Our Vestry

Congregations that have been granted parish status by their diocese are governed by their rector and the vestry. Traditionally, and by canon law, the vestry, consisting of wardens and other members, is the legal representative of the parish “in all matters concerning its corporate property and the relations of the Parish to its clergy,” accept as may be provided by state law or diocesan canons (Constitution & Canons [of] the Episcopal Church, I.14.2). The number of vestry members and term of office varies from parish to parish.

Most vestries have the following officers:
The Presiding Officer is the Rector or Priest-in-Charge.
There are usually two wardens.  The Senior Warden traditionally chairs the Vestry in the absence of the Rector and leads the congregation between Rectors. In many parishes the Senior Warden is a support person for the Rector. The Junior Warden, if chosen, often has a particular responsibility for church property and buildings.
 
A treasurer and secretary or clerk, who may or may not be vestry members, may be chosen.  The treasurer deposits and disburses funds and oversees financial record keeping. The secretary keeps the minutes, gives notices of meetings to the parish, and maintains vestry records.

Senior Warden

Junior Warden

Jessica Beck
​2022-2024
​Jessica Beck was born in Cleveland, Ohio and grew up in Salisbury, Maryland before moving to Lakeland in 1989.  Upon moving here her family decided to start attending St, Stephens Episcopal Church right down the street from their house.  In 1990 Jessica was received into the Episcopal faith.  After her wedding to Joshua Beck in 1999 the couple moved to the north part of Lakeland and began attending Christ the King and have been active at the church since their arrival.  Jessica has been a part of children's ministry, head of the acolytes, Co-ordinator for VBS, an usher, a reader and performs morning announcements.  She has been a part of the Boars Head Festival, Car Shows, and coordinated Fall Festivals and other celebrations.  After serving her 3 year term on Vestry Jessica was elected to an additional 3 year term as she feels that God has called her to lead the church on vestry.

​Phillip Williams
2023-2024 

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Alice Bradshaw
2022-2023 
I became a member of this congregation in 2018.  Since then it has been a privilege to be of service whenever I have been asked. 
I worked the Hot Dog booth at our last Car Show. I have been an usher for the past several years.  I have volunteered during church clean up days. And I am a liaison with the AA groups which use the church facilities for their meetings. 
My background includes:
Several years of college; never graduated.
Two years of Peace Corps service in Venezuela.  Several years of helping Mexican immigrants with completing paperwork to establish permanent resident status.  Administrative Assistant to a University Vice Chancellor.  Was a member of a search committee for an administrative position at the University level. I headed up a search committee at Silver Lakes community for two new board members just this past year.
I am involved in my church, my community and other outside interests. I feel confident that I would be able and willing to share my experience, strength and hope with other members of the Vestry. I believe that God is guiding me in this very important decision.  And that I will serve at his wishes. 

Cliff Greene
​2021-2023
​Cliff and his wife, Debbie Greene moved to Florida in 2018 and joined Christ the King Church at approximately the same time.  Cliff is a retired attorney who now lives in Lakeland.  Since joining Christ the King Church he has been involved with the Endowment Fund Committee, the Choir, and the annual Boars Head production. He has also helped with the annual Car Show and assorted work parties.
Prior to moving to Florida he attended St. Peters Episcopal Church in Freehold, New Jersey, where he served two terms on the Vestry and served as Rectors Warden. He also served as the Finance Chairman for a capital campaign to raise funds to rebuild the Church roof.  He is a life long Episcopalian and hopes his experience can be a benefit to Christ The King Church.

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Josh Beck
​2023-2025 
Josh has been a member of Christ the King with his wife Jessica since 2021.  Thy have raised their 2 children in the church and have been active in many ministries there.  Josh is the youngest of 4 children and grew up in Northern Indiana.  Josh has been a member and creator of multiple university and local school board councils and committees including 6 years as the Polk County Schools District Advisory Council Executive Board chair.  Josh currently is an IT Manager for an International Data Center provider and is currently charring the CTK finance committee.  He is also the technical manager for all electronic services at Christ the King and is the leader of the Technology Ministry.
In 2022 he was appointed to fill Carolyn Martin's vacant seat on the vestry until the annual meeting.
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Betty Phillips-Hilliard
​2023-2025
Betty grew up in the Fort Myers area. She spent one hitch in the US Army, then got out to raise her
daughter. A retired Federal employee, she spent her entire career with the Social Security
Administration in California, both working with the public, and then as an IT specialist before retiring
after 30 years. Since then, she’s pursued her dream of writing, having four published novels.
She’s been a member of Christ the King since 2016. During that time, she’s been active in helping out in
the church office, filling in for the church admin for vacations and to take minutes at the vestry meetings
when needed, and being of assistance wherever she could.
She feels blessed to serve as a Lay Eucharistic Minister, assisting the priest and/or deacon in bringing
communion to those at the altar and also taking communion to parishioners who couldn’t come to
church. She’s a member of the Altar Guild as well, taking turns helping to set up the altar for Sunday,
and taking it down after the service.
She also runs the Prayer Shawl Ministry here at Christ the King. It is her joy to be able to make
something that gives peace and cheer to people going through trials of various kinds. The prayer shawls
are available for anyone to take for themselves or for friends and relatives. So far they have been sent
all over the United States and to Canada.​

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Parish Administrator
Jo Ann Tatlian
Baptized and raised a Lutheran, I became an Episcopalian in 2016. I became a member of Christ the King, and was asked to serve as the church secretary in 2017.  In 2018 my position title was changed to "Parish Administrator". 
My business career started at Merrill Lynch a stock investment company, in 1971, but in 1973, I was challenged by my pastor to apply for a secretarial position at the Synod Office (equivalent to the Diocese in the Episcopal church).  I was blessed to serve on the staff of the Metropolitan New York Synod, Evangelical Lutheran Church in America for 30 years, working with 4 Bishops, and retired from there in 2004. We then moved to Florida. My husband Deacon Ed and I have a blended family of 4 children, two son in laws, and one granddaugther. 

Treasurer
Carmen Ready
​​I currently serve as the Treasurer. I was born a cradle Episcopalian in Skowhegan, Maine. My family moved to Florida when I was a teenager.  I graduated from Lakeland High 
School and attended Polk Community College. I have been married to William (Ronnie) Ready for almost 39 years. We have one daughter, Jennifer who is married to Curtis Wright, they are both employed by Publix Corporation.  We have 2 beautiful grandchildren, Aidan and Keira.
I worked in the banking field for 43 years before retiring to take care of our granddaughter, Keira, when she was born.  I have attended Christ
the King almost since it's inception in 1985.