The Worship Commission oversees various lay ministry opportunities necessary for a smooth flowing worship service. These lay people find their ministries to be personally rewarding and consider it a privilege to serve God, their church and clergy in this way.
Contact: Sara Williman at 778-4499
ACOLYTES – This ministry gives the people of our parish the opportunity to serve as torchbearers, crucifers and servers at the altar during worship services. During training these people learn about the forms and style of the Episcopal worship services along with the beauty and traditions of the Anglican faith. Acolytes, carrying the torches symbolizing the light of Christ, escort the Gospeller to the center aisle. The crucifer carries the processional cross, leading the clergy, lay ministers, and the choir into and out of the nave. Servers assist the Deacon and the Celebrant in preparation for Holy Communion and provide the chalice ministers with additional elements during Holy Communion. Servers also light and extinguish the altar candles.
ALTAR GUILD – Altar Guild members assist the clergy in preparing the sanctuary for all worship services. They clean and care for the sanctuary and its appointments such as Eucharistic vessels, candles, linen and alms basins. They also arrange flowers and prepare the elements of bread and wine for services of Holy Communion.
LAY EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS – These volunteers are part of an extraordinary ministry, commissioned by the General Convention in 1985, to take Holy Communion to those unable to attend church and participate in communal worship. They also provide a sacramental presence of listening, the reassurance of pastoral presence, and the fellowship of community when a person is unable to attend church.
LAY MINISTERS – These people assist the clergy in assuring that our church services glorify God. Lay readers and lectors read the appointed lessons and Prayers of the People. Trained Chalice Ministers assist in administering the Chalice at Holy Communion.
VERGERS – Specially trained lay persons within the church who assist the clergy in the worship service. Typical duties include checking in lectors, chalice bearers, acolytes and prayer intercessors. They coordinate those involved in the worship service.
OBLATIONERS – Parishioners who present offerings of bread and wine to God at the Eucharist.
CHOIR – A group of singers who assist in the celebration of the liturgy.
USHERS – Also lay ministers of Hospitality who greet worshipers as they enter the Nave. They assist during the service with the gathering of the offering and the presentation of the offering at the altar. They also assist persons during Holy Communion. At the conclusion of the service they gather bulletins to be recycled.
OFF SITE PRAYER SRVICE – A member of our Parish, Deacon Kimball Arnold, conducts a prayer service at the Margaret T. Morris Center twice monthly.
