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Liturgy: We treasure our rich traditions and we encourage involvement. Acolytes- Serve at the altar as Crucifer, Torchbearer, Thurifer, or Server. Open to those aged 7-93. Training is regularly provided. Chalice Bearers- Administer the Blood of Christ at the Eucharist. Training is required. Eucharistic Visitors- Take the sacrament to our sick and homebound members. Training and licensing required. Lectors- Read the Old and New Testament readings, or lead the Prayers of the People. Ages 12 and up. Choir- Lead the congregation in song and praise, and give voice to our prayers. We rehearse before church on Sunday morning, with occasional evening rehearsals during busy times of the year. The only qualification is a desire to sing. Wing and a Prayer- Praise the Lord in a more contemporary style with a variety of music and instruments. We meet on the second and fourth Tuesdays to learn new music and to fellowship. We would love to have additional instruments (beginner skill level is ok) as well as voices. You don’t need to read music to sing. Ushers- Assist the membership entering our services with leaflets, directions, and a smile. We gather the Offering and help those going to the rail. Altar Guild- Prepare the altar for the Liturgies. We are involved in every service, and the rewards are quiet and real. Training provided by more experienced members. Our Sunday Leaflet- Provide service notes and current information. Carol Rifon gets the Sunday Bulletin out each week, coordinating the service and the calendar. We welcome help with copying, collating, and assembly. OutReach: We carry Christ's love to our members; and through our members, to the community. Operation Shoebox- Provides Christmas gifts, necessities, and inspiration to disadvantaged children through Samaritan's Purse, in the fall. Neighborhood Services Center- Support NSC in a variety of ways with our Time, Talents and Treasure. The Oxford Neighborhood Services Center provides assistance to area residents in need. One ongoing opportunity is our monthly collection of food items on the first Sunday of each month. Community Involvement- Represent St. Christopher's as we support other area ministries and events such as Lighthouse Youth Center (providing mentors, activities and inspiration for Oxford area youth,) CROP Walk (raising monies for local hunger-relief agencies,) Red Cross Blood Drives, and Relay for Life (American Cancer Society,) Seaman's Church Institute, Episcopal Community Services, Episcopal Relief and Development, Small Beginnings, United Thank Offering, and many others. Aid for Friends- Provide meals for homebound people in our communities. On scheduled dates, we gather at the church to prepare meals to be frozen for delivery at a later date. Or, you can set an extra plate at your table and bring it to our freezer in the tray provided. Cookie Walk- Make cookies and/ or help in the sale. In December, we sponsor a Cookie Walk in our community to benefit Outreach activities. Make your specialty and sample the best of the rest.
Reaching In: tending to physical and emotional needs of our congregation. Greeters- Welcome guests and newcomers, provide assistance with the bulletin, prayer book and hymnal. We answer any questions and put a face on St. Christopher's to those unfamiliar. Sunday Drivers- Provide a ride to someone who is not able to get to church. If you have an extra seat, you can provide the gift of transportation to and from church. You will be called as the need arises. Prayer Chain- Pray. We frequently receive urgent requests for prayer for members of our congregation or for others connected in some way to St. Christopher's. You will be placed on an e-mail distribution to be activated for prayer when special needs arise.
Christian Formation: Learning and discerning what God desires for us. Church School- Teach and Mentor our most important legacy. We have a wonderful program lead by Peggy Graber and a dedicated staff. Assist teaching or chaperone off-site activities, such as regular trips that the children make to visit the residents at Ware Presbyterian Village. Nursery Assistant- Provide care for our youngest members so that their parents may attend church. Vacation Bible School- Host our children and others from the area for VBS. Whatever help you can offer will be used to teach, sing, feed, and play with the children as they grow in their understanding and love of Christ! Adult Bible Study- Lead or Participate in Adult Learning. Groups are formed for limited duration for study of a Book or topic. Flexible scheduling within each group. Start your own study or join another. Lenten Drama- Immerse yourself in a character study to illustrate our Gospel lessons. Traditionally on Palm Sunday, with a light meal. Women's Retreat- Withdraw for a one-day spring retreat for women which includes study, meditations, worship, singing, sharing and a final Eucharist. We enjoy some quiet time and fellowship, and share our hopes for a stronger Christian life. Book Club- Read, mark, learn and inwardly digest. We share what we have learned and felt. The books vary from experiential to devotional, from biographical to humor. Women's Quiet Evening- Gather for calm and quiet rest. Our goal is to center on our inner Spirit and to find peace from the stress of the work day, families, and activities. Quiet Evenings are often scheduled before holidays such as Christmas and Easter. Youth Group- Join other 6-12th Graders in service, learning and FUN. Also, mentoring has an immeasurable impact on the spiritual formation of young people and is a lot of fun. Stewardship- Coordinate the Stewardship activities of St. Christopher's. We support our Church family in their commitment to carry God’s work into the world. We plan and execute the Planned Giving Campaigns. Help is always needed and appreciated. Communication and Administration: We need Martha's, too. Clerical Staff- Be available. Assistance is needed periodically to prepare, to copy, to collate or to mail. Enlistees will be called up as needed. Pathways- Bethany Borrelli is our editor and publisher of Pathways, our monthly newsletter. We are always in need of help to solicit material, write up articles, copy and distribute the newsletter. Community Liaison- Develop and monitor develop press releases and advertising in local media, seeking ways to impact our community and Spread the Good News. StChrisOxford.org- St. Christopher's website at www.stchrisoxford.org is hosted by Mike Slaughter and is under construction by Julie Stewart. If you have skills in this area, we would welcome your input. The Auction- Participate in the Fall Auction in October. Help is needed for donations, to solicit donations from others, catalogue, and set-up. Julie Pepi is our 2008 Chair. Vestry- Lead. We elect members to this committee to conduct the business of the church and coordinate the ministries of St. Christopher’s. All members are encouraged and welcomed to monitor Vestry meetings. Property and Grounds: A legacy we leave for those to come. Property Committee- Plan for the care and upkeep of our Church, Rectory and Grounds. At this time, the list of short- and long-term goals presented at the Annual Parish Meeting is being worked to completion. You may have noted this list posted, showing our progress. All knowledge and skill levels can be utilized. Adopt-A-Bed- Plant, weed and tend your very own flowerbed on our grounds. Beautify our Church and make St. Christopher's a welcoming place for guests and newcomers. Mowing List- Mow, mow, mow the lawn, about two hours long. The mower is like new. A Sign-up list is available. Training is available (and suggested.) Work Days- Spruce up, repair, or other projects are accomplished on periodically announced workdays. One regular workday is the Greening of the Church- a great time for fellowship as well as decorating the worship space for Christmas.
Property Fund- Designate funds above your pledge to property improvements and maintenance. Our envelopes may be used to direct additional monies to "Property."
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