Ministries

We have many opportunities for you to participate in the life of St. Michael’s.  Please contact St. Michael’s Church Office at 985-626-5781 or secretary@stmichaelsla.org for more information.

ACOLYTES
Acolyte means "one who serves". Acolytes serve God through his or her assistance to the clergy at the altar during St. Michael’s worship at services. Adults are welcome to serve in this ministry as well as youth and children who are at least eight years old. St. Michael's is interested in having young people involved as much as possible. We are not looking for perfection, but a willingness and dedication to serve and grow in your church. No experience is necessary, but those who wish to serve as acolytes must attend training.
Chair: David Smith.

ALTAR GUILD
The Altar Guild is responsible for the preparation of the altar area before worship services for the celebration of the Eucharist or any other sacraments & offices of the church as indicated by the priest. Additionally the Altar Guild cares for the vestments, vessels, and linens of the parish. While no experience is necessary for this ministry, training is required.
Chair: Isabelle Moore.

ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL
Our adult classes are offered every Sunday from 9:00am to 10:00am and cover the books of the bible in series of 8-12 week sections of The Books of Moses, The Prophets, Wisdom Literature, The Synoptic Gospels, Pauline Letters, and Johannine Literature.  Particular attention is given to the interpretations of the biblical passages as well as the historical-cultural context of authorship.  Classes are a combination of lecture presentations and group discussions.  Presentations analyze both the human authors’ intentions and the inspired intentions of the Divine Author, as well as their prophetic meanings as revealed throughout the rest of the Old Testament and realized in Christ and the Gospels of the New.  Adults of all ages are encouraged to attend, regardless of whether or not you’ve attended past classes.
Instructor: Thomas Branton
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CHILDREN'S SUNDAY SCHOOL
"Weaving God's Promises" is the children's Sunday School program that is being used for 2015. Children's Sunday School is held at 10:30AM, during service, and children are reunited with their parents before Communion. It is for ages from  3 to 12 years. The program is easy to teach and volunteer parents are the instructors. No experience is needed and you can volunteer as little as one time a month.
Chair: Andree Person.

CHOIR and MUSIC MINISTRY
The choir leads our singing at the 10:30 Sunday service and certain other special services. No prior formal training or experience is necessary to serve in the choir. Rehearsals are each Thursday evenings at 7:30 pm and Sunday morning at 9:30 am. The Choir year runs mid-August to the end of May. Cantors are used in the summer simply to lead the congregation in service music.
Music Director: Allison Kenning 

FELLOWSHIP BREAKFAST
St. Michael’s has a Fellowship Breakfast the first Sunday of each month at 9:00 am between our 8:00 am and 10:30 am worship services. Members bring contributions of food and drink, giving an opportunity for sharing of both food and fellowship.
Chair: Ferris Hotard

EPISCOPAL YOUTH COMMUNITY (EYC)
EYC is all things to do with the Youth: service, fellowship, and building a spiritually based community. The Youth Group is open to people in grades 6 to 12 from any church or denomination. Under the direction of our Youth Minister, St. Michael's Episcopal Youth Community (EYC) generally meets on Sunday evenings from 4:30pm to 6:30 pm in the Youth Room of the Church.
Youth Directors: Michael & Tiffany Christy
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FAMILY PROMISE
Family Promise is a faith based community response to the issue of homeless families and children, sometimes know as the "invisible homeless". When St. Michael's hosts a family, members of the congregation volunteer to assist with the cooking of meals and providing fellowship among other duties.
Chair: Pat Jenson.

FLOWER GUILD
The Flower Guild provides the floral arrangements that grace both the altar and other areas of St. Michael’s campus. Men and women with an interest in floral design are encouraged to join. The Guild offers workshops and training, so no experience is required.
Chair: Jeanne Cline.

