Worship Ministries

Acolytes

Acolytes assist the clergy during services. From carrying candles and crosses during the processional to assisting with the preparation of the table, this role is vital to every service in the Episcopal Church. Youth in the parish may serve as acolytes beginning in the fifth grade. Training is provided a few times each year. Contact Nancy English Johnson.

Altar Guild

This ministry welcomes all ages and both men and women. Each person is assigned to a team and each team serves one weekend per month. Saturday morning the team gathers to prepare the church for Sunday by polishing brass, setting the table, distributing the bulletins, and other preparatory tasks. After the service, Altar Guild members reset the table and prepare for the next service and/or clean up the communion vessels and return them to storage. There are only 2 general meetings each year and training is provided. Contact Richard Stutts.

Eucharistic Ministers

Eucharistic Ministers (EMs), lay persons licensed by the bishop and serving at the pleasure of the clergy, assist in administering the sacrament of Holy Communion. EMs serve the chalice (cup) of wine. Individual training and opportunities to shadow experienced Eucharistic Ministers are provided for those new to this ministry. Group refresher training is offered twice a year. Church-owned white robes (albs) are available for use during services. A schedule is distributed to EMs indicating date and time of service (usually once or twice a month) at 8 am and/or at 10 am on Sundays. Additional occasions to serve occur frequently, for example, during Easter Week, Christmas, and for weddings and funerals. Serving as a Eucharistic Minister is a vital and rewarding ministry. Contact Jessica Dunlap.

Hosts

The Hosting Ministry at Holy Comforter consists of four teams, each of which serve once a month at the Sunday worship services. They are also called upon to usher at funerals and special services during Easter and Christmas. Aside from the typical ushering duties, our hosts are actively inviting, welcoming and caring for everyone who walks through our doors. To volunteer contact Georganna or James Moore.

Lectors and Intercessors

This ministry welcomes youth and adults, and even children who read aloud with confidence. Lectors read the lessons and/or “prayers of the people” at the lectern during services. The scripture readings are sent to lectors early in the week, allowing you time to prepare. A schedule is made and depending on the number of participants, you may serve approximately twice a quarter. Anyone with a love of Scripture and a good speaking voice can be a Lector. Contact Hank Schmulling.

Holy Comforter Customary

Vergers Guild

The role of the verger simply stated is: to assist the clergy in the performance of their duties as they relate to worship in the parish, to be of assistance to parishioners and guests who worship in the parish, to assist in preparation for services and to see to the ongoing needs of clergy prior to, during and after services. Presiding Bishop Michael Curry has said he can always tell when he visits a parish which has vergers because all the everyday things that need to be taken care of are done. In short, the things that make a service go smoothly are taken care of so that Clergy are relaxed and ready to lead worship, not having to be concerned about the nuts and bolts of the service. That's what vergers do, and that's what we vergers at Holy Comforter are trained to do, as unobtrusively as possible. Contact Bill Reed.