As citizens of the Kingdom
and members of God’s family
Christ Church seeks to be one
coordinated body connecting people
to wholeness and timely help
through God’s healing touch
CC Bridge
Players
This is a social ministry for those who like to play
Contract Bridge. In August couples sign up. In September a
potluck is held and in October play begins. Each couple
plays a different couple every month until May when there
is another potluck held to conclude the "season".
Recruiting for bridge players is done in August of every
year. Any two people can comprise a 'couple.' A rudimentary
knowledge of Contract Bridge is required. All skill levels
are welcome. Commitment is from September to May.
Joanna
McLean
Coffee
Servers
This is a ministry serving the congregation on Sundays
after morning services. The purpose is to encourage
fellowship. Prior to the 7:30am service the coffee pots are
prepared and the cups, sugar, etc. are set out. Supplies
and directions to make the coffee are in the closet behind
the counter in the Commons. After the 10:30 service all is
cleaned up by the Sexton. This responsibility is rotated
with the various volunteers so no one person has to do it
every week.
Joanna
McLean
Cookie
Bakers
There are numerous events that occur throughout the year
when light refreshment adds to the hospitality we offer.
This includes receptions, conferences, retreats,
parish-wide events, etc. Homemade cookies are a much-loved
treat and these events provide an opportunity to share our
favorites and help control costs for the church. Volunteers
are pooled and called as the need for cookies come up.
Usually we need 4-5 dozen cookies from each baker. Need
varies depending on events.
Joy
Pardue
Newsletter
Collators
This group of volunteers meets monthly to collate and fold
the Good News to prepare it for mailing to members.
Volunteers are contacted one or two days prior to the
newsletter being ready to mail. We are also called upon by
the church staff if large numbers of bulletins need to be
assembled during the Christmas season and Holy Week. There
are currently 30+ names on this volunteer list, but due to
the short notice there are usually only 12-15 people who
are able to help each month. We meet mid-week for about two
hours, usually in Barnes Hall.
Mac
Wallin
Desk
Receptionists
This is a group of trained volunteers, male and female, who
answer the phone in the office and, when needed and time
permits, help with various office tasks. These people are
in addition to the full time office staff. These volunteers
are often the first contact a newcomer, visitor, of
delivery person has to the church and must be professional,
courteous and well-informed. This position requires the
ability to operate a multi-line telephone and paging
system, handle visitors to the office, and answer calls;
often amidst periods of heavy activity and confusion. Each
weekday is divided into two shifts, morning and afternoon.
All receptionists must be trained.
Priscilla
Lind
Emergency
Prayer Chain
Christ Church has many prayer ministries, each which
addresses different kinds of needs. The Emergency Prayer
Chain is set up to pray for immediate needs, (within the
next seven days). The chain provides a vital resource for
those in crisis, letting them and their loved ones know
that a powerful and caring ministry is adding support to
their own prayers. There is a one leader and three prayer
chains. When a prayer request is received, you are called
or e-mailed and then you pass the request onto the next
person on your chain. This ministry currently receives 1 to
5 prayer requests per week. Confidentiality is of paramount
importance in this and all prayer ministries. Feedback is
much appreciated. To make a prayer request, either call the
office during office hours or call the ministry leaders
after hours. Requests are passed on as quickly as possible.
The time commitment varies by the number of requests
received but averages approximately one hour per week for
the receiving and passing on of the requests. The actual
time spent in prayer is limitless.
Mac
Wallin
Friends In
Need
Friends in Need provides meals and transportation for those
in need as well as greeting cards when appropriate. Most
people being served are those who are ill or recently have
had surgery. Friends in Needs also provides Christmas
baskets to people in the parish who have had struggles
within the previous year. Friends in Need nurtures and
builds up the family of God. It is a ministry that allows
us to share our needs and gifts while connecting in
significant relationships. We maintain a pool of people
willing to cook and deliver a meal, or provide
transportation in an emergency. This list is divided by zip
code so we can match people who live near each other. As
the church hears about a need, contact is made and needs
are determined. Then people are called to see if they can
help. We would like more people in the pool as this
provides a larger base to draw from and accommodates
people's busy lifestyles better.
Penny
Montgomery
Home
Communion
Home Communion is the vehicle for keeping parishioners who
are unable to attend church, connected to the Body through
the sacrament of Communion. Home Communion is delivered to
homebound parishioners as well as those in the hospital
and/or nursing home. Sacrament that has been blessed at the
morning church service is delivered that same day by a Lay
Eucharistic Minister who has been trained and licensed. The
shortened communion service includes prayer and scripture
reading. This symbolizes the church community's care,
support and concern for its sick and infirmed. A one day
training, provided by the Diocese, is required. After
successful completion of this training, you are licensed to
take communion to the sick and infirmed. The volunteers are
scheduled, per agreement with the leader, and take the
communion after attending a church service on Sunday. The
time commitment is the amount of time it takes to travel to
the recipient, administer the communion and return the
vessels to the church. This is usually 1 - 1-1/2 hours. The
number of people needed for this ministry varies and
commitment is tied to the needs of the recipient.
