Parish Ministries
WORSHIP MINISTRIES
Altar Guild
A service ministry that prepares the church for all services, including Altar
paraments, candles and Holy Communion setup and cares for vestments and other
altar appointments.
Linen Guild
A service ministry that wash and iron the small linens that are used for the
Holy Eucharist.
Flower Guild
Teams that arrange flowers for worship services and for special receptions.
Acolytes
Youths (grades 6-12) assist the priest at the Altar during the worship service
and carry the cross and torches in procession.
Lay Eucharistic Ministers (LEM)
Recommended by the Rector and licensed by the Bishop, they serve at the Altar
administering the chalice and assist the Celebrant as needed.
Lay Eucharistic Visitors (LEV)
Recommended by the Rector and licensed by the Bishop, they take the Reserved
Sacrament, prepared at the Holy Eucharist, to those homebound or in hospitals
and rehabilitation centers.
Lay Readers
Recommended by the Rector and licensed by the Bishop, they read the lessons, the
psalm, the prayers of the people, during the service, and conduct
non-Eucharistic services.
Oblationers
At the Offertory, they offer the elements of bread and wine for the Communion
Service.
Ushers
A service ministry to greet and seat worshippers at all services and special
occasions, handing out bulletins. They collect and present the offerings of the
people and direct the people for communion. After the service ends, they
straighten prayer books and hymnals and pickup anything left in the pews.
MUSIC
Parish Choir
Sing on Sunday mornings, Christmas, Holy Week, Easter, and other special
occasions; available to rehearse each Thursday at 7:30 P.M. Open to all
parishioners.
Hand-bell Choir
Children and adults perform special music at Christmas and Easter. You do not
have to be able to read music.
Church Greeters
Welcome all who enter. They answer questions and ask visitors and newcomers to
sign the book if a first visit. They help the ushers, when needed, to hand out
bulletins.
Seamstress
They offer sewing skills to repair linens and/or make new ones as needed. They
also offer skills in making banners and other paraments for special seasons and
events.
Wedding Coordinator
Works with the priest and couples to coordinate the wedding event in the church
and assist at the rehearsal.
EVANGELIST TO THE WORLD
Church Growth and Nurturing
This ministry welcomes newcomers and visitors to Good Samaritan Church and acts
as a liaison with newcomers and visitors to make them feel a part of Good
Samaritan. It was formulated as “Taking the Good News of Christ to all people,
especially those within our own neighborhoods.”
Welcome Table
Members sit with visitors at fellowship and introduce them to other church
members. They also assist by furnishing more church information.
Advertising & Communication Team
This team creates and develops the advertising for all church events and
important functions.
Dominican Development Group
Building churches and schools. Developing micro-businesses. Sending children to
supper camp for $50 a week. Providing school scholarships for $250, for a full
year. Providing basic medical care to those in need. The DDG, doing God’s work,
showing we care.
Nursery, for infant and toddlers to
receive loving care in a Christian environment, is open during the 10:00 a.m.
service.
Children, pre-school through elementary school, go to Children’s Chapel during the
10:00 a.m. service, joining the “big church” for communion. Children’s Chapel
includes singing, stories, drama, arts, crafts and games. Children have monthly
fellowship events, a week-long Vacation Bible Camp, and many opportunities to
present God’s word in drama, song, and sacred dance, such as our Christmas Eve
Nativity Pageant, Palm Sunday drama, and other special events and services.
Youth Group, for middle and high-school students, meets Sunday evenings to
gather for fun, food and friendship in a faith environment and reach out to help
others in our church community and beyond. The Youth Group is very active in the
life of the church, coordinating special services such as the Blessing of the
Animals and Maundy Thursday Agape Feast. The Youth Group takes a mission trip
each summer and participates in Diocesan sponsored activities, such as New
Beginnings, Happenings, and Summer Camps.
The Middle School Group meets on Monday evenings.
