At St. Andrew’s, we believe every member of the body of Christ — the Church — was shaped to serve in ministry. Every member is a minister called to serve the Church; indeed, as St. Paul writes to the Ephesians, to “build up the body of Christ.”

What is ministry? Ministry is using the gifts God has given us to serve him and others with love. We minister in three ways: to the Lord, to other Christians, and to non-believers.

Worship Ministries

Acolytes
Since the year 250 AD, acolytes have served as helpers to their priests. An acolyte assists the priest by performing a number of simple but important tasks before, during and at the close of the worship service. Duties include carrying the processional cross and torches, and assisting in preparing the altar for the Eucharist. Girls and boys in 6th grade and older, as well as adults, may serve as acolytes

Altar Guild
Altar Guild members prepare the altar for communion, care for the sacramental vessels and altar linens and assist in the care of the sanctuary.

Choir
The St. Andrew’s Choir assists in leading congregational worship and offers special anthems to the glory of God each Sunday at the 9:30 a.m. service. Choir practice is held at 7:30 p.m. on Thursdays.

Layreaders
The priests are assisted at all regular Sunday worship services and at other times as appropriate by a corps of trained lay readers. They participate in the worship service as lectors, psalmists and chalicists, and read the Prayers of the People. Lay readers are under the direct supervision of the priests, and are licensed to perform the duties of this ministry by the bishop.

Ushers
Ushers greet parishioners and help maintain an orderly flow to the worship service. They distribute bulletins, collect the offering and direct people to the altar.

Technical Services Ministry
The Technical Services Ministry supports our worship services by operating the sound system and other technical equipment, and recording the sermons.

Stewardship Ministries

Vestry
Vestry, the governing body of St. Andrew’s, meets the third Monday of each month at 7:30 p.m. This group has responsibility for visioning, overseeing the direction of the Parish, and promoting our purpose and mission. Members are elected by the congregation at the annual meeting in January. Any confirmed member of the Parish who is at least 21 years of age is eligible to be elected to the Vestry.

Three sub-groups appointed by the Vestry have the authority and responsibility to make the day-to-day decisions in their respective areas. These groups are:

Finance Team — Meets monthly to oversee the budget, make financial decisions, audit the church’s funds, oversee investments, and plan the budget.

Facilities Team — Provides oversight for building and grounds.

Staff Support Team — Serves in an advocacy role for the staff, helping them set goals and evaluate progress, and provides direction to the Vestry and Rector in setting staff policies and procedures, as well as hiring guidelines.

Membership Ministries

Greeters
Greeters welcome newcomers each Sunday and strive to make their first experience at St. Andrew’s as comfortable and as pleasant as possible. They distribute information packets, invite visitors to fill out a visitor’s information card, and otherwise assist in orienting them to the church and the service. Greeters may also introduce newcomers to the clergy and other members of the Parish.

Fellowship
Fellowship is important at St. Andrew’s, allowing for the feeding of the body as well as the spirit as we share our daily lives together. Activities through the year allow the Parish family to come together for fun and fellowship. Sunday morning fellowship in the Sacred Grounds Gathering Area, Parish dinners and picnics are a few examples. Specific events are announced in the Parish newsletter and Sunday bulletin. In addition, we offer a variety of Small Groups that provide opportunities for fellowship and spiritual growth.

Kitchen Ministry
The Kitchen Ministry organizes and serves parish dinners throughout the year, and operates the Sacred Grounds Coffee Bar on Sunday mornings.

Assimilation Ministries

Adult Small Group Bible Studies
Assimilation Bible Study Groups are designed to help you connect with Christ and others through fellowship, prayer and Bible Study, and mutual support. Small Group Bible Studies take place on Sunday mornings at 9:30 a.m. and 11 a.m., from September to June.

Brotherhood of St. Andrew
The Brotherhood of St. Andrew is a ministry of prayer, study and service for the men of the church. The members of the Brotherhood are committed to daily prayer for the Church and for those men who seek a closer relationship with Christ. Our chapter focuses on Scripture study as it relates to faith and prayer and Christian living, supporting the men of our Parish in being Christian leaders in the home, at work and in Church. The Brotherhood of St. Andrew’s also coordinates the Bookstore.

