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Worship Ministries
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Altar Guild
The Altar Guild assists the priest and other worship leaders in ensuring that worship services run smoothly. We care for all the accoutrements and other items used in worship, from the sacred vessels and candlesticks, to the linens and hangings which change seasonally or to accommodate such events as weddings and baptisms. We prepare everything for celebrations of the eucharist, and we decorate the church for special occasions, such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, and Easter. We work to make our church a place of meditation, peace, and joy for all. The Altar Guild welcomes new members.
Bread Bakers
Bread and wine are the "elements" we entrust to God each week as we celebrate the Eucharist, knowing that they will be returned to us as the very presence of Christ, and our strength for the journey. A loaf of bread is the symbol not only of our daily work, but also of our unity. ("We who are many are one body, for we all share in the one bread.") For this reason, there is unmistakeably rich symbolism in consecrating a single loaf which is actually the "work" of a member of the parish. Bread-baking is a new liturgical ministry at Christ Church, and we welcome new bakers. Please contact the Church Office.
Hospitality
Christ Church values the opportunity to spend time to with each other after the Sunday services. To facilitate this interaction, volunteers provide coffee, tea, and occasionally, cookies. Volunteers serve once per month, at the 10.30 service.
This is a great way to meet people!
Servers
The servers of Christ Church are young people and adults who assist at the altar, and generally enrich the liturgy by bearing such symbols as the cross, and torches, and carrying the scriptures in procession. Training is provided.
Serving is a wonderful opportunity to enhance the worship of the church, and to learn firsthand about the liturgy.
Communion Ministers
Communion Ministers assist in the distribution of the Sacrament, by administering either the Chalice, or the Paten. Anyone interested in participating in this ministry should speak to one of the clergy.
Lectors
To read Scripture well is a gift to the worshipping community. This includes reading with clarity and expression, and having a personal commitment to the value of reading God's word aloud. Readers have an essential role in the liturgy, and must be dependable. At Christ Church, we assign readers at the 10.30 service, and at Evensong. Instruction is provided. Please contact the Church Office for further details. (top)
Sidespeople
Christ Church has approximately 50 regular volunteers who serve as sidespeople. We welcome new members.
Sidespeople perform many functions, some visible, many unseen. Their primary roles are to welcome everyone who joins us for worship, to answer the questions of newcomers and others, to assist in receiving the offering, and to ensure that the church is tidy. A variety of impromptu tasks are undertaken by the sidespeople, in order to ensure that services run smoothly, and members of the community are comfortable.
This is an especially rewarding ministry for people who are relative newcomers to Christ Church. Please contact the Church Office.
Intercessors
Most Sundays, the "Prayers of the People" are led by a member of the congregation. The Intercessor's job is to liberate the longings of the people from their hearts, and to give them expression. We especially welcome those with a gift for spare, evocative and poetic language. Training in the actual mechanics of leading the prayers is provided. Please contact the Rector for more information.
Choir
The primary function of the Choir is to lead the music at the 10.30 service, as well as singing Evensong approximately once a month. In addition, the choir has performed a number of concerts, recorded four CDs, and toured the UK and Ireland as the choir-in-residence at various cathedrals. A fourth tour is planned for the summer of 2011, to Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral, and Chichester. These tours have given the choir a great insight into Anglican liturgy and the deep traditions with which the Church is blessed.
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The Choir rehearses on Thursday evenings, and before each service. New members with singing experience and an ability to sight- read are always welcome. Please contact the Director of Music.
Youth Choir
The Christ Church Youth Choir helps lead the worship at the 10.30 service three times a month. They practise on a "workshop" basis, generally on a Saturday morning. They also rehearse on the Sundays before they sing.
New choristers are welcome at any time of the year. The only requirements are that he or she can read, and breathe: we take care of the rest! Please contact the Director of Music.
Bell Ringers
Bell ringing celebrates the joy of weddings and victories, intones the sadness of deaths and funerals, and summons people to prayer.
We are happy to train new members of the Guild, and to welcome visitors and change ringers from elsewhere. Ringers are normally required to attend weekly Friday evening practice and ring for one Sunday service.
Please check the Events Calendar or contact the Tower Captain to confirm the scheduled practice times.
Christ Church is one of only six Anglican churches in Canada with a set of English change bells.
The casual listener immediately recognises that some bells play hymns or other recognizable melodies. Those bells are called Carillons or Chimes. They differ from the bells of Christ Church, in that they do not swing, and the striking of their clappers is controlled by one person, the Carillonneur or Chimer.
Change ringers, on the other hand, stand in a circle, with each ringer responsible for one bell. The bells ring no recognizable tune, but they are rung in sequences as disciplined and orderly as the stones and timbers of the bell tower itself.
For more information on the bells of Christ Church, please click here.
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