Christ Church seeks to joyfully encounter
in the midst of the great congregation
the life giving
and life changing
love of God
— each of us transfigured
by the grace of costly communion —
Acolytes
Acolytes are servants to the priests during the worship
service assisting in the preparation for Holy Communion,
carrying the processional cross(es) and torches, assisting
with the offering plates and seeing that the altar candles
are lit at the proper times. Acolytes also serve as models
for the congregation during the services. The Acolyte
program provides opportunity for girls and boys (8 years
and older), as well as adults, to serve as Servers,
Crucifers, Torch Bearers and Thurifers (incense bearers) in
the worship services of the church. Girls and boys must be
at least 8 years old to begin acolyting as Torch Bearers,
assisting with the offering plates and lighting the altar
candles. As they grow taller and stronger they may advance
to carrying the processional crosses and serving the priest
at the altar in preparation for Holy Communion. Adults are
encouraged to be Acolytes too, and when trained may serve
in any of the Acolyte duties. Thurifers are used at special
services during the year and it requires special training
to be able to serve in this capacity. Scheduling for
Acolyte duty is done every three months and most Acolytes
will serve at least once per month during this period.
Acolyte training will occur at least twice per year and all
Acolytes are expected to participate. Older Acolytes will
help train younger Acolytes.
Charlie Green / Bill Waggener
Acolyte Shadow Program
This is a program that allows younger students (7-9 year
olds) or students
who have never acolyted to try out this ministry before
committing to the training and scheduling. They will be
robed and participate, thus allowing them to observe the
details and skills required for acolyting.
Robin Woolums
Altar Flowers (Jolies Fleurs)
This is a ministry to continue the millennia old tradition
of using God's creations (flowers and greens) and our God
given talents to decorate the church for worship. Two altar
arrangements are made weekly for Sunday services. For
Christmas and Easter more elaborate decorating is done.
This ministry is open to both men and women who love
working with flowers. No previous experience is needed as
you'll be paired with an experienced person who will train
you. The time commitment is approximately 3 hours on a
Saturday less than once a month. You meet at the church, go
to the flower wholesaler and choose the flowers for the
arrangements, then come back to the church and create the
arrangements for Sunday. Christmas and Easter create
additional opportunities. Due to the extensive decorating
that's done extra people are needed. You can volunteer just
for one of both of those times.
Francine Terrell / Grace Ann Westergren
Altar Guild
Altar Guild work is quiet, behind the scenes work. The
Altar Guild is an integral part of the worship service
working as the clergy's liturgical partner in assuring that
the worship services run smoothly. They are responsible for
setting up the altar, for maintaining the area behind the
altar rail, and for cleaning and maintaining the altar
vessels. Altar Guild is involved in all funerals, weddings,
baptisms and other services at the church. Altar Guild
members can be male or female and are called to prepare and
tending the worship space. While this is a disciplined
ministry, flexibility is also needed to meet changes in
services, etc. Our church has separate ministries for doing
flowers and for caring for the linens.
Volunteers are assigned to a team that meets once a month.
There is ongoing training. Each team meets for
approximately one hour on their assigned Saturday every
month. Team members are assigned Sunday services and arrive
1/2 hour early to check the set up for the service and
remain approximately 1/2 hour after the service to clean up
and get ready for the next service.
Judy Wells
Audio-Visual Technicians
All text and artwork displayed on the screen during the
9:00 am and 10:30 am services are generated and projected
using sophisticated computer equipment. AV Technicians are
responsible for the timing and accuracy of the multi-media
software used each Sunday. Testing of equipment, checking
with the priest and musicians ahead of services, and
running audio-visual announcements are all part of this
volunteer ministry. Familiarity with PowerPoint and
computers is required. Some training is available.
Preferred commitment, long-term. Two shifts available.
Required to be on-site from 8:15 to 10:15 am or 10:00 am to
noon.
David Groat
Chalice Ministers
Chalice Ministers feel called to this ministry to be an
instrument of Holy Communion. They assist the clergy with
the distribution of the wine during Holy Communion at all
Sunday services. The Chalice Ministers display a demeanor
of reverence that does nothing to distract from the
congregation's worship. Chalice Ministers are currently
needed for the 10:30 am and the 6:00 pm services. The
required training is provided and takes approximately 1/2-1
hour. You are scheduled to serve on a rotating basis, every
4-6 weeks. On your assigned day you arrive 1/2 hour prior
to the service to vest and pray. Chalice Ministers are
responsible for keeping vestments neat and clean. Chalice
Ministers are occasionally needed to serve at funerals.
This ministry requires good eye-hand coordination, balance
and sufficient upper body strength to properly handle
chalices full of liquid.
Ardie Wallbank
Lectors
The Lectors are the readers of the Word at Sunday services.
Given the importance of the scriptures, lectors are charged
with proclaiming the Word clearly, purposefully, and
respectfully. Attention must be given to pitch, cadence,
and phraseology to aid the listener in understanding the
meaning of the text. Training is required for all lectors,
including practice with the sound system in the sanctuary.
Preparation time for reading varies with the individual,
but readers should pre-read the scripture aloud so they are
familiar with it. They arrive at church 10-15 minutes early
to check that the Lector's book at the pulpit is marked for
the current day's readings. Lectors are scheduled on a
rotation basis, usually every 4-6 weeks. At most services
two lectors share the task of reading either the New
Testament or the Old Testament selections. Lectors are
sometimes asked to read for funerals or special services.
