The mini Ministry Fair on Pentecost was well received, and a number of people expressed interest in becoming involved. Those who signed up will be contacted in the coming months as things get organized for the Fall schedule. Please bear with us over the summer. We look forward to getting in touch with you.

Over the next 2-3 months we will putting together a booklet outlining all lay ministries at St. Paul’s. It will include a brief description of each ministry, a job description for volunteers, and the person(s) to contact to get involved.

We hope that, by putting everything together in one place, it will give a better picture of the commitment of the people of St. Paul’s to the ministries we are called to, as well as to notify folks in St. Paul’s and the wider community about potential services they may need.

I ask all leaders of the various ministries to be thinking about writing a brief statement with the above details for the booklet. You will be contacted in the coming weeks for your input.

Three New Ventures in Lay Ministry Encouraged

The Vestry has authorized three proposed lay ministries that were presented by the Ministry Discernment Team. We hope that you’ve already heard of two of them. They are the Home Repair, Home Visitors and Healing ministries. Each involves Pastoral care, and they have been inspired by concern for the well-being of our parishioners.

This is how they came to be. One or more parishioners had an idea. They formulated the idea on paper. They contacted the Ministry Discernment Team, which meets each month. They presented their proposals for ministry to Ministry Discernment. The Ministry Discernment Team discussed it with them, probed and prayed, offered suggestions for practical implementation and decided whether the idea was needed and feasible – whether they thought it was God’s call to the parish at this time. They voted on whether to bless it or not. Once they decided to bless these three proposals, they referred them to the Vestry, which followed a similar process. All three were authorized. During the upcoming months each one may well come into operation.

Home Repair is already up and ready to go. Its purpose is to help parishioners whose homes need repair work, but who are physically or fiscally unable to do the work themselves. Contact Ted Seymour for information. [ see Lay Ministry news March 05 ]

Home Visitors will be receiving the required training during the next months. They will visit homebound parishioners – simply to offer companionship - a friendly visit and a listening ear. If you are interested in learning more – to give or to receive a visit – contact Marci O’Connor or Laurie DeRuosi. [ see Lay Ministry news April 05 ]

The Healing Ministry is also still taking shape. This proposed ministry will include the promotion of healing services, the formation of a group specifically devoted to prayers for healing, visiting people to pray for healing, and possibly more. If you’re interested in participating in this ministry, contact James Jacob. [ see Healing Ministry ]

These three ministries have been channeled to the Pastoral Care Team for support and coordination. The Ministry Discernment Team will also offer its services in reviewing their progress.