Worship Ministries
Acolytes
Acolyting presents a visible and tangible way that the youth serve the parish as well as a way that they participate in stewardship by offering their time and talent. The acolyte program at All Saint’s is philosophically part of our youth ministry. Acolytes rotate among four acolyte roles at the 10:30 a.m. Sunday service. Acolytes have an opportunity to serve as Crucifer/Altar Server, Gospel Server, Gospel Torch, and Epistle Torch. With this approach, we seek to instill in the youth that all roles at the altar are important and that serving your parish when it needs you represents true service.
We do just-in-time on-the-job training. New acolytes review and rehearse their roles 20-30 minutes before their Sunday morning service, focusing on what to do and how to serve with the appropriate decorum and posture.
Acolyte Sponsors support the acolyte program (1) by ensuring teams are ready before services and (2) by assisting with acolyte training. Additionally sponsors facilitate rapport and communication with other groups who serve at the altar.Sponsors get on-the-job training also so no previous acolyting experience is necessary. Fundraisers are held periodically to subsidize some costs of the trip to the National Acolyte Festival. We take advantage of our location by offering the church parking lot for the UT home football games asking for freewill donations.
We welcome all parishioners to become involved with the Acolyte ministry, especially youth of acolyting age (9+ years old) and their parents. We are ready to help you serve in this ministry.
Altar Guild
The All Saints’ Altar Guild continues our ministry of caring for the accoutrements of worship: from vessels to vestments to furnishings. Altar Guild members are trained for the procedures used in preparing for services in the church and chapel. Teams rotate on Sundays to serve for the week.
Greeters
A major part of the Newcomer & Visitor Ministry are the volunteers that make up the "Greeters". These volunteers greet those as they come to the 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. services as well as after each service on Sunday mornings. We are hopeful and intentional about making everyone welcome at All Saints’, and welcome ideas for doing that.
Lay Eucharistic Visitors
Lay Eucharistic Visitation continues to bless our homebound and hospitalized brothers and sisters. Members of this ministry take consecrated bread and wine to shut-ins or others who are unable to be present for Sunday worship. This is a ministry both necessary and extremely rewarding. Our practice has been to call on individual Eucharistic Visitors once every month or six weeks.
Lectors & Chalice Bearers
Lectors and Chalice Bearers are specially trained and licensed members of the congregation whose main purpose is to assist clergy in the liturgy of the church. These members typically serve at the 8:00 a.m., and 10:30 a.m. Sunday morning services. Lectors are responsible for preparing and reading the scripture lessons and leading the reading of the psalms at the various church services when the psalm is not sung. They also assist clergy by bearing chalice (serving the congregation the wine) during the Eucharist at the Sunday services and any other special services at which the Eucharist is celebrated. The Chalice Bearers generally lead the congregation in the Prayers of the People during the Rite I and Rite II services. Depending upon the particular service at which the Lectors and Chalice Bearers participate, they may be functioning as acolytes and crucifers as well. Lectors and Chalice Bearers may also be called upon to assist clergy during weddings and funerals.
Usher Corps
The Usher Corps Ministry at All Saints’ is a group of dedicated men and women serving at the 8:00 and 10:30 a.m. Sunday services as well as special services. The group is broken up into 10 teams, each with a team captain. Four of the teams serve at 8:00 a.m. services and the other six serve at 10:30 a.m. services. The duties of the Ushers include distributing Orders of Services and other literature for services, providing the clergy with the number attending each service, collecting and counting the offertory, controlling the flow of people during communion, and making sure the services run smoothly. We are always in need of new Ushers. It’s a great way to serve All Saints’ and to meet lots of new people!
