St. Paul’s Episcopal Church

 

A Handbook of

Ministers and Ministries

 

A growing roster of baptized ministers and the ministries they carry on with as they pursue the Risen Christ.

 

Episcopal Diocese of East Tennessee

City of Athens

 

  

 

Table of Contents

 

All baptized Christians are ministers in the Body of Christ.  The following pages contain an ever-increasing list of the ministries of St. Paul’s Church and the ministers who serve here.  As you peruse these pages you may well feel a tug and a pull, perhaps even a still small voice (that’s the Holy Spirit) calling you to add your name to this roster of servants.  You are most welcome to join the crowd of Saints who serve here!  Fill out the card in the back of the book and return it to the church office, or simply give us a call at 745-2224 and let us know what ministry you want to help with.

 

Chapter 1 – Sunday Morning Servants

Chapter 2 – Children and Youth

Chapter 3 – Pastoral Care

Chapter 4 – Food and Hospitality

Chapter 5 – Music

Chapter 6 – Outreach

Chapter 7 – Vestry, Business & Finance

Chapter 8 – Formation

Chapter 9 – New Ministry

Chapter 10 – Calendar

 

 

Chapter 1 – Sunday Morning Servants

 

ACOLYTES– John 12:12-15

These folks ages 3rd grade and up (grown-ups too!) serve in the altar party during the Sunday morning services.  They process into the service carrying the cross and torches.  They help the priest.

ALTAR GUILD–Matthew 27:57-61

The Altar Guild works hard to outfit the altar and worship space with the proper clothes, candles, silverware, and other worship tools for all the services that take place in our church.

EUCHARIST MINISTERS (EM)– Genesis 14:18

Lay Eucharistic Ministers are trained and licensed by Fr. Harrison to serve the chalice of wine during communion and read lessons.  They wear a cassock and surplice and process in with the priest and acolytes.

READERS (LECTORS)– Luke 4:16-20

Readers do not have to wear the liturgical dress.  These folks come up from the pew and read one of the lessons during the Sunday morning services. 

PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE (POP)– Luke 11:1-4

These folks read the Prayers of the People during Sunday morning services.  They do not wear the liturgical dresses.  They come from their seats in the pews to read from the lectern.

USHERS– 2 Samuel 6:1-5

These folks (male or female!) distribute service bulletins, and assist in seating as needed at both Sunday services. 

OBLATION BEARER– Leviticus 23:9-10

These folks bring the bread and wine to the altar before communion at the 10:30AM Sunday service.  It would be wholly appropriate for everyone (each family, individual, or couple) in the parish to take a turn bringing the gifts to the table.

GREETERS– Romans 1:7

This group of folks greets everyone at the door before worship with a smile and a kind word.  These people wear name tags, and they pay particular attention to newcomers.  This group is also responsible for handing out prayer names before the 10:30AM service.

MORNING PRAYER– John 17

This hearty, devoted group of prayers meets in our chapel space Monday-Saturday at 8:30 AM to read Morning Prayer.

 

 

Chapter 2 – Children and Youth

 

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION COMMITTEE FOR CHILDREN– Matthew 19:13-15

These folks oversee the planning and implementation of programs for our children.  

 

SAFEGUARDING GOD’S CHILDREN– Mark 10:13-16

Safeguarding God’s Children is an educational program that seeks to provide congregations with the tools and information needed to protect children from sexual abuse.  This proactive, preventative approach empowers individuals and congregations to take a strong stand against sexual misconduct and abuse in the church and in our larger communities.  All parishioners are encouraged to have this training which is offered several times per year. 

  

ALL AGES EVENING– Luke 19: 29-38
This committee is yet to be born!  The All Ages Evening is a new monthly event at St. Paul's Church.  Once per month we ALL get together for supper and cross-generational activities at church.  Our Christian Education Coordinator for Children, Beth Blackledge, helps to plan and implement the evening, and she needs your help!  Will you help come up with activity ideas and recruit people to host our All Ages Evening?

 

STAR VOLUNTEERS– Luke 2:12

Star volunteers take turns helping our nursery staff care for and play with our little ones during the 10:30 AM worship service.

