Acolytes
The Acolytes vest (put on white robes), light the candles on the altar, and lead the procession 
into the church at the beginning of the service. The crucifer carries the cross and assists in preparing the bread and wine. At special services, acolytes carry banners, light extra candles and sometimes serve as thurifer, swinging the censer. At the end of the service, acolytes lead the procession out of the church.
Responsibilities include attending training sessions, being on time (15 minutes before the service begins), participating in the service and arranging for a replacement if you cannot serve when you are scheduled.
When - Sunday mornings at 10:30 worship service and special services when scheduled.
Who – All youth (grades 3 up) and adults are welcome to join. Families can serve together.
Time Involved – Acolytes serve about once a month. Training sessions are held at the beginning of each volunteer period (about twice a year) and before special services.
Contact –
Altar Bread
Bake communion bread for Holy Eucharist. Deliver to the church by 8:30 a.m. on Sunday morning. Meditate while kneading for five minutes. Personal bread baking lessons and recipe are given if desired.
When – Sunday mornings at 10:30 services
Who - All are welcome to join.
Time involved - Bake bread about once every 6 weeks. It takes about an hour each time.
Contact –
Altar Flowers
Volunteers are assigned to arrange flowers for Sunday morning and other special services during the year. We also have fun getting together as a group at Easter and Christmas to decorate the church for the special services.
When - Fresh cut flowers should be selected and arranged as closely to Sunday as possible.
Who - All are welcome to join.
Time involved - Team members serve usually once every 4-6 weeks. Training in flower preparation is available. New members can “apprentice” under experienced members. Arranging takes one to two hours.
Contact – Pam Smith at 501-614-8811 or: smithdesigns@windstream.net.
Altar Guild
As a member of the altar guild, you will be working with your team to prepare the Lord’s Table for your St. Margaret’s family. The Altar Guild is also responsible for the care and cleaning of items used with the Eucharist, such as linens, candles and the altar. Responsibilities include arriving at least 30 minutes early to prepare for service, clean-up after service, and if needed, prepare for the next service. Take linens home to be cleaned and participate in a thorough cleaning of sacristy and sanctuary when scheduled.
When - Sunday mornings at 8:00 and 10:30 services
Who - All are welcome to join.
Time involved – One training session. Teams usually serve once a month on Sunday mornings; and as needed for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services and Holy Week services and funerals and weddings as needed. Once a month there is a scheduled sacristy cleaning that takes about an hour. We are very flexible and can schedule according to your needs.
Contact – Kimberly Holloway
Choirs
Lead music at worship services. Provide special offerings through anthems and occasional liturgies such as Evensong.
Who - Adults and youth interested in choral and handbell choirs.
When - Weekly rehearsals and Sunday services as scheduled (Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesdays, Holy Week, and special services.)
Time involved - Wednesdays, choir rehearsals are from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. The Choral Choir leads singing at the 10:30 worship service on Sundays. Rehearsals are September through May. The choir sings for services year round.
The Choristers rehearse on Wednesday afternoons from 4:30-5:00 p.m.
Contact - Judy Cumming
Greeters/Hospitality Ministers
Greeters welcome people as they enter the building, identify visitors, direct them to services and classes and answer their questions. Hospitality ministers deliver bread to first-time visitors and coordinate with the incorporation team for follow up.
When - Sunday mornings for the 8:00 and 10:30 services
Time involved – Once per month at the service of your choice, plus one training session
Contact- LeighAnne Bennett
Lay Eucharist Ministers (LEM)
This faithful group serves weekly at the altar as chalice bearers during both services.
When - Sunday mornings at the 8:00 and 10:30 services and other services as assigned.
Who - Adults who have been licensed by the Bishop. All adults are welcome to train for this special ministry.
Time involved - A one hour training session. LEM’s are normally scheduled one to two times a month.
Contact:
Lay Eucharistic Visitors (LEV)
The goal of the LEV is to provide the sacrament to those who are hospitalized, homebound, and in nursing homes.
When - Sunday mornings immediately following the service.
Who - Adults who have been licensed by the Bishop. All adults are welcome to train for this special ministry.
Time involved - A one hour training session. Visits on Sunday usually take about one to two hours.
Contact:
Lectors
Lectors are responsible for reading the lessons in worship services. Responsibilities include attending a training session and reading the assigned lessons during the week to become familiar with the text.
When - Sunday mornings at the 8:00 and 10:30 services.
Who - All adults and youth in fifth grade or older who enjoy public reading and are willing to undergo training are welcome.
Time involved - Lectors are usually scheduled for one service every 4-6 weeks. Arrive about 10 minutes before the scheduled service and check the lectern stand to ensure the passages are properly marked.
