MINISTRIES OF SAINT MATTHEW'S

The members of Saint Matthew's perform various ministries as we work together to fulfill the our God-given mission.  As with every local congregation, we recognize that each of us has particular God-given gifts that we are called to use in support of our life together and in fulfilling our call to seek and serve others in Christ's name.  We depend upon one another's gifts in the following areas of ministry:

WORSHIP 

Acolytes:  Beginning in the 7th grade, our young people serve in this important ministry, providing essential assistance for our worship together.  They assist the clergy and eucharistic ministers in various ways during the 10am Holy Eucharist.  For more information please contact Fr. Kevin (423-1762).

Altar Guild:  This group of committed individuals carries out the important ministry of preparing the church for weekday and Sunday worship.  They maintain all of the vestments, hangings and liturgical objects (i.e. communion vessels, candles, etc.) at Saint Matthew's.  They also prepare and arrange the altar flowers for every service.  For more information please contact Mary Jawor (423-0879).

Choir:  Music is a crucially important part of our worship together, providing one of the primary ways that we praise God.  Under the leadership of our organist/choir-master, Julie Tagen, the members of our choir give of their time and talent to lead and support the congregation in this aspect of our worship.  For more information, please contact Sherry Newman (539-0551).

Eucharistic Ministers:  These individuals assist the priest in leading worship each Sunday morning.  They vest in white albs, join in procession at the beginning and ending of worship, lead the congregation in the recitation of Psalms and the Prayers of the People, and assist with the distribution of communion as chalice-bearers.  Some training is required.  For more information please contact Fr. Kevin (423-1762).

Oblations Bearers:  These individuals, often working in pairs (e.g. husband & wife, etc.), bring foward the elements (i.e. bread & wine) for Holy Communion as part of the Offertory procession during Sunday Worship.  For more information or to volunteer your time and talents, please contact Fr. Kevin (423-1762). 

Ushers:  These individuals also provide a ministry of hospitality on Sunday mornings, greeting people as they enter church and providing them with service bulletins.  Their primary roles, however, are to "direct traffic" during worship, to coordinate the collection of the offering, and to help with "clean up" after services.  For more information please contact Bob Horan (423-3554).

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION

Church School Teachers and Assistants:  These individuals offer their time and talents to provide Christian Education for our children (grades K-6).  This is a vitally important and highly rewarding ministry that helps ensure the continuing growth of our community.  Our Church School classes begin at 10am on Sunday mornings and last 40-45 minutes (the children and teachers join the congregation for Communion).  For more information please contact Julia Lloyd (560-0044).

Youth Ministry Leaders:  These individuals offer their time and talents to support our Junior High and Senior High youth in their faith journies, providing them a safe place for fun, fellowship and spiritual growth.  Our Youth Group meets twice a month for meetings, fun outings (bowling, movies, etc.) and ministry projects.  For more information or to volunteer your time and talents please contact Laura Clarke.

Confirmation Mentors:  These individuals serve as mentors and companions for our youth (7th grade and above) over a 2-3 month period as they prepare for Confirmation.  With the close support of the Rector and a well-designed and user-friendly workbook, they meet with their confirmand on a weekly basis for a mutual learning experience that encourages the confirmand to explore their faith and their faith community.  These periods of preparation for Confirmation take place every other year, beginning in January or February.  For more information or to volunteer your time and talents for this ministry please contact Fr. Kevin (423-1762).

STEWARDSHIP

Vestry:  The members of the Vestry work in cooperation with the Rector to oversee the life and ministry of the parish.  They are nominated and elected by the members of the parish and serve for three consecutive years.  The Vestry meets at least once-a-month for prayer, fellowship and conversation about the life and ministry of the parish.  The Vestry consists of four officers (nominated by the Rector and elected by the Vestry) and six at-large members.  For more information please contact Fr. Kevin (423-1762).  

Finance Committee:  This committee serves as an advisory body to the Vestry, providing advice and recommendations on financial and budgetary matters.  They work to ensure good stewarship of the parish's monetary resources.  Membership is open to those who have particular gifts and abilities in the area of finance.  For more information or to volunteer your time and talents please contact Will Tuttle (524-9359).

Investment Committee:  This committee, made up of former and current investment professionals or individuals with experience in this area, oversees the investments of the parish, working in close cooperation with the Finance Committee.  For more information or to volunteer your time and talents please contact Karin Coulter (423-1521).

Property Committee:  This committee, chaired by the Junior Warden, serves as an advisory body to the Vestry, providing advice and recommendations regarding parish property issues.  They work to ensure that the facilities and property of the parish are well-maintained so as to allow for its on-going life and ministry.  For more information or to volunteer your time and talents please contact Jim Breakell (423-2429).

Sunday Counters:  These individuals work in pairs and perform the important task of counting and preparing for deposit the Sunday offering monies.  For more information or to volunteer your time and talents, please contact Sue Fay in the parish office (423-1762) 

EVANGELISM

New Member Committee:  This group seeks ways to attract, welcome and incorporate new members to the parish.  They do this primarily by organizing special fellowship events (e.g. annual golf tourney, annual basketball night), and by putting on a ministry fair that provides information about the various ministries of the parish and invites people to sign up to participate in those various ministries.  For more information or to volunteer your time and talents please contact Suzanne Wheelock (423-9912). 

Parish Greeters:  These individuals provide a ministry of intentional hospitality during worship on Sunday mornings.  At the beginning of each service, they stand near the entrance of the church and welcome folks as they enter, providing special attention to those who are visitors.  They encourage visitors to sign the visitors book, answer any questions they may have and offer any assistance they may need in preparing for worship.  For more information please contact Fae Murphy (423-0933).

IN-REACH/OUT-REACH

Coffee Hour Hosts:  These individuals provide beverages and goodies for the Coffee Hours that follow our worship services.  They are scheduled on a rotating basis.  For more information or to volunteer your time and talents please call the parish office (423-1762).

Church Sales:  Each year Saint Matthew's puts on a Summer Fair and a Christmas Bazaar.  Both of these events require many volunteers.  These events peform three primary functions:  they produce income for the parish's on-going life and ministry; they serve the wider community; and they draw potential newcomers to the parish.  For more information or to voluteer your time and talents please contact the parish office.

Parish Life Team:  This group helps to coordinate and prepare the various parish meals (e.g. annual meeting brunch, parish picnic, etc.), parish receptions and special coffee hours that occur throughout the year.  For more information or to volunteer your time and talents, please contact Nancy Misto (423-0878).

Thrift Shop:  Our Parish Thrift Shop, run by a group of devoted volunteers, provides both a ministry of outreach to the wider community and a ministry of providing additional income for on-going life and ministry of Saint Matthew's.   For more information or to volunteer your time and talents, please contact Peter Hoagland (423-3407).