 

SUNDAY SCHOOL FOR CHILDREN– 2 Timothy 2:1-2

Christian Education for children takes place in our upstairs Sunday School room at 9:30 AM on Sunday mornings during the school year.

CHILDREN’S CHURCH– Luke 22:14-20

During the 10:30 AM Eucharist, children, ages Kindergarten-12 years old, process out of the worship space after the opening hymn.  They go to their own worship space downstairs for a short Children’s Church service during which they learn about worship in the Episcopal tradition in age appropriate terms.  They return to the main worship space at the Peace to join all of us for communion.

 

 

Chapter 3 – Pastoral Care

 

PASTORAL CARE COMMITTEE– 1 John 4:7

The Pastoral Care Committee works to stay connected to members of our parish in times of sickness and sorrow through a ministry of prayer, communication, and food.

PRAYER CHAIN– James 5:13-14

The prayer chain has long been an active and vital ministry of our parish.  When someone has a prayer need, whether sick, mired in some measure of sadness, or otherwise in need of the support and comfort prayer brings, the prayer chain is “activated” and the chain members begin praying immediately. 

FOOD MINISTRY– Exodus 16:4, 13-1

What a rich and delicious ministry this is!  Sometimes food is the healing medicine called for in times of sickness, sadness, and celebration, and St. Paul’s Parish has always been good at doling out delightful dishes.  At birth and death, and the serious sicknesses in between we provide meals as a part of our pastoral care ministry.  Will you join our roster of cooks to call on when we need a meal for a parishioner? 

 

CASSEROLES– Genesis 27:7-10

We also keep a “food bank” of 3 casseroles in our freezer that can go out to someone in need on short notice.   

CARDS, CALLS, AND VISITS– John 21:15-17

Over and over again we hear members say, “When I was sick….or when my mother died….I got so many wonderful cards and received so many loving phone calls from St. Paul’s folks!  It really felt good.”  Would you like to join a roster of saints who are committed to a ministry of cards, calls, and perhaps visits to folks whom the Pastoral Care Committee identifies as in need of the healing art of communication?   

TRANSPORTATION MINISTRY– Acts 8:26-40
These folks provide rides to worship for those among us who don’t drive.  They serve on a rotation of drivers who pick people up at their places of residence and bring them to church.  It is a simple, a vital, and a holy ministry of mobility and transportation!

BURIAL GUILD– John 19:38-42

Burial in the Christian tradition is a moment in our lives where grief and joy collide.  Our burial services seek to honor and mark this collision of sorrow at the loss of a loved one and hope as that loved one enters in to some nearer presence of God.  Even as we commit the bodies of our dead to the ground we rejoice at their union with God.  The Burial Guild works to assist the rector with the burial liturgy, as acolytes, Eucharistic ministers, readers, and ushers.

 

Chapter 4 – Food and Hospitality

 

HOST/HOSTESS – COFFEE HOUR– Luke 14:7-11

These parishioners host the fellowship time following the 10:30 AM worship service.  They bring a modest snack and make coffee to share.  The list is so long they only serve once a year!  Join them!

RECEPTION COMMITTEE– Luke 14:12-14

These folks organize special functions, parish lunches, suppers, Thanksgiving meal at annual meeting, bishop’s visit…

 

KITCHEN COMMITTEE– Luke 10:38-42

These parishioners keep the kitchen stocked and in good order.  They also manage the host/hostess rotation.

 

NEWCOMERS COMMITTEE– Acts 16:15

This is a new committee!  The newcomers committee is committed to welcoming new folks into our midst here at St. Paul’s Parish. They are looking at how we welcome folks now, and how we would like to welcome folks in the future.  They hope to facilitate the recruitment and training of Sunday Morning Greeters.

Chapter 5 – Music

Psalm 81:1-3

 

“St. Paul’s Choristers” meets for rehearsal every Wednesday between September 1 and June 1.  The 60-90 minutes of this weekly meeting are spent working on vocal technique and music theory, as well as preparation of choral music to enhance the weekly Sunday services and occasional special services.  Their ministry of music also includes: preparing the congregation for “new” hymns and service music, by introducing these pieces as choral anthems; and singing the gradual when appropriate.  Their work towards enriching the worship experience at St. Paul’s is invaluable.

