Worship Committee
The Worship Committee oversees the many aspects of worshipping God as it takes place in and around St. Mary's. Through prayer and the cooperation of many dedicated people, the committee ensures that our various opportunities for worship are fresh and exciting and meaningful. The committee meets regularly on the second Monday of each month.
Besides regular Sunday services, the committee helps plans other pertinent services such as Wednesday evening soup suppers with Eucharist throughout Lent, congregation seating "in-the-round" during the season of Epiphany, and springtime Friday services of Morning Prayer and Noonday Prayer.
St. Mary's uses a variety of sources for our liturgy including the Book of Common Prayer, and several different booklets which incorporate the New Zealand Prayer Book, Enriching Our Worship, and the Book of Occasional Services, among others.
Altar Guild
Altar Guild members work quietly behind the scenes caring for the altars, vessels, and linens in both the sanctuary and the chapel each week. Guild members prepare the altars for communion services, create beautiful flower arrangements, bake communion bread, keep the silver and brass vessels shining and the linens sparkling white. They also set up for special services and events such as weddings, baptisms, funerals, and ordinations. It is the Guild that changes the colors of the hangings and the seasonal banners as we move through the seasons of the church year.
The sub-committees of the Altar Guild include the flower committee, the banner committee, and the bread bakers. Those who set the table for communion each week serve on a monthly rotating schedule. The banner committee makes or repairs linens and banners as needed.
Acolyte Ministry
The acolyte ministry is one of service. Acolytes of all ages and experience levels benefit by constant encouragement in the value of doing personal ministry in the Lord's service. Acolytes, along with other lay ministers in Saint Mary's Church, are responsible for carrying out their ministry according to the questions and answers found in the Catechism.