WORSHIP MINISTRIES AT ECR

Acolytes 

Acolytes assist the Rector in service at the altar during worship services at ECR.  This is a ministry for children from 3^rd through 12^th grade and requires special training.  The ECR acolyte ministry has three levels; Beginner, Intermediate, and Senior. The duties of Beginner acolyte are lighting of candles at the altar, handling torches for the service, handling communion plates, and extinguishing the candles after the service. Intermediate is the same as a Beginner plus carrying the choir cross, carrying flag or banner if needed, and helping the priest with communion. Senior Acolyte is the same as Intermediate plus carrying the main cross and ringing of sanctus bells during the service at the appointed time.  Acolyte recognition services are held twice a year in order to acknowledge the ministry and the dedication of the acolytes.  Rank advancement also occurs during these services.  Training and refresher meetings are held throughout the year.   

Altar Guild 

The Altar Guild is responsible for preparing the altar for each worship service and taking care of the vessels, candles and linens used in each service.   Any confirmed member of the parish can be appointed to the Altar Guild by the Rector.  Members are assigned to one of four teams, and each team is assigned to one week of the month and responsible for the services held during that week.  Two to three times a year, the entire Altar Guild meets for a workshop and a thorough cleaning of the church nave and sanctuary.  

Audio/Visual

This ministry operates and maintains all the sound equipment in the Church and for special church events held elsewhere.  This includes the microphones for the rector and speakers at regular services, and other audio/visual equipment used for church functions. 

Carillon

This ministry operates and maintains the ECR Carillon which plays inspirational bell chimed music at periodic intervals from the Carillon tower as an invitation to all who hear it to come worship with us at ECR. 

Chalicists 

This ministry involves the administration of communion by lay persons as part of the Holy Eucharist. Words of administration are said when administering the chalice to communicants. The exercise of this ministry requires training and a license from the bishop which may be granted for up to three years.  The proper vestmentis a cassock with surplice.  As a part of this service a person may carry the Gospel Book in procession, for the actual reading, and the recessional.  There may be other occasions in which this person may perform acolyte duties and further participate in other types of services.   Chalicists serve at the discretion of the Rector.  

Flower Guild 

The Flower Guild is a subgroup of the Altar Guild; however, members are not required to be members of the Altar Guild. They are responsible for selecting fresh flowers from a wholesale or retail flower outlet and creating the floral arrangement that sits on the shelf behind the altar during a worship service.  After Sunday morning services, the designated Flower Guild member removes and separates the arrangement into smaller arrangements for the Lay Pastoral Care Ministers to take to members of the parish family unable to attend services or to a nursing facility.

Music/Choir 

The adult choir welcomes all who enjoy singing, regardless of prior experience or ability. The primary purpose of the choir is to lead the congregation in musical praise and worship of the Lord during the Sunday Eucharist and to offer anthems during the offertory period of the service.  Occasionally, the adult choir will sing in conjunction with the children’s choir. The adult choir meets to rehearse once a week on Wednesday evenings and converges at 10:30 AM on Sunday to prepare for the 11 AM service. The choir often sings in four part harmony, soprano, alto, tenor and bass for which rehearsals provide the opportunity to learn the music being offered.

Readers 

The main purpose of the Readers' Ministry is to serve through reading at services thereby helping to enrich the worship experience for all.  Participants in this ministry add to our corporate worship by reading the scriptures and leading the congregation in the Psalm and the Prayers of the People.  Training sessions are held periodically and most readers serve once or twice a month.

Ushers 

The role of the Ushers is to welcome worshippers into the church.  The Ushers pass out service leaflets, assist persons with special needs, and pass the alms plates through the congregation during the offertory and bring the alms to the altar for presentation.