Tending Our Soil

I Want to Help St. Philip’s Accomplish Our Goals by Being Part of these Ministry Initiatives …

THANK YOU

HOLIDAY & ANNUAL EVENTS

Decorating of the Church

This all-parish event occurs the Sunday before Christmas. Members of the parish assist with decorating the sanctuary and McKee room.

Holly Days Bazaar

This is “The Craft Event” of the year at St. Philip’s. It is held the Saturday before Thanksgiving, and features the handicrafts made by the Craft Group. In addition to handmade items, food, crafts for children, door prizes, Grandma’s Attic (white elephants) and a photo opportunity with Santa Claus are provided. Volunteers to help set up (on Friday), sell, and clean up are welcome.

Pancake Supper

This annual event takes place on Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. The Youth Club hosts this fellowship supper.

Parish Picnic Committee

This committee plans the annual parish picnic held in June. Volunteers are solicited for this event in early spring, so the time commitment is short. There is a Standard Operating Procedure Manual to help in the planning process.

Thanksgiving Dinner

Begun in 1988, this event is anticipated every year in Laurel. It is a free dinner of turkey or ham, and all the fixin’s, served in Wyatt Hall and, for others, delivered to their homes and apartments. It is not just for “others” but for “ourselves” as well… many parish members want to share this meal with fellow parishioners and folks from the community in the spirit of the season of gratitude. Volunteers are needed to assemble the food, bake and cook, set up and clear tables, serve food, clean up, deliver meals, and welcome everyone who wants to celebrate Thanksgiving at St. Philip’s.

Used Book Sale

Each year, the Women of St P's host a used book sale in conjunction with the Main Street Festival (Saturday before Mother’s day usually). The women request support from the congregation and community for ‘ Previously Read’ books and sort and display the books for all who attend the Festival to peruse and also for parishioners on Sunday

MUSIC

Adult Choir

The Adult Choir always welcomes new members with the following voices: Soprano, Alto, Tenor, Baritone/Bass, or “other!” There is no audition – anyone with a love for music and a desire to sing to the glory of God is invited to join.

The choir sings at the 10:15 am service. We meet for rehearsal in the St. Philip’s worship space. 

Bell Choir

This “orchestra” of magnificent hand-bells enriches the music and worship at St. Philip’s, and always seeks new members to contribute their time and talent to this ministry. Volunteers, young and old, who can read music , or are willing to learn, are most welcome. 

The Bell Choir practices on Monday evenings from 7:30 – 9:00 p.m., September through June.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT

Elizabeth House

Elizabeth House (run by Fish of Laurel Inc) serves in meal kitchens, at two locations, to our food-insecure neighbors.  Numerous churches and organizations volunteer to prepare and serve hot meals and make bagged lunches 365 days a year.  A group of St Philip’s parishioners volunteer twice a month (every first Tuesday at the Laurel Multiservice Center and every third Monday at the original Elizabeth House) from 5:45–8pm where we serve food and clean up afterwards.  Volunteers are not required to work every month . 

Laurel Advocacy and Referral Service (LARS)

St. Philip’s was one of the founding members of this ministry. LARS, an ecumenical ministry serving the Greater Laurel area, assists homeless and low-income individuals or families in crisis with emergency and long-term services. Members of St. Philip’s serve on LARS’ Board of Directors, help in the office, or assist in other LARS events. LARS is located at 311 Laurel Avenue–just off Route 1 in Laurel | Tel: 301-776-0442

Little Chapel Food Pantry (LCFP)

St Philip's has a formal partnership with Capital Area Food Bank to provide food to those in need at the Little Chapel Food Pantry on the campus of the Church. We hold monthly food distribution on the third Sunday of every month form 9 am to 12pm. Volunteers are needed to unload the food and pack bags a day or two before distribution. Volunteers can also sign up to distribute the food

Prayer Shawl Ministry

This quiet ministry was begun several years ago, and it meets on the first Saturday of each month at 10:00 a.m. in Wyatt Hall (except during holidays).  Whether you are a veteran at knitting, crocheting, needlepoint or other handwork, or you have no idea which end of the needle to use, you are most welcome! We knit prayer shawls, baby blankets, baby caps, and—a new addition—caps for chemo patients. These hand-crafted gifts are blessed by our rector/pastor in worship, and then either mailed with a personal note or hand-delivered to folks who need a physical symbol of God’s healing touch. We have several folks who showed up and asked to be taught to knit. Now, they are veterans! If you are an introvert, this is a wonderful way to ease your way into this parish. We welcome men as well as women to this group!

