A wide variety of offerings reflects the rich diversity of our parish community. Below is a list of the major activities and ministries in which members of our congregation participate. These events usually take place at All Saints - Sharon Chapel. (A list of activities and ministries that normally occur elsewhere is found on the Outreach page.)
Worship | Acolytes | Altar Guild | Bridge Group | Catechesis of the Good Shepherd | Choir | Christian Education | Christmas Trees | The Fishers | Greeters | Healing Sunday | International Dinner | Lay Eucharistic Ministers | Lay Readers | Nursery | Parish Retreat | Plant Sale | Prayer Chain | Vergers and Ushers | Vestry | Women of Faith | Youth Group
Worship services are held each Sunday morning at 8:00 and 10:30, and are conducted according to the 1979 Book of Common Prayer, in conjunction with the canons of the Episcopal Church, USA.
Acolytes perform a variety of duties to give assistance during the Eucharist. They are usually young people, from the 3rd grade through high school, though any adult may serve in this capacity. Acolyte duties range from lighting candles and carrying the cross or a torch in procession to helping the Celebrant set the Table for the Eucharist. Contact persons: 8:00, Rachelle Birnbaum; 10:30, Alex Shepherd
The Altar Guild is responsible for the care of the altar. Their duties include arranging flowers, and setting up service materials, including hangings and silver. Contact: Karen Peterson
The AS-SC bridge group plays on the 3rd Saturday of each month, in homes and at the church. Contact person: Sallie Dievendorf
The Catechesis of the Good Shepherd program is a Montessori-based Sunday school program offered for children ages 3 - 12. Each group meets in an atrium, a space designed with special child-sized furnishings and activities to help them learn about Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd. Weekday sessions are held during the school year for pre-school age children. Contact person: Davette Himes
The choir is responsible for leading the music during worship. Members also rehearse special anthems in addition to the regular service music. The choir sings at the 10:30 service on Sundays, as well as at special services throughout the year. Rehearsals are held on Thursday evenings during the school year. Contact person: Hedy Rothfuss, Director of Music
Christian Education classes are offered on Sunday mornings from 9:15 until 10:15. Classes are available for all ages from pre-school through adults. Children's Sunday school sessions meet year-round and are based on the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd curriculum (see above). Teen Sunday school is taught in an adult-led discussion format. Adult offerings (during the academic year) include Kerygma Bible Study, Education for Ministry (in conjunction with St. Luke's Episcopal Church), and Inquirers'/Confirmation classes. Contact persons: Ron Field (Kerygma), Davette Himes, Paul Rae, and Carolyn Rae
Every December since the early 1980s, All Saints' parking lot has been turned into a Christmas tree stand. A variety of trees is usually available, and we can guarantee that you'll get friendly treatment. The first sale was held to raise money to save an old oak tree on the church's property; you can still see part of that tree as the wooden cross hanging over the altar in the sanctuary. Since then it's become a holiday tradition, and yet another way for parishioners and families to spend quality time together. Contact person: Dick Delbridge
The Fishers is the community newsletter of All Saints - Sharon Chapel. It is currently published and mailed to all parishioners on a quarterly basis, with articles about church life or other topics contributed by members. Articles for "The Fishers" may be left in the designated box at the church, or sent to the editor. Contact person: Fran Carter
Greeters are the first people to meet when coming to church. They assist visitors and newcomers to the parish, ensuring that anyone who joins the community for the first time is comfortable and welcomed. Contact person: Margaret Oosterman
Each Fall parishoners and community members gather to sample the foods and cultures of the diverse All Saints - Sharon Chapel congregation. Contact person:
-->Lay Eucharistic Ministers, or LEMs, are individuals specially licensed by the Bishop to administer communion in the absence of a sufficient number of priests or deacons. At All Saints, LEMs are primarily responsible for assisting the Celebrant during communion. They may also take reserve Sacrament (previously consecrated bread and wine) to sick or shut-in members of the parish. Contact person: Jim Trigg
Lay readers are trained to read the Old and New Testament Lessons and Prayers of the People. They serve at either the 8:00 or 10:30 service on a rotating basis. Contact person: Rachel Trigg
A nursery for children under 3 is open between 9:00 a.m. and 12 noon to allow parents to attend Sunday school (9:15 - 10:15 a.m.) and the 10:30 a.m. Sunday worship service. The nursery is staffed by parents and/or a professional childcare provider Parents may use the changing table located in the nursery.
The All Saints Parish Retreat is an annual event held at Shrine Mont, in Orkney Springs, Virginia.
Each Spring, All Saints has a plant sale fundraiser. Parishioners and the public may obtain 4-plant packs or full flats (12 packs = 48 plants) of annual flowers, herbs, and vegetables ready for planting. Hanging baskets, ready for hanging, are also available. Pre-sale orders taken before the sale reserve plants for pick up. Additional plants are available on Sale day. Contact person: Karen Peterson
Do you have a particular need or situation for which you would like special prayer support? The Prayer Chain members are ready and willing to include you in their daily prayers. Communicate your prayer request to the prayer chain contact person and it will be relayed to the prayer chain members. Also, if you wish, you may become a member of the Prayer Chain; you may specify whether you would like to be notified of prayer requests by e-mail or if you would prefer to receive requests, and pass them along, via the prayer chain telephone tree. Contact person: Karen Peterson
The ministry of a verger is to ensure that the worship service runs smoothly. He or she serves as a traffic director, assisting the acolytes, the Celebrant, and members of the congregation before and during a service. In some Episcopal churches, vergers are highly visible, wearing vestments and carrying the traditional verger's stick. Ushers too are highly visible during most services; they assist by ringing the bell, seating individuals and families before a service, helping at the offertory, and directing traffic during communion. Contact persons: Alex Shepherd and Jim Trigg
The Vestry is one of the most important groups in any Episcopal Church. It is a body of lay persons, elected from the parish at large. Membership requirements, according to the canons of the Episcopal Church, are that any member be a communicant in good standing of the parish, have reached the age of 18, and have been confirmed. The primary function of the Vestry is to assist and advise the Rector in the administration of the parish. Senior Warden: Rick Schoen ; Vestry Building and Maintenance Wardens: Rick Ballard and Loretta Kuhn
The All Saints Women of Faith group meets on the 2nd Saturday morning of each month at 9:00 o'clock in Gunnell Hall for an hour of fellowship, study, and sharing their spiritual journey. Contact person: Carolyn Rae
Upcoming Women of Faith meetings and events:
Saturday, May 10, 9:00 am.
Saturday, June 14, 9:00 am.
The Youth Group is a community of young people in the parish, ages 13-18. It generally meets on Sundays after church during the school year for fellowship and fun activities. Additional outings are also planned several times per year. Contact persons: Amy Spagna and Vicki Hulick
All Saints is proud to serve as home and meeting place to other ministries, affiliated and unaffiliated, such as Hispanic and Korean congregations and a weekday pre-school program.