Worship Team
St. James’ offers five unique worship services with three on Sunday and two on Wednesday evening. It takes a dedicated team of staff, clergy and volunteers to make these services happen each week. St. James’ Church understands that worship is an action. Liturgy, prayer and worship become more meaningful by your participation. There are numerous ways to be a part of worship services both in-person, virtual or “behind the scenes”. Training is available for any position and grace abounds for all since the only one who is perfect is God.
Acolytes
The word “acolyte” means attendant or follower. Acolytes at St. James’ perform the significant ministry of preparing the church for worship, participating in the flow of the liturgy, and assisting the clergy at the altar. Serving as an acolyte provides a unique opportunity for youth and adults to learn more about the “who, what, why, when, and how” of the time- honored Episcopal liturgy. Acolytes are an important part of the service, as they assist the clergy in preparing for Communion.
- Time required: 1 to 2 hours, once a month, at the 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m. or 10:45 a.m. service.
- Special skills needed: Adults or youth who have completed the 5th grade and who is dependable and attentive.
- Training manual, training sessions, and mentoring will be provided.
- Not as hard as it sounds!
- Contact: Father Joe Mitchell (FatherJoe@stjamesskan.org) Bill Buterbaugh (wrbuterbaugh@gmail.com)
Altar Guild
St. James’ Altar Guild is a dedicated group of women and men who prepare the church for Sunday worship, as well as special services such as weddings and funerals. Serving on Altar Guild gives you the opportunity to learn more about Episcopal liturgy and, perhaps even more important, get to know each other better. Altar Guild is an essential, behind-the-scenes 4 St. James’ offers four unique worship services with three on Sunday and one on Wednesday evening. It takes a dedicated team of staff, clergy and volunteers to make these services happen each week. St. James’ Church understands that worship is an action. Liturgy, prayer and worship become more meaningful by your participation. There are numerous ways to be a part of worship services both in-person, virtual or “behind the scenes”. Training is available for any position and grace abounds for all since the only one who is perfect is God. ministry necessary to make sure each service is ready from filling the candles to setting the communion table. The Altar Guild consists of four teams, each led by a chairperson/team leader. Each team is responsible for one weekend of services per month and usually meets on Saturday morning to set up for the Sunday 7:30 a.m. service, but alternate times for set up can be arranged. Members also set and clean up after one Sunday service. St. James’ needs altar guild members willing to come throughout Sunday to cover all services, and substitutes are available. Committees share responsibility for Christmas and Holy Week to accommodate members’ family and work obligations and travel. Each team has “seasoned members” who guide those who are still learning. Altar Guild provides flexible schedules. Join Us!
- Time required: 45 minutes to 1 hour – one Saturday morning per month (or an alternate time before Sunday morning) and 15 to 30 minutes – one Sunday morning per month.
- Total: No more than 90 minutes each month. Additional service may be needed, as members are available, to set and clean up after occasional services during the week, such as weddings or funerals.
- Special Skills Needed: A love of our worship services
- Contact: Corinne Buterbaugh (corinnebuterbaugh@gmail.com) Bill Buterbaugh (wrbuterbaugh@gmail.com)
Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, & Readers of Prayers of the People
Love to read or speak to an audience? St. James’ has tons of opportunities throughout the year for those who enjoy speaking in public. Lay people will serve on Sunday morning, reading the scripture lessons or prayers of the people. Readings will be assigned ahead of time. When full communion is restored, Eucharistic ministers (chalice bearers) are utilized at all in-person worship. These individuals must be trained & licensed. Training will be provided as needed. Serving as both chalice and reader at a service would help tremendously. The goal is to provide a very flexible schedule. The more people we have make this job a whole lot easier on everyone. Youth are also able to be a part of this ministry.
- Special skills needed: Excellent reader skills, understanding of this ministry’s importance, responsibility to serve or find a substitute.
- Special skills needed: Adults or youth who have completed the 5th grade and who are dependable and attentive. Training manual, training sessions, and mentoring will be provided. Not as hard as it sounds!
- Contact: Laura Posecznick at (315.685.7600)
Ushers (Sundays 7:30 a.m./9:00 a.m./10:45 a.m.)
Clearly ushers are the face of St. James’! There is nothing more important than greeting everyone who enters the red doors on Sunday mornings, with the warmth and love of God. St. James’ ALWAYS needs two people (or a family) to usher at all services on Sunday morning: 7:30 a.m., 9:00 a.m., and 10:45 a.m. Additionally, ushers are required at funerals or special programs. This job includes greeting, distributing bulletins, counting people in attendance, guiding communion flow and a brief clean up. Instruction is always provided.
- Time required: 1-1.5 hours one Sunday a month (the more we have the more flexible the schedule)
- Contact: Nicole Bova at parishadministrator@stjamesskan.org or Laura Posecznick at (315.685.7600)