Winter Shelter

St Philip’s has a long history of helping to provide respite for homeless men and women in the cold winter months. The Laurel Winter Shelter is run by Taking Care of our Neighbors Inc (TCON) who organize volunteers from local churches, a synagogue and the community with each group leading a week (Sunday to Sunday) from January to March each year, with support from TCON. The homeless are housed in a separate shelter area in the Laurel Multiservice Center.  St Philip’s volunteers check in clients, monitor them in the evening and overnight and in the morning clean up the main areas/remove trash. We have two shifts each day (2 men and 1 woman) - 7:15pm - 11:15pm and 11pm – 8am.

Women of St. Philip’s

This Ministry offers a variety of opportunities for fellowship and service, which is open to all women in the parish.

CHURCH MANAGEMENT

Live Stream Team

This ministry is responsible for streaming the 10:15 a.m. service live on YouTube (and eventually on Facebook). It allows our church members to participate in our services from the comfort of their homes or any remote location with internet access as well as invite the world into our sanctuary. The team looks after the equipment and technology needed to have a high end audio and video quality. Volunteers are trained on how to handle the equipment. 

Property Core Team

The Property Core Team, operating under the Jr. Warden, is responsible for the maintenance of buildings, grounds, and equipment of St. Philip’s. The Jr. Warden and PCT engage in regular discussions to identify concerns, develop a work plan, and propose strategies for resolution. They then present the plan of action to the Vestry for approval, highlighting the collaborative nature of their work.

Tending our Soil

Tending Our Soil is a diocesan-led three-year ministry to help congregations thrive. The goal is to cultivate the soil of congregations so that God’s love will flourish and grow in our time and place. It equips parishes with tools designed to help us adapt and pivot to the changing environments around us and have a greater capacity to focus more fully on being followers of Jesus Christ. Tending Our Soil team leads the parish to support the strategic goals and empower the congregation. To learn more about this ministry please click here

WORSHIP

Acolytes/Crucifers

Adults and children aged 7 and up are encouraged to consider this ministry. The acolytes/crucifers serve on the altar during services. They help light candles, carry the cross, and help with the Eucharist.

Altar Guild

Members of this Guild prepare the church for worship, dress the altar and ready vestments.  Members arrange altar flowers and greenery, polish the silver and brass, and generally make all things bright and beautiful for our worship.

Bread Bakers

Bread Bakers make bread for Communion.  They rotate to make bread every two months.  The making of bread takes 2 - 2 1/2  hours. It makes your house smell so good. Also, Bread Bakers make gluten-free bread. It takes 30 minutes to make and bake.

Eucharist Ministers

These are the members of the parish who assist clergy the priest with the administration of the wine at communion.

Nursery

During the services on Sunday mornings, a Nursery is available for children from newborn to age 4.  The Nursery is in The Ministry Center, convenient to Wyatt Hall. For other parish events, the nursery may be opened if there are volunteers to staff it. This ministry is actively looking for an assistant in our nursery, as well as a volunteer to help schedule volunteers.

Pastoral Care Team

This team shares the responsibilities of coordinating the care of  parishioners and others. Our members can be part of:

·  The Licensed Eucharistic Ministers who are trained to take the Eucharist to the sick, homebound and others who are unable to get to church.

·  The Flower Ministry who deliver the altar flowers to parishioners and others on our prayer list. 

·  The Pastoral Care Committee who is responsible for keeping the prayer list up to date. 

This team also ministers to the dying and bereaved.

Stewardship Team

The goal of our Stewardship Team is to foster an environment of giving at St. Philip’s: giving of time, treasure, and talent to the greater glory of God. Stewardship at St. Philip’s is involved in many aspects of parish life and strives to encourage and acknowledge service to the church and within the community.

Worship Committee

This group works to support and enrich the worship experience at St. Philip’s for all parishioners, and is composed of clergy, staff, and lay people actively seeking and romoting ways to engage the congregation in an inspiring and meaningful worship experience. Currently, this group meets monthly, September—June, on the second Monday of the monthn.