lay ministries

In Worship

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Acolytes are vital in helping lead worship services. Our youth (5th grade and higher) are encouraged to become acolytes and are trained by the priests and lay ministers. The duties include being a Torch Bearer, Crucifer, Verger, and Thurifer.

Eucharistic Ministers are trained by the priest and licensed by the bishop to administer the chalice during the Holy Eucharist. The Sacristan is a Eucharist Minister who processes the Gospel Book and helps to set and serve the Altar Table.        

Lectors and Intercessors are needed at each service to read the lessons, lead the Psalm and Prayers of the People. People with a strong, clear voice, and who love reading Bible passages and prayers are needed for this ministry. Lessons are emailed the week before to allow time for the Lectors to review.

The Altar Guild consists of parishioners whose ministry is to care for the Altar and items used in worship. Members are delegated by the clergy to set up the sanctuary or chapel for the Eucharist or any of the other Sacraments and Offices of the church. Any communicant of Calvary who is trained may be a member. Training is necessary but easy, and entails working with a team on Saturday and Sunday mornings.

Greeters and ushers are the first to welcome worshippers to Calvary. Greeters are there to meet newcomers and visitors and offer information and a welcome. Ushers distribute bulletins, take the offering, and guide worshippers to Communion.

The Flower Guild provides the flowers and decoration for the church on the Feast Days of Christmas, Easter, and Pentecost as well as other celebrations during the church year. Donations help to fund this ministry.                                                     

Baptismal banners are created to help celebrate the Sacrament of Baptism. Volunteers design and make the banners to be used during the procession and given to the family at the time of the baptism.                                                       

In Service

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The Calvary Gardeners (formerly known as the Lay Weeders) oversee the care and maintenance of Calvary’s three main gardens – The Garden of the Resurrection, The Undercroft Garden, and the Labyrinth – as well as the interconnecting landscapes and walks around the Church and Parish House.  Each volunteer Gardener is responsible for a particular section of these landscapes and gardens.

In addition, the three gardens and landscapes are professionally pruned annually every fall.

The Calvary Gardeners work closely with the Vestry’s Property Stewardship Committee, making suggestions for the care and improvement of the three Gardens, walks, and landscapes.

Collection Counters are responsible for organizing and totaling the weekly offerings.

Office volunteers help keep the day to day operations of Calvary running smoothly by doing various tasks such as answering the phone, assembling the Canticle and other mailings, and welcoming guests during the week.

Pastoral Care is made up of volunteers who visit and help take care of parishioners who are homebound or in other needs of assistance and prayer.

Parishioners give their time and talent to create beautiful needlepoint kneelers for the use of worshipers during the service. Each kneeler has its own unique design and is an offering to the church. St. Clare’s Guild welcomes anyone who wants to participate and will be happy to teach needlepoint.

Calvary is blessed to have Catechesis of the Good Shepherd as our children’s formation. We encourage adults to become involved as assistants or trained catechists.

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We are actively seeking volunteers in several of the outreach activities above. To learn more, please click here to contact Matt Potter, Parish Administrator.