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Acolytes. The acolytes serve at
the altar by assisting the clergy. Training sessions for acolytes are
held periodically where clergy, adult leaders and experienced acolytes
teach new recruits about their part in the liturgy. Current acolytes
comment that they really enjoy friendships formed in their service
together. They also deepen their understanding of worship through their
active participation in services. Parishioners, ages 10 years through
adults, who wish to lead the procession, with cross and torches, in and
out of the service and assist the clergy during the service are warmly
welcomed.
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Altar Guild. The Altar Guild
prepares the worship space for all services, and maintains the church's
linens and vestments. Current members comment that, “Not only is it a
wonderful way to serve our Lord; it is also a terrific way of getting
behind the scenes at St. Mary's and learning about the inner workings of
the church. Finally if you are looking for fellowship, joining Altar
Guild is a great opportunity! There will be a training session in the
fall for all new members. Once trained, you will work in tandem with
other members of your team until you are comfortable to go solo on a
service. Serving on the Altar Guild at St. Mary's is both an honor and a
privilege.” If you would like to serve on a team that prepares the
altar for worship and cares for vessels and linens and vestments, please
contact the office. Interested parties are officially invited to join by
Fr. Merrow.
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Adult Forum. This Spring 2003, the
10:15 a.m. Adult Forum is be focusing on “Faith, Hope and Charity:
Christian Cliché or Principles for Living in the 21st Century” and
features our own clergy as well as guest speakers. Watch for many other
special educational opportunities in the weekly bulletins and monthly
“Messenger.” If you are interested in helping to plan and/or lead adult
education sessions Sunday mornings, please contact the Parish Office.
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Children's Chapel. meets, during the beginning of both the 9:00 am
and 11:15 am services in the Fall, Winter and Spring, for children in 1st
through 5th grades. The younger preschool children have a concurrent
playtime and shorter chapel geared to their needs. Then all children join
their families back in the “big church” for the Eucharist. Would you like
to assist in preparing the Chapel for the children's Sunday worship
services, lead the service, and arrange for a homilist? If so, please
contact us. Childcare is provided for infants and toddlers on Sunday
mornings during the services, as well as during Sunday morning
educational programs.
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Childcare Committee.
The Childcare Committee supervises the Sunday morning Nursery CoOp
(parents who take turns in the nursery) and childcare for special events.
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Church School.
St. Mary's strives to provide for the spiritual growth and development of
our many children, youth and young adults. Dedicated teachers faithfully
lead the young inquirers every week using an Episcopal based curriculum.
In the Fall, Winter and Spring, St. Mary's Church School meets following
the 9:00 am Eucharist on Sunday mornings (at about 10:15 am depending on
the length of the service). Classes are provided for children from age
three through twelfth grade. “Youth Forum” Our Youth Formation Ministry
includes Youth Forums (Sunday morning Christian Education offerings).
Junior High Youth Forum (sixth, seventh and eighth grades) focuses on
applying Scripture to everyday life, and deals with issues such as school
and family life. Senior High Youth Forum (ninth through twelfth grades)
focuses on the life of the Church and explores how Scripture messages are
echoed throughout modern culture. All Youth Forums meet after the 9:00
a.m. service. During the Summer, Summer Church
School is held
during the 10:00 a.m. service for children 3 years through 4th grade. All
children return to the Nave to receive Communion/blessing with their
parents. Would you like to teach our children on Sunday mornings? Please
call the Parish Office.
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Flower Guild arranges the flowers that
adorn the altar for all church services. For training, new members are
enrolled in the flower arranging class given by the Flower Guild of the
Washington National Cathedral. If
you would like to be a part of the Flower Guild team, please call the
Parish Office.
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Greeters. Welcome Sunday morning
worshipers at the door... Hospitality (Coffee Hours, Pot Lucks etc).
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Inquirer's Class.
Meet with other adults who are examining the faith in preparation for
confirmation, reception or reaffirmation by the Bishop.
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Koinonia Dinners. Join a small group of
parishioners for a monthly dinner in one another's homes.
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Lay Eucharistic Ministers
are laypersons that take the sacraments to parishioners who are unable to
come to church. The Lay Eucharistic Ministers are invited and trained by
the clergy, and commissioned by the Diocese. If you would like to train
to serve as a Lay Eucharistic Minister to bring communion to parishioners,
or if you would like to request a Lay Eucharistic Minister for yourself
or a family member or friend, please call the Parish Office.
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Lay Readers are privileged to help
celebrate the Service of the Word during Weekday and Sunday liturgies.
They commit to study and practice the lessons in preparation for reading,
and to meet three times annually with other lay readers and the clergy.
They support each other in their effort to understand and communicate the
lessons and the Prayers of the People. Lay Readers are invited to serve
on a yearly basis by the Rector. Interested in participating? Please call
the Parish Office.
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New Comer's Minsitry,
Seventeen new, friendly, enthusiastic people came to make friends and
learn more about St. Mary's at teh Newcomers Reception held on October 1.
We delight in their presence among us. There will be another reception in
January to welcome other new people. The Newcomers Ministrey wants to
encourage new friends and new active members. Join us in greeting someone
you don't know at worship and church gatherings.
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Office Volunteers. Office Volunteers help
out in the church office by answering the telephone, stuffing envelopes,
folding bulletins and collating publications. Please join us.
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20’s and 30’s Group Ministry. Join our ministry focused on building community at
St. Mary’s among those in their 20’s and 30’s. This Fall and Winter our
dynamic group of fun loving adults will participate in activities such as
nature walks, skiing, chaperoning youth events, assisting senior
ministries and discussing the scriptures. If you are in your 20’s or 30’s
(or feel like you are in your 20’s or 30’s) please click on this link for
more information.
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St. Joseph's Ministry. Serves the St. Mary's community by providing several
ways for parishioners with an interest in building trades to contribute
to parish life. Call the Parish Office if interested.
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Ushers greet everyone at our
services, distribute bulletins, collect and present the offering, and
attend to those with special needs. Teams normally serve once a month.
New ushers are always welcome, so if you would like to take charge of
congregational comfort at Sunday services, welcoming, seating, guiding,
leading, give the Parish Office a call.
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Youth Ministry The St. Mary's Youth
Community provides sixth through twelfth grade students with a place to
have fun, enjoy fellowship with friends, learn about outreach
opportunities, and be themselves, all while exploring their relationship
with God. For activities, the
community is often divided into Junior High (sixth, seventh, and eighth
grades) and Senior High (ninth through twelfth grades). The groups are
facilitated by our Youth
Minister, clergy, and volunteer adult sponsors. Our events range from
Sunday youth group and dinner to casual weeknight conversations on faith
to diocesan weekends and mission trips.
Additionally, Youth Forums
are part of the Sunday morning educational opportunities at the parish. For more information, please see our website or contact Matt Presson at
St. Mary’s.
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