SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES- Serving our Parish Community
ACOLYTES
Acolytes participate as key members of the team of clergy and lay ministers during the 10:00am Sunday
services and at special services throughout the year. Acolytes at St. Andrew’s help to prepare the worship space by lighting the candles on the alter before the service and extinguishing them following the service. Carrying a cross (Crucifer) or candles (Torchbearers), they lead the procession of the choir and all minsters into the church. Torchbearers accompany the Priest or Deacon up the aisle for the reading of the Gospel. Acolytes may help during preparations for the Eucharist by washing the Priest’s hands. They also may aid the lay ministry in gathering the thank offerings. Acolytes ring the bell during the Eucharist. The Crucifer and Torchbearers also lead the recessional out of the church at the end of service.
The program is open to youth in grades 5 though 12. Training is held annually. Acolytes are expected to
participate in 12 to 15 services per year.
LECTORS AND LAY EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
Lectors read the Old Testament lesson from the lectern at each worship service. By reading scripture with enthusiasm and appreciating its significance, lectors seek to bring the Word to life to worshipers. Lay Eucharistic Ministers (LEMs) read from the Epistle, lead the Prayers of the People, and serve as chalice-bearers. LEMs also bring a Sunday worship service to residents of Burgess Square Healthcare Center. Lectors typically read once every month to six weeks. LEMs serve about one Sunday a month and are provided with training. Please contact Jean Paré if you are interested in participating.
MUSIC MINISTRY
The Parish Choir provides service music and anthems for the 10:00 a.m. Sunday Eucharist, Holy Week services, Easter Vigil and Easter Day services, Thanksgiving service, Lessons and Carols, the 10:00 p.m. Christmas Eve service, and other special services. Special performances have included the Rutter Requiem in 2012 and the Requiem by Gabriel Faure in 2012. Membership is open to parishioners who are high-school aged or older. Rehearsals are Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. Contact Kathy Nazzarini if interested in this important ministry.
ALTAR GUILD
Altar Guild is a ministry of service, embracing both women and men, that works “behind the scenes” to prepare for our worship together. They ensure that the sanctuary, church and chapel are set for worship for all Sunday and week day services throughout the year as well as for baptisms, weddings, funerals and any other special or festival services. While their efforts may be most noticeable during Holy Week, Easter, Christmas and Thanksgiving with special flowers, palms and other decorations that adorn our worship space, their ministry includes the ongoing care, provisioning and setup/cleanup of communion vessels, altar hangings, altar linens, vestments, liturgical banners, candles, bread and wine and weekly flowers while ensuring that the sanctuary and chapel are cleaned weekly.
Members of the Altar Guild are divided into four teams and each team typically has responsibility for tasks once a month. The team that is “on” meets on Saturday morning for cleaning & Sunday setup and then on Sunday completes the service setup and cleanup for each service.
Altar flower thank offerings and memorials given throughout the year as well as other designated special gifts help support the work of the Altar Guild.
For more information contact: Kathy Nazzarini or Karin Anderson
CHAPLAIN PROGRAM
Our Chaplains provide pastoral support for our clergy and spiritual care for our parishioners. They have extensive pastoral training from a special Chaplain training program offered from The Bishop Anderson House associated with the Rush University Medical Center and from their professional lives outside of the church. Some of our Chaplains also volunteer their time as Chaplains with other community organizations. Additionally, all of our Chaplains are Lay Eucharistic Ministers (LEMs) in our church.
Our parish chaplains provide one-on-one spiritual care or care in conjunction with Fr. Morris. They may provide regular follow-up with phone calls or visit people in the hospital, assisted living facilities, or in their homes. While spiritual care is typically on an extended basis, the Chaplains also provide care in more acute situations.
If you are interested in becoming involved in the Chaplain Program, contact any of our chaplains – Sally Hedrick, or Joanne Schupbach, Diane Sellinger, Diana Bolz or Father Morris.
If you have a pastoral care need, please contact the Parish office or Father Morris.
USHERS
Ushers are often the first people that parishioners and guests see when they arrive for church so in many ways are seen as the “face” of the church – an important role in making people feel welcome to our worship together! This is a ministry of service for men and women who enjoy greeting people and participating in the service to help it run smoothly. Usher duties typically include greeting people as they enter the service, answering questions and providing any assistance that may be needed, passing out bulletins, collecting the offering, guiding congregants to Communion and picking up after the service.
Ushers serve at both Sunday morning services as well as for any other special services in which ushers are needed.
For more information, contact: Gary Nazzarini