Acolytes

At St. Paul’s, acolytes assist in worship by carrying a processional cross (crucifer), lighting candles, holding the Gospel book, holding candles or “torches” (Torch Bearer), assisting a deacon or priest with set up and clean up at the altar, handing the offering plates to ushers, leading the processional and recessional, among other tasks. We invite anyone in the 4th grade through adults to participate in this ministry. Training days are scheduled as needed.

A few links to help you understand the history and role of acolytes in worship:

• Let There Be Acolytes: 10 Hidden Benefits for Young People
• The Ministry of Acolytes
• See our Acolyte Training Video (produced St. Paul’s acolytes, Aug 2015)

Contact: Ramsey McIntire (dingervb@gmail.com)

Lay Eucharistic Ministers

Lay Eucharistic Ministers assist the priest in administering the sacraments of holy communion, the consecrated bread and wine. They may also take the sacraments to those who are ill, or otherwise unable to attend services.

Contact: Mary Kintz (mary.kintz@stpaulscary.org)

Lectors

Every Sunday lectors read the lessons and lead the congregation in prayers at our worship services. Training sessions for new and continuing lectors are offered as needed. New participants in this vital ministry are always welcome!

A couple of useful links for lectors:

• Liturgical Calendar for Upcoming Weeks With Links to the Lessons
• Audio Biblical Pronunciation Guide

Contact: Bill Bystrynski (bbystrynski@edwardskirby.com)

Ushers

Ushers greet people at church on Sunday mornings, hand out service bulletins, collect the offering, and assist the congregation at Communion time. Ushering is also a crucial component of welcoming newcomers and visitors to St. Paul’s. You do not have to be available every Sunday, and there are also other opportunities to serve such as funerals or other special services.

Contact: Ann Lockhart (annlockhart1@gmail.com)

Altar Guild

Altar Guild exercises an important liturgical ministry, preparing the altar for all regular Sunday and special worship services at Saint Paul’s. New guild members are always welcome. The time commitment is very light: about 1½ hours a month and the rewards are tremendous. For more information, please visit the Altar Guild page.

Donate a Floral Arrangement

If you would like to make a memorial and/or thanksgiving flower donation, please be aware that requests must be made at least 2 weeks in advance in order for the names to appear in the bulletin. More information is available on the flower donation form.

Age group: Adults
Rehearsals: Wednesdays, 7:30-9:30 p.m.

The St. Paul’s Choir leads music each Sunday (year round) in the traditional style of the Anglican Church, utilizing the 1982 hymnal with the music of the day based on the Church Lectionary and choral literature drawn from a variety of styles and periods. The St. Paul’s Choir performs at other times for special services and concerts throughout the year, such as an annual Lessons and Carols in Advent and for special services during Holy Week and at other occasions.

Open to adults who have the choral skills of part singing, pitch matching, and good choral balance and blend. The choir rehearses on Wednesdays from 7:30-9:30 p.m., and it meets at 8:15 a.m. on Sundays for warm-up/rehearsal for the 9 a.m. service. (During the summer season, warm-up/rehearsal is at 8:30 a.m.) Child care provided by Kid’s Club with advanced notice.

Voices of St. Paul’s is a chamber choir with flexible personnel selected from the St. Paul’s Choir at the Music Minister’s discretion. They lead music for the 11:15 a.m. service (10:45 a.m. in the summer months) year-round. They present offertory anthems and other choral literature drawn from a variety of styles and periods from September to May and at other services during the year as needed.

Age group: Grades 6-12
Rehearsal Schedule: Thursdays, 7-7:30 p.m.

Open to youth in grades 6-12, the Canterbury Choir both strengthens musical skills and is an opportunity to learn about musical practices in the Anglican tradition of worship. The choir rehearses from September through May. The youth develop their musical, vocal, and part singing skills rehearsing a variety of music, and participating in worship several times during their season.

Rehearsal Schedule: Wednesdays, 6-7 p.m.

Bells of St. Paul’s rehearsals take place from September through May. Ringers enjoy improving their skills in English handbell ringing and their work together as an ensemble. Ringers rehearse, participate in several worship services, and perform at other times for special services and concerts during their season. All positions are usually filled in this three-octave handbell choir. However, we are always looking for ringers to substitute and fill positions on a more permanent basis as they become available.  

Rehearsal Schedule: Thursdays, 7:30-8:10 p.m.

Canterbury Handbells is open to youth in grades 6-12, as open positions allow. (The group is at 11-12 players and there are usually open positions each year.) This ensemble rehearses from September through May and learns English Handbell ringing and advanced musical notation. Ringers participate in several worship services during their season. Prior ability to read music is recommended, but any youth willing to learn—and who can commit to weekly rehearsal attendance and scheduled worship performances—is welcome.