On Liturgical Ministries

 Trinity Church has a rich and active liturgical life. Our corporate prayer is the work of the people of God and as such there are numerous ministries offered by lay members of the congregation that are essential for vibrant worship.  Every Sunday there are many people who give of themselves and their gifts to enhance our offering of worship to God. People who give of their time and talent to serve as instrumentalists and who sing in the choir bring the joy and wonder of music to our worship. Others serve as lectors, reading the lessons from Scripture. Acolytes serve the community by leading processions as crucifers and torch bearers and by assisting the priest at the altar. Ushers have a unique ministry of hospitality, for they are often the first face of Trinity Church that visitors encounter.   Ushers have a ministry of assisting the people of God as they gather and they are responsible for collecting the offerings of the community for the mission of the church. The Altar Guild cares for the physical needs of the sanctuary. They work throughout the week caring for altar linens, sacred vessels and vestments and each service they are responsible for setting up what is needed for each service. The Sacristan has oversight of what is needed for the liturgical services of the community. All of these ministries are open to members of the community who are baptized and are regular in their participation in the life of the church.

 There are several other liturgical ministries that are exercised for the life of the whole community. Most of us know these ministries under the terms of Lay Readers and Lay Eucharistic Ministers.  These are the people who lead the prayers of the people in the absence of a Deacon, assist the priest at the altar, and help to distribute communion. Over the years these roles have evolved.

 Many remember when a lay liturgical ministry meant that one was a Lay Reader. In 1988 the role of the Lay Reader was broken up into two jobs: the Lector and a Lay Reader. The lector reads the lessons in public worship. The Lay Reader assisted the priest, served as a chalice bearer and was authorized to lead the public worship of the Church (Morning and Evening Prayer) on a regular basis. Lay Eucharistic Visitors were introduced in 1988.  At the 2003 General Convention (the national governing body of the Episcopal Church) liturgical lay ministries were further refined.

 The term Lay Reader is no longer in the Canons (rules that govern the life and worship of the Church). A person who is licensed to regularly lead the public worship of the church is now called a “Worship Leader”.  “A Eucharistic Minister is a lay person authorized to administer the Consecrated Elements at a Celebration of Holy Eucharist”. (Canon III.4.6)  In the Diocese of New York the Eucharistic Minister usually administers the chalice during the communion.

There is also a “Eucharistic Visitor who is a lay person authorized to take the Consecrated Elements  in a timely manner following a celebration of Holy Eucharist to members of the congregation who, by reason of illness or infirmity were unable to be present at the Celebration”. 

(Canon III.4.7)  Each Sunday you will see people functioning in these roles.

 One of the newest ministries is that of the Eucharistic Visitor. As a community of faith, our participation in the Body of Christ (the Church) is nourished and sustain in the eating and drinking of the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist. It is our holy communion with our God and with each other. When members are absent, there is incompleteness in that holy communion. Persons who are sick and unable to participate in the celebration of the Eucharist are taken communion so that they may be united with the whole Body of Christ. At the end of the service you will see Eucharistic Visitors being sent out to take the Body and Blood of Christ to those who are unable to be physically present. If you know of someone who is unable to be in church but is a member of the community, please let us know so that we can extend this ministry.

 If you believe God is calling you to any of these ministries please speak to either myself or any of the following people who coordinate the lay ministries at Trinity.

Julie Martin- Baker                      Music Ministry

Jane Long                                      Altar Guild

Nancy Lecker                                  Warden of Acolytes

Mary Hendricks  (Sacristan)          Warden of Worship Leaders

   and Eucharistic Ministers    Warden of Lectors (10AM Service)

Mary Kalan     Warden of Lectors (8AM Service)

 The Rev. Sr. Jean Campbell, OSH