Quadrants in More Detail
WORSHIP –
1) The Altar Guild is a group of dedicated women and men who are faithful in their mission to have a beautiful table set for the Lord’s Feast. Their participation is crucial to the preparation of each service by setting the Table, arranging flowers and supporting any special service throughout the year.
2) Lectors or Lay Readers read the Lectionary lessons on Sundays and Wednesdays.
3) Eucharistic Ministers serve upon the Rector’s training and recommendation for approval by the Vestry with license then issued by the Diocese.
4) Eucharistic Visitors are a ministry that is an extension of worship as they take holy communion to those who cannot participate on Sunday, whether ill or homebound. The Rector trains and recommends approval by the Vestry for licensure by the Diocese.
5) Daughters of the King members take vows of a Rule of Life, centering on daily prayer for the spiritual life of the Parish, our clergy, and all names presented on the prayer list of the Parish.
6) Ushers welcome, give bulletins, direct visitors, read the Prayers of the People and collect the offerings at each service.
7) Maundy Thursday Dinner follows the service with a candlelight dinner where scripture is read by many participants as they share food and quiet time.
8) The Labyrinth Walk is a ministry used as meditation and prayer tools for each person twice a year, before Lent and before Advent. The Labyrinth is a metaphor for the journey to the center of your deepest self and back out into the world.
9) Screen Techs monitor the pre-service screen announcements, present the text of the services on the screen as the liturgy progresses and film/ stream the service for those unable to attend.
SHARING—
1) Cursillo Ministry is to maintain and promote the activities of the Cursillo Movement for current “Cursillistas” and to recruit new “Pilgrims”.
2) The Back to School Program is sponsored by parishioners, a grant from Episcopal Charities, our Sponsor a Child program and money raised by the St. Luke’s Car Show to provide backpacks to community children in need.
3) The Feeding Ministry is a program to help feed the local homeless and hungry in our area by providing sandwiches weekly to the local LAHIA ministry that is supported by several churches throughout Martin County.
4) Bingo is a usually held in the Parish Hall each Friday with two teams of volunteers alternating to provide this recreation time for the community and raising money for the church. There are many faithful community members who have also become involved in other activities of the Parish. Also, there is a regular Bingo Italian Night on the third Thursday of each month that is popular with the Parish and members of the community.
5) St. Luke’s Thrift Store operates three days a week during the season and two days in the summer. They have an annual large sale each year that includes outside rental tables for baked goods and arts & crafts in which the community enjoys participating.
6) The TRUE Fund of St. Luke’s is an active part of this Parish and community. The use of a Debit Card for the account has made it easier to work with motels, gasoline stations and grocery stores. The Fund also provides gas cards and Publix gift cards to those in need. The parishioners’ donations monthly allow the Fund to help many in need.
7) Behling Scholarship Committee awards annual scholarships of $500 to students entering or attending college. These students are members of the church or related to church members.
8) Christmas gifts for children is a program coordinated with the Boys & Girls Club of Port Salerno, to make Christmas more joyful for needy children.
LEARNING—
1) Children and Youth Education-Nursery and Godly Play (age 5-8), Good News Bearers (age 9-11), IGnite (middle/high school, college age).
2) Vacation Bible School- a ministry of interactive Bible stories, related music, crafts and sharing of personal stories and snacks, as each child learns about other children in America and around the world.
3) Women’s Retreat-a ministry to all women whether Episcopalian, other denominations, churched or unchurched to have a place for support.
4) Women of St. Luke’s meet monthly to provide fellowship, work on projects for the church and to recognize the Lord in their lives. The Women hold an annual Fashion Show and Luncheon each Spring, assist with the Women’s Retreat and Direct the Souper Bowl Sunday.
5) St. Luke’s School of the Arts provides outreach to families to promote the personal development of students by cultivating self-expression, critical thinking and aesthetic awareness as they grow as spiritual members of our community. Adults are provided with classes for Balance and Yoga. (Adult classes have been suspended at this time). Students are involved in a performance camp each summer that culminates in a presentation directed by Anna Preston of the Preston Contemporary Dance Theatre.
6) Other educational experiences throughout the year are held for adults related to the church calendar and need for Confirmation classes.
BELONGING—
1) Coffee Hour Hosts volunteer to provide food and host a coffee hour following the 9:15am service each week.
2) Thanksgiving Day Dinner brings together those who want to share this day with others at St. Luke’s. This includes parishioners, their families and friends and others outside the church community. Each person brings a dish to share and the church provides the turkeys, mashed potatoes, stuffing and gravy.
3) Preparations for Baptism, Confirmation, and Marriage are all included with the Belonging Quadrant.
4) Martha’s Guild prepares meals to be served after a funeral service, per the family’s request.
5) New Members, Greeters and Ushers Committee greet visitors, welcome and reach out to new members and to make the ministries and programs of St. Luke’s known to the community. This is accomplished by welcome packets and new member meetings each month, as well as publicizing the church’s activities and services online and to local newspapers.
6) St. Luke’s Fellowship Dinner annually brings together congregants from all three church services to have a time of sharing, learning about ministries of St. Luke’s and getting to know other Parish members.
7) “Dinner Out with Friends” is a newer addition to this quadrant. Anyone from any service can sign up to have dinner with other parishioners in a local restaurant monthly. This is another way to get to know others in the parish better.