Ministry


Acolyte

Acolytes carry candles and banners in processions; They light the candles on the altar an assist the Deacon in the preparation of the table.

 

Altar Guild

A volunteer group of the parish whose ministry is to care for the altar, vestments, vessels, and altar linens of the parish. Altar Guild members prepare the sanctuary for services, and clean the altar afterwards. Altar Guild members frequently supervise the decoration of the sanctuary of the parish with flowers.

 
Counters

The counters are lay volunteers who are responsible for counting and recording the offerings given throughout the week and depositing them into our bank account.

 
Coffee Hour Hosts

Coffee Hour Hosts make coffee and bring treats for after service. They are responsible for setting it up and taking it down. Anyone can volunteer for this.

 


Ushers/Greeters

Ushers are lay volunteers who greet everyone who enters the church, hands out bulletins, takes up the collection, brings forward the gifts and cleans up the chapel after service.

Lectors

A lay person trained in reading scripture who is appointed by the clergy person in charge of the congregation to read lessons or lead the prayers of the people. 

 
Music Ministry

The choir and music ministry sings and plays instruments at Sunday services. They sing a variety of music ranging from hymns (both old and new), to gospel music, to contemporary Christian music. They rehearse Wednesday evenings at 6:30 PM throughout the school year, and Sundays at 9:00 AM (before service) all year long. Anyone with a love for music is welcome to join.
 
Outreach Ministry

Mission:  To reach out and serve humanity locally, nationally and internationally, benefitting people with specific needs and natural disasters. 

**Hastings Family Service is our primary local focus, but our Outreach Team continually raises funds and works to meet other specific needs with in our community as well as for disaster relief and extreme poverty in Minnesota, the US and the World. Everyone is welcome to volunteer and participate
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ECW -Episcopal Church Women

The ECW inspires church activities and usually raises money for non-budgeted items. They offer both social and outreach opportunities for the members of St. Luke’s. While this used to be strictly a women’s ministry, it has been opened up to anyone in the congregation. Everyone is welcome to participate in the activities and volunteer for the outreach opportunities.
 

UTO -United Thank Offering

This is a part of ECW. It is a ministry of The Episcopal Church for the mission of the whole church. Through UTO, individuals are invited to embrace and deepen a personal daily spiritual discipline of gratitude. 

 
Welcome Committee

The welcome committee members watch for newcomers to St. Luke’s and make an effort to meet them and chat with them at coffee hour. They answer any questions the new guest may have and ask them to sign the Guest Register. The secretary sends out a welcome letter along with a brochure and any other information that the guest showed interest in. 
 
Cemetery Committee

The Cemetery Committee is responsible for the maintenance and upkeep of both of St. Luke’s cemeteries. They handle all inquiries about burials and keep track of the finances for the cemeteries.

 
Church Cleaning

This group comes in during the week to clean and take care of the church. They vacuum, dust, clean bathrooms, take out trash & recycling, change lightbulbs, stock supplies and do deeper cleaning as needed. They make our church clean and presentable. Anyone is welcome to join this group and help out with weekly cleaning or bigger cleaning projects.
 
Gardening Club

The Gardening Club helps keep the church's grounds cleaned and pretty, from planting flowers to pulling weeds. Please join us in beautifying our grounds, all are invited to join us.  No green thumb required!

 
Pastoral Care Visitors

The ministry of caring at the heart of the church's life. It may include hospital visitation, counseling, and ministries of shared presence, listening, and support.

It also includes parish ministries of clergy and laity who respond to human need.

 
Eucharistic Visitors 

Trained and licensed members who bring Holy Communion to those who are unable to attend church.