Worship Ministries

Our worship ministries provide many opportunities for your involvement. If you are interested in participating in any of these activities, please contact the church office or speak to any one of the people already involved.

Service Ministries 

  • Acolytes assist at Sunday services. They assist in worship by carrying the cross, lighting candles, flying liturgical kites, and holding the Gospel book. All ages are encouraged to participate. 
  • Altar Guild members assume responsibility for the care and cleaning of the church's linens, vestments and altar appointments, as well as setting up before and cleaning up after services.
  • Bagpiper classes are offered at Christ Church to learn to play the bagpipes and/or drums. They play at our services several times a year.
  • Our adult  Bell Choir rings for Feast Day services of the Church year, such as Christmas and Easter. The Bell Choir rehearses on Thursday evenings. The Children's Bell Choir rehearses on Sunday mornings and rings for selected services during the year. 
  • St. Raphael Choir leads the Sunday 10:15 service and special  celebrations of the parish. Rehearsals are held on Thursday evenings September to May. During the summer the choir rehearses on Sunday mornings before the service.  They often combine with other churches for community events.
  • Eucharistic Ministers distribute Holy Communion during services. Eucharistic Visitors  take the Sacrament of Holy Communion to shut-ins. They are sent  from the altar at the end of the service. 
  • Lectors (or Lay Readers) proclaim the Scripture readings used in the Liturgy of the Word from the official, liturgical book . 
  • Oblation Bearers represent the whole congregation at the Offertory as they bring forward the bread and wine to be offered for the Holy Eucharist. They are usually chosen from the congregation. 
  • Ushers greet worshippers, distribute service leaflets, provide assistance, and help collect the offerings. 
  • Vergers walk before the clergy as they proceed within the Church while carrying a "virge" which is a rod or staff carried as an emblem of authority or office. Vergers assist clergy in overseeing preparations for each service.

Prayer Ministries 

    • The International Order of St. Luke the Physician  is an ecumenical organization dedicated to the Christian healing ministry. Members meet together in local chapters (Christ Church has one) to study Scripture, especially the biblical stories of the healing miracles, as well as other books on Christian healing. Members also engage in healing prayer, often with the laying-on of hands. 
    • A  labyrinth  is a spiritual tool, helping one to focus on prayer. A labyrinth is symbolic of the journey to the center of yourself. It is an aid for learning about the spiritual path.Our labyrinth team has a portable indoor one and is planning a permanent outdoor facility. 
    • Christ Church's Prayer Group meets on Monday evenings to pray for all those on the prayer list and other needs. On occasion they may use a Prayer Chain which  is a telephone set of links of volunteers who are at the ready to pray for urgent prayer requests. A prayer quilt is sometimes prepared to carry a physical representation  of our prayers for a particular person.