Ministries

One of the promises that we make in baptism is to "seek and serve Christ in all persons, loving our neighbor as ourselves." Members of St. Thomas are active in ministry to each other and to the world by volunteering in a variety of church, community, and international ministries.

Our commitment to serve the Lord is an integral part of life in our church community.

Acolytes

The ministry of acolyte has a rich history in the church. Adults and youth, ages eight and up, learn more about the Episcopal Church and participate in services.

Acolytes perform several functions, such as torch bearer or crucifer, or carrying the Gospel Book, banners, or flags. New acolytes shadow more experienced acolytes while they learn their duties, moving from one position to another as they grow and mature in service. Older acolytes mentor younger servers as they go about their duties each Sunday.

All children and Youth are invited and encouraged to take part in this active ministry. If you would like more information, please contact the church office.

Altar Guild

The Altar Guild is a volunteer group whose ministry is to care for the altar, vestments, vessels, and altar linens. Altar Guild members prepare the sanctuary for services and clean up afterward. Altar Guild members also frequently supervise the decoration of the sanctuary with flowers, especially for special Christmas and Easter Celebrations.

We are always looking for new members. Individual training is available. If you would like more information, please contact the church office.

Assistance Ministry

The Assistance Ministry encompasses the Assistance Ministry Program and The Ride to Church Program.

The mission of the Assistance Ministry Program is to provide voluntary services to members of St. Thomas who encounter difficulties because they live alone and do not have family members nearby to assist them.

Program volunteers respond to requests for services by providing comfort and companionship at times of crisis and maintaining contact to ensure members are safe and able to carry out the requirements of daily living. Services provided under the program include:

visit the member at their home, hospital, or nursing home.
alerting the members’ emergency contact of updates.
transportation to professional appointments, doctor’s offices, etc. within Flagler County.
transportation to church, grocery stores, and other facilities as needed.

To request services, click the box below and complete a request form. Contact the church office for additional information.

The Assistance Ministry and its affiliated programs offer voluntary, basic services. They do not provide professional services, endorsements of professional organizations, or services relating to such organizations.

Date

Name Of Person Requesting Assistance(Required)

First Last

Phone(Required)

Address(Required)

Street Address Address Line 2 City State / Province / Region ZIP / Postal Code

Enter Email Confirm Email

Emergency Contact(Required)

First Last

Emergency Contact Phone(Required)

Emergency Contact Relationship To Person Requesting Assistance

Lifting Policy(Required)

Prospective members of the program are advised that each member is assigned a program volunteer. That volunteer is not permitted to lift any member who may require such assistance when entering or exiting the program volunteer’s vehicle or performing any other extraneous activity. If such assistance is required, it is the member’s responsibility to provide a person (s) to assist the program volunteer in performing this task. Such need must be decided upon and the person offering such assistance identifiable by the program volunteer in advance of his/her visit.

I understand this lifting policy

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The Brotherhood of St. Andrew

The Brotherhood of St. Andrew is an international ministry of men and boys within the Episcopal Church and the Anglican Communion. It is dedicated to the spread of Christ's Kingdom using prayer, study, and service. If you would like more information, please contact the church office.

Daughters of the King

The Order of the Daughters of the King (DOK) is a religious order. The mission of the Order is to extend Christ’s kingdom through prayer, service, and evangelism. Each daughter takes a lifetime vow to live by the Rule of Life that requires spiritual discipline of daily prayer, service, and evangelism. Members wear crosses as a visible sign that they cannot live one day without Christ.

The DOK reflects God's love as nurturing women through:

Ongoing payer chain – we pray daily for those whose names have been submitted as needing prayer.
Prayer Vigils as needed.
Two by two visits to homebound or ill members.
Delivering altar flowers to homebound or ill members.
Hosting Quiet Days before Lent and Advent.
Helping Family Promise by preparing and serving a meal.
Attending two diocesan Daughters of the King Assembles each year (fall and spring).