KAIROS PRISON MINISTRY
Kairos is a lay-led Christian ministry that conducts a highly structured program designed for use in male and female correctional institutions. The mission of Kairos is to bring Christ's unconditional love and forgiveness to all incarcerated individuals, their families, and those who work with them. Volunteers are needed at every level from being a team member and actually going to the prison, to being a prayer partner, or support volunteer in baking cookies.
Chair: David Smith.

LABYRINTH
St. Michael’s has both an outdoor labyrinth and a portable indoor labyrinth. The outdoor labyrinth is available for a meditative walk at all times while the indoor labyrinth is used for special walks.

LAY EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
Lay Eucharistic Ministers assist at the altar during the worship services, primarily by administering the chalice during the Holy Eucharist. Lay Eucharistic Ministers also assist with reading the appointed Scripture lessons and assisting the clergy as may be requested during the service. Each year Lay Eucharistic Ministers must attend a training session in order to be licensed by the Bishop of the Diocese. Lay Eucharistic Ministers must be at least 16 years old, must be baptized and confirmed members of the Episcopal Church.
Chair: Dave Smith.

LAY EUCHARISTIC VISITORS
A Lay Eucharistic Visitor is a lay person authorized to take the Consecrated Elements in a timely manner following a Celebration of Holy Eucharist to members of the congregation who, by reason of illness or infirmity, were unable to be present at the worship service. A Lay Eucharistic Visitor receives the Sacrament at the end of the Eucharist, takes it to one or more absent members, and administers it reverently. Lay Eucharistic Visitors at St. Michael’s must be (i) at least 21 years old, (ii) baptized and confirmed members of St. Michael’s, (iii) faithful in corporate worship, (iv) faithful in working and praying for the spread of the Kingdom of God, (v) givers of record to St. Michael’s and (vi) recommended for this ministry by St. Michael’s Vicar. Each year Lay Eucharistic Visitors must attend a training session under the direction of one or more of St. Michael’s Vicar in order to be licensed by the Diocese.
Chair: Dave Smith.

LECTORS
Lectors read the Scripture readings and Prayers of the People at our worship services. While no prior experience is necessary, Lectors must participate in training.
Chair: Dave Smith.

MEN'S CLUB
The Men's Club is dedicated to promoting fellowship among the men of the Church and its community. St. Michael’s Men's Club meets on the last Tuesday of every month at 6:00pm for a steak dinner and libations, usually followed by a guest speaker. The Men's club assists other ministries with various functions and helps maintain St. Michael's facilities and grounds.  All men 21 and older are welcome to attend whether they are church member or not.
Currently on Hiatus 

PRAYER MINISTRY
The Prayer Ministry is designed to have members of our congregation pray the Prayers of the People on a daily basis. Each member of this ministry will be assigned a given day in which they can either pray from home or come to the Church. There is no training and requires only about 15 minutes and a desire to pray for other. The rewards are GREAT as we pray for each other and for peace in our world.
Chair: Terri Landry.

SAMARITAN CENTER
The Samaritan Center is a Christian organization offering emergency assistance with food for those in our community who are in need. St. Michael's has been involved with the Samaritan Center since its inception in 1989. St. Michael's has representation on the Board of Directors and volunteers who pick up the donated food from the Church and deliver it to the Samaritan Center.
Chair: Alfonso Martinez and Carol McCullough

SENIOR MINISTRY
Since 1994, St. Michael’s Senior Ministry has been providing religious services at two Mandeville Nursing and Retirement Faculties. Members of this ministry  preside at Morning Prayer services by reading scriptures and leading in easy sing-along hymns. This is a very rewarding ministry and much needed ministry for the elderly in our community.
Chair: Carmen Perkins.

SUNSHINE MINISTRY
The goal of the Sunshine Committee is to provide assistance to the members of St. Michael's when there is a need such as an illness, injury, surgery, or death in the family. There are many ways in which to assist: from cooking a meal, visitation, or assisting in minor chores such as getting their trash to the street, picking up the mail, or changing a light bulb.
Chair: Carol McCullough.