Belonging at Christ Episcopal Church
At Christ Episcopal Church, there are many ways to get involved, and you are welcome at everything we have to offer, no matter what - membership is not required. You are invited to participate fully in the life of this community through worship, study, and service. If you want to create a new offering, please let the Clergy or Vestry know!
Acolyte
Any young person between the ages of 10 and 18 is invited to serve as an Acolyte at any Eucharistic service, including funerals and weddings. There are many roles for acolytes within the service, and the group also gets together for training and social time.
Coffee Hour & Hospitality
Join our hospitality team and sign up for Sunday morning coffee hour! Volunteers prepare coffee and other refreshments for this beloved time after the service. Typical refreshments are orange juice, iced tea, lemonade, doughnuts, coffee cake, fruit salad, and cheese & crackers. Contact Robin in the office to sign up.
Becoming a Member
Baptism is the first step of joining the Church. A priest baptizes you with water in the name of the Holy Trinity (Father, Son, Holy Spirit) and you begin your journey in the universal Christian church.
If you’re interested in learning more about Christianity, getting baptized and/or joining the Episcopal Church, you’ll be invited to join an inquirer’s class run by Rev. Leight. Contact her for more information.
If you are already a member of an Episcopal church, you can formally join Christ Episcopal Church by asking your former parish to send a letter of transfer to our church office.
Lectors
All members of the parish, regardless of age, are invited to serve as lectors. Lectors help to proclaim the Scripture, so good reading skills are helpful. Lectors receive their readings the week before, so that there is time to go over it (and check out the pronunciation of any of those obscure names/places). Lectors are scheduled on a monthly basis, and are adjusted according to your availability.
Altar Guild
All members of the parish who are at least 14 years old are invited to be members of the Altar Guild. The faithful members of our altar guild serve “behind the scenes” and ensure that the altar, vestments, vessels, and altar linens are cared for and prepared for liturgical services. Currently, there are four teams that rotate responsibilities from week to week. If you are interested in joining one of our teams, please contact our Altar Guild Director, Sandy Harrington.
Eucharistic Ministry
Lay members of the parish may be licensed by the bishop to serve as Eucharistic Ministers, assisting the priest in the distribution of Communion at any Eucharistic service including funerals and weddings. They can also assist the clergy in taking Communion from the Sunday service to parishioners who are homebound or hospitalized. Members of the parish who are sixteen years of age or older who are interested in this ministry should contact Rev. Leight and take the training course offered by the diocese through The Bishop's Institute at St. Paul's Episcopal Center in Hebron.
Worship Leaders
Worship Leaders are trained to lead worship services such as Morning and Evening Prayer. Members of the parish who are interested in this ministry should contact Reverend Leight and take the appropriate training course offered by the diocese through The Bishop's Institute at St. Paul's Episcopal Center in Hebron.
Communications
All members, regardless of age, are encouraged to write for our newsletter, to put announcements into the bulletin, or to help with items for the webpage and the parish Facebook & Instagram pages. However, a core group of volunteers is responsible for all of our publications, as well as for “getting the word out” in the form of advertising in the local papers, the Dorchester Banner, and Cambridge Spy. Please contact Robin in the office to learn more.
Ushers
All members of the parish, regardless of age, are invited to serve as an usher for our services. Ushers greet people at the door, hand out bulletins, help with the Offertory, and assist during Communion. Christ Episcopal Church takes the health and safety of our parishioners seriously during worship. In addition to being seated at the back of the church during the service to assist with any needs that may arise, volunteers on our security team ensure that exterior doors are locked after the service has begun. Individuals interested in serving as an usher or security volunteer may contact our Parish Administrator Robin Abbott.
Garden Guild
Volunteers tend the flower beds at Christ Episcopal Church. If you are interested in planting, weeding, and watering our beautiful church grounds, please contact our Parish Administrator Robin Abbott.
