Description of Ministries

Worship

This ministry includes the planning, leadership, and evaluation of the regular services of worship at St. Stephen’s. It also includes special services that might be related to seasons of the church year or to events in the community. Supporting worship: Acolytes, Altar Guild, Flower Provision & Delivery, Lay Readers, Lectors, Intercessors, Eucharistic Ministers, Music (both choral and instrumental), Ushers, Greeters.

Education

This ministry includes the Youth Program as well as Christian Education for both adults and children. Ways of education: EYC, Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, Adult Inquirers Class, Children’s Confirmation Preparation, Lenten Studies, Bible Studies.

Prayer

This ministry includes the offering of spiritual retreats, small prayer groups, prayer chains, and activities of spiritual nurture. Ways of prayer: Quiet Days, The Daily Office, Centering Prayer, Parish Retreats, Faith Alive, Cursillo.

Stewardship

This ministry upholds the concept that all our lives are to be lived in response to the Gospel. In thanksgiving for God’s many blessings, we give back to God our time, talents, and treasure for the mission of the church. Ways of stewardship: Planned Giving, Every Member Canvass, Environmental Education, Gifts and Talents Workshops.

Outreach

This ministry is concerned with meeting the needs of those beyond the parish. Just as our Lord encountered each person with respect, so too do we his followers meet people where they are and invite them to experience newness and hope through both material and spiritual means. Ways of outreach: Community Soup Kitchen, United Church Ministries, Episcopal Relief & Development, United Thank Offering, Rector’s Discretionary Fund, Partnership for Education, various local helping ministries.

Fellowship

This ministry is about recreational and leisure activities that help us know each other as parish family. Ways of fellowship: ‘Twixt & ‘Tween, Parish Dinners, Pictorial Directory, Parish Picnic.

Personal Care

This ministry is about visiting members of the congregation in times of illness and crisis and enabling parishioners ably to respond to needs within the parish family. Ways of pastoral care: Rector’s visits, Eucharistic Visitors, Hospital & Nursing Home & Home-Bound Visits & Telephoning, Columbarium Care, Friendship Committee, Prayer Cards, Memorials, Visiting the Lapsed.

Hospitality

This ministry is about welcoming others to become part of St. Stephen’s Parish. Ways of hospitality: Signage, Media Usage, Prospective Member Materials, New Member Orientation, Greeters, Response to Visitors.

Property

This ministry is about caring for the historic properties entrusted to us. It includes regular maintenance and repairs as well as planning for the future.

Finance

This ministry is about caring for the funds entrusted to us. It includes careful handling of gifts, accurate and timely posting of pledges, accurate and timely posting to appropriate parish accounts, and accurate and timely statements of all parish accounts to the vestry.