Lay Ministry Teams
“To serve and love one another.”
We are most Christ’s church when we serve and love one another. There are many ways we can partner with God to do this at Christ Church Anglican GR. Our Lay Ministry Teams are one expression of our parish putting this into practice.
As you look over these teams, we invite you to prayerfully consider where the Spirit may be inviting you to serve and love our community.
You are not limited to participating in only one ministry team. If you feel led to serve on more than one team, please feel free to do so.
Altar Guild
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Members of the Altar Guild prayerfully set the table for the Eucharist each Sunday before service. The Anglican Altar is a table rich in meaning and symbol. Each item holds significance and brings depth to our embodied liturgy and how we experience Christ in worship. We are a sensory people, and the Altar Guild lovingly prepares the Eucharistic table with tender care and reverence. The Eucharist is an experience of the real presence of Christ, and the Altar Guild ensures the table is properly set for the parish to experience this life-giving experience of Christ.
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Initial training. Working with the team on scheduling rotational service.
Learning the meaning of each sacramental item and setting them with reverence and care. An informative glossary and training are provided for this ministry.
Keeping track of necessary supplies and reporting when supplies are running low.
Arriving on Sunday mornings at 10:10 a.m. to prepare the Altar.
Set up: Some lifting is required to carry a few smaller bins from the kitchen to the front of the sanctuary and to set out the larger candle on specific feast days.
Placing sacramental items in appropriate places and preparing the table for the Eucharistic feast.
Clean up: The informative glossary helps you remember the names of the items in the "stack" and the protocols for disposing of unused sacramental water and wine.
Cleaning of linens, proper repacking, and folding of items.
Cleaning of the gluten-free paten (tray) and chalice to ensure no cross-contamination.
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Someone who has an eye for detail, space, and aesthetics. For example, an appreciation for where an embroidery faces or noticing when candles need oil refills.
Someone who can take a quick inventory each week for parish administration to order supplies in a timely manner (wine, wafers, candle oil, etc.).
Doesn't mind doing laundry! AG members spot-treat any stains on the linens directly after service and then wash and iron the linens at home during the week in order to have them prepared for the next Sunday.
Children age 13 and up are welcome to sign up if they are willing to be trained and directed by an adult and you feel they are mature enough to handle sacramental items.
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Have attended Christ Church for 6 months or more.
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Adam Vedra
Eucharistic Ministry
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Lay people participate in Eucharistic ministry at Christ Church by serving in a variety of roles:
Acolyte
Crucifer
Chalice Bearer
Subdeacon
Chalice Bearer
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Have attended Christ Church for 6 months or more.
Willing to be trained
Willing to be licensed for this ministry (applies to Chalice Bearer and Subdeacon)
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Adam Vedra
Children’s Ministry Leaders
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We ask that parents' first priority in serving at CCA be in their child's class once a month.
However, children’s formation is not limited to parents. We encourage the entire church body to join, and here’s how:
Help in Childcare: (1-2-year-olds)
We offer childcare for 1-2-year-olds in the Toddler Nursery during service. With many volunteers, we can lighten the workload! Expect a low adult-to-child ratio in this room for our youngest church members. Please note that diaper changing is not performed by volunteers.
Become a Classroom Teacher or Assistant: (Age Groups: Little Ones: 3-4-year-olds, Children's Church: K-3, 4/5/6 Catechism)
Our lead teachers are able to lead our formation classes through the lesson material and “little liturgy”. All teachers and assistants are trained, and through experience, can become comfortable leading a formation class. A small time commitment is required to review the lesson and plan the flow of class time. All materials are prepared in advance, and the teaching rotation is limited to once a month.
Formation classes will include a scripted Bible story followed by "wondering questions." Elementary classes will include a brief teaching segment. The 4/5/6 catechism class features a more formal lesson, followed by group discussion and activities.
We welcome Youth Helpers in our classrooms! Youth Helpers are students 12+ years old who would like to assist once a month in the Nursery or Little One's classroom. They often play with a child who needs extra attention, help tidy the classroom, and provide support to the teacher and assistant in various ways.
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Have attended Christ Church for 6 months or more.
Have completed the Ministry Safe training and background check.
Submitted an application with references.
Interviewed with Ministry Leader, Jess Roberts.
Read and signed the Safe Church Policy Manual compliance form.
Willingness to attend training 1-2 times a year.
