Fellowship, Ministry, and Service Groups
Acolytes assist the parish clergy in the liturgical services of the Church. Anyone aged seven through adult is eligible to serve, with unconfirmed younger children serving as torch bearers and boat bearers, and youth who have been instructed for confirmation and adults serving as thurifers, crucifers, and altar servers. Those interested in receiving or updating their acolyte training should contact Richard Winterrowd, Acolyte Master, through the parish office (765-7609).
Grace Church’s St. Martha’s Altar Guild is a working guild in which each member dedicates herself and her work to the service of the Church, caring for the altar and its appointments. Members are responsible for the care of vestments, linens, metal ware, and other appointments necessary for “worship in the beauty of holiness.” Membership in the Altar Guild is by invitation of the Rector; however, if you are interested in serving on the Altar Guild, it would be helpful for you to contact Sharla Lambring, Altar Guild Directress, through the parish office (765-7609), so that an official “invitation” can be extended by Father Armstrong.
Chalice Bearers are liturgical ministers from the local congregation who have been licensed by the Bishop of Oklahoma to assist the clergy in the administration of Holy Communion at the parish altar. The number of Chalice Bearers eligible or licensing for a parish depends upon the congregational size. For further information contact Father Armstrong (765-7609).
Choir – Adult Vocal Choir: Top
The Adult Vocal Choir provides vocal music which enriches and beautifies the worship at Grace Church on Sundays and selected holy days. With the exception of their summer vacation, the choir rehearses each Wednesday evening and sings an offertory anthem on most Sunday morning. Anyone high school age or older is eligible for choir membership, the only requirements being a commitment to attend rehearsals (September thru May) and a desire to sing. For additional information contact Linda Cowley, Vocal Choir Director, through the parish office (765-7609).
The Youth Choir, affiliated with the Royal School of Church Music, provides vocal music for selected Sundays and holy days. With the exception of their summer vacation, the choir rehearses each Wednesday afternoon. A commitment to attend rehearsals and a desire to sing are the only requirements for membership. For additional information contact Jackie Boyd, Youth Choir Director, through the parish office (765-7609).
The Richard Gay Memorial Handbells are an in important part of the music at Grace Church, and have significantly enriched the musical support of our worship services.
The Handbell Choir plays five octave bells, providing preludes and accompanying anthems several times a year. Any 7th grader through adult who loves music and will regularly attend weekly rehearsals (September thru May) is invited to join this choir. For more information contact Marsha Moore, Handbell Choir Director, through the parish office (765-7609).
The Sunday Church School program at Grace Church offers classes for three-year-old children through adults. Classes meet on Sunday mornings from 9:15 a.m. to 10:05 a.m. A Vacation Church School (VCS) is held each summer. For further information contact Sharla Lambring, Director of Christian Education¸ through the parish office (765-7609).
Cursillo (a Spanish word meaning “short course”) is an international renewal movement in the Episcopal Church. Its purpose is to bring renewed commitment to both lay people and clergy. The Cursillo experience begins with a three-day weekend at St. Crispin’s (near Seminole), where (as one of Grace Church’s cursillistas has said) the time is spent “singing really great songs, praying, studying, acting, and enjoying [for many] the deepest religious experience of their lives.” Cursillistas are provided support in their local parishes through Cursillo Reunion Groups and Ultreyas. For more information contact Father Armstrong (765-7609).
The Esther Chapter of the Daughters of the King at Grace Church was established in 1993, with the three-fold ministry of prayer, service, and evangelism, and dedicated to spreading Christ’s kingdom and strengthening of the spiritual life of our parish. The members follow a Rule of Life of daily prayer and service. The DOK meets on the second Thursday morning of each month (September thru May). For information contact Maxine Hunt or Betty Whetstone through the parish office (765-7609).
Education for Ministry (EFM): Top
Education for Ministry (EFM) is an extension course from the School of Theology of the University of the South. It is consecrated, in-depth, biblically-based course in ministry for lay people, serving also as a basic requirement for persons seeking ordination as vocational deacons. Under the leadership of a trained mentor, weekly two to three hour seminars are conducted to facilitate theological discussion and thought. Each EFM group is limited to a maximum of ten students and one mentor. For more information call Fr. Ken Armstrong (765-7609).
The Episcopal Church Women’s group (ECW) has the purpose of uniting the women of Grace Church in programs of worship, study, service, outreach, and fellowship. The ECW meets at 9:30 a.m. on the first Thursday morning of each month (September thru May). In addition to the fellowship and hospitality events hosted by the ECW itself, the ECW also provides assistance for fellowship and hospitality events sponsored by the Vestry. For further information contact Joel Smethers, ECW President¸ through the parish office (765-7609).
Episcopal Young Churchpeople (EYC): Top
The EYC offers a program of Christian youth activities each year during the school year for Junior High and Senior High students. The program focuses on Christian fellowship and action with wholesome activities (from topical discussions to social events). The EYC meets weekly on Sunday evenings. A discussion topic would typically explore how/whether the topic is relevant in the lives of Christian youth. Activities range from meals and games to trips out of town for youth conferences and “fun” days. Interested youth may contact the parish office (765-7609).
Greeters, assisted by the Ushers, provide a ministry of welcome and orientation for newcomers and visitors to Grace Church. After requesting the newcomers to sign the narthex register, Greeters accompany newcomers and visitors to the Christian Education Center for coffee and fellowship, and introduce them to other parishioners. Greeters also provide direction for newcomers and visitors to the restrooms, nursery, and church school classes as may be appropriate. Any man or woman who wishes to serve as a Greeter should contact the Parish Office (765-7609).
