Vestry

St. David's Episcopal Church and School 2026 Annual Meeting and Vestry Election will be held on Sunday, May 17, 2026.

St. David's Vestry has vetted and accepted the nominations of Hayward Learn, H.L. Norwich, Lawrence Panetta, and Michael Witham for the 2026 Vestry Election. Vestry nominations are now closed.

For details on 2026 Vestry Member Service terms, click here.  The 2026 Vestry Election Rules and Regulations are available here.

Meet our Vestry Candidates:

Hayward Learn

How will you balance the vestry requirements of time, prayer, and sometimes difficult decisions with your other obligations?

I am fully retired, and my wife and I moved to Ashburn in 2024 to be closer to our son and his family. Having made the move, I left all projects, interests, and responsibilities behind. Bottom line, I am here with an empty plate, and I am looking for ways to utilize my time. Serving the church has been one of my primary interests for several years, and I intend to continue working with and for the church. As a vestry member, St David’s will meet my desire to occupy my time and will receive priority in my efforts. I currently have no obligations, and if any should arise, I intend to continue giving St. David’s priority.

For a complete Bio of Hayward, click here.

Hamilton "H.L." Norwich

How will you balance the vestry requirements of time, prayer, and sometimes difficult decisions with your other obligations?

I will continue to balance the requirements of faithful service on St. David's vestry with my other obligations in the same manner as I have for the past year: judicious prioritizing of that which is necessary, urgent, or community building, and particularly the tasks for which I have God-given talents to employ. I believe it is crucial that vestry service should not balloon into something so time-consuming that parishioners who are working full-time and/or caring for children or other family members feel that these things are competing with each other. It is important that the vestry include representation of members from diverse stages and walks of life.

For a complete Bio of H.L., click here.

Lawrence Panetta

How will you balance the vestry requirements of time, prayer, and sometimes difficult decisions with your other obligations?

This is an interesting question for me since I have always had a non-traditional job as an airline pilot.  For years, I have had to balance family, church, and work, all of which have competing demands.  It’s worked for our family as this is what we are familiar with.  My mantra has always been - be present where you are - give the task you are currently working on your complete undivided attention. 

Family comes first for me - my obligation to my wife and children is not something I believe anyone would compromise on. 

Church and prayer are a big part of my life. In my previous time on the Vestry, it was important for me to be prepared for meetings and be available outside church hours to interact with others to understand and discuss issues.  I have always tried to schedule my Sunday mornings off to attend church and meet my commitments on the Sound Team.

My obligation to my employer is important as my employment allows this life for my family and I really like my job!  I take my job seriously and always want to give my fellow employees and passengers 110% when instructing, training, or flying. 

While many would see the above items as difficult to manage, I have always seen it as a fun challenge to make my life fit into a schedule that works.  This means that I have to carefully plan and efficiently manage my time at both work and home.

Adell and I are at a point in our life where our family schedules are flexible.  My work life is usually set a month in advance, so I can reliably get days off as needed. One of the advantages I have with my job is free time on the road to answer emails, make phone calls, or attend meetings via Zoom.  The other advantage is that when I’m home I am generally free of work obligations - when I’m off, I’m off. 

I am confident in my ability to handle the discernment, time commitment and responsibilities of serving on the Vestry. 

Thanks again for your consideration. 

For a complete Bio of Lawrence, click here.

Michael Witham

How will you balance the vestry requirements of time, prayer, and sometimes difficult decisions with your other obligations?

To balance vestry duties with other life obligations, I lean on a few core principles: prioritization, integrating prayer, and intentional boundaries.

I treat vestry meetings and committee work as non-negotiable appointments in my calendar, just like a work deadline or a doctor's visit. In quiet moments, I pray both for myself and for the parish and my fellow vestry members. 

When facing tough choices, like budget cuts or building repairs, I rely on setting aside my personal preferences to listen to what best serves the church's mission.

Finally, transparency is key. If a major project at work or a family event creates a conflict, I communicate that early. A healthy vestry functions as a team, and supporting one another’s boundaries is part of our shared ministry.

For a complete Bio of Michael, click here.

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