Saint Mary's has a rich history of volunteers that have formed many guilds and committees that exist today. We are gathering information and it will b ready in the coming weeks.
Acolytes
Youth aged eight and up (and adults) who assist the priest during the Sunday liturgy by carrying the Cross or candles, and helping to prepare the altar for the Eucharist. Chair: Father James and Deacon Christine Altar Flower Delivery Members are responsible for taking the altar flowers each Sunday to parish members who are either ill, housebound, or who have a special celebration or commemoration. Chair: Charlie & Connie Dayton. Altar Flower Guild This committee is responsible for arranging Altar flowers weekly (except during Lent and Advent), and for decorating the church for holidays. Members meet three or more times annually as needed to plan schedules and decorate the church. Co-Chair: Hannah Russell and Lynne Shepherd. Altar Guild The members of the Altar Guild are in charge of the chancel and sanctuary. They set up before and clean up after each service, and care for the linens, sacramental vessels and vestments. They prepare for memorial services, weddings and baptisms. Members work on a rotating schedule, and meet as a guild twice annually. Prior to Christmas and during Holy Week, all members work together to cover the many services. We always welcome new members who wish to devote time, love, and reverence in serving. Co-Chairs: Ruth Kimball, Janet Bowne. Buildings and Grounds The committee is responsible for developing and managing a program for the operation and maintenance of the buildings and grounds within the church property. The committee also assists in the maintenance of the buildings and grounds and usually meets monthly. Chair: John Teets Chalice Bearers/Lectors Lectors come up from the congregation to read from the Old Testament and to lead the psalm. Chalice bearers—who must be licensed by the bishop at the rector’s request—vest, read the epistle, and lead the Prayers of the People, and assist with the administration of Holy Communion If you are interested in serving as a lector or chalice bearer, please speak with Father James. Chair: Becky Pride Choir The Choir performs liturgies and choral anthems at the 10:00 Sunday service and at special weekday liturgies. There is Choir rehearsal every Thursday evening and Sunday morning, September-early June, prior to the ten o’clock service. Choir Director: Bruce Fithian Christian Formation for Children (Guiding RAY) and Adults Children ages preschool through sixth grade are welcomed at weekly classes held each Sunday morning from September through June. We begin with a Children’s Chapel at 9:30, and then move to age-based classes that focus on faith development, stories from the Bible, and our life in the Episcopal Church. These lessons are taught through a series of interactive workshops including Arts & Crafts, Storytelling, Cinema & Drama, Computers & Geography and Music." Special Children’s Liturgies are held throughout the year. The Christian Formation committee meets regularly throughout the school year. Adult Christian Formation programs take place on Thursday morning (see “Thursday Group”), and at other times as desired (a Wednesday-evening Lenten series, and an Adult Enquirers’ Class are just two offerings.) Adults interested in participating in such a group, or interested in leading such a group, should speak with the rector. Chair: Meg Hurdman (children), Father James (adults) Churchyard This committee overseas the maintenance of the churchyard, S. Mary’s Woods and the Burial Garden, as well as the design, planting and sale of plots in the Burial Garden. Co-chairs: Steve Ryder and Lucy Ellis. Finance The members of this committee review parish financial data, direct the preparation of the annual budget; recommend fiscal actions to the vestry; and ensure that the parish financial records are audited each year. Chair: Debby Hammond Hospitality The goal of this group is to promote fellowship within the Parish. This committee plans and coordinates special meals and receptions for the parish, and helps to coordinate the Sunday coffee hours hosted by the various guilds. The Hospitality Committee also assists other parish committees as needed for special events. The committee itself is assisted by volunteers on an ad-hoc basis who bake, set up, take down, and clean up asked. The Hospitality Committee has sponsored pot luck suppers, Sock Hop dinners, Christmas Sparkles receptions, Halloween parties, progressive dinners, and