Ministries
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who activates all of them in everyone” (1 Cor. 12:4-6).
Grace Church provides a host of opportunities to serve God and each other. Click on a ministry for a fuller description of what it offers. You will also find contacts to talk with about any questions specific ministries. If you have an idea for spearheading a ministry in an area that is not currently being served contact Bob Blackwell at 256.734.6212 or GraceCullman@aol.com.
Ministry Link | Description |
Assist the priest during worship | |
Make joyful noises (OK, music) unto the Lord! | |
Prepare the altar and eucharist before worship | |
Helps new mothers and their families | |
Funds significant healthcare expenses not covered by insurance | |
Teaches our children about loving God and each other | |
Develops Christian leaders and supports a life time of spiritual growth | |
You just thought you knew something about the Bible and Christianity! A four-year course of study. | |
Light cleaning and pickup of the church | |
Women’s fellowship and service organization | |
Middle school and high school youth group | |
Brings the beauty of God’s gifts into our worship | |
Visits folks that cannot get to church | |
Repairs minor problems in a home | |
Offers the wine during communion | |
Helps our visitors feel welcome | |
Lay Readers | Read Sunday’s Scripture lessons |
Daughters of the King | Women’s prayer and service group |
Provide coffee, juice and snacks | |
Prays for those requesting prayer | |
Assist the congregation during worship |
Ministry Descriptions
Smokey Ferguson (734-6787 or smokey@linkfast.net ) Acolytes and crucifers are an integral part of our worship services at Grace Church, assisting the priest during the celebration of The Holy Eucharist and other church services. This ministry is open to all youth and adults of the parish. Acolytes are known as “Torch Bearers.” They carry “torches” during the processional and recessional, light the candles before and after each service. They also go with the priest to the center of the congregation to read the day’s Gospel lesson “among the people” before the sermon and perform other duties as requested by the priest. Crucifers have the primary duty of assisting the priest at the altar during worship. The crucifer also carries the cross into and out of the church during the processional and recessional, holds the Gospel Book for the priest when the day’s lesson is read “among the people.” Training is available for anyone wishing to become part of this important ministry by contacting Smokey Ferguson or our rector, Bob Blackwell. |
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Michell Flack, Choir Director (737-9653 or soprano378@yahoo.com ) The Grace Church Adult Choir is a talented and dedicated group that leads the congregation in musical worship. If you enjoy singing and consider “making a joyful noise” one of your talents then consider joining us. The choir sings on Sunday at the 10:30 service, at Lessons & Carols, funerals, and other special times. Choir practice is at the church on Wednesdays at 7 pm during the school year and Sunday mornings at 9 am during the summer months. No audition is required. |
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Janice Adams (739-2276 or adamsjan@bellsouth.net) The Altar Guild is made up of women who choose the care and maintenance of the altar and its appointments as their ministry. Members of the Altar Guild sign up for two months per year. They set up and clean up for weekly communion services, keep the brass polished and candles burning brightly. Duties are simple and provides an opportunity to work with a great group of dedicated Christian women in a rewarding, yet not all consuming ministry. |
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Holly Bussman (736-6048 or hollyb14@hughes.net) This ministry helps new mothers adjust to motherhood during pregnancy and the first few weeks at home. Activities include giving baby showers, cooking meals for the new family during the first few weeks at home and taking care of special needs that might arise. |
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Katie Clemmons (297-6100 or Katie@mrctransportation.com) Christian Education classes for all ages are offered every Sunday during the school year. Sunday School begins at 9 a.m. with group singing, birthday celebrations and fellowship before class begins. Children in grades K-6 meet upstairs in the Arnold House in bright and inviting classrooms. Children in grades 7-12 meet in the Carriage House, which is “their space.” Additional teachers are always welcome and you can contact Katie for more information. |
