Worship & Music

Acolyte Guild

Acolytes at Christ Church assist liturgical worship as crucifer, torchbearers and Gospel Book-bearers in procession, as servers to the celebrant, and as general assistants throughout the liturgy. Any responsible young person in 4th grade or at least 9 years old can become an acolyte. Adults are also welcome to become members. There are two acolytes, a Gospel Book-bearer and a crucifer scheduled for the second service on Sunday morning. A member of the guild is typically scheduled to serve two times a month, or more often for holy days, such as Christmas and Easter. Volunteers are always welcome.

St. Mary’s Altar Guild

Members of the Altar Guild prepare all of the elements required for the Sunday Eucharist and the Wednesday morning healing service. There are currently 27 volunteers organized into 5 teams with each team taking a turn every 5 weeks. Set up is done on Saturdays. The volunteers have an annual fall luncheon to socialize and plan for the coming year. Orientation is provided for new volunteers who are always welcome.

Chancel Choir

The Christ Church Chancel Choir sings every Sunday at the 10:15 service. Previous choral music experience is not required for membership. Rehearsal is on Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM. The choir meets in the music room on the second floor of the Parish House. All volunteers are welcome to join. In addition to the Sunday service, the Choir sings at Midnight service on Christmas Eve, the Christmas in St. Michaels event, Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, and two principal services on Easter Sunday. This year the Choir will be singing at a monthly Evensong, the first Sunday evening of each month.

Youth Choir

Children 7 years and older, are welcome to sing in the youth choir. The youth choir rehearses Wednesday evenings from 6:30 until 7:00. The youth choir sings at the 10:15 Parish Family Eucharist Service, the first Sunday of each month. The first Parish Family Eucharist Service will be on October 1, 2006. For more information, contact William Thomas at 410-745-3454 or wrt305@msn.com.

Handbell Choir

The 10:15 AM service is enriched by the music of 11 handbell ringers each of whom, are responsible for 4 different bells. The group rehearses on Monday evenings, 5:30 – 7:00 in the church sanctuary. While there currently are enough ringers, we would welcome having a few substitutes who have some previous musical experience.

Eucharistic Ministers

Eucharistic Ministers—once called Chalice Bearers or Chalicists—assist the clergy in administering communion during the service of Holy Eucharist on Sunday mornings. Eucharistic Ministers are licensed by the bishop and diocese and vest (wear a simple robe called a cassock alb) for the service. Training and orientation are provided to volunteers as needed.

Greeters

Greeters actively reach out to welcome all who enter Christ Church with a smile, a handshake and, often times, a warm embrace. The group now numbers about twenty-five and welcomes all to join in this simple ministry of friendship.

Readers

Each Sunday, parishioners read the lessons from the Old Testament, or Hebrew Scripture, Epistle, and the Intercessions (Prayers of the People) during the Eucharist. Approximately 40 parishioners currently serve as readers.

Ushers

The chief responsibilities of ushers are to distribute Sunday service papers, count parishioners and guests who may participate in Communion, collect the offering and coordinate the row by row release of those who wish to participate in Communion. There are 36 volunteers divided between the first and second service. New ushers receive a written description of responsibilities and are paired with experienced volunteers until they are comfortable. Usher schedules are determined quarterly and take into account individual preferences. Any parishioner interested in serving as an usher is welcome.