Ministries

Acolyte

Acolytes are lay ministers who provide assistance to the principal celebrant at all celebrations of the Liturgy. Acolytes light and extinguish the sanctuary candles. They act as Crucifer by leading processions carrying the cross. They hold the gospel book for the gospel reader. They serve the priest at the altar before and after communion and they ring the Sanctus bells. While often a ministry for young people, the ministry of acolyte is open to persons of all ages at All Saints.

Altar Guild

Members of the altar guild assist the clergy by preparing all things necessary for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist and the other sacraments and services of the church. Under the direction of the Priest in Charge, they take care of the linens, candles, sacramental elements, vessels, books, bells and furnishings necessary for every worship service.

Choir and Music

Music is an important part of worship at All Saints. Choir members and musicians serve under the direction of the Musician/Choir Director to provide music on Sunday mornings and on special occasions such as Ash Wednesday, Christmas Eve or Holy Week. They also sing and play for special programs throughout the year such as Lessons and Carols or Taize. The choir is open to all members of the church. The only requirements are a positive attitude and a desire to learn new and old music. Warmup sessions are on Sundays beginning 30 minutes prior to the morning service.

Eucharistic Minister

Eucharistic Ministers (LEMs) are lay ministers licensed by the Bishop to assist the priest at liturgical services. At the service of the Holy Eucharist they lead the congregation in reciting the psalm, they lead the prayers of the people, they administer the consecrated wine, and perform other duties as assigned by the priest. They can also serve as an acolyte. Periodic training and annual renewal of the EM license are required.

Eucharistic Visitor

Eucharistic Visitor – Eucharistic Visitors are lay ministers licensed by the Bishop to take Holy Communion to persons unable to attend a service of the Holy Eucharist at the church using sacramental elements consecrated at a church service. They are trained by the Priest in charge and annual renewal of their license is required.

Flower Guild

Flower Guild – Flowers or other natural foliage on the altar create an atmosphere conducive to worship. God’s own artwork is used to glorify Him. Members of the Flower Guild are responsible for coordinating the purchase and placement of these natural materials on the altar each Sunday. They also coordinate materials needed for Palm Sunday, Easter. Christmas and any special services. A flower guild is not currently active. If you are interested in serving on a Flower Guild, please contact a Worship Team member.

Greeters

Greeters – Greeters are stationed at the entrance to the church prior to every service. They greet each person attending with a sincere welcome and provide them with a service bulletin. Visitors are invited to sign the guest register before or after the service and to fill out a visitor card and place it in the plate at the Offertory. They count the number of people attending each service. They select two persons to serve as oblationers to take the gifts of bread and wine to the altar prior to communion. They take up the collection after the gifts of bread and wine are presented and take the collection to the altar following the offertory hymn.

Lectors

Lectors – Lectors are lay ministers who come forward to read the assigned texts of the day from the Old and New Testaments. Periodic training is required.

Oblationers

Oblationers – Oblationers are lay people who take the gifts of bread and wine to the altar at the Offertory. Unless preselected for a funeral, wedding, or other special services, they are invited to serve by the Greeter at each Eucharistic service of the church.

Prayer Chain

Prayer Chain – Members of the prayer chain provide prayer for the needs of the church as requested. One person is designated as the primary contact who then passes on the request through the other members of the prayer chain.

Worship Team

Members of the Worship Team schedule, plan and implement all worship services of the church. They establish liturgical customaries for worship. They ensure there are service bulletins for all services. They make plans for Morning Prayer or supply priests when the Priest-in-Charge is away. They provide guidance to the Altar Guild, Flower Guild and Greeters and support the program and ministry of the Musician/Choir Director.

Outreach

The Outreach team coordinates activities for helping local, national, and international persons in need.   Ongoing projects include collecting non-perishable food items for distribution monthly to families with children served by CHOICES, eyeglasses for Lion’s Club, and pull tabs for Ronald McDonald Charities in New Orleans.   Annually we organize Thanksgiving Food boxes, a Christmas Angel Tree for children living in poverty. This year we held a Christmas party for YouthBuild, a comprehensive workforce development program for out-of-school, unemployed, low-income youth ages 16-24. Other projects include collections for the United Thank Offering, Church Periodical Club, and the Episcopal Province of Jerusalem and the Middle East.

Christian Formation

Christian Formation at All Saints is seasonal, topical and usually Bible-oriented. Some thought has also been given to beginning a weekday bible or book study group.  Please consider whether you might be interested in leading such a group.