Lay Ministries

We encourage parishioners to get involved in many ways in the church. One way is to join one of the lay ministries. Here are some examples:

Acolytes - Youth

Parish and school students from Sixth Grade on are welcome to serve as acolytes. The acolytes learn to assist the clergy in all liturgy, especially the Sunday services. Ongoing classes are held throughout the school year. Each acolyte is asked to serve monthly.

St. Matthews has beautiful services with crosses, robes, torches and banners. Each acolyte has the honor of being a part of the liturgy and praising God in our own special way. Each person has a neat group of friends and it also looks great on your resume.

Lectors and Chalice Ministers

Lectors and chalice ministers help to lead services on Sundays and holy days.

Greeters

Greeters assist the Ushers in welcoming people to services, keeping a particular eye out for newcomers. Greeters ask newcomers to fill out contact information cards, welcome them to Coffee Hours after the services, introduce them to parishioners or other newcomers, and generally make them feel at home. The Greeters are sponsored by the Hospitality Committee. Being a greeter helps create a warm, welcoming environment on Sunday mornings and helps newcomers learn about our parish and feel at home.

Ushers

Ushers assist at Sunday services and holiday services such as Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving and the Fourth of July. Before the service begins, their duties include greeting arrivals, distributing the service booklets and making all feel welcome.

During the service, the ushers continue to greet late arrivals and assist in locating seating, when necessary. Ushers take up the collection and carry the collection plates to the chancel steps for presentation to an acolyte and the celebrant.

During Communion, two ushers at the center aisle control the flow of communicants to the alter rail while the other two ushers stand at the side steps to assist communicants needing help on the chancel and side steps.