Called to be Christ Centered
Touching Lives + Transforming Hearts + Teaching God's Word
The word "acolyte" comes from the Greek word "akolouthos", which means a servant or attendant who waits on another. Our Acolytes help the clergy serve during the worship service. Youth lead the processions, assist the Clergy at the Lord's Table, and ensure all services proceed with simple dignity. They also assist at special services such as weddings and funerals. Training sessions are held periodically to recruit new acolytes.
Acolytes must attend church regularly and are expected to particpate on a regular basis. The age group for acolytes ranges from 6 to high school senior. The ministry is open to both boys and girls.
Acolyte positions include the Crucifer, who processes with the cross, directs the other acolytes in the preparation of the altar at offertory, and acts as cheif acolyte for the team serving that day; Torch-bearers, who process with the torches and assist the Crucifer at offertory and help during communion; and the Gospel Bearer, who processes with the Gospel and ensures that the correct books for worship are properly positioned on the altar.
The Acolyte Ministry vision includes:
Training young men and women to develop a strong spiritual walk with the Lord
Cultivating servant hearts in serving our Lord and His Church
Gaining a thorough knowledge and confidence of the Acolyte role, eventually including faithful and responsible leadership of an Acolyte team
Reaching out to the other youth and introducing Christ to them through the Acolyte ministry
Some events for Acolytes include:
Acolyte Training
Annual Diocesan Acolyte Festival
Annual National Acolyte Festival at the Washington Cathedral
Participation in the Christmas and Easter Service Celebrations
Altar Guild work is a privilege and honor and we work with humility and reverence. The Altar Guild exists to assist the vlergy behind the scenes. Through our work at the Altar, in the Sanctuary, and with the Holy Communion, we come to feel the real presence of God more strongly, and this sets our duties apart from our busy lives. The symbolism and meaning of the vestments, linens, and vessels are helpful to us as in prayer we prepare ourselves and the altar for our worship service.
At St. Mark's, Altar Guild members work on teams, setting up on Saturday and cleaning up on Sunday. Our duties include insuring proper liturgical colors for all vestments and hangings on the pulpit and lectern, preparing the Communion vessels for all services and for the shut-in visitation kits, setting up the altar, and laundering and ironing all linens. There are also special tasks associated with holidays, baptisms, weddings, funerals and memorial services.
The Holy Table is set with linens and vessels and decorated with flowers and greends from His creation to honor God, our Guest of Honor. The joy of the Lord is our strength and the fellowship of our members is a special blessing. Newcomers are treasured!
The Building and Grounds Ministry is reponsible for maintaining the church building, property and grounds in the best possible condition. The committee makes recommendations to the vestry on major repair or capital improvements for the purpose of carrying out the mission and ministry of St. Mark's congregation. Traditionally the Junior Warden is the vestry liason for the Building and Grounds Committee.
The Church Development Committee (CDC) was formed to promote St. Mark's Church within the local community, to welcome all new faces gracing our doors, and to help new members find their niche within the St. Mark's Family. The CDC is comprised of three subcommittees, each tasked with growing the St. Mark's family. We will welcome all who are interested in sharing the Love at St. Mark's.
Marketing/Evangelism- This group identifies "gateways" at St. Mark's to draw visitors through the doors. In addition, we market St. Mark's to the community in the form of signange, newspaper ads, etc.
Have you ever wondered who are those men and women who process into the church on Sunday morning, following the choir and dressed in long white robes? They are members of St. Mark's Lay Eucharistic Ministry (LEM).
They are baptized and confirmed members of the parish, licensed by the Bishop to assist our ordained clergy in serving the Eucharist (the Chalice) on Sunday mornings, as well as other services that include the Eucharist. You will see LEMs serving at weddings, funerals, and other special services.
In addition, Lay Eucharistic Ministers serve as Eucharistic Visitors as part of our Pastoral Care Team. They are trained to bring the Eucharist to shut-ins, those who are in nursing homes or the hospital and in other special situations, and to pray with those who seek prayer at the communion rail following the Sunday services.
For more information on the LEM ministry, you may contact Dale Ward.
Lectors read the Old Testament and Epistle lessons during services. They also may lead Morning Prayer in the absence of the Priest. They are all volunteers, trained in the public reading of scripture, who have been licensed by the Bishop through the Rector to read the lessons or lead the Prayers of the People.
The ministry of the lector is an intensely public one, and it is not for everyone! However, if you are at least 14 years old, baptized, able to clearly, audibly, and publicly read scripture in English, and feel called to serve our parish in this important ministry, you should consider becoming a lector.
This subcommittee is tasked with welcoming all visitors and guests to St. Mark's Church. We will seek out new faces in the pews and make sure they feel welcome. New guests will find brochures, bulletin boards, etc. with information to answer all of their questions.
We provide nursery care for children 3 and younger during the Rite II worship service on Sunday.
At St. Mark's Church, pastoral care is a team ministry of clergy and lay people working together. This shared ministry allows us to offer greater support and care for our congregation. Our Pastoral Care team provides spiritual support and physical comfort to people and their families who are facing illness, loss, or other stressful situations. Through prayer, listening, and the sacraments, we strive to ensure that no member of our parish family faces crises alone.
At St. Mark's, there is a growing involvement of trained lay people in pastoral care. In the Book of Common Prayer, it states that "The ministers of the Church are lay persons, bishops, priests, and deacons."
For parishioners who are ill or are unable to be present with the St. Mark's community at the Sunday Eucharist, Eucharistic Visitors help fill the physical gap between home and church. Chosen and trained by the clergy to administer the elements following the liturgy, these lay ministers receive the consecrated elements and distribute them to our parishioners in homes, hospitals, and nursing homes in the community.
The St. Mark's Parish Life Ministry coordinates activities throughout the year to help promote felloship among our members, new and old, and strengthen the bonds of our parish family. There are numerous opportunities throughout the year to come together, so please join us!
Holy Chow breakfast is offered on Sunday mornings at 9:00 am for you and your family. Holy Chow is a great opportunity to have a quick meal before Sunday School and take a moment to break bread with your fellow parishioners.
We celebrate our Parish Picnics every spring around the Fest of St. Mark's and every fall after our Homecoming in early September. We have great food and old-fashioned picnic games
We have many dinners, programs, and other gatherings throughout the year. Come join in the fun!
Prayer Shawl Ministry is a group of women who knit or crochet prayer shawls for those in need of being "wrapped in prayer". The shawls are blessed by the clergy and then are available to give to someone in need. Nancy Brewbaker is one of our shawl knitters and would be happy to talk to anyone interested in learning to knit and joining the group or in finding a place to gather for prayer and conversation as we work. There is even talk of a once a month meeting away from the church building for coffee and conversation. You are encouraged to talk to Nancy about this ministry.
Ushers and Greeters are an important part of our worship. They provide our worshipers with bulletins and announcements that assist in their worship experience. Ushers participate during the service with the offering and oblations. Together they greet visitors and provide them with the first impression of St. Mark's Church. Ushers and Greeters seek to make worshipers feel welcome and provide information regarding the service, facilities and aides available to visitors to St. Mark's