Reports to and is accountable to the Children’s Formation Director, Jessica Roberts.
Shows up promptly on days of service (10:10 a.m.) and reaches out in advance if there is a schedule conflict or sickness.
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Jess Roberts
Intercessory Prayer & Hospitality
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This team serves the greater CCA parish by receiving prayer needs within the parish and faithfully praying. They will meet for prayer in various ways and help facilitate a culture of intercessory prayer and care within our parish.
When there is a need for a meal train (new parents, bereavement, injury, or medical needs), requests can be made to this team, and they will set up that service. Requests for prayer or a meal train can be made by completing the appropriate form in the Planning Center. This team will also take requests from expecting mothers who desire a baby blessing. This team is not responsible for pastoral care needs; these needs can be met through the pastoral care team.
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Expect to receive prayer needs from parishioners and faithfully bring them to prayer.
A commitment to pray and participate in group prayer opportunities.
To honor confidentiality with all prayer requests. This means not offering advice or counsel.
To assist in hospitality when needed.
Periodic meetings.
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Those who feel called to the ministry of intercessory prayer.
Those desiring a community with which to pray on behalf of the church and her needs.
Those who enjoy serving the everyday needs of others in sacred times of births, deaths, healing, and or medical emergencies.
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Have attended Christ Church for 6 months or more.
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Jill Risner and Amy Werner
Home Parish Ministry
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Home Parishes are multi-generational groups that meet for 1.5-2 hours on Sunday evenings in 3 liturgical cycles: Advent (4-5 weeks), Lent (6-7 weeks), and Trinity-tide (6 weeks). These groups foster hospitality through the breaking of bread, fellowship, and prayer.
Home Parishes include food, multi-generational fellowship, and prayer (Evening Prayer, Compline, or Family Prayer). Groups change with each cycle.
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Home Parish Hosts
The Host provides the meeting space and food for the parish group. The group can decide on a potluck or food rotation format. The food doesn’t have to be a main meal; snacks are good too.
Home Parish Leaders
The leaders are responsible for structuring/leading/keeping time during parish group gatherings. (1.5-2 hours)
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Hosts:
Provide the symbolic table of the Lord which overflows to our tables at home. A gift for hospitality and generosity is welcomed.
Can host up to 15 people (Advent/Lent) or up to 25 people in a backyard in the summer.
Communicate by email/text with members of their group regarding the time of meetings, changes to the meeting, and scheduling of food.
Are available to host for the entire Advent, Lent, or Trinity cycle.
Leaders:
Understand that we are all invited to come to the Lord as we are and desire to invite people of all ages and abilities to come as they are for lightly guided conversation and prayer.
Are comfortable and familiar with the Book of Common Prayer (BCP) and can lead and help/encourage others to lead BCP evening prayers.
Are willing to keep track of time.
Are comfortable engaging with people of all ages and abilities, including children.
Are provided training in leading and given support from the team leader.
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Have attended Christ Church for 6 months or more.
Meet with the Team Lead to discern if leading or hosting a Home Parish is a good fit.
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Shalini Bennett
Liturgical Readers
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The Liturgical Readers is a public ministry for the people by the parishioners of Christ Church. It is truly the people’s work and crucial to our Anglican expression of Word and Sacrament. This ministry proclaims God’s Word and calls the parish to communal intercession with God’s will. In addition, New Testament readers assist in the sacramental elements of the Eucharist. Those serving in liturgical ministry participate in the processional for their designated day of service. The processional begins and closes our corporate time worship.
Those called to this ministry may have a heart for the Holy Scriptures and how they are presented to God’s people in worship, a desire to proclaim God’s word, and be attentive to how the spoken word touches God's people in corporate worship. A basic understanding of and heart for Anglican worship, traditions, and the Prayer Book are desirable, as well as a willingness to learn more.
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Have attended Christ Church for 6 months or more.
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MJ Young
Music Ministry
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Those serving in the Music Ministry of CCA seek to honor the Lord by bringing their musical abilities to enable corporate worship. They bring the musical gifts that God has given them to the joyful task of providing the gathered worshipers “language” to offer to the Lord in praise.
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Have attended Christ Church for 6 months or more.
A humble and willing attitude.
A deep love for the Lord and a desire to express this love.
Respect for the Anglican liturgy.
Musical ability, training, and/or experience.
Respect for diverse musical and liturgical traditions.
