Lay Ministries & Guilds

Lay ministries encompass a wide variety of efforts led by church members, who offer their spiritual services, help, and guidance inside and outside the parish but are not ordained ministers.


A guild is group within the church open to all parishioners seeking a way of expressing their faith in actions supportive of the church and its congregation. Guilds often serve as opportunities to meet new parishioners and maintain relationships with current church members.

 

The following lay ministries and guilds are active and vital parts of the life and worship of St. Paul's. Please be in touch if you would like to join or find out more.

Acolytes

Acolytes assist the clergy in leading worship. They carry the cross and candles to lead the procession, help with setting the altar for Communion, and assist in other small but vital ways during worship. Youth acolytes generally receive training during the confirmation process, but additional trainings may be offered periodically. If a young person in your family would like to serve in this way, please contact the church office, so that we may included them!


Acolyte Advisors: Mrs. Catherine Tubbs, Mrs. Ann Marie Brooks,  Mrs. Dalton Daves, Mr. Dwight Lambert, Mrs. Patricia Powe

Altar Guild

The St. Paul’s Altar Guild, a thriving and vital part of the Church, is made up of 4 revolving groups of ladies who take care of preparing the altar with the sacred vessels and linens for all services, including weddings, funerals and baptisms on a weekly basis. This very satisfying ministry is quite flexible due to the number of ladies who serve as volunteers, but we always welcome and are in need of new members who might be interested! Men are welcome also!!


If interested in joining or need further information, you may call the Altar Guild chairmen, Allane Hybart or Molly Hunter.


“But I am among you as one who serves” - Luke 22

Ushers & Lectors

Ushers are church members who assist in worship services by greeting worshipers, giving them service leaflets, taking up the offering, and leaving the church in order.


A Lector is a person appointed by a priest to read the lessons during worship services. They are also referred to as “lay readers.”


If you are interested in becoming an usher or lector, please contact the church office.


Lay Eucharistic Ministry

Lay Eucharistic Ministry has a long and rich history at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. With this ministry we go into local care facilities such as Allen Memorial Home and Somerby Senior Living, saying prayers, singing songs, and celebrating Holy Eucharist with the residents.


In addition to community worship, our LEMs also carry communion to the homes of those who are no longer able to make it to Sunday worship or who may be spending time in rehabilitation and unable to make it to church as frequently as they would like.


Our LEMs travel in pairs, much like the disciples, as they carry our the love and hospitality of our parish community into the world. If you are interested in this ministry, please contact the Church Office.

Flower Guild

The Flower Guild at St. Paul’s combines God’s beauty in His church and the dedication and love for St Paul’s in its ministry. 


We welcome anyone who would like to join us in this beautiful ministry. There are various ways you can help and no experience necessary.


To join or for more info contact Judy Campbell, Carol McMurphy, or Pam Moore.

ECW

ECW stands for Episcopal Church Women and is open to all women of the church. ECW provides opportunities for fellowship, stewardship, and support for women throughout their life, from single women to new mothers to grandmothers. ECW promotes education, spiritual, and social programs that minister to women and children through events and activities including Christmas Party, Easter Celebration, Dominoes for Diapers, Gumbo Sale, Casserole sale, Christmas Tree decoration (Chrismon Tree), food train, new baby celebration, notes of encouragement, celebration and sympathy. For more information please contact the church office or Mrs. Rainer Gatewood.

Men's Prayer Group

The Men’s Prayer Group meets weekly on Tuesdays at 6:30 am for an hour, progressing through one selected book of the Bible at a time. Meetings are held in the library/conference room down the hall from the parlor.  Coffee and sweet rolls are served. Expect insightful and open discussion. Meetings on the first Tuesday of each month feature a speaker and hot breakfast in the Parish Hall.


For more information, please reach out to the church office or to Mr. Brooks Milling.

Cracked Plate Ministry

The mission of the Cracked Plate Ministry is to provide culinary support that strengthens the bonds of fellowship within the congregation’s numerous ministries and Outreach Missions. Our name is inspired by the Japanese art of Kintsugi, which celebrates the unique beauty of cracked plates and their repairs.


We provide family style meals for families in crisis until such time as the family can find a more permanent solution for its own sustenance.

We offer these meals up to three evenings a week until such time as they can manage on their own or through another agency, (3 to 6 weeks).


We do this without intrusion on the family in the hope that they will find comfort and meal-time togetherness and temporarily relieve the usual meal providers of the burden.


Our work is supported by a team of volunteers that organizes and serves culinary events at St. Paul’s Church, such as special meals, receptions and fund raisers. Cracked Plate is also a great opportunity for fellowship and service for these participants!


Chairperson, Mrs. Helen Childers

Wedding Committee

The Wedding Committee coordinates all weddings at St. Paul’s Church and Little Church. Their duties include meeting with the bride and family to review details of the wedding and answer questions, providing support throughout the wedding planning process, and serving as the wedding coordinator on the day of the wedding to assist with church logistics and miscellaneous tasks such as handing out programs before the service and cleanup after the service.

Stitchery Guild

A revived Sewing Guild began in 2018- The new guild was called the Stitchery Guild. During our time together we have learned how to knit, crochet and needlepoint. The kneeler project was the inspiration that influenced a desire to learn or share talents through these creative mediums while at the same time gathering in prayer and fellowship. 


The items created will be for sale or given to those in need. We are very excited that this age-old tradition has been revived and is being passed along to our future generations. All are welcome to join us.

St. Margaret's Guild

St. Margaret's Guild meets the second Monday of each month at 10:30 am in the Parish Hall.

St. Catherine's Guild

St. Catherine’s Guild is a women’s group that meets to enjoy a presentation on a variety of topics and then follow it with a simple lunch together in the Parish Hall. Meetings are held the fourth Wednesday of each month at eleven o’clock in the Parlor. The Guild enjoys an annual outing and, during the Christmas season, supports several charities and holds a big Christmas party. For more information please contact the church office or Pam Moore.

Guild of the Christ Child

The Guild of the Christ Child recognizes all young members of our church with a card at their Baptism and baptismal anniversary for three years. For more information please contact the church office or Mrs. Kathy Webster.