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Join Us
Membership in
the Episcopal Church and in this Parish carries no overt obligation to
participate in organizations and activities, but common sense and long
experience both show that participating in the life of the parish is the
best doorway into sharing the sense of connection that is at the heart of
Christian community.
Acolytes are a dedicated group of young parishioners
who assist the clergy at the 9:00 Family Eucharist and the 10:15 service.
They light the candles on the altar, assist the Deacon in preparing the
table, carry the Cross and Tapers during the procession, the Gospel
procession, and recession. Young people in the Third Grade
Adult Education meets at 9:00 on Sunday mornings [September
through Pentecost] under the direction of Carol Kingston. Using the
Synthesis curriculum, this discussion group looks at the Bible readings
of the day, with particular emphasis on their meaning in daily life.
Altar Flowers & Candles may be given as memorials
on most Sundays of the year. We currently accept as many as two donors
for flowers per Sunday ($30 each), but only one Tabernacle Candle ($20
for the week). The Tabernacle Candle burns all week over the Reserved
Sacrament as a sign of Christ’s Presence with us, and the Altar
Flowers are given to the donor and/or taken to sick and home-bound
members of the parish. Please speak
with the Parish Administrator about scheduling memorial flowers or the
Tabernacle Candle.
Altar Guild sets up for services and takes care of the
Sanctuary. They vacuum, dust, change the linens and candles, arrange
flowers, and take care of the sacred vessels. They make sure that there
are enough wafers and wine. The primary joy of this ministry is to be of
service in God's house. The talent most needed is a willingness to help.
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The Building Committee maintains and beautifies
our heritage of buildings and property. In order to do this, the
Committee submits an annual budget to the Finance Committee and
administers that budget during the course of the year. Members are often
asked to help with small projects rather than contracting the work. On a
quarterly basis, the Committee conducts a complete facility inspection to
identify upkeep and maintenance needs.
Caldwell Eucharists at the local nursing home are held
year-round at 10:15 in the morning on the fourth Thursday of each month.
All are welcome to join this important ministry.
Chalice
Bearers
assist the celebrant at the Eucharist by administering the cup. They
vest, process with the other sacred ministers, sit in the Chancel during
the service, and lead the Prayers of the People.
Finance Committee works with the Treasurer to keep an eye on
our funds and to help the Vestry by gathering information to prepare
initial drafts of the annual budget. As a separate part of this group,
the Endowment Committee meets under the authority of the Vestry to manage
our investments. Parishioners participate in these committees by making
their program needs known to the members, who are selected by the Rector
and Vestry.
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Gardens
& Grounds Committee is responsible for the day-to-day maintenance of
our grounds, as well as long-term planning for planting. The committee
coordinates with the Sextons (who mow the lawns) to see that plantings
are weeded and watered in the summer, and that spring and fall clean-ups
are provided each year.
Hospitality Committee provides meals and
refreshments for such major parish events as Welcome Back Sunday, the
Harvest Supper, and the Ascension Sunday Brunch, as well as receptions
following choir concerts and Evensongs. All men and women of the parish
are welcome to be part of this great group.
In-Reach/Spirituality Committee sponsors opportunities for
meditation and spiritual growth. Centering Prayer is held most Thursday
evenings at 6:30 in the Parlor. The Committee also sponsors an annual
retreat as well as Lenten studies.
Lay Eucharistic Ministers are trained and licensed
parishioners who take the consecrated bread and wine from our Sunday
Eucharist to those who, for reasons of health, cannot be present in
church. Visits normally take place following the 10:15 Eucharist and
require not more than forty-five minutes, including travel. The LEM talks
briefly with the person being visited, leads a short printed service of
scripture and prayer, and shares the Sacrament.
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Lectors are parishioners who read the Old Testament Lessons
and Epistles at the 8:00 and 10:15 Sunday services. Unlike Chalice
Bearers, Lectors do not vest, but come forward to the Lectern to read.
Talents needed for this ministry are clear diction, a love of Scripture,
and a desire to proclaim it with authenticity and humility. We are
blessed with many fine Lectors, but more are always welcome.
Missions/Outreach Committee represents the parish as it
reviews local and regional requests for financial assistance and responds
on our behalf. The Committee both authorizes gifts from the parish budget
and raises additional funds for relief.
Ascension
Choristers (Youth Choir) is open to boys and girls ages 7 to 13. They
rehearse on Thursday afternoons from 4:00 to 5:00, and they sing each
Sunday [September through Pentecost] at the 9:00 Family Service, as well
as for special services throughout the year (e.g., Christmas Eve).
Parish Choir is a group of dedicated and talented teenage and
adult singers whose primary ministry is the musical leadership and
support of the 10:15 Choral Eucharist. They rehearse on Thursday evenings
from 7:30 until 9:30 and on Sunday mornings at 9:30 in preparation for
the 10:15 service. This exciting and rewarding ministry is open to all
who can match pitch and can commit to regular attendance. If you just
want to come and try us out, you will be most welcome (no audition!).
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Parish Life/Parish Events Committee works to provide a wide
spectrum of events suitable for all ages in the parish. They have
sponsored parish dances and literary readings, as well as providing
multi-generational entertainment at all-parish gatherings.
Stewardship Committee works throughout the year
to keep our commitment to being good stewards ever in mind. They sponsor
Welcome Back Sunday, The Blessing of the Animals, this booklet, and the
annual fall pledge drive. Anyone with a creative edge for being better
stewards of our time, talent, and treasure is welcome!
Sunday
Coffee Hour hosts make coffee, bring pastries and other refreshments, and
serve them after the 8:00 and 10:15 services. As the Ushers are the first
faces newcomers see, the Coffee Hour Hosts are the final impression we
make.
Tellers count the accumulated
offerings after the 10:15 Sunday service, prepare the deposit, and
deliver the bank bags for overnight depositing. They are an invaluable
assistance to our Treasurer and Bookkeeper, and they also provide the
cross-checking essential to sound fiscal practice. Bookkeeping skills are
not needed; skills required are the ability to count currency, record
amounts accurately, and value the confidential nature of individual
offerings.
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United Thank Offering is received twice each year
throughout the Episcopal Church. While the national in-gathering last
year was nearly $3 million, this Offering is as much about personal
growth through thankful prayer as it is about providing assistance.
Because the UTO is maintained by an endowment, none of the funds raised
goes to administration. Of the 133 grants made in 2003, more than half
were for the mission of the Church in this country, with the rest going
to Africa, Asia, Latin America, and Europe.
Isobel Coulombe, Custodian.
Ushers are the first faces newcomers see at Ascension.
Sunday by Sunday, Feast Day by holiday, they stand at the front doors to
welcome and to help. They collect the Offering, bring the Oblations to
the altar, close and open the communion rail, and do a quick clean-up
after each service.
Women's Group meets on the first Monday of the month in the
Parlor at 10:30 in the morning for a time of discussion and sharing. All
women are invited to come: no advance notice or reservation is needed,
and knitters are encouraged to bring their work with them.
Youth Group is for young people in Grades 6 to 12. This
amazing crew meets twice monthly to play, to pray, to talk, and to
complete projects. They regularly support and initiate mission work
through bake sales and participation in other events for consciousness
raising (e.g., Teens
Against Date Abuse). For the last
two years, they have been a major part of the Sunday School Christmas
Pageant, and they continue to provide a place to process the challenges
and the joys of teenage life.
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