 Outreach/Service Opportunities at St. Christopher's: Acolytes/Servers: Anyone ten years of age or older, usually through high school, who desires to help in worship can offer their services as a server at Eucharist or Morning Prayer. Altar Guild: This group of women is trained to assist the rector and other clergy in various ways by preparing the church for worship. This preparation includes caring for all the liturgical ornaments and vessels, arranging flowers, caring for linens and vestments, and setting up for Holy Eucharist, weddings, funerals, and all other services. Alternative Gift Bazaar: The purpose of this event, which takes place in November, is to direct our Christmas giving toward those in need. We work through cooperatives that use third-world crafts people or agencies that give aid to the poor. Help is needed in setting up the display booths and in coordinating the event. You can also help by purchasing items or services displayed at the Bazaar. Annual Parish Dinner Meeting: Each year the parish gathers, usually in January, to elect a new vestry and to conduct the parish's business. Volunteers help with the arrangements for dinner, including hiring a caterer and/or arranging for the site. Ask any vestry member Bargain Box: Twice a year, the last Friday of April and September, the parish holds a major sale of used clothing, household goods, jewelry, furniture, etc. Help is needed "pre-sorting" for the week preceding the sale, rearranging the furniture on set-up Sunday, and the arranging and pricing during the entire week of the sale. Men, women, and young adults can donate a few hours or a few days to this major fundraiser. The proceeds are used to help those in need in our greater community and with special parish ministries. Book Group: This is an informal discussion group that meets several times a year to discuss a work of fiction chosen for its literary merit and its bearing on our religious faith or ethical concerns. Buildings and Grounds Committee: This vestry committee is a work group that plans needed repairs and improvements to the properties. Anyone with special skills as an electrician, landscaper, gardener, plumber or general Mr. or Ms. Fix-It is welcome to assist in projects themselves or to supervise a specific project. Chalice Bearers: Lay members of the parish are chosen by the rector to administer the chalice, lead prayers, and read lessons at Eucharist. Generally, it is preferable to have previous experience as a lector before being considered as a chalice bearer. Christmas Caroling: Sometime during the week before Christmas, a time is announced to meet at church. The gathered group sings carols for shut-ins and those nearby the church. A party is held afterwards. You can help us sing or host the party, or both. Choirs: The Adult Choir is composed of both paid soloists and volunteers from the parish. All are welcome to come and sing. Practice is on Wednesdays at 7:30 p.m. The Adult Choir sings Sundays The Adult Choir sings Sundays at the 10:15 a.m. service. The Junior Choir practices on Wednesdays at 5 p.m. and sings every Sunday during the school year at the 10:15 a.m. service. Christmas Pageant: Older children and parents are needed to help oversee the children during rehearsal and at the pageant held on the fourth Sunday of Advent. During Advent you can also help by sewing and altering costumes. Church School Teachers and Helpers: The Church School meets every Sunday during the school year except for two Sundays near Christmas, Palm Sunday and Easter; it includes children from nursery through the eighth grade. Two volunteers are needed to teach each class: Kindergarten, Grades 1 & 2, 3 & 4, 5 & 6, and 7 & 8. There are also opportunities to help with special projects and to substitute teach. Coffee Hour Hostesses: After all Sunday services, excepting the 8 a.m. Eucharist, refreshments are served. Parishioners are assigned to take turns bringing the food and serving tea and coffee. Education Committee: This vestry committee meets regularly to review and assist in supporting all educational offerings in the parish. Its mission is to nurture the gift of faith and encourage growth in Christ. Some of the projects for which it is responsible are the Seder Dinner (when held), the Christmas Party (after the Pageant), the Lenten Programs, Simple Suppers and Adult Forums on Sunday. Episcopal Youth Fellowship: Students, 7th-12th grades, meet twice monthly for fun, fellowship, worship, and service projects. The youth are encouraged to invite friends who may not be members of St. Christopher's. Adults are needed for special projects, trips, to provide food and to help with the meetings. Every Member Canvass: Each fall a corps of informed and committed parishioners meets to plan how to canvass the membership for pledges for the next year so that the parish's mission can be carried out. Inreach Committee: Parishioners help parishioners with transportation, with food at the time of a death or other crisis and in other ways. The commitment is on an as-needed and as-available basis. Lectors: Lay members who feel they have talents for leading public worship can begin by becoming lectors, those who read the lessons and lead the psalm. Outreach Committee: This vestry committee exists to coordinate, facilitate, and initiate ministry by members of the parish through internal education and programs to the community abroad. Opportunities for service include either cooking for or serving food at the monthly meal we serve at St. Paul's in East Cleveland (SAME), tutoring in Miles Park Elementary School, St. Luke's Christmas gifts, and the Alternative Gift Bazaar. Pancake Breakfast: The Sunday before Ash Wednesday the men of the parish serve pancakes and sausage after the 10:15 a.m. service. This is "Shrove Tuesday" moved to Sunday. Parish Life Committee: This vestry committee has two major purposes. First, in coordination with the Guild, they sponsor fellowship events for the parish, such as the Easter Vigil party, summer picnics, special receptions (such as after the Organ recitals), and other events suggested by parishioners willing to help with the work. Secondly, they look for ways to welcome newcomers and visitors in our midst, whether by phone contacts, special receptions, or other means you might suggest. Prayer Fellowship: This group meets monthly for group prayer and to update an intercessory prayer list, which members of the fellowship agree to use in their daily prayers. S. A. M. E. (So All Might Eat): Parishioners help feed the hungry at St. Paul's Church, East Cleveland, on the third Sunday of each month. Some prefer to help by cooking a casserole and delivering it to church. Others gather at 3:30 and carpool to East Cleveland to help serve the food. Simple Suppers: During Lent we gather in the church basement on five Wednesdays for food, fellowship and education. You can assist by helping provide the supper of soup, salad, bread and other simple fare. St. Christopher's (Women's) Guild: All women of the parish are automatically members of the Guild. This multi-faceted organization meets monthly for informative programs. The Guild also organizes the Bargain Box, coffee hour, inreach, and Twelfth Night. Tuesday Morning Study Group: On most Tuesdays from 9:45 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. a group meets to study the Bible and occasionally other Christian writings. All are welcome. The calendar in the newsletter needs to be consulted since there are breaks between some studies. Tutoring: Churches in the Cleveland East Deanery recruit volunteers to help with a tutoring program in the inner city. Volunteers can commit to tutor each Wednesday afternoon, once a month, or as a substitute. Two tutors assist professional teachers each week and provide light refreshments. No experience needed, simply a love of children. Twelfth Night Party: On a convenient day near the 12th night of Christmastide parishioners gather in a home to celebrate the end of the season. Help is needed with cooking and organizing or in offering your home as a site for this celebration. Ushers: Two ushers are assigned to serve at the 10:15 liturgy. Families are encouraged to usher together at the earlier service. We especially need those willing to learn the duties well enough to train newcomers.
YOU ARE THE CHURCH
Please make an offering of your time and talent by indicating your interests on the guest sign-in page. A member of the clergy will contact you to assist you in getting connected at St. Christopher's
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