Daughters of the King
The Order of the Daughters of the King is a ministry of women who commit themselves to a lifelong program of daily prayer for the Church, New Testament study, service to the Church and others, evangelism and the strengthening of the spiritual life of their parishes.

Nursery
A nursery is provided at the 9:30 and 11 a.m. services for young children. Because children at St. Andrew’s are fully involved in the worship life of the parish, parents are asked to pick up their children at The Pease so that they may join the congregation for Holy Communion. Parents are welcome to take advantage of this service, or to keep their children with them during the entire worship service.

Discipleship Ministries

Adult Disciple Groups
Disciple Groups are the soul of the Discipleship phase of our M.A.D.E. in Christ spiritual growth process. They are the place where you will practice and develop the spiritual habits that will help you grow into a mature follower of Jesus Christ . . . the place where you will gather in fellowship with a group of Christian friends who will hold one another accountable to the spiritual goals they’ve developed for their life . . . the place where you will come to know Christ personally, and learn to hear and follow God’s will for your life. The spiritual habits are no more, and no less, than what we committed to in our Baptismal Covenant: “to continue in the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in the prayers.”

• Daily Bible study
• Daily prayer
• Weekly worship
• Weekly fellowship with a group of Christians who will hold us accountable to the spiritual goals we’ve developed for our life.

Children’s Ministries
Children’s Ministries at St. Andrew’s are offered for toddlers through 6th Grade, with memorable stories and activities designed to help children apply timeless Bible truths to their lives. Children join the congregation for Holy Communion at The Peace.

At 9:30 a.m., we offer The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd for children age 3 1/2 through 6th Grade. The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is an approach to the religious formation of children that is rooted in the Bible, the liturgy of the church, and the educational principles of Maria Montessori. Children gather in an “atrium,” a room prepared for them, which contains simple yet beautiful materials that they use to gain a deeper understanding of the Scriptures and liturgy of the Church, and grow in their relationship with Christ. Our Atriums are in Room 112 (Level I, children 3 1/2 through kindergarten); Room 107 (Level II, children in 1st through 3rd grade); and Room 108 (children in 4th through 6th grade). Children gather at 9:15 and meet until approximately 10:30, allowing them to join their parents for Holy Communion. To learn more about The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd, visit the Catechesis web site at www.cgsusa.org.

Youth Ministries
Our Youth Ministries seek to introduce young people in 7th through 12th Grade to the spiritual habits of discipleship — daily Bible reading and prayer, regular attendance at Sunday worship and fellowship with a group of Christian peers. Bible study for youth is offered at 11:30 a.m., and the youth gather for fellowship and service activities as announced.

Equipment for Ministry — Pastoral Care Ministries

The Carpenter’s Touch
The Carpenter’s Touch Christian Counseling Center offers counseling services from a Christian perspective. Fees are assessed on a sliding-scale basis. Individual, couples and group psychotherapy is available. The Carpenter’s Touch from time to time also sponsors seminars and programs open to the entire congregation and the community at large. Parish counselor is Mary Alice Busick, M.S.W., L.S.W., 614-882-2742.

Lay Eucharistic Visitors
Lay Eucharistic Visitors are commissioned by the priests and licensed by the Bishop to take communion directly from the Sunday morning Eucharist to people who are shut-in or ill. This allows these members of our Parish who are unable to join us physically on Sundays to remain “one body in Christ” with us spiritually.

Order of St. Luke
The Order of St. Luke (OSL is an internationally recognized order for healing ministries. OSL members assist in the administration of the sacrament of Holy Unction (the anointing with oil, laying on of hands and prayers for healing and serve as hospital visitors, assisting the clergy with hospital calls, as well as visits to people who are ill at home. OSL also sponsors special healing services.

