Readers, Subdeacons & Lay Eucharistic Ministers (LEMs)
At St. Paul’s we see many lay people assisting with worship. In addition to acolytes, who carry the cross and torches, others assist with worship: Readers, Subdeacons and Lay Eucharistic Ministers.
READERS
The readings we hear in church follow the Revised Common lectionary, a table of readings from Scripture appointed to be read at public worship. The lectionary follows a three-year cycle and prescribes an Old Testament reading, a psalm, a New Testament Reading, and a reading from one of the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
An ordained person always reads the Gospel reading. However, other readings may be read by lay people. At St. Paul’s, Lay Readers read the Old and New Testament readings and the Prayers of the People. No specific training is required but preparation and reflection on the assigned reading is recommended. If you like bringing the Word of God to life, this ministry is for you!
SUBDEACONS
Subdeacons are adult lay ministers who assist the deacon with worship. Fun fact: if there is no deacon serving, there is no subdeacon! Subdeacons may also be licensed as lay eucharistic ministers, which allows them to administer the sacraments. As it turns out, all subdeacons at St. Paul’s are licensed Lay Eucharistic Ministers.
LAY EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
Lay Eucharistic Ministers and Visitors are liturgical leaders who have undertaken specific training in cooperation with and supervision by their clergy, and licensing through the diocese. Eucharistic Ministers function as both a minister of the word and a minister of the table. They are called to be representatives of their community; to speak the heartfelt prayers of all in a manner that allows all to participate with open hearts and spirits. Preparation, practice, mindfulness and facility with the structures and content of Holy Scripture and Episcopal worship are imperative for those seeking to fully pursue this God-given calling.
Licensing of lay eucharistic ministers is done through the diocese and involves completion of an online, downloadable course (6-8 weeks) followed by diocesan training and licensing.
If you are interested in becoming a Lay Reader, Subdeacon, or Eucharistic Minister, please contact the rector at [email protected]
READERS
The readings we hear in church follow the Revised Common lectionary, a table of readings from Scripture appointed to be read at public worship. The lectionary follows a three-year cycle and prescribes an Old Testament reading, a psalm, a New Testament Reading, and a reading from one of the four Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
An ordained person always reads the Gospel reading. However, other readings may be read by lay people. At St. Paul’s, Lay Readers read the Old and New Testament readings and the Prayers of the People. No specific training is required but preparation and reflection on the assigned reading is recommended. If you like bringing the Word of God to life, this ministry is for you!
SUBDEACONS
Subdeacons are adult lay ministers who assist the deacon with worship. Fun fact: if there is no deacon serving, there is no subdeacon! Subdeacons may also be licensed as lay eucharistic ministers, which allows them to administer the sacraments. As it turns out, all subdeacons at St. Paul’s are licensed Lay Eucharistic Ministers.
LAY EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
Lay Eucharistic Ministers and Visitors are liturgical leaders who have undertaken specific training in cooperation with and supervision by their clergy, and licensing through the diocese. Eucharistic Ministers function as both a minister of the word and a minister of the table. They are called to be representatives of their community; to speak the heartfelt prayers of all in a manner that allows all to participate with open hearts and spirits. Preparation, practice, mindfulness and facility with the structures and content of Holy Scripture and Episcopal worship are imperative for those seeking to fully pursue this God-given calling.
Licensing of lay eucharistic ministers is done through the diocese and involves completion of an online, downloadable course (6-8 weeks) followed by diocesan training and licensing.
If you are interested in becoming a Lay Reader, Subdeacon, or Eucharistic Minister, please contact the rector at [email protected]
Altar Guild
The Altar Guild ministry is dedicated to supporting the sacred atmosphere of worship through meticulous care of the Altar, its surroundings and the sacred vessels, linens and vestments. This includes preparing elements for communion, arranging floral displays, and creating/maintaining liturgical arts such as banners and decorations, all to enhance the spiritual experience of our community.
The Altar Guild works in four teams that rotate through the month. The monthly time commitment is 1.5 hours per person: one hour on Saturday and 30 minutes on Sunday for last minute set up and clean up.
We would like to recruit additional members so that each team has four members and enable us to take on the services of Compline
and Evensong which occur monthly.
For more information or to volunteer, contact Pamela Kruse-Buckingham at [email protected]
The Altar Guild works in four teams that rotate through the month. The monthly time commitment is 1.5 hours per person: one hour on Saturday and 30 minutes on Sunday for last minute set up and clean up.
We would like to recruit additional members so that each team has four members and enable us to take on the services of Compline
and Evensong which occur monthly.
For more information or to volunteer, contact Pamela Kruse-Buckingham at [email protected]
Acolytes
JOIN US AT THE ALTAR AND ASSIST WITH WORSHIP
At St. Paul’s, acolytes are vested lay members of the altar party. They may be adults or teenagers, of any gender. On any given Sunday we have one to three acolytes. Acolytes are expected to perform the duties of an acolyte faithfully, reverently, and seriously.
The Crucifer carries the cross in procession at the beginning and end of the service and at the gospel procession.
Torch Bearers (2) carry large candles representing the light of Christ.
Other duties of acolytes include receiving the offering plates from the ushers at the completion of the offertory and assisting the celebrant with handwashing prior to distribution of the bread and wine. Any of the acolytes may light and extinguish candles before and after the service.
On special days we may add a Thurifer, who is an acolyte responsible for the procession with and managing the Thurible, a metal container on a chain that contains burning incense. The thurifer, the presider or celebrant, the deacon or other ministers may use the thurible in the ceremonial censing of people or objects such as the altar.
Acolyte training is at 10am on the first Saturday of every month, in the church.
For information or to volunteer, please contact Archdeacon Carolyn Bolton at [email protected]
At St. Paul’s, acolytes are vested lay members of the altar party. They may be adults or teenagers, of any gender. On any given Sunday we have one to three acolytes. Acolytes are expected to perform the duties of an acolyte faithfully, reverently, and seriously.
The Crucifer carries the cross in procession at the beginning and end of the service and at the gospel procession.
Torch Bearers (2) carry large candles representing the light of Christ.
Other duties of acolytes include receiving the offering plates from the ushers at the completion of the offertory and assisting the celebrant with handwashing prior to distribution of the bread and wine. Any of the acolytes may light and extinguish candles before and after the service.
On special days we may add a Thurifer, who is an acolyte responsible for the procession with and managing the Thurible, a metal container on a chain that contains burning incense. The thurifer, the presider or celebrant, the deacon or other ministers may use the thurible in the ceremonial censing of people or objects such as the altar.
Acolyte training is at 10am on the first Saturday of every month, in the church.
For information or to volunteer, please contact Archdeacon Carolyn Bolton at [email protected]
Prayers of the People
CONNECTING WITH GOD VIA PRAYER
Between September and June, St. Paul’s is blessed to have its own Prayers of the People written by one of our parishioners. It is a ministry that allows for a time of contemplation and reflecting what is currently occurring in our church, community, society and the world and how that relates to what we read and hear in the scriptures of the particular Sunday’s readings.
The prayers typically include six standard biddings for
And since the Prayers of the People schedule is provided in advance of the due date for the prayers, you can write the prayers from the comfort of your home or anywhere in the world. Anyone who loves spending time pondering the scriptures and engaging in conversations/prayers
with God can be a Prayers of the People writer.
If this peaks your interest, we would love to share more with you and have you join us.
For more information, contact Jeanette-Dinwiddie Moore at [email protected]
Between September and June, St. Paul’s is blessed to have its own Prayers of the People written by one of our parishioners. It is a ministry that allows for a time of contemplation and reflecting what is currently occurring in our church, community, society and the world and how that relates to what we read and hear in the scriptures of the particular Sunday’s readings.
The prayers typically include six standard biddings for
- The Universal Church, its members and its mission
- The Nation and all in authority
- The welfare of the world
- The concerns of the local community
- Those who suffer and those in any trouble
- The departed
And since the Prayers of the People schedule is provided in advance of the due date for the prayers, you can write the prayers from the comfort of your home or anywhere in the world. Anyone who loves spending time pondering the scriptures and engaging in conversations/prayers
with God can be a Prayers of the People writer.
If this peaks your interest, we would love to share more with you and have you join us.
For more information, contact Jeanette-Dinwiddie Moore at [email protected]