other events to increase fellowship within the parish, and in the greater community. Co-Chair: Anne LaFond Kneeler Guild The needlepoint kneelers in our Church are designed, stitched and assembled by this group. Some parishioners meet weekly on Wednesday mornings; others work in their homes and come in for assistance as needed. If you would like to have a kneeler as a memorial or thanksgiving, please should contact a committee member; there are only a few kneelers left unfunded. Chair: Hannah Russell. Memorial Reception When requested after a funeral service at Saint Mary’s, members prepare the auditorium and Guild Room of the Parish House for a reception. Members also bake dessert-type refreshments. “Guidelines for a Memorial Reception,” are on file in the office. Chair: Marge Devine Office Angels This group volunteers to work in the office on a rotating basis for two hours a month. They produce the weekly leaflet and miscellaneous office duties. The group also meets every month to fold, label and sort the newsletter and enjoy each other’s fellowship. They also help on an on-call basis for other parish mailings and office tasks. Coordinator: Jennifer Gregg. Outreach Committee The mission of the Outreach Committee is to respond to local, state, national and global needs. Working through and with the congregation, we focuses on those lacking food, housing and those who are in physical and emotional need, giving special attention to programs which enable people to overcome these conditions in order to improve their lives. In addition to disbursing budgeted funds, the Outreach Committee leads the congregation in “hands on” projects - many small and one “big” project each year. Our major project 2006 and 2007 is the support of our Partner Parish, St Mathias in Grande Rivière du Nord, Haiti - the poorest country and the largest Episcopal Diocese in the W. Hemisphere.Co-Chair: Becky & Doug Pride Pastoral Visitors A small group chosen by the Rector visits members who are ill, in the hospital, homebound or otherwise in need of pastoral care. Our role is to assist the clergy, helping to keep track of parishioners who need attention from S. Mary’s. Some members (Russ, Lee, Gary, Becky) are licensed Eucharistic Visitors who administer communion. The group receives guidance from the Deacon. Co-Chair: Lee Snow, Russ Hicks. Clergy liaison: Deacon Christine Prayer Shawl Ministry This group knits shawls using large needles and a very simple pattern that involves three rows of three – representing the Holy Trinity. The shawls are blessed then given to people in need of comfort or while recuperating from an illness. There are no scheduled meetings right now, but many happy-hands working at home Chair: Alice Harding Soup Kitchen Since 1982 St. Luke’s Soup Kitchen has been providing a hot meal, on weekends, to 175-225 hungry and homeless people of our community at the Preble Street Resource Center in Portland. On the fourth Sunday of each month, a group of S. Mary’s parishioners and friends prepare and serve this noontime dinner. Members choose to work in the kitchen or to serve the meal to clients in the dining room. Coordinator: Marian McCue Chef: Les McMonagle Stewardship The Stewardship Committee and Vestry are working to create a more holistic approach to all aspects of Christian Stewardship: fiscal, environmental, and theological with ongoing awareness building. Activities will include the Annual Pledge drive, development, and fundraising among its many activities. 200/2008 Coordinators: Tom Donaldson Thursday Group The Thursday Group meets weekly at 10:00am for fellowship. Holy Eucharist is celebrated at 10:30 followed by a book discussion, or Bible Study. All are welcome to attend any part of this agenda. Ushers Ushers greet and assist parishioners as they arrive for Sunday services, count and record the number of people present, distribute the weekly leaflet, collect and present the offering and oblations during the service and straighten up the church after each service. The ushers meet as a group as necessary. Chair: Charlie Hurdman. Welcome Committee This group warmly welcomes all who come through the doors of S. Mary’s, writes notes to all visitors, ensures that information regarding our parish is sent to all visitors and assists those who express an interest in joining. The group hosts periodic informal social gatherings in private homes for all newcomers. Co-Chair: Chris & Missy Smithwick Youth Groups Junior Leaders: Greg Unfricht Senior Leaders: Jim Kane and Tom LaPlante.
