Service Ministries & Guilds
Also see Parish Life Pastoral Ministries »
Acolytes
Acolytes carry the crosses, torches and banners in processions, and assist at the altar, adding beauty and meaning to the congregation’s experience of the service and liturgy. At St. Alban’s, we have both youth and adult acolytes.
Acolytes for the 9:15 am service are usually children and youth, 4th–12th grades. Contact: Catherine Master, 301-263-2899 or catherinemaster@yahoo.com
Acolytes for the 11:15 am service are college-age and older adults. Contact: Neil Wilson, 301-699-8577, ecw1960@aol.com
Altar Guild
The Altar Guild serves the congregation’s worship by preparing the Altar and Sanctuary for all services. The Guild also is responsible for the care and repair of Eucharistic silver, altar and chancel brass, altar linens and hangings. Contacts: Patricia Bray, 703-242-7188; Diana Smith, 202-338-2138
Catechumenal Group
The Catechumenal Group seeks, through discussion and reflection, to deepen the spiritual understanding of baptismal candidates or the parents of children being baptized. Members become knowledgeable about the history and theology of baptism in the Episcopal Church, and share that knowledge with those preparing for baptism. Contact: Noell Sottile, 301-654-7898 or NonieSings@hotmail.com
Fabric Arts
The Fabric Arts Guild takes the lead in noticing all those instances where “a stitch in time saves nine.” Members maintain our various liturgical fabrics, such as chasubles, stoles, frontals, cottas and albs. The Guild recycles fair linens, no longer suitable for use, into such things as corporals, lavabo towels and purificators. The Fabric Arts Guild also carries on the time-honored Church tradition of serving the Lord through needlepoint. Contact: Heather Hunt 703-330-5622
Flower Guild
If you have visited us on a Sunday, you will know that flower arrangement is a fine art at St. Alban’s. The men and women of the Flower Guild participate in decorating the church to enhance the beauty of worship. The Guild makes arrangements for all worship services, weddings, funerals and special parish events. New Guild members are trained and work in teams approximately once a month. Proceeds from Flower Guild activities support outreach and other parish ministries. Contacts: Carl Ackerman, Carltonackerman@aol.com or 202-342-9414 (h); Katie Wilson, 202-244-0490 (h) or kwilson@mymdu.com
Garden Guild
The Garden Guild’s purpose is to enhance the beauty of the landscaping of the church by offering suggestions for improvement and maintenance. The Garden Guild works with St. Alban’s Director of Operations and the National Cathedral’s horticulture staff to see that the grounds are kept colorful and cared for. You are not expected to be a gardening expert. This is a great chance to do work that shows satisfying results in undeniably pleasant surroundings. Contact: Jonnie Sue Hicks, 703-528-1009
Greeters
In welcoming strangers, we welcome Christ. Our greeters are our ambassadors, and their most important function is to offer a warm welcome to all who enter our doors. Greeters offer hospitality to newcomers before and after the service. If you like talking with newcomers and sharing our home here at St. Alban’s with others, then the greeting ministry is for you. Contact: Lacey Gude, 301-229-1599, laceyagude@aol.com
Lay Readers
Lay readers are leaders of our congregational worship. They read the lessons, conduct the prayers, prepare the altar, and serve the chalice. They also lead Sunday services at The Washington Home and Hospice. Lay reading can lead to a deeper understanding of the liturgy and traditions of the Church, a greater knowledge of the scriptures, and a deeper appreciation of the mystery of the Eucharist. Training begins in October each year. Contact: The Reverend Scott Benhase, 202-363-8286 x201 or scottb@st-albans-parish.org
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Office Volunteers
St. Alban’s has a terrific group of parishioners who volunteer in the Parish Office. They help with answering the telephone, printing bulletins, filing, organizing events, and serving our many ministries. Volunteers are always needed and welcome. Contact: Ron Hicks, 202-363-8286 x206 or ronhnospam@st-albans-parish.org
St. Joseph’s Guild
The St. Joseph’s Guild is composed of members who responded to the call for able hands to assume responsibility for some of the light maintenance and repair work needed at the parish and to organize and direct periodic parish cleanup days. If you are handy with a screwdriver, hammer, and/or a paint brush, you too can help keep our parish home in good working order. Contact: Don Durkee, 202-537-0166 or donalddurkee@sprintmail.com
Ushers
Ushers are key to making St. Alban’s a friendly and reverent place to worship God. They prepare the church for services, greet and seat worshipers, collect the offering and straighten up the sanctuary after services. Youth, 4th grade and older usher at the 9:15 service with adult team leaders. If you are interested in serving in this ministry of hospitality, contact the following Sunday Service leaders:
- 8 am: Marty Kerns, 202-362-4992 (h), 202-898-5773 (w) or quatre@starpower.net
- 9:15 am: Hollis McLoughlin, 202-966-6212 (h), 703-903-3100 (w) or hm20016@aol.com
- 11:15 am: Jake Kelsey, 301-913-0156 (h) or Kelsey@fda.hhs.gov
Vergers
Historically, a verger has its roots in the earliest days of the Church’s history, dating back to the 16th Century. Vergers relieve the Clergy of the burden of logistical details so that Clergy may concentrate on their priestly duties to preach the Word and administer the sacraments. The best description of a verger’s role is that of a Parson’s Butler. “As the butler runs the house of his master, so the verger runs the House of God.” —Vergers Guild of the Episcopal Church
At St. Alban’s, vergers principally serve as backstage production assistants, attending to the “house” requirements of our four Sunday services that include educational forums, children’s and youth programs and Bible Study all taking place each Sunday in church, Satterlee Hall, or the Rectory. Vergers also assist with weddings and funerals. If you would like to help behind the scenes, contact Ron Hicks, 202-363-8286 x206 or ronhnospam@st-albans-parish.org.
The Washington Home and Hospice
St. Alban’s Parish has enjoyed an association of more than 100 years with The Washington Home and Hospice, a long-term care and hospice facility located at Upton and 37th streets NW, Washington, DC 20016. The core of our ministry is worship at the chapel there every Sunday afternoon at 4 pm. Eucharist services alternate with Evening Prayer. Lay Chaplains and Lay Readers help to lead worship, and Eucharistic Visitors take communion to the room-bound on Eucharist Sundays. All assist the residents in moving to and from the chapel. Volunteer musicians play at the services and are much appreciated by the residents. Everyone in the Parish is invited to attend these services and to assist with this ministry. Contact: Liz Leland, 703-250-5153 (h) or rleland416@aol.com