Worship Ministries

There are many ways members can serve in Worship Ministries at Grace:

Acolyte Guild

The Acolyte Guild is made up of teens and adults who serve during the 8 and 10 a.m. Sunday services and special occasions. Acolytes play an important role by assisting the clergy during the liturgy. Acolytes begin their service as Torchbearers and progress to the more responsible position of Crucifer as they gain confidence, poise and experience.
Director of Acolytes: John Adams
Co-Director: Jim Davis

Altar Guild

The Altar Guild serves at the direction of the Rector, working behind the scenes to keep our worship services functioning efficiently.
Altar Guild Chair: Rebecca Harrison

Altar Flowers: Altar flowers are provided by members of the parish who sign up in advance to dedicate the flowers on a particular Sunday in memory of a loved one or in thanksgiving for the birth of a baby, a birthday or anniversary. Altar flower designations for any Sunday may be reserved well in advance, except during Lent, Christmas and Easter. Following the services, the flowers are re-purposed and shared with others not able to attend services.
Altar Flowers coordinator: Jane Cenova.
Festive Flowers: Flowers, plants and greens beautify the Nave and Sanctuary at Grace for the Christmas, Lent and Easter seasons. There is no committee or training involved — just members of all ages who come together for this special seasonal decorating.
Contact Becky Entenman.
For info on giving to the Festival Flower and Music Fund, contact Fernando Alfonso or Becky.

Choirs

Music plays an important role in our worship services at Grace. Organist and Choir Master Phillip Brunswick offers several opportunities for training and singing for all ages:

Choir for Men, Women and Teens
Rehearsals: Thursdays, 7 – 8:45 p.m.
This choir is a vital part of our music ministry at Grace Church. In the Anglican tradition, this choir specializes in both traditional and contemporary repertoire. Our choir sings at the 10 a.m. service each Sunday (from Labor Day through Memorial Day), holidays and special events. The choir is regularly joined by the other choirs of the parish for services throughout the year.

Saint Patrick Training Choir
For boys and girls, Kindergarten – 2nd Grade
Rehearsals: Wednesdays, 4:30 – 5:30 p.m. (during the school year)
The training starts at an early age to teach the responsibilities and experience the joys of leading worship at Grace Church. As the children learn to read in school, these young singers learn the basics of reading texts and music in The Hymnal 1982 and other sources. Through this course of structured rehearsals, we also stress rhythm skills, choral discipline and the liturgy. The group sings during services on occasions throughout the school year.

St. Nicholas Boys’ Choir
For boys, 3rd Grade through voice change
Rehearsals: Tuesdays, 4:30 – 5:45 p.m. (during the school year)
(see description under St. Cecilia Girls’ Choir)

St. Cecilia Girls’ Choir
For girls, 3rd Grade – 6th Grade
Rehearsals: Thursdays, 4:30 – 5:45 p.m. (during the school year)
These choirs continue the musical training in the Anglican tradition. The choristers are taught using the Royal School of Church Music curriculum Voice For Life. Great emphasis is given to music-reading skills, faith and friendship and participating through their own worship and service to the parish.
The boys and girls join in singing at the Choral Eucharist and Evensong with other choirs as well as on their own. Beyond their musical work together, scheduled social activities help to round out the program in which lifelong friends are made as choristers and as choir parents. Making music together enriches their social interaction and bonding.
Since few children, especially boys, can envision the enjoyment and reward of a choir experience, parental initiative is crucial. The choral program at Grace Church offers participation in a communal life that educates, inspires and nurtures spiritual formation, giving the children and their families a rich musical and spiritual foundation.

Summer Choir
This is an opportunity for singers in the parish who enjoy singing, but might not be able to commit to a separate rehearsal each week during the year. We welcome all members of the parish: teenagers, adults and returning Choristers to join us for this relaxing music-making experience. Come for one, a few or every Sunday.

For more information about any of the choirs, contact Choir Master Phillip Brunswick.

Handbell Choirs

There are several opportunities at Grace for children, youth and adults who are interested in playing handbells:

St. Dunstan’s Handbell Choir is a training group for grades 5 and up and will meet on Wednesdays, 4:30 to 5:30 p.m.
Gloria Deo Handbell Choir is a group of junior high and high school students who will rehearse after church on Sunday mornings. Previous music reading experience is necessary.
All Saints Handbell Choirs is a choir for adults and will meet on Wednesdays from 7:30 until 8:30 p.m. Previous music reading experience is needed.

For more information, contact Director of Handbells, Ella Jean Heigham.

Lectors / Eucharistic Ministers

Lectors proclaim the Word of God to the people in public worship. Eucharistic Ministers assist the priest in serving the bread and wine during Holy Communion.
Contact Don Radeacker for more information.

Usher Guild

Ushers assist the congregation during worship services.

Contact Chard Russell for more information.