MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES

At our baptism, all of us have received specific spiritual gifts for the carrying out of the work of ministry, both in the world and in the church. All of us, then, need to learn just how God has equipped us for that work he has prepared for us. You may use this Spiritual Gifts Discovery Tool as the beginning of discerning your gifts for ministry, and using them for the glory of God. If you have any questions, please contact Fr. Geoff or Mtr. Roxanne. God bless you as you learn about your spiritual gifts and grow into your specific ministry!

STEWARDSHIP

Stewardship Committee - Assists parish in Christian growth through the intentional and committed sharing of time, talent, resources, and money by helping with special events, education programs, and annual collection of pledge cards. Time commitment varies with project.

MEMBERSHIP GROUPS

Episcopal Youth Community (EYC) - Social environment, service activities, and group forum for exploring topics related to young people in grades 6-12. Jr EYC meets at 4:00pm the first two Sundays Sr. EYC meets at 6:00pm every Sunday.

Episcopal Church Women (ECW) - Various charitable and pastoral care projects. Meets monthly (Sept.-May) for fellowship and study.

• St. Mary-Elizabeth Chapter: 2nd Tuesday of each month, 10:30am in Church Library
• St. Lydia Chapter: 1st Monday of each month, 7:00pm in PLC

St. Joseph's Society (Men's Group) - Fellowship, guest speakers, service projects. Meets 3rd Monday (Sept.-May) at 6:30pm.

Best Timers (Age 60+) - Fellowship, service opportunities, and educational programs for seniors. Meets monthly with date and time dependent on activity.

Feast Groups - Monthly gatherings in parishioners' homes or a restaurant for a shared meal and fellowship. Groups organized in the fall based on sign ups.

CHURCH SERVICE SUPPORT

Altar Guild - Prepare altar for services including care of altar hangings, vestments, linens, & flower arrangements. Work in teams scheduled on a rotating basis.

Nursery - Supervise children (infant - age 5) during Sunday worship services. Scheduled on a rotating basis.

Funeral Committee - Assists at funerals with preparing church, guiding visitors, distributing service bulletins, etc. On-site training provided. Serve as needed or available.

Wedding Committee - Meets with bride prior to wedding and assists wedding party at rehearsal and marriage service. Schedule and serve as needed, usually about 4 weddings per year.

Usher - Assists congregation with seating, bulletins, collection of the offering, etc. Requires one training session, which is offered regularly. Scheduled to serve on a rotating basis.

Greeter - Welcomes people as they enter church. Scheduled to serve on a rotating basis.

Coffee Hour: Prepare coffee, lemonade, and cookies for fellowship following the 9:00 and 11:00 services. Instruction provided. On-going sign-up.
 

CHRISTIAN FORMATION

Sunday School Teachers - Lead classes for ages 2-18. Sundays, 10:10am, Sept-May with frequency depending on number of teachers per class..

Centering Prayer - Group setting for learning about and practicing an ancient form of quiet prayer as well as prayerful reading of scriptures. Fridays, 12:10pm

Daughters of the King - Dedicated to prayer and service; provides prayer chain for prayer requests; has monthly study. Meets every 3rd Sunday after 11:00 service. Contact Frances Funderburk.

LITURGY & WORSHIP

Acolyte - Assists clergy at altar. One-time training provided with refresher and special service practices 3-4 times per year. Scheduled to serve on a rotating basis. Contact Julie Clark.

Chalice Bearer - Assists clergy in administering communion. Requires one training session, which is offered regularly. Scheduled to serve on a rotating basis.

Lector - Reads scripture lessons and prayers during worship services. Instruction provided. Scheduled to serve on a rotating basis.

Lay Readers - Licensed by Diocese to lead special services, e.g., Morning & Evening Prayer. Requires one training session, which is offered regularly.

Sound Team - Records services and helps with microphones & assisted listening devices. On-site training provided; serve monthly.

Rector's Aide - Opens and secures church facilities before and after services. Scheduled to serve on a rotating basis.

Adult Choir - Leads congregation in the singing of hymns and prepares anthem for worship each week. Rehearses Wednesdays 7:30-9:00pm Sept-May, Sunday warm-up 10:15am for 11:00 service.

Choristers - Engages youngsters grades 2-8 in fun-filled learning about music, the hymnal, and the prayer book while taking an active role in parish worship. Rehearses Thursdays at 4:30pm. Sunday musical offerings performed about every 3 weeks Sept-May.

Children's Choir - For ages 3 and up. Brief rehearsals after the 10:30am service. Sunday musical offerings performed about once a month Sept-May..

Musical Instruments - Music-making opportunities with handbells and other instruments to enhance worship services. Rehearsal arrangements made after sign-ups.

FACILITIES

Adopt-a-Highway Team - Clean up Piney Mountain Road. Saturday mornings, 3 times per year.

Building Maintenance Team - Continuing maintenance of physical facilities. Serve as needed or available.

Landscape Team/ Memorial Garden Committee - Maintenance and improvement of church grounds. Serve as needed or available.

Organ Committee - Meets periodically as needed.

PASTORAL CARE

Pastoral Care Committee - Ministers to the parish by providing food, visits, cards, phone calls, support & transportation during times of hardship; also sponsors parish wellness programs (e.g., CPR training). Meets every other month, generally on the 3rd Monday at 7:00pm. Service commitment varies and can be as little as one hour per month or as much as one chooses.

Lay Eucharistic Ministry - Licensed by Diocese to deliver communion to shut-ins and hospital patients. Requires one training session, which is offered regularly. Scheduled to serve on a rotating basis.

Food Response Team - Provides meals to parish members & their families at times of birth, death, or hospital homecoming. Each team is on-call for one month per quarter (4 months per year).

Transportation Team -Assists parishioners with rides to church activities, appointments, etc. Time commitment as much as is needed or available.

MISSIONS & OUTREACH

Missions & Outreach Committee - Identifies and promotes parish-wide mission projects by extending the reach of St. James as Christ's body in the world. Contact Alice Littlejohn, 467-9580.

Volunteer Respite Program - Provides free childcare for families of children with disabilities and their siblings. 1st Saturday of the month, 2-5pm. Usually serve every 3rd month.

5th Saturday Bag Lunches - The Daughters of the King from St. James and St. Philips meet every 5th Saturday to prepare 40 bag lunches for the Southernside Community Center.

Canterbury Club Lunches - Prepare and serve lunch for Furman students once a month. 2nd Sunday of the month.

COMMUNICATIONS

Web Page - Submit digital pictures, content & suggestions for church website (www.stjamesgreenville.org.)

Office Volunteer - Assist parish administrator with answering phones, collating bulletins, proofreading, and/or special projects.