Who’s Who on Sunday Morning?

It takes an amazing team of staff and volunteers to make Sunday morning ‘happen’; here’s who they are and what they do:

Acolytes
From a Greek word meaning, “to follow.” Acolytes are lay volunteers, robed in white, who carry the Cross in the processions at the start and end of worship, and assist the priest during worship. An acolyte lights and sometimes carries candles, and helps in the preparation of communion.

Altar Guild
The team of lay people who maintain and prepare the altar and its furnishings.

Choir
Dedicated to enrichment and improvement, the music and choir at St. John’s is the “salt” of the service.  The team is composed of gifted, committed musicians – journeying together.  All are welcome to join us “since God so loved us, we ought to love one another” (1 John 4:11)

Clergy
The ordained leader in an Episcopal Church is the Rector. The Rev. Susan Davidson is our interim Rector and it is appropriate to call her “Mother Susan.” She is the primary preacher, teacher and worship leader in the congregation, and along with the Vestry (our church board) manages the day to day affairs of the parish. Typically, for worship services, they wear vestments and sashes (called a stole), and the Rector also sometimes wears a ‘cape’ (called a chausible).

Coffee Hour Hosts
Rotating teams of volunteers who: provide the refreshments and arrange them on tables; make the coffee; and, clean up afterwards.

Counters
Counters assist the bookkeeper and treasurer in counting and recording the Sunday offerings, and ensuring that they are deposited and credited properly, securely, and confidentially.

Greeters
Greeters stand outside the church front doors, greeting and assisting people as they enter the church. They are prepared to answer questions of visitors and newcomers.

Lay Eucharistic Ministers (LEMs)
Lay persons are licensed by the bishop to administer the consecrated elements (the bread and wine) of the Eucharist. In addition, the LEMs read portions of the Scripture in Sunday worship, may lead the prayers, and perform other duties as the priest may direct. Typically, they wear the same white vestments as the acolytes.

Lectors (Readers)
These are non-ordained persons who participate by reading part of the church service. Typically, they do not wear vestments and will read the first lesson and lead the Psalm.

Newcomer Shepherds
These volunteers greet visitors with a gift bag filled with all sorts of information about St. John’s and how to connect with members of the congregation. They are also willing and able to help with questions you might have, to respond to visitor’s and newcomer’s questions, to escort guests and visitors to coffee hour.

Oblation Bearers
Those who bring forward the people’s offerings of bread and wine which are presented to the deacon or celebrant (priest) and placed on the altar for consecration.

Prayer Team
Following the 10 a.m. service, there are people who are available at the altar rail to pray with those who have particular needs or concerns. These concerns may be for yourself or others. Please know that anything brought to these Prayer Team members is held in the strictest confidence. It is also appropriate to seek out one of the clergy for one-on-one prayer.

Sound and A/V Volunteers
A volunteer works each Sunday to operate the sound system and other audio visual equipment to assist in our worship.

Ushers and Greeters
Lay persons who greet and assist people as they enter the church. Ushers hand out service bulletins, answer questions of visitors and newcomers, count the number of people in the congregation, collect and present the offering at the offertory, assist parishioners during the administration of communion, and clean the pews and church building after the service. Our ushers wear special red badges to help you identify them.

If you would like to participate in one of these ministries, please speak to or contact Mother Susan. For ministries they manage directly, they will be pleased to discuss with you the responsibilities involved, the time commitment expected, and what training is required. Otherwise, they will connect you with the appropriate leader.