Prayer Intercessors
Prayer intercessors pray with parishioners during communion at the 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship service for personal cares and concerns, concerns for others or thanksgivings for God’s blessings. They will also offer the sacrament of Holy Unction upon request. Prayer Chain The Prayer Chain offers parishioners an opportunity to confidentially request prayer or offer thanksgivings, which will be passed down the chain by phone to the members. To request prayer, click here.

Stephen Ministry
Stephen Ministers are lay people who have received 50 hours of specialized instruction to offer support for those in crisis or difficulty. They are committed to listening to and providing Christian care for others experiencing many different needs. Confidentiality is the cornerstone of the Stephen Ministry; while caregivers are regularly supervised, no names or circumstance are discussed.

Equipment for Ministry — Outreach Ministries

Kairos and Epiphany Prison Ministries
Kairos (Greek for “God’s time”) is a program for prison residents designed to bring them to know and accept Christ.The program also provides them with resident and outside support communities to enable them to live fully Christian lives. Kairos adapts the Cursillo weekend and method to the prison environment, to bring those inside into the love and community of Christ.

Participants must have attended one of the “street” weekends (that’s what anything outside a prison is called inside the prison) to participate, and promise to be Christian community at monthly gatherings in the prisons for one year. Community is also shared through cookie baking, letter writing and banner and placemat making. A number of members of St. Andrew’s serve on teams for Kairos weekends. Presently, Kairos is in place at Lebanon Correctional Institution, the Ohio Reformatory for Women in Marysville, the Marion Correctional Institution, the Ross Correctional Institution and the Trumbull Correctional Institution. In addition, monthly reunions are held in both the Franklin and Cleveland Pre-Release Centers for Women,

Epiphany is a three-day renewal event for incarcerated juveniles.

Liberia Ministries
A partnership with The Rev. Abby Flemister of Partners in Ministry in Liberia draws us closer to our brothers and sisters in Christ throughout the Anglican Communion. This partnership allows us to share with them the riches God has blessed us with, helps spread the Gospel throughout the world and allows us to learn from them the joy of gratitude in the blessings God sends our way day-by-day. Click here for photos and more information.

Cursillo
Spanish for “short course,” Cursillo is a highly structured three-day school for Christians designed to strengthen and renew their faith. It is a time with Christ that enhances and makes real one’s relationship with him, and offers a specific method for living a fully Christian life. Cursillo begins on a Thursday evening and ends on the following Sunday. During the three days, those attending live and study together and there is much singing, laughter, prayer and worship. Through these activities, and in the Holy Eucharist, participants gain a deeper awareness of their faith and the response that comes from such awareness. Each person’s experience of Cursillo is as individual as they are.

Group Reunions & Ultreyas • Cursillo presents a “method” for living a fully Christian life, and to that end provides two follow-up activities — Group Reunion and Ultreya. Group Reunion is a gathering of from two to six friends for the purpose of support, prayer and shared accountability. Ultreya is a gathering of the groups for celebration of community, and sharing joys and problems. Group reunions are arranged solely at the convenience of the individual participants. Locally, Ultreya is now a joint venture of the Episcopal Cursillo and the Lutheran Via de Cristo. Everyone is welcome at Ultreya, regardless of whether they have attended a weekend.

Vocare • Vocare is a three-day weekend renewal event for young adults.

St. Andrew’s Discretionary Fund
The St. Andrew’s Discretionary Fund is a fund managed by the rector and used to assist those, both inside and outside of the Parish, who have needs. Donations are collected once a month during the offertory at the Sunday morning Eucharist.

Other Outreach Ministries
St. Andrew’s supports a variety of other outreach ministries, including:
• the American Red Cross and Bloodmobile
• the Anglican Relief and Development Fund, which provides emergency aid to victims of disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes and floods.
• Ronald McDonald House at Children’s Hospital
• Westerville Area Regional Ministries (WARM

Personal Ministries of Service
In addition to these organized outreach ministries, members of St. Andrew’s reach out to their community in a number of other ways, including serving as literacy tutors, caring for Alzheimer’s patients, volunteering at local hospitals, visiting the elderly and working with young people.