For Worship Volunteers
Acolytes
The acolyte team refers collectively to acolytes, crucifers, thurifers, and servers. These roles all have special significance and importance in the liturgical life of the church. The thurifer, crucifer and acolytes lead the procession into and out of the church bearing the thurible, cross, and torches respectively. Each of these items is an important symbol to Christians. The thurible, which we only use during “solemn” services at Chapel of the Cross, is a device in which incense is burned to produce smoke. The smoke symbolizes the sanctifying grace of the Holy Spirit and the prayers of the Saints rising to heaven. The cross represents Christ, his death, and our redemption. The torches bring the light of Christ, which illuminates the world and scatters darkness. Following the choir but before the clergy, the server processes with the Gospel book, which carries its own significance.
Our acolytes, servers, thurifers, and crucifers also play crucial roles during the service. The acolytes bring up the elements after the offertory. The crucifer brings up the offering itself. The server assists with preparing the Eucharistic Feast.
The crucifer stands by the chancel door to assist parishioners after they leave communion. The thurifer censes the clergy and congregation during services and keeps the coals burning throughout the service.
Our acolyte team is composed of both males and females, and includes ages ranging from twelve to twenty-four. Middle school, high school and college students are encouraged to contact Robert Wright, Ray Dooley, Jimmy Satterwhite, or David Frazelle if they are interested in serving God and His Church in this crucial role. Ray Dooley, Jimmy Satterwhite, Robert Wright
(from 2007 Annual Report)
Altar Guild
The women and men who comprise St. Hilda’s Altar Guild membership work together to support the parish worship services. The members of the four teams serve twoweek rotations during which, in a spirit of dedication and fellowship, they work to create hospitality of worship at scheduled services, including Eucharists, weddings, funerals, and other special times in the life of the parish.
Each team gathers to clean the altar area and arrange flowers prior to Sunday services. Before each individual service, they lay the table and prepare for the celebration of the Eucharist. In addition to the teams, other guild members
polish brass, wash and iron the linens, and polish the silver. On Monday mornings, volunteers gather to make small arrangements of the altar flowers from the Sunday services; these arrangements are then delivered to members of the parish as requested by the clergy.
In the past year, several valued members have retired from their loyal service. Fortunately, we have gained a few new members, but more are always welcome. If you have an interest in serving in this area, please contact any altar guild member or Diane Kessler at 484-8242.
Thanks to all the members of the altar guild who service so well and so faithfully. Diane Kessler
(from 2007 Annual Report)
Greeters
Volunteers within our parish serve as Greeters for Sunday liturgical services at 9:00 am, 11:15 am, and 5:15 pm. They regularly establish the congenial atmosphere of the service through their warm handshakes and greeting of “good morning” to all parishioners and newcomers. In addition, they reinforce that atmosphere by assisting newcomers following the service. Greeters are posted at the tower entrance to the church 15 minutes before the service, and following the service, at the newcomers’ table in the dining room. Each location has a different set of one or two greeters. The schedule for greeters is detailed in the quarterly liturgical calendar along with specific duties to be performed at each location. As with other ministries, greeters submit preferred dates for serving by filling out absence postcards sent out by the parish administrative assistant. Any parishioner is welcome to serve as a greeter and can specify at which service(s) he or she desires to serve. Lou Hightower
(from 2007 Annual Report)
Lay Eucharistic Ministers
Lay Eucharistic Ministers are parishioners invited by the rector to serve and are trained to assist in administering Holy Communion on Sundays, at special services, and at Carol Woods and Carolina Meadows retirement communities. They also take the sacrament to homebound parishioners. Most serve for a three-year period. Continuing their service in 2007 were Sankey Blanton, Trenna Corey, Barbara Day, and Tony Hawkins. Completing their terms during 2007 were RayDooley, Ann Henley, and Kathryn Wilson while Faith Halpern and her family moved to Colorado, TJ Lovejoy-Henkel began studies at UNC-Asheville, and Gabe Lamazares completed his diocesan internship from the Church of the Advocate. New Lay Eucharistic ministers in 2007 were Martha Brimm (diocesan
intern from the Diocese of North Carolina), David Dodson, Chip Hill, Lauren Peterson, Ann Terhune, Caroline Williams, and Matthew Wright (who also left in 2007 to serve as diocesan intern from the Diocese of Western North Carolina at the Church of the Advocate).
Serving at the Sunday 7:30 am services were Tim Ives Annette Kahn, Harriet King, and Bert Liverance. Sara Hill and Blanche Clark assisted at Carol Woods services, while Bob Comey and Frances Tillson served at Carolina Meadows.
Upon her retirement as active deacon in June of 2007, Martha Hart relinquished the responsibility for training the Lay Eucharistic Ministers. At the request of the rector, I have assumed this task, along with my continuing responsibility of vesting new LEMs. Many thanks are due to Martha for her years of training and organizing the Lay Eucharistic Ministers and to all those who serve in this ministry. Vivian Varner
(from 2007 Annual Report)
Lay Readers (Lectors)
Lay readers are an integral part of our Sunday and weekday evening worship services. They read and help us bring meaning to Old and New Testament passages. They also lead us in intercessory and evening prayers. Lay reading is a popular way to participate in our worship services; we currently have about 100 readers among our youth, campus, and adult members. If interested, please contact Mark Pandick (pandick@us.ibm.com or 960-5199). Mark Pandick
(from 2007 Annual Report)
Ushers
Dave Scocca, Henry Thomas, and Linda King-Thomas
Ushers volunteer at church services to welcome worshippers and help smooth the flow of events:
- Welcoming people as they enter the church, answering questions, and directing people to various church facilities
- Assisting people in finding seats, working to fill the front of the church before services begin, and helping to seat late-comers quietly
- Distributing service bulletins (regular, large-print, and children’s) and headsets for hearing-impaired worshipers
- Recording the number of people at the service, collecting the offering, and presenting the gifts of bread and wine
- Directing people to the altar and standing station for communion
- Observing the congregation for problems that may arise and assisting as necessary
- Collecting used bulletins, replacing books, and straightening up after the service.
The ushers are organized according to service: 9:00 am and 11:15 am. In addition the ushers serve at special services that occur during the year, including Christmas, Holy Week, Evensong, and funerals.
We are always seeing volunteers to help with the ushering duties. Individuals, couples, and families will all be welcomed! Contact the usher chair for the service you attend. Dave Scocca is the usher chair for the 9:00 service; Henry Thomas and Linda King-Thomas are the usher chairs for the 11:15 service. Many thanks are due to those who have served as ushers during the past year. Dave Scocca , Henry Thomas and Linda King-Thomas
(from 2007 Annual Report)
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