Lillian
Fish
Kitchen
Angels
The nature of a busy church family is that commonly used
areas are often 'rode hard and put away wet'. Our kitchen
is one of those areas. Our goal is that every ministry that
uses the kitchen would take the extra time to wash, dry and
put away all items used. The volunteers of this ministry
have taken it upon themselves to help reduce the burden on
the church staff by keeping the drawers and cupboards
stocked and organized and washing the dirty linens. New
volunteers are welcome and after an initial tour of the
cupboards and closets, would be added to the rotation.
Jerry
Millie
Library
Volunteers
Christ Church has an extensive library and it is
continually growing. It is utilized not just by our members
but also by many visitors. Like any library, books must be
catalogued, filed, checked out and in. Additionally, books
are regularly donated and they have to be processed. The
library can use volunteers who are detail minded and like
books. The training is done by Gail Evans as needed.
Volunteer time is tailored to the person volunteering.
Gail
Evans
Long Term
Intercessory Prayer Group
Christ Church has many prayer ministries, each which
addresses different kinds of needs. The Long Term
Intercessory Prayer Group takes responsibility for praying
for those members of the congregation and their friends who
are shut-in or living with chronic or terminal conditions.
These names are published in the Good News every month.
Names are kept on the list for at least two years.
Confidentiality as to the prayer need is of paramount
importance in this and all prayer ministries unless
permission to share is expressly given. Feedback is much
appreciated. To make a prayer request: call the office,
send an email, drop a note in the offering plate, or tell a
staff person or a pastoral care volunteer. Someone will
follow up and contact you. Updated lists are sent from the
office to anyone who participates in this ministry. Time
spent in prayer is limitless.
Shirley
Johnson
Ministry to
Men
This group grew out of a Promise Keepers conference as a
place where men could explore what it means to be strong
Christian husbands and fathers. Over the past 14 years it
has evolved into a discussion group with strong
discipleship and prayer components. Here men challenge each
other to grow as Christians. This group meets every other
Saturday morning from 7:45 to 9:30am at the church. Call
the office to confirm date and location.
Dick
Wise
Monday Flower
Ministry
Rather than let the Altar flowers go to waste every week,
the volunteers from this ministry dismantle the large
arrangements and reassemble them into family-friendly
sizes. These arrangements and cards are delivered to
parishioners who are ill, in the hospital, at a nursing
home, shut in, etc. If time and scheduling allows, a visit
to share Jesus' love is included. This is a ministry that
lets parishioners that are unable to attend church know
that they are part of a community that cares, supports, and
prays for its members. The volunteer flower deliverers,
male and female, meet at the church at 9:00 every Monday to
break down the arrangements and make the new ones. While
this is being done, the leader is calling and making sure
that the parishioner can receive flowers, getting addresses
and driving directions. The deliverers then take the
arrangement they have to the parishioner. Most people are
finished by 11:00 a.m.
Debbie
Woods
Needlepointers
The Christ Church Needlepoint project began in 1992. Its
mission is to create needlepoint kneelers for all the
chairs, pews, and altar cushions on the main floor of the
church. All the designs are unique to Christ Church, and
are stitched by hand. Since all the kneelers in the center
two sections of the church are either completed or in
progress, we are now beginning to stitch the kneelers for
the north section of the sanctuary and are looking for new
volunteers to take on these projects. No experience is
needed, as training is provided. We are looking for people
who like to work with their hands, have a good eye for
detail work, and are willing to persevere for the
approximately 2 years it takes to stitch a kneeler. We meet
twice a month for support, encouragement, and supervision.
A daytime and an evening meeting are provided to
accommodate diverse schedules. We meet the 2nd and 4th
Thursdays of most months (summer schedule differs) from
1:30 to 3:30 p.m. or 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Nancy
Cook / Ursula Wesselhoeft
Nursery/Child
Care
Providing a safe, healthy Christian environment for young
families and children is one of our highest priorities at
Christ Church. We provide childcare for children ages 0-3
on Sunday mornings and ages 0-10 for mid-week Bible
studies, MOPS, and other classes. Childcare for conferences
and other major events is available as requested, so be
sure and pre-register for these events if you will need
this ministry. Nursery care-givers are paid professionals.
