Guilds, Ministries, & Their Functions
The values of any institution, group, or even family can perhaps best be seen in how that group organizes themselves to get done the work they have to do. In the case of the family that is Trinity Episcopal Church, our core values are best expressed by our mission to “build a Spirit-empowered community that serves and celebrates Christ.” All our words, all our actions, and our ministries should reflect those values.
Composed of clergy, staff and parishioners, these ministries are vital to running the church. The various guilds and ministries are catalysts in providing the service and compassion that is Trinity Episcopal Church and are, by function:
Worship and Music Ministries
Acolytes – Anyone who performs ceremonial duties during church services. i.e. lighting candles. Children from early elementary school grades through High School serve each week as acolytes. We have teams that rotate throughout the year. For more information about acolytes, please contact Rick Sneddon at flw.sneddon@gmail.com.
Altar Guild – The primary purpose of the Altar Guild in the Episcopal Church is to give assistance to the priest in his or her ministry by preparing God’s Altar, the Sanctuary, and the Chapel for worship in all services. “Altar Guild” includes everyone who prepares the Altar, the linens, the flowers, and the priest’s vestments for the services. For more information about the Altar Guild, please contact Susan Perkins at susan.perkins7700@gmail.com
Flower Guild – Members of the Flower Guild make the beautiful arrangements of flowers and greenery at our altars each week, signifying the joy of our Christian faith. For more information about joining the Flower Guild or for information about donating a flower memorial for a particular Sunday, please contact Susan Adams at susanmetcalf55@gmail.com .
Lay Eucharistic Ministers (LEM) – Person who assists the priest in administering the elements of Holy Communion, the consecrated bread and wine. They may also take the sacrament to those who are ill, or otherwise unable to attend the church service. For more information about serving as a lay eucharistic minister, please contact Rick Sneddon at flw.sneddon@gmail.com.
Lectors – Person who reads aloud certain of the scriptural passages used in the church service. For more information about reading scripture in church, please contact Rick Sneddon at flw.sneddon@gmail.com.
Linen Guild – The beautiful linens on our altars are cleaned and prepared for use during worship services. For more information about Linen Guild, please contact Delores Berry at delores@vsasecuritysystems.com.
Ushers – An officer of the church who introduces guests to the church and directs them to seats. They also help the congregation receive Communion in an orderly fashion, assist with funerals or memorial services, hand out Sunday Order of Service bulletins and other information, and guide the congregation at large services. For more information about serving as an usher, please contact Jeff Ollman at jeffrey.ollman@gmail.com.
Vergers – One who assists in the ordering of the church service, usually preceding the clergy as they move about the church. For more information about serving as a Verger, please contact David Young at DYoung@aflac.com.
Inreach Ministries
Children, Youth and Campus Ministries
Children’s Chapel – Children ages 3 through 5th grade are invited to attend Children’s Chapel each week during the 10:30am worship service. Children explore Liturgy and Scripture in age-appropriate and fun ways. Children return to the service during the Peace and join their families for Communion. For more information about Children’s Chapel, contact the clergy, or Deana Graham at graham.deana@gmail.com
Guild of the Christ Child – This guild is dedicated to making Baptism a memorable occasion for children and welcoming infants into our parish family. For more information contact Courtney Twigg at courtneyltwigg@gmail.com .
Youth Ministry – Our youth ministry group meets regularly on Sunday evenings from 5:30-6:30. Occasionally they gather at other locations and other times. This group is open to all middle and high school students. For more information contact the church office.
Parish Life
The Brotherhood of St. Andrew – Founded in 1883 to help homeless men in Seattle, the Brotherhood of St. Andrew is today a worldwide ministry. Its mission is to bring men and youth to Jesus Christ through the threefold disciplines of Prayer, Study, and Service. For more information about becoming a member, please contact Bill Scrantom at biggrid1@gmail.com.
Daughters of the King – DOK members pledge themselves to a life-long program of prayer, service and evangelism. Trinity’s DOK provides monthly communion services at local nursing homes and prayer support for the parish. For more information on this order of women contact Cheryl Woods at cherylwoods34@gmail.com
Healing Prayer – Prayer Intercessors are available after the 8:00 am and during the 10:30 am services to provide care and comfort to those in need. The volunteers that provide this service are trained to minister help to the needy. For more information contact Nell Hudson at nhudson63@gmail.com.
InReach – The ministry of the InReach committee at Trinity assists our clergy in nurturing and caring for parishioners. This team strives to answer God’s call to care and aid one another by reaching out in tangible ways to families in time of transition, such as death, illness, hospitalization, or the arrival of a newborn. The types of care provided by InReach may include preparing and taking meals to those who are suffering from illness or recovering from surgery, arranging and delivering flowers from the Trinity altar to parishioners in the hospital or unable to attend services, assisting with funeral visitations or receptions, or the simple kindness of sitting in a home while the family participates in the funeral of their loved one. For more information contact Debby Kemp at debbykemp@yahoo.com or Linda Shinkle at lsh3111@aol.com.
St. Lydia’s Guild – This guild meets monthly for dinner and fellowship. St. Lydia’s Guild sponsors the annual Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, and is a fundraiser for needs within and beyond the parish. For more information contact Mary Johnson at msugarbear@gmail.com.
Wednesday Prayer Group – A Prayer Group that meets on Wednesday mornings at 11:00 to pray for the needs, cares and concerns of our parish family, our city and beyond. Anyone interested in this ministry is welcome to join. For more information contact Deborah Cooper at deborahjcooper@yahoo.com.
Outreach Ministries
Saint Francis Fund – Trinity’s outreach programs enjoy peer respect from throughout the community. The St. Francis Fund has given over two million dollars in outreach support since its inception in 1993. For more information about Saint Francis Fund grant applications please contact the church office.
Boy Scouts – Trinity has sponsored Troop 6 for decades, an older charter than any other in the Valley. We recently opened our doors to Cub Scout Pack 6 as well, hosting boys and girls in 1st through 5th grades as they begin to learn the values for which the Boy Scouts are famous. For more information about Boy Scouts, please contact Harlan Price at hprice@aidgarch.com.
Valley Interfaith Promise (VIP) – Trinity’s doors were also opened for several families being helped through Valley Interfaith Promise (VIP), a rotation of churches that help homeless or near-homeless families as they transition to a more solid future. Parish volunteers provide companionship along with an evening meal or comfortable and safe overnight accommodations, and in the process receive as much in return. For more information contact the church office.
Calendar
For information on when these ministries meet, visit our church calendar by clicking here.