We extend an invitation to any interested parishioners, children (8 years of age and older) and adults, to join the acolyte program here at Saint James’. An acolyte is someone who assists with the church service by carrying a torch, a cross, or by assisting the priest – it’s a wonderful way to serve God as well as your church community, in the most important rituals of our faith.  And it’s not complicated to learn!

The Saint James’ Altar Guild is always interested in having new members who enjoy the more “domestic” side of our worship of God. We offer a short training session and then ask new members to work with more experienced individuals for a while.

We work quietly each week to prepare the altar for the Sunday and Wednesday services and to clean up after each service. We also prepare the altar for special services, such as funerals and during Holy Week. We work in pairs and each pair serves for a two-week period twice a year for a total of four weeks. In addition we all participate in the multiple services at Christmas and Easter to the extent that our personal commitments allow.

The Flower Guild at Saint James’ is an offshoot of the Altar Guild.  Its members enjoy arranging flowers for the altar and chapel as well as sundry other church occasions.  Our members have varied backgrounds and experience in floral design. We welcome new members who can work with a more experienced arranger as they learn the craft.

If you like to smile and to welcome, then you would fit perfectly into our ministry of ushers of St. James’.  If you are also interested in supporting our Parish’s worship services, then you really have no excuse but to join us.  We are most welcoming, and there is very little training involved.  You can easily incorporate this vital ministry into your Sunday worship.  After all, you’ll be in church on Sundays anyway.

The ushers of St. James’ provide a ministry with a specific function of supporting the worship services of our Parish.  Ushers are present to extend a gracious greeting and information to newcomers and visitors as well as having the opportunity to welcome fellow parishioners as they arrive.  For most newcomers, our ushers are the first St. James’ members they will meet.  Our duties are simple besides greeting and assisting visitors; we pass out service bulletins, ring the bell, assist the physically challenged, collect the offertory from the congregation, and guide parishioners to the Lord’s Table during Communion while still having the opportunity to worship.

You are welcome to join us, no experience is required.