Ministries
Will you proclaim by word and example the Good News of God in Christ?
I will, with God’s help.
Will you seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving your neighbor as yourself?
I will, with God’s help.
Will you strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being?
I will, with God’s help.
-From The Baptismal Covenant, Book of Common Prayer, page 305.
Outreach
Outreach serves a variety of groups – from local to worldwide ministries.
• Food collection takes place on the first Sunday of each month to support the local Food Pantry. We use a monthly theme for the food collection and insert an announcement in the previous Sunday’s service bulletin and the Vine.
• Empty Bowls is a cooperative effort between St. Luke’s, Unitarian Universalist Church, and First Congregational Church that provides a soup-salad-dessert meal for hundreds of community citizens each March as a fundraiser for local food pantries. Local artisans craft beautifully unique ceramic and wooden bowls.
• Outreach Sunday occurs on the second Sunday of every month. The monies placed in the collection plate on that day are earmarked in a line item to the annual budget for the various efforts of the Outreach Commission.
• Outreach donates financial support for Episcopal Relief and Development and United Thank Offering – each of which generates funding for service to needy constituents.
• On-going use of St. Luke’s church by various organizations, including:
Civil War Round Table
Washington Co. Legal Clinic
Girl Scouts
Alcoholics Anonymous
Women’s Way AA
Worship Assistants
Altar Guild
Several members of the parish serve as members of the Altar Guild. The Guild is responsible for keeping the vestments, hangings, linens, etc. clean and in good repair. These persons also set up the vessels for worship throughout the year. Members serve for two-week cycles throughout the year. New members are always welcome.
Lectors
Some parishioners assist in worship by reading aloud the appointed lessons from Scripture. Public reading of Scripture requires careful preparation, good diction, and a good public presence.
Ushers
Other members greet our newcomers and members each Sunday. They are always available to give directions, to assist worshipers, and to help us all to feel at home.
Acolytes
Various adults and young people serve as assistants at the altar. Some carry the processional Cross; others help the presider with vessels and linens. Their ministry helps the services to proceed smoothly.
Chalicists
Those who dispense the cup at the Eucharist are members who have trained for this ministry. They assist the Presider in administering Holy Communion each Sunday.
Eucharistic Visitors
Trained ministers are available to take Communion from the altar on Sundays to those who are unable to attend public worship. Those who would like to receive at home should contact the parish office to make arrangements.
Worship Leaders
Some of our members are trained to lead public worship. From time to time they will lead the parish in the Daily Offices of Morning or Evening Prayer or Compline. On some occasions, in the absence of a Priest, they may lead the Office as the Sunday Worship.