanderbilt University, he later received two degrees in geology from Oklahoma and went to work for the company now known as Chevron.
Walt’s first posting was in Venezuela where he and his wife, Ann, had the first of their four children. From their they moved to New Orleans and then overseas. Their postings included Australia, Indonesia, London, USA, Nigeria, and back to Australia where he retired in 1990. Following his retirement, Walt and Ann moved to Estes Park permanently.
Walt has served on vestries in New Orleans and Estes Park, where we have the privilege of having his accumulated wisdom and expertise at our service.
It should be noted that Walt, after having knee replacement surgery, shot his age at the Estes Park Golf Course in the summer of 2010!
