Ministries
While we try to keep the information here up to date, things are changing all the time. If you're interested in participating or learning more about any of these programs, please contact us.
Acolytes
Acolytes assist in the liturgy during regular Sunday services and services on Holy Days as torchbearers, crucifers, and priest servers.
Any child 7 years old or older is eligible to be an acolyte. He or she will start this important service to St. Augustine's as a torch bearer. The acolyte can be promoted at age 11 or 12 to serve as a crucifer carrying the cross in the service. He or she can be a priest server at 14 or 15 years of age. The ages mentioned are flexible depending on factors such as the child's level of responsibility and the child's wishes. An adult can also serve the church as an acolyte in the position of crucifer and/or priest server.
Training to serve as an acolyte takes place at least once a year but may occur at any time based on need.
Any child 7 years old or older is eligible to be an acolyte. He or she will start this important service to St. Augustine's as a torch bearer. The acolyte can be promoted at age 11 or 12 to serve as a crucifer carrying the cross in the service. He or she can be a priest server at 14 or 15 years of age. The ages mentioned are flexible depending on factors such as the child's level of responsibility and the child's wishes. An adult can also serve the church as an acolyte in the position of crucifer and/or priest server.
Training to serve as an acolyte takes place at least once a year but may occur at any time based on need.
altar guild
Altar Guild members serve the Church by setting up the altar for the Eucharist according to the Church calendar and maintaining the altar supplies like candles, linens, silver, brass, and flowers. The guild works in teams such that each team serves roughly once per month. A team meets every Saturday to prepare the altar for Sunday, and individual team members take turns preparing the altar for the weekday services as needed.
Anyone interested in this very rewarding ministry will be provided with all the necessary training and guidance.
Anyone interested in this very rewarding ministry will be provided with all the necessary training and guidance.
choir
St. Augustine's Choir of men and women raise their voices every Sunday during the 10:30 AM service, on Christmas Eve, and other Holy Days. Our music director, Max DoVale, directs the choir and they meet every Sunday before the service to warm up their voices.
Lift your voice in song with this important worship ministry! Formal voice training is not required, but a love of music is. New choir members are always welcomed.
Lift your voice in song with this important worship ministry! Formal voice training is not required, but a love of music is. New choir members are always welcomed.
LAY EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS & LAY READERS
Any adult (18+) communicant member of the St. Augustine's congregation is eligible to become a Lay Eucharistic Minister (LEM) and/or Lay Reader.
The LEMs read the Prayers of the People and pass the chalices to the people receiving communion during the Eucharist LEMs may also read the Old and New Testament readings, but not necessarily. LEMs vest (meaning to wear a white surplice over a black cassock over their street clothes) and sit near the altar.
The Lay Readers read the Old and/or New Testament readings at a service. Lay readers wear their street clothes (do not vest) and sit in the congregation. They walk up to the lectern when it is their time to read and read their lesson from it, returning to their seats after the reading.
Once approved and licensed by the Bishop, a new LEM or Lay Reader will receive training at St. Augustine's. New LEMs and Lay Readers are scheduled with more experienced counterparts until they are comfortable in their roles.
Although there are no fees associated with this ministry, some people choose to buy personal copies of books that explain aspects of these ministries and their own cassocks and surplices.
The LEMs read the Prayers of the People and pass the chalices to the people receiving communion during the Eucharist LEMs may also read the Old and New Testament readings, but not necessarily. LEMs vest (meaning to wear a white surplice over a black cassock over their street clothes) and sit near the altar.
The Lay Readers read the Old and/or New Testament readings at a service. Lay readers wear their street clothes (do not vest) and sit in the congregation. They walk up to the lectern when it is their time to read and read their lesson from it, returning to their seats after the reading.
Once approved and licensed by the Bishop, a new LEM or Lay Reader will receive training at St. Augustine's. New LEMs and Lay Readers are scheduled with more experienced counterparts until they are comfortable in their roles.
Although there are no fees associated with this ministry, some people choose to buy personal copies of books that explain aspects of these ministries and their own cassocks and surplices.
LIBRARY
Volunteers maintain our library to provide reading and research materials pertaining to the Episcopal Church, general religion and theology, spirituality, prayer, history, and philosophy. The library offers some light, fun reading, too.
Church members and friends are welcome to use the library materials. Non-reference books, CDs, and DVDs can be borrowed simply by filling out a card or leaving a note with your name, the date, and your phone number. Reference books cannot be checked out or taken home. Library books can be found in three locations: (1) the library, which is on the second floor of Byrd Hall above the kitchen; (2) in the Resource and Welcome Center, and (3) in the parlor.
Church members and friends are welcome to use the library materials. Non-reference books, CDs, and DVDs can be borrowed simply by filling out a card or leaving a note with your name, the date, and your phone number. Reference books cannot be checked out or taken home. Library books can be found in three locations: (1) the library, which is on the second floor of Byrd Hall above the kitchen; (2) in the Resource and Welcome Center, and (3) in the parlor.
lIVESTREAMING
The livestreaming team at St. Augustine's helps to make the church accessible to those who can't attend in person, and encourages us to pray together as a community by streaming the Daily Office. Our services on Sundays, as well as Morning Prayer (9:00 AM) and Compline (9:30 PM) the rest of the week, are available on our Facebook page: www.facebook.com/StAugMet.
PEN PALS
One of the things that makes St. Augustine's a rare and life-giving community are our inter-generational relationships--a web of connections offering support and encouragement, wisdom and insight between people of all ages. This ministry has sprung up from a desire to strengthen relationships and provide encouragement and support to one another during a time when many are feeling disconnected.
This is an active ministry. If you'd like to participate as writer and/or receiver, please reach out.
This is an active ministry. If you'd like to participate as writer and/or receiver, please reach out.
pet blessing
Every October, St. Augustine's Church hosts an outdoor service and blessing of the pets. This service is open to the public and is a wonderful opportunity for neighbors to visit our Church. Each pet receives a St. Francis medal, and snacks are provided for the animals and people attending the service. Animal lovers are welcome to help with this ministry which may include publicizing this event, purchasing or preparing the snacks, helping on the day of the event, or sharing some other talent.
PUMPKIN PATCH
St. Augustine's hosts "The Great Pumpkin Patch" every October. Please click here for more information about this fun and popular ministry.
USHERS/GREETERS/NEWCOMERS COMMITTEE
This ministry is the welcoming face of St. Augustine's, for new members at their first visit and for current members at each worship service. Ushers serve a critical purpose at each service by greeting those entering the church, bringing up the offering, and passing the collection plate during the celebration of the Eucharist.
Greeters have the equally important task of welcoming guests after each Sunday service. The Newcomers Committee takes that task further by planning and holding events that make new members feel welcome and bring them into contact with existing members. Men and women interested in service as ushers and greeters will receive all of the training they need and will be placed on a rotation for service, usually service once a month.
Greeters have the equally important task of welcoming guests after each Sunday service. The Newcomers Committee takes that task further by planning and holding events that make new members feel welcome and bring them into contact with existing members. Men and women interested in service as ushers and greeters will receive all of the training they need and will be placed on a rotation for service, usually service once a month.
VESTRY
The Vestry is the governing board of the church, made up of volunteers who are elected by the congregation. See here for more information on our Vestry, what they do, and how to get involved.
welcome & resource center
Our Welcome & Resource Center is staffed by volunteers who greet guests arriving on campus and answer telephone calls to the church's main line. The Welcome Center also serves as an information center for adults, parents, and all those seeking resources for health of body, mind, and spirit. Drop in and discover classes and materials to meet your particular needs.
