There are many opportunities for ministry at St. Andrew's. It also includes that special personal ministry members may have that shows the love of Christ but isn't associated with formal activities of the church. If you are interested in getting involved with any of these ministries, please contact them using the provided link.
Ministries include:
Acolytes:
Adult Christian Formation: Many varied opportunities are provided for exploring our Christian faith through worship, study and discussion. Everyone is invited to be part of this exciting ministry. The specific topics are usually listed on the website in The Call, St. Andrew's monthly newsletter.
Altar Guild: The Altar Guild is made up of members who prepare and maintain all the altar linens, vestments and vessels for communion. Their ministry is to prepare worship space in such a way that assists and supports ministry of word and sacrament. Altar Guild is also responsible for flowers.
Building/Grounds: Our building and grounds are maintained by a part-time sexton and many volunteers who keep us in repair and tend our lovely gardens, including our Memorial Garden.
Childcare: The people of St. Andrew's provide nursery and preschool childcare (infants and children younger than age 5) on Sundays. We start at 9:00 AM during the months we have children's Sunday school. Childcare is provided year round during worship beginning at 10:00 AM until the coffee fellowship after worship. All volunteers have Safeguarding God's Children certification by the Diocese of Olympia and at least two people are always present with the children. At least two trained people are with the children at all times.
Choir: A wonderful way to build and sustain community at St. Andrew's is joining with others to share our musical gifts. Our choir ministry is open to anyone who enjoys singing. Ability to read music is preferred but not necessary.
Congregational Care: Includes drivers, prayer chain, healing team, meals, visitations, nursery, card ministry, simple living group and Lay Eucharistic Visitors. Currently there are several LEV’s who host Communion Services at Crestwood and St. Andrew’s Place. Pastoral Care and Healing: There is a group of volunteers who gather and pray for peoples specific needs and requests. They will make visits to the hospital and homes upon request.
Congregational Development: This group is focused on identifying strategies and activities to encourage growth. They include greeters, callers, membership, and website maintenance.
Equal Exchange: Equal Exchange was founded in 1986 to create a new approach to trade, one that includes informed consumers, honest and fair trade relationships and cooperative principals. As a worker-owner co-op, we have accomplished this by offering consumers fairly traded gourmet coffee direct from small-scale farmer co-ops in Latin America, Africa and Asia. All our Equal Exchange products will be available for purchase at coffee hour on Sundays.
Fellowship:
This group plans specific social activities for the congregation to foster friendship among members of this Body of Christ that we may enhance the mission of St. Andrew’s.
Finance: There is a group of volunteers who help direct investment and stewardship at the Church. They work with our volunteer treasurers and our Rector to direct funding and make financial suggestions to the vestry.
Godly Play: "Godly Play" is a term coined by Jerome Berryman to describe an approach to children's spiritual formation that is based on creating a sacred space in which to present the stories of our faith, wonder about them together, and then allow the children open-ended opportunities, usually with art supplies, to engage the story on their own terms. We have two age based Godly Play rooms, each with their own materials. We meet at 9am and the children join us for worship at 10am.
Green Ministry: St. Andrew's green ministry has included making numerous changes to the church's facility, including new roofing, insulation, a worm bin, and special attention to conservation of water and energy. Our congregation has also worked to involve children through creation narratives and participation in greening activities, and outreach to the public through events like this past year's Blessing of the Animals, which was advertised and held in an open community space, celebration of Earth Hour, and celebration of Earth Day through worship, music, and a meal of local foods.
Greeters/Ushers:
Lectors:
LEMs:
Outreach: This ministry meets monthly and serves to connect the congregation to the greater community through various outreach activities. These projects have included: housing, MANNA (Ministries Assisting Neighbors in Need with Agape), the Heifer Project, food bank, Fair Trade coffee and chocolate.
Rite 13: Young people enter Rite 13 probably at age twelve. (The young person should turn thirteen sometime during the two-year duration of Rite 13.) When they turn thirteen, this event is celebrated in the church with a service loosely modeled on the Jewish bar mitzvah.
St. Andrew’s Place: Is located adjacent to our church, and is the only not-for-profit assisted living facility in our community. It specializes in meeting the physical and spiritual needs of its residents with Christian care. A weekly communion service is held at St. Andrew's Place. Members of the church regularly volunteer at St. Andrew’s Place for other special activities.
Stewardship: St. Andrew's approach to stewardship is year long and ongoing. We recognize and give thanks for all our resources, including financial, structural, human, and environmental. It is a very active group involved in planning and creating many opportunities throughout the year to celebrate our gifts and prepare for the future. St. Andrew's Legacy Society will celebrate it's founding members on July 18, 2010.
Vestry: The Vestry serves as the Board of Directors for the church. Currently ten congregation members are elected to the Vestry, each elected for a three year term, one of whom represents St. Swithin's. A third of the members are elected each year. The Vestry meets monthly to conduct the business of the church and serve as liaisons to the ministries of the church.
Marcus Borg in Seattle in February
Tom and Pat Hawksworth
Contact Acolytes
Acolytes page