Intercessors at Grace Church are, except in unusual circumstances, persons who are already licensed by the Bishop as Chalice Bearers, and are invited by the Rector to service as regularly scheduled leaders of the Prayers of the People during the liturgical services of the parish. For further information contact Father Armstrong (765-7609).
Lay Eucharistic Visitors (LEVs) are lay persons in the parish who have been commissioned to take the Sacrament of Holy Communion to those parishioners who are unable, or good cause, to attend Sunday mass. Lay Eucharistic Visitors are chosen from within the parish, are approved by the Vestry, have attended a diocesan training session, and are licensed by the Bishop for a period of three years. Functioning under the direction of the Rector, the LEV is “sent forth” at the time of the “Communion of the Faithful” in the Holy Eucharist to share both Word and Sacrament within a prescribed liturgical framework. Those interested in the possibility of serving as one of Grace Church’s LEVs should contact Father Armstrong (765-7609).
Lay Readers are licensed for a congregation by the Bishop of Oklahoma for duties which include reading appropriate sections of the liturgy at celebrations of the Holy Eucharist and officiating at other offices from the Book of Common Prayer (e.g. Morning Prayer or Evening Prayer) in the absence of the clergy. The number of licensed lay Readers for a local parish depends upon the size of the congregation. For further information contact Father Armstrong (765-7609).
Lectors at Grace Church are, except in unusual circumstances, persons who are already licensed by the Bishop as Chalice Bearers, and are invited by the Rector to serve as regularly scheduled public readers of the assigned lessons from the Old and New Testaments and to lead the psalms at the liturgical services of the parish. For further information contact Father Armstrong (765-7609).
Ushers begin their service to all who worship at Grace Church by assisting the Greeters in providing a ministry of welcome and orientation to newcomers and visitors to Grace Church. They serve as scheduled at both Sunday services and on other designated holy days. They provide members and visitors with service bulletins, receive the offerings and present them at the altar, and identify and provide direction for the oblationers who will present the bread and wine for sacramental use. Any man or woman who wishes to serve as an usher should contact the parish office (765-7609).
The Vestry of Grace Church consists of nine members elected by the parish membership at the Annual Parish Congregational Meeting, in addition to a Senior Warden, a Junior Warden, and the parish clergy. The parish chancellor, parish treasurer, and youth representative serve as ex-officio members, along with an ECW representative and an Altar Guild representative. These ex-officio members and any auxiliary vestry members do not vote at vestry meetings. Any member of the parish is welcome to attend Vestry meetings, with the privilege of voice (but not vote) always accorded on any issue being considered by the Vestry. For a list of the membership of the current Vestry see the Parish Hall bulletin board or the back of each Sunday Bulletin.
Vestry Standing Committees: Return to top
The Vestry has established Budget & Finance, Christian Education & Youth Ministry, Evangelism & Church Growth, Vision 2020, Implementation & Review, Outreach & Community Service, Parish Fellowship, Pastoral Care, Stewardship Canvass (and Worship) as standing committees. Usually chaired by a member of the Vestry, these committees are staffed by other members of the congregation. Those interested in serving on any of these committees may indicate their interest on the “Time & Talent” section of their Stewardship Canvass card, or by calling the appropriate committee chair.
Budget & Finance Committee Back up
Meets quarterly to monitor parish operating receipts and budget disbursements, providing appropriate recommendations for Vestry consideration for any budget adjustments, and develops a proposed budget for Vestry adoption prior to each year’s Annual Congregational Meeting.
Christian Education & Youth Ministry Committee Back up
Meets prior to the beginning of each “semester” of the school year to provide support for the Church School Director and the classroom teachers, and to serve as their liaison with the Vestry.
Evangelism & Church Growth Committee Back up
Meets periodically to plan and provide support for Visitors Sundays and occasional preaching/teaching missions or quiet days, places parish advertising in local media, schedules follow-up home visits for newcomers, and helps to enable full integration of recent confirmands or newly transferred members into parish life.
Implementation & Review Committee Back up
Reviews decisions made by the Vestry to insure that action is taken to implement whatever motion or resolution the Vestry has adopted.
Meets as needed for identifying goals for the parish future physical and spiritual needs and facilitating the plans necessary to meet those goals.
Outreach & Community Service Committee: Back up
Meets periodically to provide oversight for and parish support of and participation in the Friendship Feast, Warm a Child, Child Development Center, Peachtree Landing, The Mission, and Golden Villa, and to coordinate special outreach offerings for congregational support and recommend allocation of funds for budgeted outreach agencies.
Parish Fellowship Committee: Back up
Meets as needed to plan and provide support for the Annual Parish Picnic, Annual Congregational Meeting, Potluck Dinners, and other parish fellowship events.
Pastoral Care Committee: Back up
Meets at least quarterly to provide oversight and support for the particular ministries to homebound, institutionalized, or hospitalized parishioners, lapsed members, and others with special needs.
Stewardship Canvass Committee: Back up
Meets as needed for planning and carrying out the annual Every Member Canvass for the pledging of financial support, time, and talents for the work of the parish for the coming year.
Meets as needed as called by the Rector to review the parish calendar and make suggestions for observance or special occasions arise.
From the 2005 Parish Directory