The High School Group meets on alternate Wednesday Evenings.
ADULT PROGRAMS
Adult Christian Education is provided between 9:15 AM and
10:00 AM in the Memorial Room of the Parish House on Sundays.
Confirmation / Inquirer’s Classes
A program for those who are new to the Episcopal Church or just want to learn
more about the practices, doctrines, and worship of the Episcopal Church.
Classes are usually held during the first quarter of the year. All are invited.
The classes are mandatory for those wishing to join the Episcopal Church through
Confirmation or Reception.
WOMEN’S GROUPS
Episcopal Church Women (ECW)
The purpose of the ECW is to assist the women of the church to carry on Christ’s
work of mission and ministry in the community, nation, and the world; and to
take their place in the life, governance, and worship of the Church. Some of
their missions are: Christian Social Concerns, (CPC) Church Periodical Club,
Church Women United’s Least Coin, Miles of Pennies, and (UTO) United Thank
Offering. All women are members and are encouraged to participate.
St. Elizabeth’s Guild
The Guild meets once a month for fellowship at various restaurants in the area.
All ladies of the parish are welcome to join.
Daughters of the King
(DOK)
A lay order that has a “rule of a life of service and prayer” for the spread of
Jesus Christ’s kingdom here on earth. It is a lifetime commitment open to all
women of the Episcopal Church.
MEN’S GROUPS
Men’s Fellowship
The purpose of this ministry is to have Christian fellowship to strengthen and
support their commitment to Jesus Christ and the Church.
Men’s Spiritual Class is a Bible Study group meeting in the Memorial Room of the
Parish House to study and deepen their faith. All men are welcome.
Helping Hands Ministry
performs small jobs in the home for those unable to do so themselves.
5th Sunday Breakfast Team
provides a full breakfast on the 5th Sunday of a month, after the combined
church service at 9:30 AM.
Toys for Tots ministry provides toys, at Christmas time, to children of needy
families. This ministry works through the Marine Corps League for distribution.
SPIRITUAL RENEWAL
Bible Study
Friday Bible Class is open to all parishioners. It meets each Friday at 10:30 AM
in the Memorial Room
Contemplative Prayer
This group meets weekly on Thursday at 6:00 PM, to pray various contemplative
methods of practicing the Divine Presence from within. They use the Labyrinth,
music and meditation to strengthen their spiritual journey.
Cursillo
Cursillo is a weekend retreat for spiritual renewal for leaders in the church.
It endeavors to instill a response to God’s invitation to grace. It gives fervor
to men and women so they can live the gospel and change the world for Christ.
The weekend is held at the Diocesan Camp, Dayspring.
Ultreya
This is a monthly gathering, following Cursillo, for small group meetings,
witness and fellowship. It is held either at Good Samaritan or other churches in
the Northern Diocese.
Spiritual Classes and/or Retreats
These classes, for men and women, held throughout the year, are taught both by
parishioners and the Rector.
MINISTRY & MISSION
PASTORAL CARE
Church Prayer Ministry meets once a week to add names from the prayer requests
to the various prayer ministries within the parish. As names are removed from
the lists, the “Prayer of Release” is offered.
Parish Nurse is one who facilitates the holistic health of the congregation and
thus reclaims the healing ministry of the church. The nurse focuses on the
spiritual, emotional, and physical dimensions of persons as they strive to
achieve wellness and to manage their illness. The parish nurse functions as an
educator, a counselor, a referral agent, and an advocate.
Hospital Visitation ministry visits the hospital room and brings comfort to
those in the surroundings of a hospital. The friendly visit and prayers offered
help the patient and help the church to know the needs of the patient.
Bright Moments Ministry uses cards and phone calls to keep parishioners, that
are sick and unable to get to church, connected with their church.
Bereavement Food Team provides meals to the families and caters after funeral
reception, if needed, for those who have lost a loved one.
