The leaders and members of our parish family are committed to participatory worship and the “priesthood of all believers”. The presiding celebrant (our Bishop, Parish Priest or visiting priest) leads worship with the help of many gifted and servant-minded members.
Music- liturgical choir
Our adult choir, under the direction of our organist, Peter Woodwark, leads the musical component of our 10 am Sunday services and six Choral Evensong services. A wide variety of hymns, appropriate to both the season and the lections of the day are selected. Singing in the choir expands one's musical knowledge and skill. Choristers maintain that benefits to both physical and spiritual health flow from singing hymns of praise together at choir practices as well as Sundays.
St. James Liturgical Choir welcomes worshippers of many backgrounds. Choir practice is Thursday evenings from 7 to 9 pm. To find out more about the Liturgical Choir, please contact the parish office.
Altar Guild
Each week a team of two prepares the altar for three Eucharist services. Preparation includes ensuring that the proper linens are in place, setting out the communion vessels, ensuring there is sufficient wine and bread, and if needed, changing the frontals for the proper liturgical season. All silver and brass are polished twice per year. Altar flowers and candles are also the responsibility of the Altar Guild. New members are always welcome to join us. Please contact the parish office.
Sidespeople
The first contact you might have when you visit St. James is one of our friendly and knowledgeable sidespeople. Besides providing a cheery smile, sidespeople provide you with a service program, prayer and hymn books, and perhaps a comfy cushion, an assisted hearing device, or directions to the coat rack or washroom. If you would like to join our team of sidespeople, please contact the parish office.
Servers
Members of all ages (who are regular communicants) offer themselves to assist the presiding celebrant at the Lord’s Table, to assist the sidespeople in receiving the offerings of the congregation and leading processions. They wear robes like the choir members and help set the reverent tone of the service. They are trained by the Parish Priest and other servers.
Public Reading of Holy Scripture
In every liturgy, members come out of the congregation to help with the Proclamation of God’s Word. These readers are provided with the appointed readings in advance of the service in order to pray and study to prepare for their role in the liturgy. Many readers begin this ministry by expressing their interest. The Parish Priest appoints each reader, discusses this ministry with them, and provides feedback as required.
Chalice Bearers
At every Eucharist, at least one lay person assists in the administration of the sacraments by bearing a chalice of consecrated wine and reverently sharing it with each communicant. Chalice bearers are appointed and trained by the Parish Priest.
Prayer Leaders
At most liturgies, the Prayers of the People are led by a skilled prayer leader from the congregation. They receive initial training from the Parish Priest and share resources with one another. Their godly work enables the whole people of God to offer our collective prayers.
Members of St. James are also encouraged to have a vibrant personal prayer life and to gather in small groups and ministries to pray. These three levels of prayer inform and enhance each other and draw us closer to God.