We can always use help with organizing and cleaning the
nursery rooms. A list of needs and desires for the Nursery
is posted periodically at the counter in the Commons.
Christ Church Policy for
Adults Working with Children
The community of Christ Church takes very seriously our
responsibility for the safety of our children in all our
programs and events. The following criteria applies to all
adult volunteers working with children:
• Must be in active, regular attendance for at least
six months
• Must attend a one-day seminar, Safeguarding God's
Children, sponsored by the diocese
• Must submit a Volunteer Application Form which
includes permission for a background check.
Margaret
Ann McKee
OPUS
OPUS is a fellowship group for people 55 or older. The
group meets once a month, the 3rd Wednesday, for lunch and
a program. Checks confirm reservations. Outings are
coordinated with RTD and a list is published every 2-3
months. The list of outings is available in the Commons.
People send in checks to make reservations (which are
limited) and the trips fill up fast. Programs are now being
arranged by Lillian Fish and the meals are catered by Meg
Stern. However, suggestions for programs are welcome and
additional help is always appreciated.
Lillian
Fish
Parish Life
Events
These are events and activities that are planned to
encourage community within the life of our parish. These
range from mother-daughter teas to church-wide picnics to
our all parish retreat. All Parish Life Events have as
their primary purpose the building of community and
connection as an entire parish. These are also great ways
to introduce your friends to Christ Church. Announcements
about upcoming Parish Life Events will be published in the
Good News and the Sunday bulletin. The more people who
offer to help, the lighter the task, and the more fun!
Participation
- Plan to come to
as many Parish Life Events, with your family and friends,
as you are able for these are where you truly get a sense
of the heart of a church.
Auxiliary
- Each event has a
point person who creates an event team. You may want to
join an event team and help with the various tasks involved
in putting one of these events together.
Point Leader
- Each event needs
a point person to organize the event and gather a team of
people to produce the event. If you have a leadership gift
or a gift for organization, you may want to consider
organizing an event.
Colin
Campbell
Pastoral Care
Coordinators
This ministry coordinates the various pastoral care
ministries at Christ Church to keep anyone from "falling
through the cracks." Included are the Emergency-, Pastoral
Care-, and Long Term-prayer teams, Stephen Ministry, Monday
Morning Flowers, Friends in Need, and Home Communion. The
Pastoral Care (PC) Coordinators are the "point persons" to
whom clergy, staff, volunteers, and parishioners can turn,
to ensure high-quality, timely pastoral care. The PC
Coordinators will also help these ministries with
recruiting and effectiveness of their ministry. At the
present time this position is being filled by Rebecca Brown
and Patty Husman.
Rebecca
Brown / Patty Husman
Pastoral Care
Prayer Team
Representatives from Stephen Ministry, Friends in Need and
Monday Flower Ministry meet each Tuesday morning to
determine the names of parishioners and their friends and
relatives that are to be listed in the Sunday bulletin.
They discuss who might need a Stephen Minister, meals or
transportation, home communion, would like flowers and a
visit, or should be listed on the Emergency or Long Term
Intercessory Prayer lists. Appropriate ministry leaders and
volunteers are informed of these decisions. Members of this
group also commit to pray for the people on the Pastoral
Care (PC) list. Copies of the PC prayer list from each
week's meeting are given to each priest. To make a prayer
request: call the office, send an email, drop a note in the
offering plate, or tell a staff person or a pastoral care
volunteer. Someone will follow up and contact you, if
needed. This committee is composed of pastoral care
ministry leaders and those called to pray for the welfare
of our church family. The coordinator creates, updates, and
distributes the PC list every week; weekly meetings are
1-1/2 hours; additional tasks, follow-up calls, etc. follow
as needed.
Shirley
Johnson
Pew
Angels
Volunteers help keep our sanctuary clean and organized to
make worship easier on everyone. There are 5 teams of 3
people each who restock the racks on the back of the pews
in the church. They supply scratch pads, pencils, visitor
cards, envelopes for giving, pledge cards, and prayer
request cards. They also keep the hymnals, Bibles and
Prayer Books distributed appropriately. There are openings
for some additional workers. There are 5 teams, each
assigned to a Sunday of the month. Each team is responsible
to restock the church during the week following its
assigned Sunday. The teams divide the church up into
sections and each person is responsible for a section. You
can come at any time during the week and you don't need to
come with the other members of your team. It takes 1 -
1-1/2 hours. Pew Angels say that one of the benefits of
this ministry is being alone in the church, drinking in
God's presence.
Lou
Stirling
Purchasing
This ministry is designed to inventory and order the
disposable paper and plastic goods, coffee supplies, and
other stock items we use for various church functions. It
is important when planning a major event, to contact our
purchaser to insure sufficient quantities of said items.
