Acolytes
The Acolytes Guild provides a vital ministry for the church and its worship. Anyone Elementary School age through adults make up our guild of Acolytes. Acolytes carry the cross and torches in the processions, and assist the priest in the liturgies of the parish. Acolytes serve on a rotation schedule, serving about one or two Sundays each month. Training is required and can be scheduled by contacting Lois Graham (grahamfam993@verizon.net) or Grace Mercer (grason1938@yahoo.com), the acolyte coordinators.
Altar Guild
A crucial part of our worship together, the Altar Guild prepares the Altar for all the liturgies of the parish, maintains the vessels and special linens used in our celebrations, and prepares the flowers in adorning the church for all the liturgies and special seasonal celebrations throughout the year.
The members of the Altar Guild serve one Sunday a month and work as part of a team. They also meet periodically to discuss seasonal plans for holidays such as Christmas and Easter. No experience is necessary and all ages are welcome to join! Contact Shari Hodges, Director of Altar Guild for more information at shariremax@aol.com.
Lay Eucharistic Ministers (Chalice Bearers)
Adults, confirmed into the Episcopal Church, who assist the priest in the Eucharist by serving a chalice during Communion. Chalice bearers serve on a rotation schedule, serving about once a month.
Lectors
Lectors read the lessons at our Sunday and weekday liturgies. Interested children, youth and adults can speak with the coordinator Jason McMahan (mcmahan_jason@yahoo.com) about joining this group. Also serving on a rotation, Lectors read the lessons about once a month.
Ushers
Ushers assist with our Sunday morning as well as all other liturgies by greeting people as they arrive, assisting in seating people on major feast days like Christmas Eve and Easter morning, handing out bulletins, taking up the collection, and recording attendance numbers.
Ushers serve in teams and each team serves one Sunday per month. They arrive generally 15 minutes before each liturgy begins and finish a few minutes after the liturgy concludes. The time commitment is an easy one to make, but the service ushers provide to parishioners, visitors, and new members is tremendous!
All children, youth and adults of St. Barnabas are welcome to serve as ushers. Our teams are always looking for friendly, energetic people to join in this ministry of welcome and service. Interested individuals may contact the coordinator, Mary Eleanor Graul at mgrauel@verizon.net for more information.
Intercessors
The Intercessor leads the congregation in offering prayers of thanksgiving and intercession for The Universal Church, its members, and its mission; the Nation and all in authority, the welfare of the world, the concerns of the local community, those who suffer and those in any trouble, and the departed. At the 8 AM service we usually use the prayers found on page 328 in the Book of Common Prayer. A the 10 AM service the prayers vary depending on the season and are also found in the Book of Common Prayer on pages 383-393. Anyone that can read is welcome to join this ministry. Intercessors typically serve every few weeks. For more information please contact Jason McMahan at mcmahan_jason@yahoo.com.
Lay Eucharistic Visitors
A Eucharistic Visitor is a lay person authorized to take the Consecrated Elements in a timely manner following a Celebration of Holy Eucharist to members of the congregation who, by reason of illness or infirmity, were unable to be present at the Celebration. A Eucharistic Visitor should normally act under the direction of the Rector or other leader exercising oversight of the congregation. Qualifications: Confirmed communicant in good standing, faithful in worship and in stewardship, mature in faith, of good repute in the congregation.
Training and study, under the supervision of the rector includes a brief study of the following:
∙ The various theological understandings of the Holy Eucharist in the Anglican tradition
∙ Methods and practice of the administration of the elements. (use of the purificator, rotation of the chalice, use of intinction, consumption of remaining elements)
- Use of the Book of Common Prayer and approved rites for visitation
- The basics of pastoral visiting.
- Training in the Prevention of Elder Abuse
- Sexual Misconduct Prevention Training (short course) and background check
For more information about this ministry please contact Elizabeth McMahan at boomac_4@yahoo.com.