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Bill McCartney and Martha Williams (734-8990 or bmccartney@askAristo.com) Cursillo, a Spanish word meaning “a short course”, is a movement found in many denominations world-wide. It helps Christians experience God’s love and grace in new ways while also helping them discover and live out their personal ministry in the world. At Grace, Cursillo is open to all adult Episcopalians, men & women, married or single. Cursillo includes a three-day weekend, which begins on Thursday and concludes on Sunday. The weekend includes talks by laypersons and clergy, group discussion, lots of music, fellowship and incredible fun. Following the weekend, Group Reunions with 3 to 6 Cursillistas are held locally where folks share how Christ is working within their lives, specifically talking about Piety (i.e., spiritual aid), Study and Apostolic Action following a standardized format. To learn more about Cursillo talk with Bill, Martha, or any member of Grace’s Cursillo community. More information can also be found at http://www.alabamacursillo.org/. Monthly gatherings (called Ultreyas) are held in our homes and include singing, group reunions, a lay witness talk and responses to the talk followed by snacks and great fellowship. These gatherings are open to everyone in the parish regardless of whether you have attended a Cursillo weekend. |
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Daughters of the King, St Brigid Chapter Stephi McDonnell, Vice-President (739-4893 or stephimcd@yahoo.com) The Daughters of the King is for lay women who are communicants of The Episcopal Church, or churches in communion with the Episcopal Church, or churches in the Historic Episcopate. Members undertake a Rule of Life, incorporating the Rule of Prayer and Rule of Service. Daughters pledge themselves to a life-long program of prayer, service and evangelism, dedicated to the spread of Christ’s Kingdom and the strengthening of the spiritual life of her parish. More information is available from Roberta, Stephi, or at http://www.dokalabama.org/. |
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Phil Freeman (739-4871 or philpatf@gmail.com) or Bill Strandlund (734-4573 or strandlu@gmail.com) EFM helps people discover how to better respond to the call to Christian service and carry out their ministries. This four-year course, which meets nine months per year, is the equivalent of the first year of seminary. Trained mentors meet weekly with a class of six to twelve people. Participants study the entire sweep of the Christian tradition from Genesis through the present. Commitments are for only one year at a time and when someone completes their second, third, and fourth years is at their discretion. There is a tuition charge for the EFM materials, which are developed and provided through The University of the South (Sewanee). For more information contact Phil or Bill. |
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Kay Meleski (739-4589 or vmeleski@mindspring.com) Elf Duty involves minor picking up and cleaning of the church, parish hall and all other rooms in our main building. Specific instructions for those interested in serving on Elf Duty are available on the ministry board in the parish hall. Members usually sign up for a month at a time. |
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Cherie Ann Smith, President (739-4057 or cahsmith@hotmail.com) Mary Jane Seabury, Vice-President (205-647-3123 or photog605@bellsouth.net) Tammie Williams, Treasurer (734-6780 or tommyweems@bellsouth.net) Betty Phillips, Historian (775-0349 bkp217@roadrunner.com) ECW is an organization of women in the Episcopal Church to help them carry on Christ’s work in the reconciliation of the world and take their place in the life, governance and worship of the Church. Grace Church’s ECW is very active in outreach, offering assistance to community as well as state, diocesan and national organizations. The Annual “Cheeseball Sale” provides most of the funding for their outreach ministries. Two diocesan meetings are held each year, in the fall and spring and every third year representatives from all dioceses gather in a national meeting known as “Triennial.” All ladies of Grace are automatically members and invited to become involved. Grace ECW meets on the second Tuesday of every month, September through May, and is hosted by different ladies each month. Gatherings offer great fellowship and a time to prepare for our many projects throughout the year. |
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Episcopal Youth Community (EYC) Jennifer and Kirk Mancer (739-2986 or jennifer_mancer@uhc.com, kmancer@corrcomm.net) EYC is a youth organization within the Episcopal Church where kids from the 7th thru 12th grades come together to share their faith and join in fun and “hangin' out” together. The group plans events and trips with help and guidance from the sponsors. Parishioners are invited to help by preparing snacks and refreshments for meetings or assisting the sponsors with special events and trips. EYC meets on the first Sunday of each month in the Carriage House. Off site events and trips are announced well in advance. |
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Janice Adams (739-2276 or adamsjan@bellsouth.net) The Flower Guild prepares flower arrangements for the sanctuary and narthex for Sunday services, special occasions throughout the year. Arrangements are prepared on Saturdays with flowers usually given in honor, memory or thanksgiving for a loved one by parishioners. There is a small donation requested for these arrangements which goes into a fund to buy flowers, vases, and other supplies. The Flower Guild welcomes new volunteers with “open petals!” For Celebration Services (e.g. Christmas, Easter) we make an open call for help with the special decorations and arrangements that accompany our great celebrations! |
