 What
can you do?
There are many ways to get involved at the
church. Below are just a few examples.
Altar Ministries
Choir
Christian Education
Episcopal Church Women
Nursery
Outreach
Prayer Shawl
Vestry
Altar
Ministries
These ministries are offered by parishioners,
serving parishioners. Periodic initial and continuing training is
offered.
Acolytes
Lead processions; assist in setting the
Altar for Eucharist; assist at Baptisms
Altar Guild
Care for vestments and vessels for worship;
set up for all worship services
Intercessors
Lead congregation in Prayers of the People
and other prayers
Lay Eucharistic Ministers
Assist in administering Holy Communion with
the Chalice
Lay Eucharistic Visitors
Take Communion from Sunday worship to members
who are homebound, in nursing homes, or in the hospital
Lectors
Read lessons from Old and New Testaments
at services
Oblation Bearers
Bring the Peoples’ offerings of bread
and wine to the altar
Psalm Leaders
Lead congregation in recitation of the Psalms
Choir
The choir at St. Francis meets each Friday
at 4:00 p.m. for their weekly rehearsal. A great time is had by
all. Singers enjoy singing music from the classical to the new hymn
arrangements. We have a walk-on choir each Sunday with a 9:00 a.m.
rehearsal for those visiting the beach. Beach goers are welcome
to join us at this time for a 45-minute rehearsal, just before the
10:00 a.m. worship service.
Christian
Education
• Weekly Christian Formation lesson
based on the Sunday lectionary readings appears in each Sunday service
bulletin
• Monthly Christian Formation article in
the Song of St. Francis newsletter
• A children’s class for ages 4 –
8 is held during the first half of the 10:00 a.m. worship service
in the spring and summer. Children who are visiting St. Francis
by the Sea are welcome and encouraged to attend this class.
• Each Wednesday evening in Lent, a series
of study is presented, preceded by a light soup and salad supper.
• Occasional adult Christian Formation
opportunities are offered by supply priests and the Christian Formation
Committee. Information regarding these opportunities is posted under
What’s
Happening.
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Episcopal
Church Women
The ECW is the women’s organization
within the church that is committed to be witnesses for Christ through
fellowship, sharing and outreach to one another and those in need.
However, the missions and projects of this organization extend beyond
the needs of the community to the Trinity District, Diocese of East
Carolina, State of North Carolina and international level.
Nursery
A nursery, staffed by volunteers and an
employee from Nancy Nannies, for infants
through age three is available for the 10:00 a.m. worship service
each Sunday.
Outreach
Outreach is for everyone! Individually, we
give of ourselves in outreach to those areas of our personal interest.
Collectively, we at St. Francis by the Sea have made outreach our
mission by extending our love and care beyond the walls of our church.
We have been active in hurricane relief, our local soup kitchen,
and Habitat for Humanity. Martha’s Mission Cupboard is an
ongoing project sponsored by our Outreach Committee. Bring your
dry and canned goods to the church at any time. Committee members
deliver them to the “cupboard” at the end of each month.
Prayer
Shawl Ministry
A new prayer shawl ministry was formed in
2006. This is a ministry of loving prayer and comfort. Members knit
cozy shawls for recipients, known or unknown, praying for them during
the process. Some gather to knit together and some work independently.
Vestry
According to the Constitution & Canons
of the Episcopal Church, the vestry is the legal representative
of the parish “in all matters concerning its corporate property
and the relations of the parish to its clergy.” Our vestry
is composed of nine persons who are sixteen years of age or older
and are confirmed communicants in good standing. The term of each
vestry member is three years with one-third of the members rotating
off each year. New vestry members are elected at the annual parish
meeting.
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