Ministries Within Our Parish

The parish office is always a good initial point of contact to learn more about our various church ministries and how you can get involved. Below are brief descriptions of ministries within our parish, along with contact information.

ACOLYTES

Each week, youth in grades five through twelve faithfully serve as acolytes and help lead our worship service. Contact Doug Tillberg at 499-6008.

ALTAR GUILD

Altar guild members work quietly and reverently to prepare our altar for worship and to clean up after the services are over. Contact Ellie Ankerson at 623-0597.

BRASS POLISHERS

Another quiet and reverent ministry is polishing the silver and brass in the sanctuary to maintain the beauty of our worship space. Contact Ellie Ankerson at 623-0597.

BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS COMMITTEE

Under the guidance of the Junior Warden, the Building & Grounds Committee is responsible for the upkeep of St. Andrew's church and property. Committee members oversee maintenance and supply services and also develop long-range capital improvement plans.

CHOIRS AND MUSIC

We are blessed with a rich tradition of sacred music at St. Andrew's. Our music program includes a senior choir, a junior choir, a handbell choir, and a gospel string band. Contact Stephen Leist at 859-338-9361.

CHRISTIAN FORMATION

This committee oversees the various formation programs for children and youth. See the Formation webpages for more. Contact Harper Lewis Bathel at 622-5530.

COMMUNICATIONS COMMITTEE

The Communications Committee oversees our various parish publications including our weekly electronic newsletter (Happening at St. Andrew's) and this website. Contact Allison Enedy.

FINANCE COMMITTEE

The Finance Committee aids the Vestry in the development of an annual budget and meets monthly to monitor our parish income, expenses and investments. Contact Jim Rhodes at 627-5980.

FLOWER GUILD

The members of this faithful and talented group arrange flowers each week to decorate our sanctuary for worship. They also assist with the decorations at weddings and other special parish events, including the annual Flower Festival. Contact Venessa August at (513) 505-2100 (c) or Debbie Goode-Jones at 440-9516.

LAY READERS AND CHALICERS

A host of parishioners rotate duty as lay readers and/or chalice bearers for our Sunday services.

PARISH LIFE MINISTRIES

We at St. Andrew's love to gather around a shared meal! We have variety of social events and meals throughout the church year, including weekly coffee hours, regular parish breakfasts, connection groups, and special receptions.

PASTORAL CARE MINISTRIES

St. Andrew's Pastoral Care features a vibrant collection of ministries related to lay pastoral care. Through the Pastoral Care Ministry, we stay in touch with members of our parish who may no longer be able to attend services, may be temporarily incapacitated due to hospitalization or illness, or may have had a death in the family, a birth, a marriage, or other life changing circumstances. Listed below are the ministries that come under our umbrella. For more information about Pastoral Care, contact Karen Mitchell (757) 803-7261.

Eucharistic Visitors Ministry: The members of this ministry are certified to take the Eucharist to members of our parish who are unable to attend services. This ministry is not designed to take over the role of the priest, but simply to provide assistance where they are able. Delivering the Eucharist requires a brief training session with our priest. Contact Karen Mitchell, 757-803-7261.

Prayer Shawl Ministry: The Prayer Shaw Ministry works closely with the other Pastoral Care ministries to provide prayer shawls which are hand knit by members and friends of our parish and blessed by our priests. They are provided to members of our parish for support in times of difficulty and in times of celebration when there is a baptism. For more information about our Prayer Shawl Ministry contact Deane Sobol at 757-623-0796.

Meal Ministry: Our newest ministry is the meal ministry. Several times a year, a group of our cooks get together to cook and freeze dishes that will be available to parishioners who will benefit from help in the kitchen.

Card Ministry: Members of the Card Ministry send out greeting cards to our homebound members as well as those who are in need of pastoral care. Contact Penny Lewis, 757-857-6817.

Flower Delivery Ministry: Each week, the altar flowers are divided into bouquets and taken to people within our parish. Delivery people are always needed.

STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE

The members of the Stewardship Committee facilitate our annual pledge drive to support the operating budget of St. Andrew's. We are currently extending our concept of stewardship to include planned giving.

VESTRY

The Vestry is the elected leadership body of the parish. The Constitutions and Canons of the Episcopal Church in the Diocese of Southern Virginia provide that each parish shall have an annual congregational meeting at which the election of Vestry members shall take place. St. Andrew's Vestry consists of fifteen members, five elected each year to serve a three-year term. The Vestry elects officers which consist of a Senior Warden, Junior Warden, Register, and Treasurer.

WOMEN OF ST. ANDREW'S

A fellowship and service organization for all the women of the parish, the Women of St. Andrew's gives grants toward church and community needs and sponsors various special events such as their annual Book, Bargain and Bake Sale which takes place in September. Contact Lois Gail Davis at 489-8603.