Who’s Up There with the Priest?
Every Sunday morning our priest is joined by lay ministers. Together they create a Holy Time and Space where we gather to share in the Word of God and Holy Communion. During the worship service you’ll see the following lay ministers:
Acolytes assisting in worship by carrying the processional cross, lighting candles, assisting the clergy set up and clean up at the altar, handing the offering plates to ushers, and many other tasks.
Eucharistic Ministers (formerly know as Chalice Bearers) authorized to administer the consecrated elements at a celebration of Holy Eucharist. Training to become a Eucharistic minister is held in the local community. The Bishop, on recommendation of the clergy or other person doing the training, will issue a Eucharistic Minister license.
Lectors trained to read the Lessons and/or Prayers of the People. Although this is not a licensed ministry, it is important that those who serve as lectors are properly trained to serve. This training takes place in the local congregation.
Ushers greeting parishioners as they enter the church, presenting them with a bulletin for the service and, as necessary, escorting them to a seat. They also collect and present the alms, assist the congregation during communion, and straighten up the nave and narthex after each service.
New to the Sunday morning lineup are Worship Leaders (formerly known as Lay Readers) who regularly lead public worship. Because a worship leader is authorized to lead a variety of worship experiences (not just Morning Prayer), three days of training is required. The bishop issues Worship Leader licenses upon the successful completion of the diocesan program and the recommendation of the diocesan trainers.
Soon you will be seeing Preachers, lay persons authorized by the bishop to deliver a sermon. The bishop issues a provisional license upon acceptance to the formation program. Upon successful completion of the formation/education program, (in not less than 2 years and not more than 5 years) a Lay Preaching License is issued.
Who’s Working Behind the Scenes?
Our Worship services are not complete without the assistance of those working behind the scenes.
The Altar Guild give their time and service to prepare and maintain the sanctuary for worship. They work primarily on Sunday mornings before and after the service, to ensure that the liturgy can proceed with dignity and beauty.
The Christian educators in our Church School provide an environment apart from the Sunday Worship service where we invite our young members to have a personal relationship with Jesus and God.
The members of the Circle of Prayer offer prayers of special needs (support, health, travel, etc.) when requested by YOU.
A Eucharistic Visitor is a lay person authorized to take the Consecrated elements in a timely manner following a Celebration of Holy Eucharist to members of the congregation who, by reason of illness or infirmity, are unable to be present at the Celebration. The Bishop will issue Eucharistic Visitor licenses upon successful completion of one full day of training and separate sexual misconduct awareness training.
The Nursery is where we meet the needs of the youngest in our church family - newborns through three-year-olds. This ministry allows parents to worship unencumbered.
Sometimes you will see one person filling several roles. Wouldn’t it be good news if we had enough people involved that people could focus their energy in serving in one area? If you feel called to serve during our worship services, please contact the appropriate ministry coordinator, Bill Kline (Sr. Warden) or Wally Lonergan+.