Debbie Jonas
Youth Lectors
The nature of our 9:00 am service encourages youth and
families to participate actively in many ways. This
ministry is designed to train young people, ages 10-18, to
boldly proclaim the word of God for the congregation at
this service. Lector training once a year or as needed in a
one-on-one situations. You can expect to be scheduled once
every 3-4 months. New lectors must practice in the
sanctuary prior to their first reading.
Robin Woolums
Music Ministries
Music is an important part of our corporate worship
experience. Our goal is to provide high-quality,
participation-oriented offerings to God. There are a
variety of ways to explore the use of your gifts, whether
you are a singer or an instrumentalist. If you are willing
to serve, we encourage you to contact us. There is no
experience or age requirement, but the ability to stay in
tune is necessary. Preferred commitment is a minimum of two
months. The longer the better!
10:30 Choir: Provides offertory music from a variety
of traditional sources. Led by a professional director.
Rehearsals (required) are Thursday evenings, 7:00-8:30 pm.
Sunday rehearsals begin at 10:00 am. Choir robes are
provided.
Donna Wickham
10:30 Contemporary Music Team: A combination of
singers and instrumentalists, with a required Thursday
rehearsal from 6:00-7:00 pm. Typically three contemporary
songs are prepared each week. Sunday morning rehearsals
begin at 10:15 am.
Ann Kirkpatrick
9:00 Contemporary Music Team: Another combination of
singers and instrumentalists. This group meets Sundays at
8:00 am in the Music Room to rehearse (required).
Additional "band" rehearsals occur as needed. Typically
five contemporary songs are prepared each week.
Ann Kirkpatrick
Bell Choir: The Bell Choir has been meeting for
about 40 years now. We currently rehearse every Tuesday
morning from 9:00-10:30 am, performing at the 7:30 am
service at least once a month. Experience reading music is
required, but no bell experience is needed! New Members are
welcome!!
Kevin Kennedy
Children's Choir: In the past this choir has been
active in the 9:00 am service, meeting for rehearsals at
8:30 am. We are currently seeking a volunteer director for
this ministry.
Ann Kirkpatrick
Prayers of the People
One aspect of our corporate worship as Episcopalians is
audible prayer led by a member of the congregation. Prayers
either come from the Book of Common Prayer or are composed
by designated individuals, both of which follow a
prescribed outline. The nature of our 9:00 am service
allows for families as a whole to lead the Prayers of the
People. At all other services only one person leads the
prayers. Volunteers are generally scheduled once every 5-6
weeks. We especially need people at the 10:30 am and 6:00
pm services. The ministry is open to anyone with a strong
speaking voice who reads aloud well. Participants are
expected to meet with the clergy and other servers in the
priest's sacristy 15 minutes prior to the service for
prayer and any new developments in the service.
9:00 am service scheduler: Linda Monson
Other services: Kim Moon
Preaching Guild
This is a small group of individuals who come alongside the
clergy to discuss the broad thematic direction of sermons
for the upcoming months. They are called to pray for the
clergy, discern the Spirit, listen to sermons and offer
feedback and encouragement. Volunteers are by appointment
and are asked for a one year commitment.
Fr. Andy Kline
Side Altar Prayer Ministers
In accordance with our belief that the Holy Spirit desires
to meet our needs, we provide Prayer Ministers at the side
altar during and after Holy Communion to pray with anyone
who comes for prayer. These volunteers have a compassion
for people and are experienced in intercessory prayer and
discernment. Prayer Ministers are scheduled for the various
services and are expected to be in attendance for the
entire service. If unable to meet their scheduled service
time they are responsible to arrange for substitutes. They
take Communion at the earliest opportunity and then proceed
to the side altar to prepare to pray with others.
Dennis and Shirley Ridgley
Sound Technicians
This specialty area supports all amplified sound in the
sanctuary at Christ Church. Apprentices would work under
the direction of our master sound technician and would
learn the intricacies of mixing sound on the church's sound
board. No experience is required to become a volunteer
"apprentice" sound technician, but a commitment to weekly
service from either 7:00-8:30 am or 8:45-11:45 am is
required. Due to the complexity of this equipment, a long
term commitment is preferred.
Conrad Kehn
* The following are "Dream" Ministries--ministries Christ
Church would like to implement in the future.
*Prayer Opportunities
The leadership of Christ Church recognizes that God works
through the prayers of his people. We want to develop and
nurture a culture of prayer that invites every member to
recognize his or her role in common prayer and to
participate through supporting the ministries, events,
services, leadership, community, and vision of the Church
by praying with others. Such expressions of common prayer
may include the creation of a 24-hour prayer room,
intercessory groups praying for and during every service
and every church-sponsored event, and prayer teams meeting
regularly to focus their prayers on particular ministries.
If you share this vision and wish to participate more
actively in this area please contact us.
Kathy Mulhern
*Music at the 6:00 pm Service
On Sundays at 6 pm we offer a worship service that is
generally quieter than our morning services. We currently
have two individuals who rotate playing piano to accompany
hymn singing. This contemplative community would also
welcome other instrumental or vocal leadership. The service
now meets in the Music Room on Sunday evenings.
Fr. Tom Danitschek