A L T A R  G U I L D

The Altar Guild is a parish ministry whose duty it is to care for the altar, vestments, vessels, and altar linens of the parish. Altar Guild members prepare the sanctuary for services, and clean up afterwards. They ministry ensures that the church is fitted, furnished, and equipped for the Sacrament of the Altar. With three Holy Communions every week, their role is essential to the life of St. Mark's. 

L I C E N S E D  L AY  R E A D E R S

Lay Readers are men who have been trained and duly licensed by the bishop to lead non-sacramental services in the parish. The Lay Reader in the Anglican Tradition is a "minor order" equivalent to a Sub-Deacon in other Traditions. Lay Readers at St. Mark's help us lead the Daily Offices. It is their ministry that ensures that Morning and Evening Prayer are prayed publicly in the Church every day. In addition to these duties, the Lay Readers serve at the Altar on Sundays and Thursdays in order to assist with the Holy Communion.

D A U G H T E R S  O F 
T H E  H O L Y  C R O S S

The Order of Daughters of the Holy Cross is a ministry within the Anglican Church in North America. Members of St. Mark’s Anglican Church chapter strive to live by a four-fold Rule of Life that encompasses Prayer, Service, Study and Evangelism. The Order provides a community in which you can fulfill a lifetime vow to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Evangelism is carried out in an effort to bring others to Christ by wearing our crosses with a conscientious and constant willingness to speak of its meaning.

The Daughters meet monthly at the church on the Second Saturday of each month at 10 am for prayer and study in the Parish Hall.   More information about The Order of Daughters of the Holy Cross can be found at: www.daughtershc.org

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C H I L D R E N ' S  M I N I S T R Y

St. Mark's provides children's ministry to children six years of age and younger every Sunday at the 11:00 A.M. Service (Fourth Sundays are the one exception where children are kept in the sanctuary for our Family Services). Children begin in the main sanctuary with their guardians. Immediately before the Liturgy of the Word (Scripture Readings) the children will be called forward for a blessing by the Priest. Once blessed, the children exit  with their catechists. Children return to the sanctuary during the Peace and remain with their guardians for the the Holy Communion. For Diocesan Child Protection Policies, see here.

F A M I L Y   S E R V I C E S

Every Fourth Sunday of the month is a "Family Service." Family Services remain the same as any other service except that young children are kept in the sanctuary with their guardians. The children will be invited by the Priest to participate in the service and assist him throughout. The homily (sermon) will typically be shorter for these services and appropriate for young ears. ​For Diocesan Child Protection Policies, see here.

A L T A R  S E R V E R S

Altar Servers assist the Clergy at the Altar on Sundays and Holy Days. The three roles typically filled by our servers are Thurifer (swings incense), Clerk or "Crucifer" (Carries the Cross and assists the Priest), and Subdeacon (one of our Readers who assists the Deacon). Our altar servers also read the Old Testament and Epistle Lessons, process the sacred vessels and elements from the Side Altar for the Holy Communion, and administer the Chalice.