Contact –
Ushers
Ushers at St. Margaret’s provide a ministry of hospitality and assistance to all worshippers, giving extra attention and help to visitors or those with special needs. Duties include distributing worship bulletins to those entering the church, collecting the offering, providing attendance counts, and guiding worshippers to communion.
When - Sunday mornings at the 8:00 and 10:30 services
Who - All youth and adults are welcome to participate.
Time involved - Ushers arrive 20 minutes before the beginning of the service and remain for a few minutes afterward to straighten up. Ushers serve once every few weeks on Sunday morning. Also, ushers are needed to serve at extra services during the Christmas and Easter holidays and occasionally for special services.
Contact – Mark Fortune
Pastoral Care Ministries
Cards and Calling
The purpose of the Card and Calling Ministry is to minister to the needs of our congregation by keeping in touch with our members through telephone calls and cards. When people are absent from church for an extended time or when they have special happenings within the family such as death or birth or hospitalization, it is important for them to know that their church family is concerned and cares about them.
Who - Anyone interested in writing or calling members and new visitors
When - At the beginning of each week, committee members receive from the Welcoming Team, the Pastoral Care Team and/or the Administrative Assistant a list of people who need a card or telephone call. People who have not been in church for several weeks are contacted by telephone to let them know they have been missed, and they are encouraged to return. Depending on the situation, people may receive both a card and a telephone call.
Commitment level - Each co-chair will be in charge for a two month period and will be assisted by one other person. The co-chair will coordinate the cards and the calling for those months and keep a card file on what is done. At the end of the period, the card file and cards will be passed on to the next chair.
Contact – Ashley Gill
Circle of Care
The ministers of the church are lay persons, bishops, priests, and deacons. Lay persons are commissioned for their ministry by the Sacrament of Holy Baptism. Members of the Ministry of Care team provide their presence and prayer to those who are hospitalized, homebound or in nursing homes. The group makes pastoral care visits to those who are sick and/or homebound, offering prayers with them. They also take flowers from the altar each week to those who could not attend services.
Who - Anyone who is interested in pastoral care
When - As your schedule permits
Time involved - At least 20 hours of training each year to empower you in this ministry, then about an hour each week as your schedule permits
Contact – Alice Kunce
Maggie’s Kitchen
Maggie’s Kitchen is a group of volunteers that provide meals for members of St. Margaret’s in times of need, such as the death of a family member, the birth or adoption of a baby, or an illness. Team members are called on a rotating basis as needs arise. They can either make a meal from scratch or take one of the frozen casseroles from the church kitchen (also provided by team members.)
Who - Anyone who is interested in providing and cooking meals
When - When needed as determined by clergy, staff, and/or coordinator
Time involved - Help with a meal once a month or less.
Contact – Chris Dollard
Martha’s Team
This team helps organize funeral services at St. Margaret’s – members are called on to help with the reception, service, and the needs of the family.
Who – Everyone is welcome to participate
When – As needed
Contact:
Mourner’s Path
Grief support group whose purpose is to help those who have experienced a recent loss transform their grief into joyful living.
Who – Everyone is welcome to participate.
When – The class is held twice a year for 8 consecutive weeks each time.
Contact - Pat Murray or Amy Gray Light
Intercessory Prayer
Pray daily for those on the St. Margaret’s prayer list.
Who - Anyone interested in adding to your daily prayer ritual
When - Anytime you like on a daily basis
Time involved - Daily, for as long as your schedule permits
Contact – Mary Vano at 821-1311 or mvano@stmargaretschurch.org
Service Ministries
Special Events
Help plan and prepare for events such as Mardi Gras, Independence Day brunches, special receptions, picnics, and potlucks. Members can choose how to participate – decorations, setup and take down, ticket sales, etc.
When - As determined by Clergy,
Who - All who are interested in helping with our special events either by cooking, organizing or planning
Time involved – The time involved depends on the event and the job.
Contact:
Transportation
Pick up people who need transportation to church from their residence and return them following the service or event. Some individuals will need assistance getting in and out of the vehicle and into the church. Precautions must be taken to assure their safety in the vehicle and upon arriving and departing the church.
When - Sunday morning and other times as needed for congregational events
Who - Responsible, licensed drivers over 18 years of age
Time involved – As mutually agreed.
Contact:
Office Volunteers
Volunteers are needed to help assist the office staff. Duties may include answering phones, data entry, updating the Parish Register and Memorial Books, help with mailings and other special projects.
When - The office is open Monday-Thursday 9:00-3:00 and Friday from 9:00-1:00.
Who - All are welcome to volunteer.
Contact: