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Parish Ministries
“Having gifts that differ according to
the grace given us, Let us use
them…..” Romans 12:6 Studies indicate that the more
active in church life an individual becomes, the stronger that
individual’s commitment to God is likely to be. Yet, in most churches,
10% of the members do 90% of the work of ministry. Our Saviour offers
many opportunities for lay involvement, including ministries for all ages
that call for a variety of talents and different time commitments. Living
in a resort/retirement community means that many of us travel,
consequently, it is necessary to build team ministries where
commitment and involvement allow for great flexibility. The goal of
Our Saviour is to ensure that every member is involved in at least one
ministry. Fellowship
Team Ministry: Prayer Ministries
Joining the Prayer/Healing teams. With a partner,
pray with individuals who come for prayer during and after the 11:00 am
Sunday service. Training provided. Participating in the
Telephone Prayer Chain. You will be contacted by phone to
pray for parishioners and their immediate families. Joining the Intercessory
Prayer Group. This group coordinates and participates in prayer
for special events and occasions at Our Saviour, in the greater Charleston
community and the world. Parish Care Ministry
Becoming a Lay Eucharistic Minister (Home). LEM’s minister
to the infirmed by taking reserve Sacrament to sick and shut-ins after
church on Sunday. Training provided. Clergy appointment and license
by the Bishop required. Participating in
Martha’s Ministry. This group provides care to individuals
through calls, cards, and errands. Frequency: rotational. Delivering Altar flowers
to parishioners in local hospitals, nursing care centers and homes.
Frequency: rotational. Hospitality
Helping plan Church Events: receptions (bishop’s visits,
funerals), picnics, parish retreats etc. Frequency: varies. Serving at Coffee Hour
by preparing coffee and serving cookies in the parish between the Sunday
services; also clean-up. Frequency: rotational. Helping organize Ladies
Events: retreats, conferences, etc. Frequency: periodic. Helping organize
Fellowship Events: suppers, picnics, sunset cruises, etc.
Frequency: monthly. Helping organize/obtain
speakers for the men’s Laymen’s League breakfasts.
Frequency: monthly Oct. – April. Helping plan activities with
St. James AME Church (our sister church). Frequency:
semi-annual. Social/Fellowship
Attending Ladies Events: retreats, conferences, etc.
Frequency: periodic. Attending Fellowship
Events: suppers, picnics, sunset cruises, etc. Frequency:
monthly. Attending the men’s
Laymen’s League breakfasts. Frequency: monthly Oct. – April. Attending activities with
St. James AME Church (our sister church). Frequency:
semi-annual. Worship Team Ministry
: Worship Service
Serving as an Acolyte; assist in worship leadership
as a crucifer; candle lighter; receive offering; serve clergy at 9:00 am
Holy Communion. Training provided. Frequency: rotational. Serving on the Altar
Guild; prepare for services to include care of silver, linens,
brocade hangings, and vestments. Frequency: rotational. Becoming a Wedding
Coordinator; meet with Bride/Bride’s mother to plan, attend
rehearsal and wedding, help participants follow clergy’s instructions.
Membership in Altar Guild required. Training provided. Frequency: as
needed. Becoming a Funeral
Coordinator; assist clergy in planning of funeral services.
Membership in Altar Guild required. Training provided. Frequency: as
needed. Becoming a Lay
Eucharistic Minister (Altar); assist clergy at services; reading
lessons, prayers of the people; administering the chalice at Holy
Communion. Training provided. Frequency: rotational. Becoming a Lector;
assist the clergy with reading lessons; and prayers of the people.
Training provided. Frequency: rotational. Becoming an Usher;
distribute service bulletins and seat visitors; receive the offering and
present at the altar rail; assist during Holy Communion by directing
participants from pews; pick up remaining bulletins in pews after
service. Training provided. Frequency: rotational. Music
Singing in the Choir at the 9:00 Sunday service. Rehearsals
are on Thursdays at 5:30 pm. Joining the Praise Band
with guitars, bass, keyboard, flute, percussion and singing at the11:00 am
Sunday service. Rehearsals are on Wednesdays at 5:30 pm. Flowers
Donating Altar Flowers on a selected Sunday in honor of, or
in memory of, a loved one. Study of the Word:
Adult Study
Joining a Small Group Study in some one’s home or at
church. Frequency: decision of group. Becoming a Small Group
Leader. Frequency: varies. Attending a 4-6 week
Adult Seminar on Sunday mornings (10:15-10:50) Becoming a Adult
Seminar Teacher. Frequency: varies. Participating in the Beta
programs. An 8 week course (with supper at 6:00) on practicing the
Christian life. Offered in the fall (Sept.- Nov.). Helping with the Beta
program as a coordinator, small group leader, helper, or task force
member. Offered in the fall (Sept.-Nov.). Participating in
Cursillo, attend a Diocesan-sponsored three day Cursillo weekend
at Camp St. Christopher (Seabrook Island); A short course in Christianity
designed to raise up and train Christian leaders. Offered throughout
year. Youth Group
Assisting in the planning, organization and leadership of the youth
group. Frequency: varies. Assisting with youth
group activities. Frequency: varies. Evangelism Team Ministry::
Attending the Alpha program. A 12 week course (with supper at
6:00) on Christian basics, designed for newcomers and non-members.
Offered in the Winter (Jan.-Mar.). Helping with the Alpha
program as a coordinator, small group leader, helper, or task force
member. Offered in the winter (Jan.- Mar.) Participating as a Door
Greeter. Greet all parishioners and newcomers at the front doors of
the church before the Sunday services. Make newcomers feel comfortable
and welcome. Take oblation to altar. Training provided. Frequency:
rotational. Participating as a Greeter
at the Guest Table. Greet newcomers, provide name tag and visitor
card, answer any questions. Training provided. Frequency: rotational. Finance/Administration
Team Ministries: Monthly Newsletter
Soliciting and or writing articles.
Frequency: monthly. Editing and
proofing articles. Frequency: monthly. Publishing; use
of Microsoft Word and Publisher required. Training provided. Folding
monthly newsletters. Frequency: monthly. Office Volunteers
Becoming an Office Angel by helping answer parish
telephones, prepare mailings, proofread, copy, fold, collate and type
documents. Computer skills are helpful but not necessary. Frequency:
weekly but can vary. Entering Data
into church computer from visitor cards, ministry survey, etc. Computer
skills are helpful. Training provided. Frequency: weekly but can vary. Decorating and updating
Bulletin Boards in the Sanctuary and Parish Hall. Frequency:
quarterly. Assisting in the Library.
Frequency: varies. Leadership
Serving on the Audit Committee. Frequency: annual.
Serving on the Building and Grounds Committee. Frequency:
monthly/as needed. Serving on the
Communications Committee. Frequency: monthly/as
needed. Serving on the Cemetery
Committee. Frequency: monthly/as needed. Serving on the Endowment
Committee. Frequency: monthly/as needed. Serving on the Finance
Committee. Frequency: monthly/as needed. Serving on the Outreach
Committee. Frequency: monthly/as needed. Serving on the
Stewardship Committee. Frequency: monthly/as needed. Serving on the Welcome
Committee. Frequency: monthly/as needed. Serving as Treasurer.
Frequency: weekly. Serving as Clerk of the
Vestry. Frequency: monthly/as needed. Becoming a Teller.
Count the offerings after the Sunday services. Frequency: rotational. Becoming a Ministry
Chairperson. Accept appointment to serve on one of the
Parish ministries helping to develop and coordinate programs in the areas
of fellowship, worship, service, study, evangelism, finance and
administration. Frequency: monthly/as needed. Serving as a Vestry
member. When nominated by the nominating committee or at the
annual meeting, offer to serve a two-year term as Junior or Senior Warden,
a three-year term as member of the Vestry (parish legal board and
governing board), or as a delegate to the annual Diocesan Convention,
usually held Friday-Saturday in March at various locations in the Diocese.
