NEW MINISTRY INVITES ALL TO HELP . . .
Dear Parish Faithful,
This is the beginning of a series of reflections coming from our Oaks of Mamre Ministry. The chair of that committee is Kevin Rains, and what Kevin writes is a fine explanation of the work and goal of that ministry. Briefly stated, it is about parish hospitality as a key component on assisting visitors and inquirers to experience the fulness of life offered in an Orthodox Christian community.
- Fr. Steven
Our Parish Ministries range from those serving within the church, to helping our local neighborhood (our Parish Food Pantry, as well as helping support Woven Oak Initiatives, Lydia's House, and others), to regional (Kairos Prison Ministry and others), and even international (the Hogar Rafael Ayau Monastery and Orphanage in Guatemala, an OCMC Mission Team in Albania, and the St Nicholas mission for children in Uganda).
Parish Ministries are described below; select ministries have their own pages with additional information. You can also explore our Ministries using the links above and in the Ministries drop-down menu in the Main Navigation Bar.
If you're wondering where you might put your God-given talents to work, this is a good place to start!
KOINONIA represents unity, fellowship, participation, sharing, and a common purpose across our parish ministries. That common purpose is based on the unity in the body of Christ described in Ephesians 4:16, “according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love”.
Download and print our Koinonia Ministries Brochure...
Children's Ministry - Create a Christian classroom learning environment for students PreK-HS which will support the teaching of weekly curriculum topics related to the Orthodox faith. Choir - To provide an assembly of adults and children who sing the responses in A cappella harmony. Members of the choir sing at all Orthodox services and lead the congregational singing. Church Cleaning - This quiet, helpful ministry is open to all! Easy online signup with weekly openings. Scroll down for more details... Evangelism - To love God and neighbor. We are called to preach the good news of our Lord Jesus Christ and serve each other in love. It is our mission to humbly and respectfully offer people an open and honest discussion about, let’s say, the meaning of life. Facility Maintenance Management - Provide proper care and protection of our building, grounds and equipment, through the cleaning, maintaining, improving, and beautifying of our house of worship. Feast Day - Decorate the church on major feast days in honor of the designated commemoration. Food Pantry - To collect food and financial donations from our parishioners and stock the Parish food pantry, which is used by Fr. Steven to distribute food to people in need. Inreach - To provide help and support to parishioners who are elderly, chronically ill, shut-in, or facing temporary challenges such as welcoming a new baby or recovering from surgery. Library - Provide an in-Parish resource where parishioners can borrow books on Orthodox topics to further their self-education. Livestreaming Ministry— Our dedicated team streams most services live via our YouTube channel. We are in need of additional operators so we can have a "deep bench" to cover for our principles when they are traveling or otherwise not able to be present. Media and Online Services - Our parish website serves a vital role as the online “face” of our parish… This ministry also includes sound amplification, recording media, digital projection and other services. Parish Greeters - Welcome visitors to the Parish, help them feel at home during the worship service, provide information about Orthodoxy and the Parish, and follow-up to thank them for visiting us. |
Prayer - Maintains and shares to parish email list prayer requests from within the parish, and from the website and other sources. Prison Ministry - Provide opportunities to those willing to serve Christ inside area prisons, including 3 half-day weekends, weekly prayer, and share evenings. Prosphora - Parish volunteers bake the Prosphora bread for the Divine Liturgy. Readers - Parish volunteers read the Hours, pre- and post-Communion prayers, and the Epistle each Sunday. Readers at additional services are scheduled as needed based on attendance. Sewing - Care for vestments worn by the Parish altar boys and priest and needed repairs, as well as baptismal garments for non-infants and other sewing needs. St. Katherine's Sisterhood - Supporting spiritual growth and fellowship among the women of the parish and to engage in fundraising to support parish needs and charitable activity as decided by the sisterhood. Retreat Ministry - Coordinate special events for the Parish that contribute to educational and spiritual growth. Parish retreats are guided by visiting speakers known for their expertise on the chosen retreat theme. Youth Group - Provide opportunities for our youth to deepen their faith, fellowship, and stewardship through discussion, service, and outings each month. For teens in grades 6-12. See here for more info. _______
Questions? Want to employ your talents in our ministries? Consider also asking about these general ministry categories: Liturgical, Education, Hospitality, Inreach, Outreach, Stewardship, Administration… Or just ask how you can “get connected!” Please contact our ministries coordinator!
|
CHURCH CLEANING MINISTRY OPEN TO ALL
"Sanctify those who love the beauty of Thy house…” (The Divine Liturgy, Prayer before the Amvon)
Helping to clean the church is one of the great simple joys open to all the faithful, children included, and is an area at this time that requires more parish support. This is an ideal ministry for everyone — singles, couples, groups, and families — and is a task that is easily joined with prayer, especially The Jesus Prayer.
Cleaning to include:
- Vacuum all areas of the church proper including the nave, back, and center aisle and between pews if possible.
- Vacuum the choir area and choir room.
- Vacuum the vestibule, including under the pew and shelf. Wipe off the pew and shelf as needed.
- Vacuum and tidy the nursery/cry room and the hallway and down the steps to the threshold of the Fellowship Hall.
- Dry or Wet Swiffer the amvon (i.e., the steps in front of the iconostasis)
- Wipe off the base of the Crucifixion Icon and the candle table at the back of the church as needed.
- Vacuums are in the Choir Room and bags are in the cabinet. Other cleaning supplies are in the Fellowship Hall on the serving table.
Recommended days/times to clean include:
- Sundays after Divine Liturgy
- Saturdays before 5:30PM
- Tuesdays/Thursdays 9AM-3PM
- Tuesdays/Thursdays 6PM-8PM
Please contact Fr. Steven to get into the cleaning schedule rotation, and for access to the church.
"I was happy when they said to me, 'Let us go to the house of the Lord!'" (Psalm 122:1)