ministries

Who are the ministers of the Church?

A. The ministers of the Church are lay persons, bishops, priests, and deacons.

What is the ministry of the laity?

A. The ministry of lay persons is to represent Christ and his Church; to bear witness to him wherever they may be; and, according to the gifts given them, to carry on
Christ's work of reconciliation in the world; and to take their place in the life, worship, and governance of the Church.
taken from the Catechism (An Outline of the Faith) as found in the Book of Common Prayer

Lay Ministries at St. Paul's

Vestry: The Vestry is the governing body of the parish. Members of the parish are eligible for the office. Vestry men and women are elected for three year terms at the annual parish meeting in January or February. Meetings are held monthly.

Lay Eucharistic Visitor: Lay Eucharistic Visitors are trained to take consecrated bread and wine to shut-ins and hospitalized members following the Sunday celebration. Contact Fr. Han or John Jolly to request this ministry.

Prayer Chain: Members of the parish are contacted with urgent prayer needs. If you would like prayers for yourself or anyone else (including pets) for illness or any other emergency, call Ruth Dibble, who heads this ministry, at 570-673-3278.

Card Ministry: Lyn Ryan heads this ministry, which sends greeting cards to shut-ins, and friends of the parish at holidays and birthdays, and to parish members who are ill or celebrating birthdays or anniversaries.

Altar Guild: Members of the Altar Guild prepare and care for the communion elements and the seasonal decoration of the church. Claire Waldmeyer heads this ministry, which is open to anyone who wishes to help in this way.

Chalice Bearer: Chalice Bearers are specially trained and licensed lay people who assist the Rector by administering the Chalice during communion.

Lector: Lectors are trained to read the Old and New Testament lessons during the service and to lead the Prayers of the People.

Oblationer: Oblationers carry the bread and wine to the altar and take up and present the offerings. At St. Paul's this ministry is often done by our children after they receive training.

Acolyte: Acolytes light and extinguish candles, carry the cross in procession, and receive the bread and wine and offerings from the oblationers and give them to the priest.

Lay Reader: Lay Readers are specially trained and licensed to lead services of Morning Prayer or the Liturgy of the Word in the absence of a priest or deacon.

If you are interested in sharing in any of these ministries, please speak to Fr. Han .