Many parishioners enrich their worship
experience by preparing the church for worship or playing a more active
role during the services. Click
here for more information or to get involved in any of the ministries
listed below.
Acolytes
Serving as an acolyte is an opportunity
to do quiet, meditative work during worship services. Acolytes
enhance the congregation's experience of the service by carrying crosses,
torches, flags, and banners in the procession. Acolytes also
assist in the preparation of the Eucharist at the altar. The
majority of Calvary's acolytes are teenagers, but a number of adults
participate as acolytes as well. Acolyte training is required
and offered throughout the year. Acolytes serve on a rotating
basis, approximately every other Sunday. Acolytes also volunteer to
serve at weddings and funerals. If you are interested in being an
acolyte, contact Raymond
Spence.
Altar
Guild
The Altar Guild prepares the altar and sanctuary
for all Sunday, weekday, and special services, including weddings
and funerals. Its primary purpose is to prepare for the administration
of the Sacraments of Holy Eucharist and Baptism. The Guild is
responsible for the vessels, linens, hangings, and vestments of the
church, and is actively involved in a program of preservation of the
marble, wood, brass, silver, and needlepoint articles that adorn Calvary's
altar. Guild members seek to grow spiritually through their
service as well as to deepen their experience and knowledge of the
church and the Sacraments. Members serve at a regularly scheduled
service once every four weeks and at special services, for which they
volunteer. The Guild sponsors two semi-annual meetings for educational
and spiritual renewal. If you are interested in serving on the altar
guild, please contact Gayle Spence.
The Altar Guild Team that coordinates weddings at Calvary is expanding and looking for people who would like to be trained. If you would like to learn more about helping during wedding rehearsals and weddings, please contact Ebet Peeples.
Choirs
The large, lively, and varied music program
at Calvary is a way for many people, including children, to worship
God through song and praise as well as to be more directly involved
in the worship services.
Clergy
Often robed in vestments according to their
role in the service, clergy lead those gathered for worship through
the service of the day. Having been educated in theological
seminaries throughout the country, our clergy offer spiritual guidance
during the worship experience.
Eucharistic
Ministers
Eucharistic ministers are licensed members
of the parish who assist in administering the bread and wine at the
altar rail and standing stations during Holy Eucharist. Some
eucharistic ministers specialize their ministry in offering prayers
of healing as well as bringing the bread and wine of the Eucharist
to those who can not leave their homes or hospital rooms. Serving
as a eucharistic minister can lead to heightened awareness of the
power of prayer and a deeper appreciation of the Eucharist.
Training is required and eucharistic ministers serve approximately
twice each month. If you are interested in being a eucharistic minister,
contact Nancy
Harvey.
Eucharistic
Visitors
Eucharistic visitors are licensed eucharistic
ministers who specialize their ministry in bringing the bread and
wine of the Eucharist to those who can not leave their homes or hospital
rooms. Training is required and eucharistic visitors serve as
needed. If you are interested in being an eucharistic visitor,
contact the Rev. Eyleen Farmer.
Flower
Guild
Flower Guild members arrange flowers each
week on the altar and decorate the church for major Feast Days such
as Christmas Day and Easter Day to magnify the beauty of the celebration.
Members work one morning per month, usually Friday or Saturday.
New participants work with another team member until confident enough
to work independently. Flower workshops for beginners are offered
periodically. If you are interested in joining the Flower Guild, contact
Nino
Shipp.
Greeters
Every Sunday mornings, greeters wearing red
name badges help welcome people into Calvary's buildings and provide
directions and information for newcomers. The greeter is vital
to newcomer ministry in that greeters often are the first impressions
many will have of our church. Greeters work in teams and generally
serve once a month before and after worship services and classes.
Greeter workshops are offered throughout the year. If you are
interested in being a greeter, contact Ebet Peeples.
Lay
Readers
Lay readers exercise an important role in
our congregational worship by leading Morning Prayer each weekday. This
licensed ministry affords an opportunity to better understand the
liturgy and tradition of the Church and often leads to greater knowledge
of our Prayer Book. Training is required and lay readers normally
serve one day every week. If you are interested in being a lay reader,
contact Ben Robertson.
Lectors
Lectors help lead our worship by reading the
appointed lessons for the day or leading the congregation in the prayers
of the people (Intercessor). This ministry offers an opportunity
to better understand the liturgy and tradition of the Church and often
leads to greater knowledge of the scriptures. Training is required
and lectors normally serve once every six weeks. If you are interested
in being a lector, contact Kendra Martin.
Ushers
Ushers distribute programs
at worship services and offer assistance in seating. Ushers
also collect the offering. Should there be an emergency situation
or injury, ushers are vital to crowd control and evacuation.
Ushers also assist in making people feel welcome when they arrive,
undistracted as they worship, and appreciated as they leave.
Training is held periodically throughout the year as the need arises.
If you are interested in being an usher, contact Laurence
Ritter.