Ministries

Acolytes

Acolytes are laypersons (both adults and youth) who assist in worship by carrying the processional cross, lighting and extinguishing candles, and carrying the torches. Acolytes also help with the presentation of the bread and wine and gifts of the people and assist the priest in the preparation of the altar for communion.

Training is available for all our acolytes. Being an acolyte is a very special way to participate in our services.

Altar Guild

Altar Guild Responsibilities:

• Altar set-up
• Credence and oblations tables
• Laundry of altar linens
• Polishing silver and brass
• Sacristy cleaning
• Sanctuary cleaning
• Attention to roster and monthly schedules
• Special Services: Baptism, Morning and Evening Prayer, Palm Sunday, Confirmation, weddings, funerals, etc.

Training will be provided.

Choir

The choir is a group of volunteers who come together to sing praises to God and to enhance the worship service through music.

The only qualification for joining the choir is a willing heart and a little bit of time on Sunday mornings. We rehearse at 9:45 on Sunday mornings and on other occasions after church as needed.

Please consider offering your talents to the choir.

Sing to the Lord a new song; sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, praise His name; proclaim his salvation day after day.

Psalm 96 1:2

Hospitality

For hospitality time, our coffee host volunteers provide refreshments for the hospitality time following each service. Coffee hosts are assigned on a rotation basis. The coffee hosts are asked to provide the following:

• Juice or some kind of drink
• Cake or cookies/fruit/light appetizer/whatever you wish to share.

The church provides the following:

• Coffee
• Paper products and utensils
• Serving trays and bowls

PLEASE REMEMBER THIS IS NOT LUNCH. Our goal is to have some time to visit and get to know each other.

The coffee hosts should plan on arriving about 15 minutes prior to the service to make coffee and prepare their food and drink for hospitality time. They may wish to leave after communion to go to the parish hall and prepare their refreshments for serving. The coffee hosts for the late service need to stay til the end of the hospitality time to clean up, including emptying the coffee pots and washing up any trays that have been used.

Ushers & Greeters

Ushers and greeters begin outside the church prior to the service to greet our guests and give out bulletins. 

Usher & Greeter Duties:

• Directing people to empty seats as needed
• Counting the number of people attending the service
• Carrying the bread and wine to the altar at the appropriate time
• Collecting our offerings and presenting them at the altar
• Directing parishioners to the altar rail for communion
• Tidying up after the service is over

After the service, the ushers go into the sacristy and tally the offerings from the morning collection. For training, we partner you with an experienced usher.

Lay Eucharistic Minister

(Chalice Bearers)

Lay Eucharistic Ministers, also known as Chalice Bearers, are laypersons licensed by the bishop to administer the chalice at the Eucharist. Chalice Bearers usually vest for the service and proceed in with the altar party.

Training is available for anyone interested in becoming a Lay Eucharistic Minister.

Worship Leader

(Lay Reader)

A Worship Leader is licensed to lead public worship under the direction of a member of the clergy. In the Diocese of Mississippi, those persons complete a course of study before being licensed to serve. At St. Peter's, the Worship Leader (Lay Reader) usually reads the first lesson, leads the psalm, leads the Prayers of the People, and administers the chalice at communion. In the absence of clergy, a Worship Leader will lead the service, including reading a sermon or homily provided for that occasion.

Interested in Volunteering?

If you are interested in volunteering for any of our ministries, please follow the link below to sign up.