Holy Cross Episcopal Church

Acolyte / Crucifer at Holy Cross are an important part of the worship team. You are active part of the worship as a server / helper to the Celebrant, Deacon and Lay Readers. Crucifer leads the procession in to and from the service. Acolytes help prepare the altar for Holy Eucharist, support the Celebrant, and guide for new comers to Holy Cross as what is happening in the service. Training is provided periodically and one on one as necessary. Acolyte / Crucifer guideline manual is available on website for review prior to serving.
If you would like to know more contact Scott Yeakey, 910-352-6500.

Training Manual

Altar Guild is a lay ministry responsible for preparing the altar set up for Holy Cross worship services. Servant members  work in pairs  or singly, according to each member's preference at the 8am or 10:15 am Sunday services  and at other specially scheduled  services.  New members are trained on the procedures we use and work with experienced members  until new members feel comfortable and confident with set up duties.  It is necessary  to come about 20 to 30 minutes prior to the service's start, to remain after the service for clean up duties and to take home the linen that needs washing  before use at another service.  The elements (bread and wine), linens, altar hangings, chalices, bread baskets, wine and water  vessels, candles/oil, and all other  necessary supplies are readily  available in the Sacristy or, for communion bread, in the church kitchen freezer.  The Altar Guild invites  men, women, high school and college students to join in this blessed ministry that joyfully prepares The Lord's Table.

Contact: Marian Hills, 910-794-8734, 

GREETER

Arrive 30 minutes before the beginning of the 8:00 am service (7:30) and 45 minutes before the 10:15 am service (9:30)·    Put on your name tag.  Check with the Vestry Person (VP) of the Day for any special updates, service changes, etc. Hand out service bulletin.Introduce Newcomers and visitors to the "Newcomer Greeter" to get name tag and contact information completed. ( 10:15 am).  Direct young families to Nursery and Sunday school rooms.( 10:15 am). Remain at the front doors until 10 min. after the beginning of the service to help late arrivals. Take the elements (bread and wine) to the Altar during the offering collection at the 10:15 am service.

Contact: Mark Zenobia,  910-686-0026.

Lay Reader/Chalice Bearer

On Sunday scheduled, arrives at church about 20 minutes before service. Vests in an alb with a cincture. Proceeds with celebrant up the aisle. Clearly reads either the first or second Sunday reading along with introduction. Then leads the congregation in the praying of the Psalm. Also assists in the communion by bearing the chalice or the intinction cup during communion. At 8 am service, serves as acolyte.

Contact: Carolina Villa, 910-352-2788, cavilla1@juno.com

Altar Guild

Altar Guild is a lay ministry responsible for preparing the altar set up for Holy Cross worship services. Servant members  work in pairs  or singly, according to each member's preference at the 8am or 10:15 am Sunday services  and at other specially scheduled  services.  New members are trained on the procedures we use and work with experienced members  until new members feel comfortable and confident with set up duties.  It is necessary  to come about 20 to 30 minutes prior to the service's start, to remain after the service for clean up duties and to take home the linen that needs washing  before use at another service.  The elements (bread and wine), linens, altar hangings, chalices, bread baskets, wine and water  vessels, candles/oil, and all other  necessary supplies are readily  available in the Sacristy or, for communion bread, in the church kitchen freezer.  The Altar Guild invites  men, women, high school and college students to join in this blessed ministry that joyfully prepares The Lord's Table.

Contact: Marian Hills, 910-794-8734, mhhills@artichoke.org

Newcomer Greeter

Arrive at church about 30 minutes before the  service. Greet new people, help them make a nametag, give them a Welcome card and pen and a copy of Holy Crossings. Provide help in following the service.  Ask the ushers to help the new people find a seat. Remain in the entrance way for about 10 minutes after the service starts (newcomers sometimes like to arrive late or at the last minute) Greet them after service, invite to coffee hour and introduce them to others in the congregation.  If there are children, invite them to join nursery or Sunday School if they wish to. Look for these people in following weeks, greet them and answer any questions and ensure they have others to talk to.

Contact: Roni Hursthouse, 910-620-4255.

Before the final blessing at the Sunday 10:15 service the Lay Eucharistic Visitor is sent forth by the Celebrant with the Eucharist to visit an individual either at home or in the hospital who is recovering/healing. The individual you visit may or may not be a member of Holy Cross. Training is provided. Lay Eucharistic Visitors are licensed once a year by the diocese to provide this spiritually caring ministry.

Contact: Rev. Chana Tetzlaff,   910-707-3620   

On Sunday scheduled, the Lay reader/Chalice bearer arrives at church about 20 minutes before service. Vests in an alb with a cincture. Proceeds with celebrant up the aisle. Clearly reads either the first or second Sunday reading along with introduction. Then leads the congregation in the praying of the Psalm. Also assists in the communion by bearing the chalice or the intinction cup during communion. At 8 am service, serves as acolyte. Training is provided. Once a year each lay reader/chalice bearer is licensed by the diocese to carry out this spiritually rewarding ministry.

Contact: Carolina Villa, 910-352-2788.

Prayers of the People are read at both the 8:00 AM and 10:15 AM services. (There are times when a visit from our Bishop we may have confirmation or baptisms where the Prayers of the People  will not be read).Readers will know where in the service they will be reading the prayers with the page number and Form of the Prayers of the People being used. The assigned reader is stationed wherever they have chosen to sit with friends and family. In the back of the Church on the small table near the Prayer box is a blue binder. Be familiar ahead of time with this format of how each form of the Prayers of the People will be read to incorporate names of those with specific prayer requests (for healing, Armed Forces, our Holy Cross Mission, those who are deceased and are celebrating birthdays & Anniversaries).

Contact:  Kimberly McIrney, 910-398-8018    

On Sunday when scheduled arrives approximately 20 minutes early for service. Assists with seating if necessary. Facilitates the offertory collection and directs communicants.

Contact: Jim Scott, 910-686-2765  

Provides Holy Cross members with information about upcoming events by displaying this information each Sunday on the TV in the gathering room. Also operates the mixer and sound recording system for the recording of Sunday Sermons and making them available on our web site. Training is provided.

Contact: Carolina Villa, 910-352-2788