Ways To Be Involved at St. David's
A comprehensive list with descriptions of all the ways we work to serve our St. David’s family and the community beyond.
St. David’s has plenty of things going on, many ministries to become involved in, and new ones to explore. Suggestions are always welcome! Here is a list of what is currently going on at St David’s. Training is provided for ministries connected to Sunday morning. If you’d like more information, please speak with the various coordinators (listed in parenthesis after heading), or Pastor Peter Lane.
Acolytes (Fred Malaby)
Our young people are trained to serve on the altar as torchbearers, servers and crucifers. Their participation as acolytes helps to make the liturgy run smoothly, deepens their understanding ofworship, and builds a sense of ownership in their church.
Altar Guild (Wanda Jablonski)
The members of the Altar Guild prepare the altar for Sunday worship, and other special services, maintain the vessels and vestments, and make sure that the various church appointments are in order and beautiful.
Bazaar (Grace Malaby)
Our annual bazaar, known as Holidays on the Hill, takes place the Saturday before Thanksgiving, and combines vendor arts and crafts with a Granny’s Attic Tag Sale, holiday pies and a home baked goods sale. Volunteers are always welcome.
Book Discussion Group (Barbara Turner)
This group meets every 6 or 8 weeks and provides an opportunity to enjoy fellowship and share thoughts about particular books. The books chosen range from spiritual to science fiction, and everything in between. The Book Group includes a wide swath of people, both parishioners and friends of St. David’s.
Buildings and Grounds (Tom Blackinton)
This committee, under the leadership of our Junior Warden, oversees the upkeep, maintenance and improvements of our church property.
Choir (Joan Daly)
If you enjoy singing, consider joining the choir, and making a joyful noise unto the Lord! The choir contributes to the beauty of worship by singing an anthem at the offertory and leading the congregation in exploring and learning new hymns and service music, as well as finding new ways to enhance and present the music during worship at the 10 am liturgy. Choir rehearsal is on Wednesday nights.
Coffee Hour HOSTS (Beth Hammond)
Coffee Hour hosts offer hospitality after the 10 am service each week to churchgoers. The hosts make the coffee and provide snacks to encourage an atmosphere that fosters sharing and fellowship with our St. David’s family.
E Newsletter (Sue Hurn)
In between our regular hard copy newsletters, we send out an “e news” newsletter via email. We like to keep people as connected as possible to what is going on at St. David’s, so this e letter gives a quick reminder, with pictures and colors, of what is happening, and includes any breaking news that needs to be conveyed.
Eucharistic Visitors (Paula Bolig)
The Eucharistic visitors are sent forth from the Sunday morning liturgy to take the sacrament to those who are unable to attend church. Safe Church Training, offered periodically by our diocese, is a required part of the training for this ministry. The diocese also offers periodic workshops to hone skills.
E Waste (Evie Bain)
Twice a year, in conjunction with Cartridge World, we sponsor an electronic waste gathering day. Old electronic equipment such as televisions, radios, stereos, computers, printers, and the like are collected and recycled. The charge varies according to the item and St. David’s receives $2.00 for every item that is collected. Shredding of documents is available, as well. Volunteers are always needed. Join us as we work at honoring God’s creation.
Gardening Group (Evelyn Bain and Evelyn Seifert)
Gardening is a big activity at St. David’s, with both our new vegetable garden for the Interfaith Food Pantry and the many flowerbeds on the church grounds. Help is always welcome, as is expert advice on how to make things grow! Join us.
Liturgy Leaders (Pastor Peter Lane)
Our various liturgy leaders keep our worship running smoothly. They read lessons, lead the prayers, and serve chalice. They are an invaluable part of the service, helping to create a sense of dignity and focus to our worship.
Outreach Committee (Michael Sheldon, chair)
We regularly collect food for the Interfaith Food Pantry and serve as volunteers there, collect cards for the incarcerated at the ACI, and toiletries for those in need who visit the George Hunt Help Center. Twice yearly, we help (prepare, serve and clean up) at the Epiphany Meal Site, which provides a hot meal every Saturday for the hungry. We have a community garden whose “fruit” will go to the Interfaith Food Pantry. Likewise, some parishioners have set aside a portion of their home gardens, the yield of which will also go to the Interfaith Food Pantry. Once a month, we make sandwiches for the residents and their children at Sstarbirth, a residential facility for those trying to overcome drug and alcohol addiction. Periodically, we do special fundraisers such as our Rock-a-Thon or our Ham and Bean Supper. The proceeds of those particular events went to relief for Haiti. We are exploring the possibility of participation with our local Habitat for Humanity chapter. We are always open to suggestions of new ways to be sharing and supportive to our community.
Stewardship Committee (Rhonda Knight)
This group takes a slightly different shape each year. They create an organizational and theological framework for our annual Pledge Campaign, as well as ongoing encouragement for the sharing of our personal gifts and talent. Last year, we used a modified version of the Quill Program, which had some of our stewardship leaders writing letters to people in the congregation. What does it mean to be a good steward of all that we have been given? This is the question at the heart of all that is connected to stewardship.
Sunday School/Youth Group (Stefanie Dodge)
Our young people (ages 4 through 16) gather for a Bible story from Ray Durfee before going to their classrooms at 9:45 am. They join the congregation at the Exchange of the Peace. Their teachers work faithfully at making the story of faith come to life. New teachers are always welcome. The Youth Group meets the last Sunday of every month, from 5:30 to 7pm, for fellowship, teaching, and dinner. Pastor Beth helps, too. Additionally, the group meets at special times for fundraisers or special activities. Both Sunday School and Youth Group go from mid September to mid June.
Ushers and Greeters (Mark Plumley)
Ushers usher and greeters greet! Without them, we would be like sheep without a shepherd. The usher is the first face one sees upon entering the church. They set the tone for both newcomers and regulars. The usher shepherds people through the collection at the offering and controls their movement towards communion.
Web Site Team (Richard Bolig)
Team members provide photos and ideas to Richard Bolig, who is our webmaster. The website is a primary venue of communication, both for members to stay on top of what is going on, and for those who are seeking a church home.
Worship COMMITTEE (Grace Malaby)
Working in conjunction with the priest, this group helps plan upcoming special liturgies such as All Saints Day, Pentecost, Taize and Trinity Sunday, discusses all of the components that go into making the liturgy run smoothly, and works on shaping liturgical seasons such as Advent and Lent. One highlight, this year, was the creation of a Lenten Meditation guide. How do we make sure our worship is all that it can be is the question that drives this group.
Prayer Shawl Ministry(Marjorie Reeves Briden)
Do you knit or crochet? You could knit or crochet a prayer shawl. Pastor Beth will bless them before they’re taken to our own shut-ins, who may not have received one yet, while the others will go to the Cancer Clinic at Rhode Island Hospital. The warmth of our love and God’s love will then surround others as they undergo chemo and radiation treatments - and they’ll know we love and care about them. If there’s any interest we may have a knitting circle here at St. David’s in mid-January. Warm hands, warm hearts, warm love and shared fellowship inside . . . what a great way to chase away the cold winter outside! If knitting isn’t your thing, they will always accept donations of money or materials. New knitters are always welcome!
Questions? Comments? Did we forget anything? Speak with the leader of the particular group (listed in parenthesis) or Pastor Peter or contact the Church office at 942-4368 or stdavidsonthehill@verizon.net.