Helping at Grace

There are many ways to contribute to the work of Grace Church. Besides singing in the choirs or helping with the children’s programs, Grace parishioners participate in many important areas of the church’s work, including the Altar Guild, Finance Committee, Layweeders Group, and Buildings and Grounds group. See descriptions of our inreach groups below.

Acolytes

Adults enjoy serving as acolytes in the Sunday services offered at Grace. Grace is always looking for new volunteers to serve in this important area of ministry. See Father Scot if you are interested in participating in this way.

Altar, Flower and Wedding Guilds

Regular duties of the Altar Guild include care for all sacred vessels, linens, garments, brass and silverware used as part of our services. We monitor and order supplies such as wine, wafers and candles, as well as clean and maintain the area surrounding the high altar, chapel, baptistry and children's chapel. After a service of Holy Eucharist, it is the Altar Guild that cleans up, removes all consecrated material, rinses out linens, and sets up the altar anew for the next service. Holidays such as Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, bishops' visitations and ordinations call for more elaborate decoration, as well as employment of less frequently used items such as holy water, incense and additional garments, linens and hardware.

Altar Guild participates in three or four Sunday services, at least two or three weekday services of Holy Eucharist, as well as other special services. We have lost several dedicated members to retirement and moves out of the area, and we would love to have some new members to replenish our ranks. The Sunday post-11:15 am, Last Chance Mass, and weekday services are the most challenging to schedule, though we would like additional volunteers at all services and Saturday setup.

A photo guide of all conceivable altar, credence table and baptistry setup is available, so there is no memorization required. Those interested in working alongside seasoned members and easing slowly into light Altar Guild duty should see Christine Cullen.

Would you like to help out, but cannot fit regular Altar Guild work into your schedule? There are some very important related tasks that are necessary, with which we can always use additional help.

Linens care - A necessary function of conducting Holy Eucharist, we cannot do without our very able linens care team.

Supply monitor - Ordering supplies and monitoring stock of service-related inventory such as wafers, wine and candles is another necessary part of Altar Guild duties.

Flower Guild sees that the high altar, baptistry and children's chapel are decorated weekly with fresh flowers, arranged by a resident member. New flower arrangers are always welcome, and no experience is required - please see Barbara Fennelly. We encourage participation of occasional floral arrangers at holiday and festival time.

Weddings at Grace may be simple or elaborate, but there are certain tasks that need to be carried out before, during and after the wedding. Attending the rehearsal, gate keeping in the Narthex before the procession begins, and generally assisting the clergy with chancel setup are the duties of the Wedding Guild. Interested parties may contact Christine Cullen.

Buildings and Grounds Committee

The Buildings and Grounds Committee meets at least once a month on a Sunday morning to review the past month’s activities and prepare a plan for the upcoming month. We are responsible for the day to day maintenance of the Church, parish house, old rectory (office wing), rectory, Hayes House (Grace Counseling Center) and the Curate’s residence on Surrey Lane. Our budget is the second largest item in the parish budget after salaries, so we always have a lot to do.

Fundraisers

Every year Grace holds a clothing sale in the fall and a rummage sale in the spring. These popular events bring out the generous community of volunteers at Grace, who donate lots of time and treasure. The clothing and rummage sales help supplement our church budget and provide a wonderful way of redistributing household items and clothing to people in need. All the goods that are not sold are sent to various charities and services that distribute them to other individuals they reach with their work.

In addition to these fundraisers, Grace has an annual auction and dinner to raise money for the parish. Last year it had a Spring party fundraiser and this year it is having the popular vendor sale – formerly Got it at Grace but re-named A Spring Affair -- that was started several years ago. All of these events are fun to help with and are a wonderful way to get to know different members of the church.

Hospitality

Grace Church provides a welcoming atmosphere for parishioners and visitors. There are many functions during the year that encourage fellowship for all members.

In addition to Sunday morning refreshments, there are numerous other activities, i.e. receptions, meetings and other special events that occur. It takes a lot of people to insure that these are successful so please help where you can with this important ministry. Volunteers are always needed in this area. Please see Midge Cassidy if you’re interested in participating.

Office Angels

There is a body of parishioners that is ever strong and works quite silently, but very efficiently! It is comprised of many people in our church who are responsible for stuffing the weekly Sunday bulletins, monthly Messenger, and special projects including Christmas and Easter mailings, as well as the Annual Report. To join this wonderful group contact Peggy Oakes.

Layweeders

The Layweeders is a devoted group of parishioners who tend the gardens and grounds at Grace. They plant flowers, mulch flower beds and bushes in the Spring, beautify our outdoor altar and keep up with the weeding! This group meets many Saturday mornings in the Spring and Summer. To find out more about joining this group, contact Jim Alden or the Parish Office.