Advent ministries
Our parishioners have gifts and abilities of all kinds. Advent could not be the grace-bearing church it is without the many contributions of our members. If you feel you have a calling or talent in any of the areas below, please complete the form at the bottom of this page.
Worship
Acolytes and Licensed Eucharistic Ministers serve at the altar and assist the clergy on Sundays and various special services.
Altar Guild members prepare the Altar and Chancel for regular Sunday services, weddings, baptisms, funerals, or other services during the church year. Members serve in teams for one week during each month.
Flower Guild members serve in teams to adorn the Altar and narthex with arrangements and work in full force to decorate for holidays and special occasions.
Lectors read the Old Testament and New Testament lessons for Sunday morning worship.
Baptism, Funerals and Weddings – please contact the church office by email or phone (706-342-4787). We will schedule time with the priest to discuss your needs.
Memorial Garden – Advent is blessed to have a beautiful Memorial Garden—a sacred and peaceful place for the interment or scattering of a loved one’s ashes. Families may choose to have ashes interred in a designated spot, or they may prefer to scatter the ashes within the garden. The Vestry has set a suggested donation amount of $1,000, which includes the interment and the purchase of a nameplate for our perpetual memorial plaque. For more information, contact the church office. Also see Memorial Garden Policies and Memorial Garden Plan
Pastoral Care
Pastoral Care Committee – The Pastoral Care Committee ensures a ministry of presence, compassion, and support to members of the Church of the Advent during times of need, transition, or celebration. This committee coordinates care efforts at various levels of need, ensuring that individuals and families receive appropriate and timely support. Its mission is to extend Christ’s love through prayer and service. This committee also maintains public and private Prayer Lists. If you or someone you know desires some form of pastoral care, or to be added to any of the Prayer Lists, please contact the church at (706) 342-4787 or email pastoral-care@adventmadisonga.com.
Praying Together – Help us gather our prayers on Sunday mornings and for publishing in the weekly parish newsletter of those with special needs, illness, bereavement.
Community Prayers Register – A prayer kneeler and book to share your petitions for prayer is always in the back of the church.
If you are experiencing a pastoral emergency, please call the church office at 706-342-4787 or contact us. We review each email almost immediately to ensure you get the quickest service.
spiritual formation
“Remedial Episcopalianism” and New Member Classes present an opportunity to ask questions about parish membership and further inclusion in the Episcopal Church.
Adult Sunday School – We gather in the Parish House each Sunday to have a cup of coffee and discuss the readings for that day’s service. Discussion on the historical, spiritual and human behavioral aspects of the lectionary choices for that Sunday are lively and varied. The goal is to explore what these readings mean to each of us and make the scriptures more vibrant in our lives.
Parish Life
The Hospitality Committee’s role is to make all visitors and members feel welcome, loved and connected through managing events, providing refreshments and creating a warm atmosphere.
The Stewardship Committee helps the Parish to look ahead to funding the operation of the parish and helps to plan the budget for the coming year.
The Buildings and Grounds Committee ensures maintenance of our historic properties with equal attention to current use and historic preservation. Seasonal work days and special tasks fill the year.
First Wednesdays – The first Wednesday of each month, from 6-8 PM, all are invited to light refreshments at a member’s house or at the Parish House.
Foyers Groups gather in each other’s home in the fall and winter for a simple meal and fellowship. Each foyer is 8 to 10 participants.
Outreach
Outreach funding is drawn from the general budget and is equal to 10% of our pledged income. Advent donates to many area ministries, community agencies, and international relief through ERD (Episcopal Relief and Development) out of those funds as directed by the Outreach Committee. We also encourage our parishioners to volunteer throughout the community.
These are ministries historically or currently associated with Church of the Advent:
Once known as “Panda Packs,” our Pup Packs provide food for the weekend for Morgan County primary and elementary school families whose children receive federally funded meal assistance. August to May, volunteers shop and pack for distribution on Friday mornings.
Joseph’s Coat Thrift Shop is now an autonomous 501c3 ministry that was once part of the parish’s outreach ministry. Clothes for the whole family, household goods, books and jewelry are sold from community donations. Proceeds support the other helping ministries of Morgan Co.
Matthew 25 is a crisis intervention fund serving economic, food and shelter needs to community members on a temporary basis. Established in 1985 by the Church of the Advent, support for Matthew 25 grew throughout the community, and today it is supported by Advent and 9 other Madison Churches.
Angel Tree at Christmas is our way of providing Christmas gifts to needy residents of a local nursing home.
