Will you consider volunteering?
It’s easy to see that Advent is a beautiful church, a gem of Madison, supports community need and provides spiritual nourishment to many. All of this requires effort and gifts of service. To this end, Advent needs volunteers to keep our services running smoothly. It’s a great way to expand your worship experience and engage with our congregation! We hope you’re interested in joining the other volunteers:
Lectors (Readers): Lector is the title given to those who read the assigned Scriptures for the day. The Ministry of the Lector is to proclaim the Word of God by reading from both the Old and New Testament at church services throughout the year. A Lector may also leads the Prayers of the People. Lectors are scheduled to serve at both Sunday morning services. Lectors are not required to be licensed and anyone with a love of Scripture and a good speaking voice can be a Lector after a short training session.
LEM (Lay Eucharistic Ministers): A Eucharistic Minister is a lay person licensed by the Bishop to administer the consecrated elements (Bread and Wine) of the Holy Eucharist. Eucharistic Ministers may be licensed to administer the consecrated Bread and Wine at any celebration of Holy Communion in the absence of a sufficient number of priests or deacons to assist the Presider. Typically at Advent, a Eucharistic Minister will serve at Sunday 8 a.m. and 10:30 AM service.
Acolyte: Acolytes are youth in Grades 5 through 12 who feel called to play a leadership role in our worship service. They serve as examples for worshipers, leaders of the congregation during the service, and assistants for the clergy and lay ministers. Acolytes may participate in all phases of the rites and ceremonies at Advent. The acolyte ministry gives our youth an opportunity to assume a leadership position in the Parish, learn our traditions, and to actively participate in its services in a very unique and memorable way.
Altar Guild: The Altar Guild is comprised of faithful parishioners who are called to serve God by preparing and tending the sacred spaces in which we worship. The Altar Guild is responsible for preparing for all Eucharistic services, as well as baptisms, confirmations, weddings, funerals and memorial services. The Altar Guild also prepares the Church for the special services that are offered during the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent, Holy Week, Easter, and Pentecost. Each Altar Guild member is part of a team which has responsibility for one week beginning on Saturday.
Flower Guild: Every week, the Flower Guild adorns our altar with floral offerings to God. Guild members are assigned to teams rotating Sundays to arrange flowers for the altar and narthex. The Guild also creates altar arrangements for weddings and funerals. On occasions such as Christmas and Easter, the entire guild comes together to make our church festive. Members include both experienced and novice arrangers, and the guild offers occasional workshops.
Organ Technician: This position is part of a team of parishioners dedicated to operation of the organ for Sunday services. Advent does not have a permanent organist, and these volunteers “cue up” all organ music for the entire Sunday 10:30 AM service. The most excellent A. E. Schlueter organ was built for Advent and installed in 2007. It is a II Manual 15 Rank instrument with complete principal chorus, a flute chorus, a string and companion celeste, a primary and secondary ensemble/solo reed, and adequate pedal with two 16′ registers. Many organists have paid great acclaim to this unique and excellent organ.
Pup Packs Packers: Volunteers pack assorted food items into bags given to Morgan County school children in need of nourishment over the weekend. Volunteers also shop for food items periodically. Packing takes place at the Parish Hall every week. Contact Elizabeth Branch at elizabeth@branchtimberlands.com or (404) 983-4296.