Worship ministries
St. David's offers a number of ways you can participate in worship ministries. There's a place for you! If you would like to participate in any of these ways, call the church office, or send an e-mail message.
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St. David's Episcopal Church -- Spokane, Washington
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St. Davids' acolytes serve at the 9:00 a.m. service on Sundays, and at special services. They light the candles, lift the cross (and sometimes flags and banners) high in processions, and take the people's offerings to the altar for blessing. Their work lends dignity and grace to our worship services. This ministry is currently performed by the youth of our parish ages 7 and older. Jessica Basta is our acolyte leader.
Most Altar Guild work goes on quietly behind the scenes, preparing the church for worship services. We care for all linens and vessels used in the Eucharist, and are responsible for purchasing the linens, flowers and any vessels that need repair or replacement. Congregation members who wish to give altar flowers in memory of loved ones or in honor of special occasions may sign up on the flower calendar that is circulated during the annual parish meeting each January. At other times, the calendar is posted in the east stairwell. The Altar Guild works very closely with the clergy, and is divided into teams of three to four people each. Each week a different team cleans and prepares the church for services. We also check the clergy robes and clean them as necessary. We are responsible for helping with weddings, funerals and baptisms, and also decorating the church for Christmas and Easter. New members are always welcome -- both men and women! Training is provided.
With a core group of about 15 dedicated parishioners, St. Davids' eucharistic ministers are a vital part of our worship services. Every Sunday two of them serve at each of the 9:00 AM and 11:00 AM services. They also serve at the special holiday worship services. Eucharistic ministers distribute blessed wine to the congregation during Holy Communion. One of them at each service reads the Prayers of the People aloud. During other services when acolytes are absent, they also perform the acolytes' usual duties. A schedule is issued every 3 months, and volunteers are responsible for any swaps that need to be made and for notifying the church office. New members are added at the Rector's discretion.
With a core group of about 20 dedicated parishioners, St. Davids' lectors are a vital part of our worship services. Every Sunday two lectors serve at each of the 9:00 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. services. They also serve at the special holiday worship services. Lectors read the assigned Old Testament and New Testament lessons aloud, and lead the congregation in reading the assigned Psalm aloud. They use a microphone, so even those with soft voices can be lectors. A schedule is issued every 3 months, and volunteers are responsible for any swaps that need to be made and for notifying the church office. New members are added at the Rector's discretion.
Music The music at St. David's, under the direction of our Rector, ranges from traditional to contemporary. Keyboardist Janet Dodd brings her creativity and expertise on the piano to both services. The 9:00 a.m. Rite II Eucharist has a more classical and traditional ambience while the 11:00 a.m. Celtic Eucharist is more musically adventurous. We have several members with special musical talents, including violinist Ashley Steinhart. Hand drumming and other percussion by Nadine Grady, Mary Ann Sinclair, and others often accompanies our Sunday 11:00 AM services, Celtic celebrations and other special services. Brass arrangements by local college music majors often accompany our Christmas and Easter services. Our worship space features a baby grand piano, as well as a Johannus organ made in the Netherlands and purchased in 2000. Due to space constraints, a pipe organ was out of the question; however, this extremely fine electronic organ has more than filled our needs. We also have a fine collection of handbells. Our regular "choir" is the congregation of St. David's, lifting their voices in praise and worship. Our Sunday services feature traditional hymns from the 1982 Hymnal and occasional contemporary hymns. The service music (Sanctus, Gloria, etc.) is contemporary, primarily composed by Kristopher Lindquist or from the Taize tradition. Our children sing occasionally as a children's choir during services. Rehearsals occur during the three weeks or so before the children's choir sings. The goal of the music ministry at St. David's is not only to enhance and support the liturgy but also to incorporate the gifts of church members. If you have a musical gift to share, or questions, suggestions or comments regarding hymns or service music, please contact the Rev. Elaine Breckenridge.
Ushers help to keep our services running smoothly, and tend to the needs of people in the congregation. Two ushers serve at each church service on Sundays and holidays. They give service leaflets to those entering church services, help with seating as needed, count attendance, collect the people's offerings and bring them forward, and help direct traffic during communion. |
Some of our musicians: Mary Ann Sinclair, Janet Dodd, and Nadine Grady, on Ash Wednesday, 2012.
Steve and Karyn Joyce serving as lay assistants for a Christmas service.
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