We meet monthly, September through May, on the third Thursday at 10 a.m. For more information contact the church office.

man wearing blue plaid dress shirt and blue jeans

Episcopal Church Men (ECM)

The Episcopal Church Men (ECM) come together for breakfast, September through May, on second Saturdays. Breakfast meetings include fun, fellowship, a little business, and often a guest speaker. The ECM hosts the Fat Tuesday Pancake Supper, and cooks and serves at other events such as the church picnic. Activities of the ECM finance a variety of parish needs.

For more information about the ECM, contact the church office.

Episcopal Church Women ECW

Episcopal Church Women (ECW) empowers women to do Christ's ministry in the world.

Our vision is that we are a vibrant blend of all ages, coming together as a peacemaking, healing part of the Church. We aspire to be a Godspark - shining and sharing the love of Christ.

We offer fellowship while providing financial assistance to various church ministries.

The ECW meets from September through May, on the second Thursday of the month at 10 a.m. with lunch following the meeting. The Christmas and May luncheons are held off campus.

Contact: Carole MacDonald or Pat Schwartz

Eucharistic Visitors

A Eucharistic Visitor is a layperson authorized to take the Consecrated Elements following a Celebration of Holy Communion (Eucharist) to members of the congregation who, for reason of illness or infirmity, were unable to attend the service. A Eucharistic Visitor acts under the direction of the Clergy.

A Eucharistic Visitor is both sacramental and pastoral. It is a sacramental visit because we bear the sacraments of bread and wine on behalf of the community as part of our ministry. At the same time, we must be prepared to act pastorally to those we visit.

For more information, contact the church office.

The Finance Committee

Members of the Finance Committee work closely with the Vestry and the Business Manager. They meet quarterly to review the financial reports and ensure that funds received through pledges and offerings are properly allocated and bills paid as budgeted. The Stewardship Chair, Treasurer, Rector, Senior Warden, Junior Warden, and two parishioners-at-large serve and prepare the budget for the parish before the December Vestry Meeting each year.

If you would like more information, contact the church office.

person holding pencil near laptop computer

Greeters

The ministry of the greeter is at the center of radical hospitality at St. Thomas. Greeters welcome everyone, especially newcomers. This ministry is crucial to helping them feel comfortable. Greeters also maintain good communication with the Ushers.

Before Services, Greeters:

Establish a warm and welcoming environment for all who worship at St. Thomas.
Welcome all who come to worship.
Are aware of newcomers and prepared to answer questions and guide them to the nursery, bathrooms, etc.
Let visitors know that they may sit anywhere.
Invite visitors to fill out "Visitor Information Cards".
Offer to sit with visitors.
Assist Ushers.

Membership

We welcome and nurture all who walk through St. Thomas' door, helping them feel at home and assisting them as they integrate into the life of the congregation.

The Membership Ministry consists of co-chairs and dedicated church members. We host a Welcome Luncheon in the Spring and Fall for new members. We also maintain the Prayer List and contact parishioners on the list.

Outreach Ministry

St. Thomas benefits the community and reaches out to faraway places. The Outreach Ministry Team supports numerous community organizations such as the Grace Community Food Pantry, the Flagler County Free Clinic, and the Sheltering Tree. Financial support and in-person mission teams assist our sister church, Todas Los Santos located in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba.

Fashion show luncheons and other fundraisers are the source of revenue for the Outreach Ministry. Loose coins in the Sunday offerings are also given to Outreach.

If you would like to join this Ministry, contact the church office.

Parish Life

The Parish Life Ministry meets the 1st Tuesday of every month at 10 a.m. and supports opportunities for fellowship and benevolent service by preparing and serving food for the church. As a result, The Parish Life Ministry:

Helps encourage and sustain the spiritual livelihood of the Church.
Creates fellowship opportunities.
Supports key church events.
Publicizes upcoming events.