Acolyte Guild
Jamie Baker
Acolytes lead processions and assist the clergy as needed at the Lord's altar. All young people, third grade and above, are welcome to serve.
Altar Guild
Nancy Zerbe
The ministry of the Altar Guild is to ready the nave, the sanctuary, and the altar for the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. There is no greater privilege than to prepare the gifts of bread and wine for Holy Communion. The guild members prepare for the eucharistic celebration on Saturday by cleaning, polishing, and preparing the vessels. And on Sunday, the guild prepares again for the later liturgy. The vessels and linens are cleaned and stored, ready to be used again. Great care is taken during festival days to decorate the sanctuary and nave. Memorial greens and flowers are used especially at Easter and Christmas. All active communicants who love the liturgy are invited to join the guild.
Daughters of the King
Stephanie Horah
A Daughter of the King undertakes a Rule of Life and pledges to dedicate herself through a life of prayer and service. Although the Daughters have an individual and personal ministry they also share in the ministry of the faith community. They have a daily ministry of prayer and assist the clergy with services following the death of a parishioner. DoK is open to all women of the parish.
Lectors and Eucharistic Visitors
Dan Baker
Eucharistic Ministers
Connie Evans
Communicants serve as readers, chalice bearers and intercessors at the Eucharist. Eucharistic Visitors, licensed by the bishop, also take communion to those who are sick or homebound immediately following the Eucharist on Sunday. Training Sessions are held as needed.
Music
The Church of the Ascension enjoys an active and dynamic music ministry. Our organ, a beautiful 3-manual instrument by Allen, was purchased and installed in October 2000 and has greatly enhanced the beauty of our worship.
The Young Choristers of Ascension sing several times a year at both the 9:15 and 11:00 o'clock liturgies. This young choral group is made up of children from age 7 through voice change, and provides a wonderful opportunity for children to learn about music, liturgy, and the life of the Episcopal Church. The Young Choristers are directed by Angee McKee.
Our Adult Choir leads us in song at the 11:00 Eucharist weekly, and on various holy days throughout the liturgical year. The choir rehearses weekly, on Wednesdays. The choir season runs from September to the following Trinity Sunday each year. It is the custom in our parish to chant the psalm appointed for the day and an Alleluia Verse or Lenten Tract leading into the day's Gospel lesson. Various trained singers from within the Adult Choir function as cantors to help carry out this ministry.
Pastoral Care
Earline Walpole
The ministry of pastoral care is administered by both priest and members of the congregation. The rector is available at all times for pastoral counseling, spiritual direction, hospital visitation and emergencies. Eucharistic Ministers, as well as the parish priest, administer Holy Communion regularly or occasionally to those who are sick and homebound. The Laying on of hands and anointing for healing is provided every Sunday during the Parish Eucharist at 11:00 a.m., and at the Public Service of Healing on Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m. To add a name to the prayer list please call the parish office. Prayers for the sick, the suffering, and the homebound are offered at every celebration of the Holy Eucharist on Sunday. The flowers from the Altar may be taken to parishioners who are sick or homebound.
Oblation Bearers
Susan McLeod
Members of the congregation bring gifts of bread and wine for Holy Communion to the altar during the offertory.All are encouraged to participate in this ministry.
Ushers
Dick Zerbe
Ushers perform many duties during the liturgy. They welcome those gathering for worship, assist with seating, distribute bulletins and music, count the worshipers, pass the offering plates, and guide the flow of communicants to the altar. Please consider this ministry of hospitality. |
