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Saint George's is, for the most part, a gathered parish; that is parishioners come from all over, but only a few directly from the community where we worship and minister. We come from north end, south end, and mainland Halifax, from Dartmouth, Eastern Passage, Bedford, Lr. Sackville, Enfield, etc. This makes getting to know one another difficult, even if one is not a newcomer. The best way to get to know people at St. George's is to 'get involved' in something you are interested in -- where you will meet people on some common ground. Even if a heavy commitment is impossible, you will find there is lots of opportunity to contribute, and become part of the family.
Ministries you could become involved in at St. George's:
Become a member of the Altar Guild: The Altar Guild cares for all the items uses in our worship services -- linens, flowers, candles, vestments, brass, silver & gold, wafers & wine, etc. If you would like to be part of a rotational team, or help with specific functions, please contact Tracy Lenfesty.
Become a Server or Lay Reader: Servers, MCs and Lay Readers assist the priest in the sanctuary for each Holy Communion and various other services throughout the liturgical year.
The Lay Readers undergo specialized training in church history, music, Bible study and conducting worship. They are then licensed by the bishop to serve in our parish in a variety of capacities. Some of our lay readers regularly conduct the service of Morning Prayer on Sunday mornings, and are licensed to administer the sacrament at the Eucharist. Contact Alex Easton if you are interested in learning more Lay Readers.
The Servers also assist at the eucharist by bringing the eucharistic items to the celebrant, carrying the processional cross and candles in procession, receiving the offering and other duties. During the weekday services, the server may also read the epistle. The MC's are the senior servers who organize and co-ordinate the liturgy, laying out the vestments before the service and putting them away after the service and assigning tasks to the other servers. During the service, they stand near the celebrant to assist him and provide cues and direction to the other servers so the liturgy proceeds smoothly and reverently. Contact Scott Connors if you are interested in learning more about Servers.
Audition for, or donate to, the Choir: We have a strong choral tradition at Saint George's. The choir is an auditioned mixed voice choir of approximately sixteen members include paid section leads. Garth MacPhee returned to St George's as Music Director August 14, 2011. Fall auditions are being held September 6-8, contact Garth for details.
Help out in the Nursery once or twice, or teach Toddler's Church: The Nursery is located at the back of the Round Church, to the right of the top of the stairs from the Brunswick St entrance. Each Sunday, interested parishioners volunteer to help care for your littlest ones during the 10.30 service. In September 2009, under the leadership of Kieva Diamond & Karen Westhaver, a instruction programme for the toddlers was started. The Toddler's Church meets in the basement of the church - door opposite the nursery and down the stairs.
Volunteer with the Sunday School: If you are a young person you may like to attend Saint George's Sunday School. It will help you get to know the other youth in the parish. Adults may be interested in team-teaching a class for 3 or 6 weeks during the year. We use the Saint George's Sunday School Curriculum which makes it possible to say, "No experience necessary" only a desire to help our young people learn the faith. Contact Mike Blackwood if you would like to be involved in either capacity.
Volunteer with YouthNet : is the Anglican Church's ministry to youth in Halifax's inner city. YouthNet is an umbrella outreach initiative which reaches out in various ways to the youth of the inner city neighbourhood surrounding Saint George's. Programmes include Mentoring, Lunch-time drop-in centre, Music and Drama programs, Culture Club, Wilderness Camping, Summer Day Camps, Scouts Canada programs of Beavers, Cubs, Scouts and Venturers, to name some. To volunteer for any individual YouthNet program, or to simply find out more, contact Jesse Blackwood.
Make a lunch for YouthNet or donate food for a meal for the children
Volunteer with the Soup Kitchen The St. George's Soup Kitchen serves a full meal to those in need every Saturday in the Parish Hall (at 2221 Maitland St). Doors open at 4pm and close at 5pm. The Soup Kitchen is put on by volunteers from both the parish and the community. To become involved, contact the Parish Office.
Attend or lead a Daily Office : We are who we are at Saint George's because we faithfully pray the Offices of Morning Prayer, and Evening Prayer every day of the week. Monday to Friday, 7:00am (7.30 on Saturday), 5:30pm; Sundays 10am and 5.30pm. Lay people most often lead these service. Try to come to one or two each week, and perhaps consider offering to officiate one service per week. Contact the Rector.
Volunteer to help with building maintenance or cleaning
Become a Counter of the Offering
Attend Study Group
Bring food for Fellowship hour
Welcome a new person after a service or introduce yourself to someone at fellowship hour
Help in the church office Contact Parish Administrator, Andrea Lee.
Make special donations to Outreach
Participate in, or contribute to, Christmas Outreach Annually the parish sponsors a number of families with gifts and/or food at Christmas. Parishioners and the Sunday School participate in the Mission to Seafarers Christmas Shoebox program. Gift baskets are prepared and delivered each year to shut-in parishioners.
The coordination of all these begins in late October, and it takes many hands to make it all happen. To be directed to this year's coordinator of the individual programs, please contact Andrea Lee in the Parish Office.
Join the Restoration Quilters: A group of quilters meets weekly during the day at the parish hall to work on quilts, for various purposes and donations.
Attend or lead a Study Group: At various times throughout the year study groups are offered for a set number of weeks. Participating allows us to get to know one another while learning more about our faith.
Volunteer as a committee member: Spiritual Development, Pastoral Ministry, Finance, Property, and Stewardship are the five main committees we operate to accomplish the work of the parish. Contact people for these committees are Nicholas Hatt for Spiritual Development, The Rector for Pastoral Ministry, Mike Himmelman for Finance, & Jens Jensen for Property.
Support a Scouts or Beaver with various fees
Pray for other parishioners and the neighbourhood
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