Worship Ministries
In this section you will find information on the following: Acolytes, Altar Guild, Ushers, Eucharistic Ministers, and Lectors and Greeters.
Acolytes
Meeting Times: Acolyte rehearsals are usually held the first Sunday of each month after the 10:00 am service, starting in September. People of all ages are welcome to take part in the acolyte guild.
Contact: Mel Andrews
What We Do: The acolytes at St. James Episcopal Church assist the Worshiping Assembly with the weekly remembrance, in ritual and song and story, of the life our Lord Jesus Christ. They light the candles, lead the processions, and assist at the altar. During the Liturgy, they bear the processional cross and candles at the commencement and ending of worship and before the reading of the Gospel. We try to schedule each acolyte for only one service per month. We invite you to come and join us, whether you are new to St. James or have been here for years. Being an acolyte is a good way to learn the traditions of the Episcopal Church, and to participate more actively in worship.
For more information, contact Mel Andrews
Altar Guild
Meeting Times: On an as needed basis. Training is provided for new members.
Contact: Ruth Snyder
What We Do: The Altar Guild team, headed by Ruth Snyder, sets up the altar and the hymn boards for all services; cleans the vessels used at Communion; and maintains the silver, brass, linens, candles, and vestments used in the liturgy. Another task involves coordinating the weekly altar flower arrangements, as well as special displays at Christmas and Easter, and ensuring that flower donations by parishioners in honor of person/persons or to mark an event are recognized in the service bulletin.
Learn more about worship service flower donations.
For information regarding joining the Altar Guild contact Ruth Snyder
Ushers
Meeting Times: Occasional.
Contact: Fred Hadlow
What We Do: The Ushers are responsible for assisting the Rector with the Sunday Services by:
Distributing the bulletins
Assisting parishioners with requests or special needs
Bringing the elements and attendance numbers to the altar
Taking the collection
Releasing parishioners from the pews for communion
Tidying the church after the service
Taking the collection to the bank after the service
For more information on becoming an usher, contact Tom Chabot or Fred Hadlow
Eucharistic Ministry and Lectors
Meeting Times: When scheduled.
Contact: The Rector
What We Do: Eucharist Ministers and Lectors are an integral part of our lay ministry.
The Eucharistic Ministers serve at the regularly scheduled services and often serve at funerals or weddings, which may include the Eucharist, or in other capacities at the request of the presiding clergy.
A Eucharistic Minister is an active congregant, licensed by the Bishop, authorized to administer the Consecrated Elements at Holy Eucharist or, in some cases, to take the Eucharist to homebound parishioners.
A lector is a person of the congregation appointed by the Rector to read the first and second lessons from Scripture during the Eucharistic liturgy or biblical readings in other special services.
Training and guidance are available for both these ministries. If you are interested in participating, please contact the Rector at (603) 352-1019
Greeters
Meeting Times: N/A.
Contact: Rich Kalich
What We Do: The greeters at St. James take the same role at the worship service that you would if you were hosting a party in your own home. Greeters welcome people as they arrive, are attentive to their questions if they are new, and make sure folks are not left without a conversation partner at coffee hour! We schedule two greeters for each Sunday.
Responsibilities of a Greeter:
He or she stands in the vicinity of the upstairs entrance (east side) of the church. Each person, family, etc. is greeted with a smile and a “Good Morning." As soon as a person is determined to be a visitor, it is very important to invite them back to Fellowship Hour after the service. Over the years, it has become apparent that if they are not “invited,” they are out the door in a flash.
The second Greeter on duty is stationed just outside the office downstairs. Many folks come through the back door because of availability of parking. Greeting is done in the same manner as upstairs.
During Fellowship Hour, the Greeters circulate in the Common Room to chat with each new visitor and to introduce them to others. They ask if newcomers would like to be on the eNews list and if so, get their email address to the office on Monday.
We have had many people who have been “church shopping” come up to us and say, “We have been attending a number of churches in our search, and have come back to St. James because it is the friendliest church we have visited. That is one of the reasons we want to join.” It is very gratifying to have someone come up to you and say, “Thank you so much for welcoming us and talking with us. St. James has a very warm and friendly atmosphere.”
For further information or to be part of the Welcoming Group as a Greeter, please contact Rich Kalich