Healing Your Grief is an eight week program designed to help those with the
grief of the death of a loved one. The pain of loss can be healed through
sharing and special exercises.
Outreach Ministry follows the example of our patron, the Good Samaritan. It
works to coordinate different ministries within the church in order to achieve a
common objective of touching the lives of people in need. Through this ministry,
we support RCS, Bibles for Prisoners, The Haven,
Mission in Dominican Republic, Episcopal Relief & Development, Toys for Tots,
FAST Ministry for Justice, Homeless Emergency Project, Women On The Way and many
other ongoing outreach ministries.
Clothes To Kids provides free new and gently used clothing for needy school age
children. We hold annual drives in the summer and at Christmastime to support
them. Both our youth and adults volunteer monthly to help with sorting and
restocking.
Habitat for Humanity
Our Deanery is participating in the building of new homes under the auspices of
Habitat for Humanity. Volunteers are needed for all phases of construction and
the donation of funds is always welcome
MORE LAY MINISTRIES
Calligrapher uses talent in creating name tags, certificates and other needed
artwork.
Church Library ministry updates and catalogs new books and makes its resources
available. Open Sundays and during weekly office hours.
Church Photographer is present at the various services of worship and fellowship
to take pictures of members and guests for the Church bulletin board and Scrap
Book.
Food Bank provides parishioner donated non-perishable foods to be distributed to
the needy by RCS (Religious Christian Services).
Gift & Book Shop provides access to religious cards, crosses, jewelry, prayer
books, Bibles, and other spiritual books.
Good Samaritan Guild member enjoy making crafts to sell at their annual bazaar.
The proceeds go to programs supported by Outreach.
Newsletter Ministry provides a monthly church publication called TUPPENCE. The
Mailing Team
prepares the newsletter for monthly mailing and transporting to the Post Office.
Office Volunteers serve in the Church Office on a regular basis answering phones
and performing other tasks as needed.
Registrar keeps church records of Baptisms, Confirmations, Burials and
Transfers.
Samaritan Suppers mission is to draw Good Samaritans together for supper,
fellowship and spiritual discussion. They meet in each others homes, in small
groups of 6—8, on the 4th Sunday of most months.
Sunday Fellowship Food Teams provide a continental breakfast after the 10:00
A.M. Sunday service and a cleanup team for 5th Sunday breakfast.
Habitat for Humanity. Our Deanery is participating in the building of new homes
under the auspices of this organization. Volunteers are needed for all phases of
construction and the donation of funds is always welcome
Thrift Shop ministry has items for sale that have been donated to the Church.
Items are given to individuals and agencies as needed. Monies raised maintain
the shop and are given to the Church as need arises.
Transportation Ministry
Volunteers drive other members of our church family to church services and
activities. This ministry also provides taxi service for scheduled worship
service by special arrangement with Church Office.
CHURCH ON HOLY GROUND
Church Security
The purpose of this ministry is to secure all church property after the Sunday
services and Fellowship Hour.
Grounds Maintenance Team
Volunteers are assigned an area of garden or landscaping to maintain by
watering, weeding, and nurturing.
STEWARDS OF GOD
Endowment Investment Team
The purpose of this ministry is to review investments and make suggestions for
investments to the Vestry.
Offering Tabulators
The purpose of this ministry is to tabulate the Sunday offering according to the
purpose for which it was given, such as: pledges, plate offering, special
offering for flowers, priest’s discretionary fund, etc., and to make and record
deposits in the bank.
Stewardship Team
The purpose of this ministry is to present a program of teaching good
stewardship to the congregation so their time, talents, and treasures will be
considered in their giving to God and His church. The Biblical tithe is the
standard of giving for which we strive.
Vestry
A group of twelve church members, three of which are elected for a three-year
term each year by the Congregation at the Annual Meeting. The purpose of the
Vestry, which meets monthly, is to manage the temporal affairs of the church. To
be eligible, one must be a member of Good Samaritan for one year and be a
communicant in good standing.