 

CHILDREN’S CHOIR– Psalm 95:1-2

This group is a mighty singing group indeed!  Ask Ellen Jones and Karen Malone how you can help!

 

Chapter 6 – Outreach

 

OUTREACH– Luke 10:25-37

Through the gospel, Jesus issues clear calls to reach out from ourselves to engage the other, whether our neighbors or complete strangers.  In particular, Jesus calls all members of the Body of Christ to tend to and care for the poor.  The Outreach Committee aims to lead our parish in outreach activities in our local community, our national community and, God willing, our global community too.

SPAGHETTI LUNCHEON– Luke 9:12-17

This well known outreach activity combines our favorite things -- food and helping people!  The Annual Spaghetti Luncheon is held in March and is open to the entire community.  All of the money raised at this lunch is used for outreach endeavors and goes to support local charitable organizations and in the past has supported parish mission trips.  

 

HEIFER LIVING GIFT MARKET– Matthew 25:34-40

This annual outreach event finds our church grounds filled with livestock of all shapes and sizes as we put on an animal market at which folks can “buy” symbolic gifts for friends and family members.  The money raised is given to Heifer International, which is a very successful non-profit organization that teaches sustainable living practices in developing countries.  Heifer provides real animals to real people in really depressed areas of the world.  

 

SOUP LUNCH AND KNITTING GROUP– Matthew 5:13-16

This FREE LUNCH is offered to all comers every Wednesday following our Noon Eucharist.  Parishioners bring a simple soup to share.  The community is invited to attend.  The Knitting Group meets after lunch.  They knit all manner of things.  In the past they have knitted prayer shawls and blankets for sick parishioners. They also teach knitting to new knitters.

 

FOOD PANTRY– Luke 6:21

St. Paul’s Food Pantry is always stocked with groceries to be given to, well, folks who need food.  Simple.  Parishioners are invited to give food or money to buy food, so that this rich ministry may continue to serve those hungry folks among us until Jesus returns.

 

MEALS ON WHEELS– Isaiah 61:1-4

These folks take meals to homebound members of our community.  Many of the people on this ROTA have been delivering meals for decades.

KNOTTING KNEELERS– Luke 8:40-48

A group of St. Paul’s Church folks is making prayer blankets.  The idea behind the prayer blankets is really quite simple.  A 48X48 inch piece of fleece is cut with fringes along 4 sides, this fringe is tied into knots.  As each knot is tied a silent prayer is said for the loved one receiving the blanket.  Each blanket has a tag on it that explains that prayers are being said for the receiver by friends at St. Paul’s Athens.  The blankets will be blessed by Father Hendree before they are given to the recipients.  All are welcome! 

 

Chapter 7 – Vestry, Business & Finance

 

This chapter is comprised of the Vestry and the business sub-committees of the Vestry.  The Vestry is an elected body and these attendant committees are made up of members who are appointed or invited to serve by the Sr. Warden and the Rector.

 

VESTRY– Acts 1:12-26

Vestry members are elected to three year terms at our Annual Parish Meeting each November.  Three new vestry members are added and three rotate off each year.

 

FINANCE/BUDGETCOMMITTEE– Numbers

This committee’s primary task is to draw up the annual budget of our parish.

MEMORIALS COMMITTEE– Genesis 28:18-22

These folks are stewards of memorial gifts given to St. Paul’s Church.  The memorials committee was instrumental in getting our playground built and paid for with money from the Memorial Fund.

AUDIT COMMITTEE– Luke 15:8-10

This committee is an integral part of our elaborate checks and balances system of our financial workings.  They audit the money systems of our parish and make an annual report to the bishop’s office.

Chapter 8 – Formation

 

EDUCATION FOR MINISTRY (EFM)– John 21:25

EFM is a small group of parishioners who commit to a program of study and theological reflection in one year increments for 4 years.  The topics of study are: New Testament, Old Testament, Church History and Theology.