Worship Ministries
For every Sunday of worship, there are over 35 volunteers who provide hospitality, prepare the altar, lead and serve in worship. The roles are simple, but the work is meaningful, as we gather together and offer ourselves as a living sacrifice to God. Worship ministries are a great way to get involved, even if you're new to the community, or have never served in worship before.
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 censor. 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 9:00 and 11:00 worship services 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.
Scott Smith
Email: ssmith@smithassociatespa.com
Altar Guild
As a member of the Altar Guild, you will be working with your team to prepare the Lord's Table for Holy Communion. 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 the service, clean up after worship, and preparation for the following week. Members take linens home to be cleaned and ironed, and participate in occasional "deeper" cleanings of the sacristy and sanctuary.
When - Sunday mornings at 8:00, 9:00 and 11:00 services (separate teams for each service).
Who - All are welcome to join.
Time involved - Teams typically serve once per month on Sunday mornings, and as needed for Holy Days, weddings, and funerals. New members will have one training session.
Carolee Toulson
Email: cltoulson@hotmail.com
Bread Guild
Members of the Bread Guild bake communion bread for Holy Eucharist. More than just a kitchen task, this is a spiritual exercise - mixing, kneading and baking the fruits of the earth to be offered at the Lord's Table. Bread must be delivered to the Church by 9:30 each Sunday, and when possible, the bread baker also serves as the oblationer - bringing the gifts of bread and the wine to the table at the Offertory.
New members will receive recipes and a personal bread baking lesson as needed.
When - Sunday mornings for 9:00 and 11:00 worship.
Who - All are welcome
Time involved - Members are assigned to bake about once every 6 weeks. It takes about an hour each time.
Jam Thames
Email: jatwac@gmail.com
Children's Chapel Leaders
Children's Chapel Leaders are responsible for preparing and offering a brief children's sermon and prayer time during the 11:00 worship service each week. These volunteers will lead the children downstairs to the Children's Atrium after the Gospel reading, then return them to their parents in the sanctuary during the Peace. In doing so, they provide a ministry to children - giving them an age-appropriate lesson for the day, and a ministry to their parents - allowing them to listen deeply to the sermon and prayers without having to worry about their children. Children's Chapel Leaders work in pairs, with one preparing and teaching the lesson, and the other providing supervisory support.
When - Sundays during the 11:00 service
Who - All adults are welcome. Must receive Safeguarding God's Children certification.
Time Involved - Children's Chapel Leaders serve on a rotating basis, usually about once every 6 weeks. They may spend approximately an hour in preparation, and then 15 minutes in the actual service. Initial training will require a few hours.
The Rev. Mary Vano
Email: mvano@stmargaretschurch.org
Choir
The choir helps to lead the congregation in singing, and to inspire our worship with the beauty of music. Though it helps to have some musical abilities, training will be provided to those who lack experience. Practice CDs are made available to that members can practice at home or in their cars. There is no audition, and all are welcome.
When - Sundays at 11:00, and Holy Days, such as Christmas, Holy Week, and Easter. September - May, the choir rehearses weekly on Wednesday evenings at 7:00, and Sunday mornings at 9:30.
Who - All are welcome to join.
Time Involved - Choir members are asked to attend weekly rehearsals and Sunday services as often as they are able, which adds up to about 4 hours each week. Members may always sign out when they are going to be absent. We take a break from rehearsals during the summer.
John Briggs
Email: jbriggs@stmargaretschurch.org
Flower Guild
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 these special occasions.
When - Fresh cut flowers should be selected and arranged as closely to Sunday as possible. Volunteers typically work according to their availability on Fridays or Saturdays.
Who - All are welcome to join.
Time involved - Team members serve usually once every month. Training in the art of flower arranging is available, and new members may "apprentice" alongside more experienced members. Time spent is typically about 2 hours.
Mary DeLoney
Email: mkdeloney@gmail.com
Greeters
Greeters are there each Sunday to welcome all people in the Name of Christ. Greeters stand at the entrances before worship to greet people when they enter, identify those who are visiting, and offer hospitality by answering questions, directing guests to classes and to worship, and helping people to feel at home in this community.
When - Sunday mornings for the 8:00, 9:00 and 11:00 services.
Who - All are welcome to join.
Time Involved - Once per month at the service of your choice, plus one training session.
Leigh Anne Bennett
Email: leighannebennett@ymail.com
Lay Eucharistic Ministers
This faithful group serves at the altar as chalice bearers during Holy Communion. Coming forward when it is time to serve the Communion, the Lay Eucharistic Ministers offer the sacrament to each person with the words, "The blood of Christ. The cup of salvation." LEMs will participate in a brief training session, and are then licensed by the Bishop for service at the altar.
When - Sunday mornings at 8:00, 9:00 and 11:00, and special services as assigned.
Who - All are welcome to join.
Time Involved - LEMs typically serve about once per month.
Katherine Strother
Email: admin@stmargaretschurch.org
Lectors
An important part of our worship is listening to the stories of our faith and the wisdom of Holy Scripture. Lectors lead the community in this exercise by reading the lessons appointed for each Sunday during our worship services. Lectors participate in a brief training, and will be licensed for the bishop for this ministry. When they are assigned, Lectors are asked to prepare by reading and becoming familiar with their appointed lesson.
When - Sunday mornings at the 8:00, 9:00 and 11:00 worship services.
Who - All adults and youth in fifth grade or older who enjoy public reading.
Time involved - Lectors are typically scheduled to read every 4-6 weeks. Please arrive about 10 minutes before the scheduled service to check the lectern ane ensure that readings are properly marked.
Chad Cumming, Jr.
Email: chadlcumming@gmail.com
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, 9:00 and 11:00 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 about once a month on Sunday morning. Also, ushers are needed to serve at extra services during the Christmas and Easter holidays and occasionally for special services.
