Vestry

Good Shepherd’s nominees for the 2023 Vestry are Laura Blackstone, Dusty Kent, Elizabeth Jones, and Lloyd Smith. Their term would be for three years. Their nominations will be voted on at that Annual Parish Meeting on Sunday, January 22 following the 10:30 am service. Learn more about them and why they wish to join the Vestry below.

Laura Blackstone

Why do you feel called to serve on the Vestry?

I feel called to serve on the Vestry because I am invested emotionally and spiritually in the church as a whole. The church has been part of my life since I was 15 years old. I have come and gone many times due to moving to different places. However, I always returned when able and I have felt it imperative for my children to be part of the love and support it has provided me. I have often been curious about the Vestry. I feel that I have seen a lot and been part of a lot over the past 30+ years and will be an asset in being part of a team that helps the church thrive. 

What gifts do you bring to the vestry? 

I feel like I will figure more of that out as I serve as a Vestry member. However, I think that my involvement in volunteer opportunities (Children’s Church, Liturgy of the Word, VBS, middle/high school Youth, Food Fairies, etc.), being present at many major church services/events (Parish Camp, church community outings), being part of Supper Clubs, raising my children within the church/school, attending Cursillo, being a part of the Lookout Mountain community (LMS school nurse, rec sports, families) and more brings experience and knowledge that some other members may not have. I have also been behind the scenes working to grow our church and youth by reaching out to new/old community members of Lookout Mountain and helping provide information about our church and its offerings. Being part of the Vestry will increase my knowledge and help with that.

I am honored and excited to have been nominated!

Dusty Kent

Why do you feel called to serve on the Vestry?

I feel called to serve on the Vestry because I want to give back to our church. Good Shepherd has given me and my family more than I ever thought it would and more than we can ever repay. I have learned to love through this church. I have learned to listen better and be kinder through our church. I have learned to pray at Good Shepherd. I have learned that giving is better than receiving. And I have learned that I don’t have to be perfect to be loved. I hope by serving I can help someone else find what my family and I have been able to find at Good Shepherd – love and a church family.

What gifts do you bring to the vestry? 

The main gift I believe I can bring to the Vestry is my desire to help Good Shepherd continue on the journey it’s been on. Good Shepherd has grown and changed in wonderful ways since Anna and I started coming to church here about 14 years ago. There are far more young families in the pews and far more opportunities to be involved with than I recall from years ago. The Youth program was small 10-12 years ago and now there are 30 kids showing up for a lock-in! We have movie nights and cookouts, Supper Clubs and special service offerings. We have Parish Camp, East Side Elementary and we collect food for many different people and organizations. But one thing has not changed – the folks who welcomed us to this church still welcome us. I still see Jim and Lee Moore nearly weekly. They were the very first people to speak to Anna and I on our first day at Good Shepherd. And after sitting with them during church, we knew we were in the right place. Kathleen Crevasse, who has always made sure that we had Fletcher in the right spot – from nursery, to Children’s Church, to Godly Play and off to Youth – still welcomes us and asks Fletcher how he is. Jim, Lee and Kathleen are just a few of the fine folks here who embody the welcoming Spirit of Christ. That Spirit is alive and well at Good Shepherd. I see no sign of that changing and I want to do my part to continue that tradition.

Elizabeth Jones

Why do you feel called to serve on the Vestry?

As a past Vestry member, serving helped me strive, grow and improve in every aspect of my life. For me, it is a deeply spiritual and meaningful experience. Though the Vestry is like the “board of directors” for the church, I feel prayerful consideration and how we can best serve our community, in and outside of the church, and how we serve God is an integral commitment of the Vestry. As a person of faith, I have been very blessed with sharing the gifts of God through service.

What gifts do you bring to the vestry? 

A cradle Episcopalian, I have been a member of Good Shepherd for almost thirty years. My husband Walker and our three grown children have loved being a part of the Good Shepherd community. The main gift I feel I can bring to the Vestry is experience. I served on the Standing Committee of our Diocese for two terms, or six years, and am presently serving a term on Bishop and Council, both bodies working directly with Bishop Cole. Along with experience, I think I have an ability to see the big picture which should be an important mission of the Vestry.

Lloyd Smith

Why do you feel called to serve on the Vestry?

When Patten and I moved to Lookout Mountain in the icy winter of 1996, I didn’t know a living soul.  Thankfully, that spring I joined the Good Shepherd staff as an employee and was warmly welcomed by the entire parish. Through the generosity of the members, I learned about our church, the people here and opportunities for ministry.  Over the years, I enjoyed serving as a chalice bearer, linen guild member, a Godly Play teacher and most recently as a choir member.

What gifts do you bring to the vestry? 

Becoming involved in the life of this church is one of God’s greatest gifts to me, resulting in treasured relationships with so many members here.  I look forward to serving on the Vestry and continuing to see what God has in store for our church.