Liturgical Ministries

Serving God and Our ParishThe liturgy of the worldwide Anglican community is a rich one, based on the Book of Common Prayer. Each Sunday, as we celebrate the Eucharist, trained members of the laity have important roles to perform. 

Acolyte
An acolyte assists in worship by

• lighting candles
• carrying the processional cross
• assisting the priest and Eucharistic minister set up and clear the altar
• handing the offering plates to ushers

On holy days, such as Christmas, Maundy Thursday and Easter, an acolyte may be called upon to hold candles or "torches", swing a censer (Thurible), or carry the incense boat.
Serving as an acolyte:  Both children (ages ten and up) and adults can serve as acolytes.  We provide training with the opportunity to practice with the celebrant and Eucharistic ministers.​

Eucharistic Minister
A lay Eucharistic minister is a lay person licensed by the bishop to administer the consecrated elements of the Eucharist. Lay Eucharistic ministers assist the celebrant by administering the consecrated bread, wine and grape juice at any celebration of the Eucharist.
They may also serve as Eucharistic visitors, sharing the sacrament with members of the congregation who are home-bound because of illness or infirmity. Lay Eucharistic ministers may be licensed for either or both ministries.
Serving as a Eucharistic minister:  We urge prospective candidates to serve first as acolytes, since it is a natural progression. After training, a newly appointed Eucharistic minister co-serves with an experienced one.

Readers
At Trinity, reader is split into two separate roles: lectors and intercessors.
Lectors read the assigned biblical passages every Sunday at the Eucharist. Intercessors lead the congregation in the prayers of the people.
Serving as a reader: Anyone is welcome to serve as either lector or intercessor or to serve in both roles. We provide training on how to read from the lectern and where to find the assigned readings. Experience in speaking in front of people is helpful but not a requirement.

Greeters/Ushers
Members of this ministry represent the Episcopal tradition of hospitality and are the first members of the congregation to welcome worshipers as they enter the Church.
A greeter stands in the narthex and distributes the worship guide.
An usher collects offerings and brings them up to the altar. He or she also brings the bread and wine to the altar, presenting them to the Eucharistic ministers.