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Barbara Rasplicka (739-1769 or rasplicb@bellsouth.net) The GAS Ministry consists of a group of people who make sure parishioners don’t feel forgotten when they are not able to attend church regularly. We want them to know they are loved and thought about. We do this through phone calls, visits, taking them communion (LEM required), and finding out if there is anything else we can do for them. |
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Lewis Adams (739-2276 or adamslewis@bellsouth.net) This ministry helps folks build, repair, and other “handyman” tasks that they are unable to do on their own. You name it, we do it: installing storm doors, building steps, mowing yards, building ramps … and more. The only ability required is your “availability” as tasks can be as simple as changing out light bulbs. Materials can be donated or provided by the recipient of the ministry. We always need volunteers and have plenty to do. If you need help or want to volunteer contact Lewis. |
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Lay Eucharistic Ministers (LEM) Rev. Bob Blackwell (734-6212 or gracecullman@aol.com) Lay Eucharistic Ministers assist the priest in serving communion and taking communion to the sick and shut-ins of the parish. LEMS are licensed by the diocese for a three-year period and receive specific instructions from the priest. They are usually assigned to serve at either the first or second service. Let Bob know if you are interested in this wonder-filled ministry. |
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Marion Frey (739-8099 or marion@smcomp.com) The goals of this ministry are to help visitors feel welcome, encourage return visits and provide information that can answer questions about Grace Church and The Episcopal Church. Members of this team provide newcomer packets, deliver bread to visitors, and work with our rector to make contact with lapsed members. |
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Becky Smith (734-7438 or rkstas@netzero.com) Anyone with the desire and ability to read Holy Scriptures during our Sunday morning services can serve as a Lay Reader. Two readers are assigned for each service with one reading lessons from the Old Testament and an Epistle. The other leads the congregations in the Prayers of the People. More information is available on the ministry bulletin board in the parish hall or by contacting Becky. |
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Lori McGrath (775-0372 or macsail1@bellsouth.net) Members of this ministry provide coffee, juice and light snacks between the two Sunday services. The church provides coffee, sugar and creamer. The hosts provide snacks and juice of their choice. This ministry rotates to different hosts monthly. To volunteer simply sign the sheet on the ministry board for any month not already spoken for. |
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Bill McCartney (739-6828 or bmccartney@askAristo.com) The Branches Ministry is a rector-administered fund to help people bridge significant financial hardships. In particular, the focus is on living, travel and out-of-pocket expenses not covered by health insurance. Financial hardships from other causes (e.g. loss of a job) will be considered as funds allow. Contributions can be made at any time to Grace Episcopal Church, memo The Branches Ministry. |
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Roberta Armstrong (734-8169) Stephi McDonnell (739-4893) Cora Pitt (734-6741) Dianne Moyer (734-8304) To start the prayer chain, the requester should call and speak with one of the contacts listed above. Please do not leave messages with another person or on answering machines or rely on email when starting the prayer chain as travel and work schedules may result in the chain not getting started in a timely manner. Long-term prayer requests should be directed to the Daughters of the King. It is only necessary that we be given minimal information about the person to be prayed for. All that is really needed is a first name. If you want to also provide a context, such as, they are undergoing an operation, they are sick, fighting an addiction, or something else, that is OK too. However, more details than that are not needed; God already has them. The Prayer Chain is available to anyone wanting “the chain” to pray for a short-term need. Prayer Chain members normally hold the person up in prayer for three days. Prayer requests should be made by the person needing prayer, a family member, or a close friend. To become a member of the Prayer Chain please call Roberta. |
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Ushers Ushers are an important part of both Sunday services. Prior to the service, ushers greet each arrival, hand out bulletins, and welcome newcomers. During the service the ushers assist late arrivals in finding a seat, provide the priest with a count of how many people are in attendance, take the bread and wine to the altar, collect offerings, and direct the congregation during communion. At the conclusion of the service, remove bulletins and other paper left in the pews, and arrange prayer books and hymnals. Ushering is for anyone! |