Supplies are ordered every 8-10 weeks and then must be
unpacked and stored in the various ministry closets.
Periodic inventories and bi-monthly orders. When supplies
are delivered, 1-2 hours unpacking and stocking shelves.
We'd like another person added to this ministry, to learn
the ropes and act as backup.
Judy
Boyles
Stephen
Ministry
This is a one-on-one distinctively Christian lay caring
ministry where a trained Stephen Minister visits weekly
with an assigned parishioner (same gender) who is having
difficulty coping with a crisis or difficult life
transition. During the visits the Stephen Minister
primarily listens, prays, and cares while the person finds
the way forward again. Stephen Ministers also have peer
supervision regularly for continuing education and support
of each other. Stephen Ministry is a national lay
organization developed to assist clergy in meeting pastoral
care needs of their congregation. Our Stephen Ministry
leaders meet regularly with our clergy. Open to all adults
at Christ Church, but volunteers must go through 50 hours
of training and be commissioned to serve the parish. After
commissioning Stephen Ministers will be assigned one care
receiver at a time and meet weekly for about an hour with
that person for the duration of the crisis and any follow
up issues. An assignment typically will last a few months,
but can last longer. Additionally, each Stephen Minister is
expected to attend a monthly supervision and continuing
education session of about two hours.
David
Montgomery
Stewardship
Commission
The Stewardship Commission is responsible for selecting and
implementing a capital campaign for Christ Church each year
aligned with the Church mission statement. This commission
is in direct contact with the Vestry and the clergy. There
are eight members consisting of a chair person, vice chair,
secretary, Vestry liaison and other support members. This
commission meets once a month for 2 to 3 hours. Members are
appointed by the Rector.
Ken
Berry / Betsy Rush
Tape
Ministry
The Tape Ministry is a way to share copies of Sunday
morning's sermons in both tape and CD formats to those who
request them. People have used these to share with friends,
to revisit a particularly powerful personal message, or to
keep up to date with the church when on vacation or out of
town. The addition of a CD format means we need to update
and change the way we have been doing this ministry.
*Creation of Order/Pickup System: This is a chance for
someone to create a new procedure for tape and CD
reproduction and distribution.
*Weekly Tape / CD Reproduction: This would involve coming
in weekly or every other week to do the actual copying of
the sermons, mailing them out, or letting people know that
they are available to be picked-up. One hour a week at the
most.
Kim
Moon
Tract
Rack
This ministry provides free reading materials to all
members and visitors. These materials on spiritual growth
are located on the wall by the Bride's Room in the Commons.
These materials are updated regularly and include the
current Day By Day readings. This ministry is a one person
ministry and is currently filled. However, designated
donations would make it possible to purchase more tracts
and booklets.
Joy
Pardue
Women of
Christ Church
This is a dynamic, intergenerational, women's fellowship
open to every woman at Christ Church. There are various
activities scheduled during the year. "Girl's Night Out"
dinners are scheduled quarterly, on the fifth Thursday of
those months with five Thursdays. WCC hosted an all parish
breakfast in October and hope to make that an annual event.
They have had a garage sale and plan to have another next
spring. In December they are having a Mother Daughter tea.
As the church has many opportunities for spiritual growth
through Bible studies, Sunday School classes, etc. the
primary focus of WCC is social - showing God's love to
others. We have found that friendships are developing as a
result of socializing and working together. There is a
governing board that is now overseeing WCC. They meet
monthly and welcome ideas and suggestions. Various
scheduled events call for volunteers and the amount of time
needed varies with the event. All events and volunteer
opportunities are publicized in the church bulletin.
Debbie
Woods
*The
following are "Dream"
Ministries--ministries Christ Church
would like to implement in the future.
*Church
Historians
Our parish is over 50 years old and we have no compiled,
concise history of it. An initial attempt was made for the
50th Anniversary, but has since languished. We would like a
committee of people to take on the task of sorting,
organizing and collecting pertinent information that would
record our history into a form that could be easily
accessed and protected.
Edi
King
*Green Thumb
Gardeners
For years the flower beds in the courtyard were tended by
the loving hands of a couple of church members. Since their
retirement the task of maintaining the beds has fallen to
our overworked staff. We are looking for some 'green
thumbs' who would take on the job of keeping our flower
beds in tip-top order, to create a pleasing appearance to
all who visit our church.
Kay
Harlan / Rick Schock
*Recycle
Ministry
Between the paper generated in the office, soda cans
emptied on a regular basis, and even the bottles from the
Communion wine, we have ample materials to recycle. We are
looking for some industrious, ecological-minded volunteers
to create, maintain and oversee a recycling ministry here
at Christ Church.
Kim
Moon