Music teams meet at 9:15 a.m. on Sunday mornings to rehearse music selected and distributed earlier in the week by the team leader(s).
Singers and instrumentalists usually participate once or twice per month according to their availability.
Quarterly schedules are published so people can plan accordingly.
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Amanda Lawrence
Prayers of the People
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The Liturgical Ministry Team is a public ministry for the people by the parishioners of Christ Church. It is truly the people’s work and crucial to our Anglican expression of Word and Sacrament. This ministry proclaims God’s Word and calls the parish to communal intercession with God’s will. Those who serve in leading the Prayers of the People also assist in the sacramental elements of the Eucharist. Those serving in liturgical ministry participate in the processional for their designated day of service. The processional begins and closes our corporate time worship.
Those called to serve in this ministry may have a heart for prayer, collecting the prayers of the people, some writing abilities, enjoy working with a team, and have the desire to invite others into intercession with all the saints for the work God is accomplishing in the world. A basic understanding of and heart for Anglican worship, traditions, and the Prayer Book are desirable, along with a willingness to learn more.
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Have attended Christ Church for 6 months or more.
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MJ Young
Tech Ministry
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Running sound is not a difficult task but requires showing up early to Eucharist service and staying late after service. It is a technical area and cannot be run by anyone but those interested in learning and who can be trained.
Those well-suited for running sound have a good ear for mixing multiple instruments and vocals as well as setting up reading microphones for clarity.
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Have attended Christ Church for 6 months or more.
Turning on sound equipment.
Routing cables for vocalists, instruments, and readers.
Ensuring (as best as possible) that vocalists, musicians, and readers are heard clearly through the sound system.
Running sound (front of house) during service. This entails adjusting channel levels, muting/unmuting, and troubleshooting any sound issues during the Eucharist Service.
After service, unplugging cables, saving front of house board settings, and putting away all CCA equipment.
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Kyle Quisenberry
Sunday Eucharist Intercessory Prayer
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Those serving in this prayer ministry offer a safe space for parishioners to share heavy burdens they may carry to receive prayer and presence. It is not a place to offer advice or counsel, but solidarity and love.
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Listening—to the person and to the Holy Spirit for guidance on prayer.
Presence—being bodily, emotionally, and spiritually present in solidarity without words.
Prayer—when words or silence are needed, one intercedes with the Spirit of God.
Confidentiality—prayer needs stay between you and the person you are praying for (exceptions mentioned below).
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Can be attentive to the Spirit in themselves and others and have a heart for prayer.
Can honor confidentiality.
Can be tender, compassionate, hospitable, and non-judgmental.
Can trust God to meet others where they are in their prayer needs.
Are comfortable hearing the deep concerns of others and able to pray aloud for those needs in an unbiased and loving way.
A working understanding of suffering and that God answers prayers in many ways.
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Have attended Christ Church for 6 months or more.
Serve 1-2 times a month during Sunday liturgy.
Arrive at 10:10 a.m. to participate in the processional service.
After receiving the Eucharist, stand at the front of the church and be available to receive prayer requests and offer prayer with and for parishioners and their requests.
Knowledge of anointing oils administered by the clergy that may be offered.
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Luke Jones
Youth Formation
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At Christ Church, Youth Formation for 7th-12th graders happens in multiple settings:
Youth Guild: a monthly gathering for students to come together to pray the Daily Office and connect with one another
Youth Catechism: student catechism meets twice a month for classes, taught by CCA clergy and approved Catechists. The two year cycle of classes covers the entirety of our catechism, To Be A Christian
Youth Mentors (currently in development): adults who meet regularly with CCA students for prayer and encouragement
Youth Formation Leadership Team: this team meets monthly to resource all of the youth formation initiatives happening at CCA and set a calendar of events for our students (retreats, missions trips, etc)
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Youth mentors, guild leaders and formation lead team members will need to have:
Attended Christ Church for 6 months or more.
Completed the Ministry Safe training and background check.
Submitted an application with references.
Interviewed with a Youth Formation Ministry Leader.
Read and signed the Safe Church Policy Manual compliance form.
Willingness to attend training 1-2 times a year.
Note: Youth Mentors need to be confirmed or desirous of confirmation.
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Youth Formation Leadership Team (Nick Theobald, Maddie Berce, Leanne Harrell, Jennie Clevenger, Geoff McGannon)