Ministries
All Things Visible and Invisible...
There are many ministries that go on around us without too many folks ever even noticing. A lot of these smaller, behind-the-scenes ministries have been adopted by folks who saw a need and quietly stepped in to fill it. What kinds of "ministries" are we talking about? Here are just a few...
Have you received a birthday card from the church on your birthday? If so, know that somebody had to take time to check in advance for upcoming birthdays, make out, address, and sign the cards, then get them mailed. That is a ministry.
The flowers behind our altar are beautiful on Sundays, and if you come into the church during the following week, you can usually find some of those blossoms thoughtfully arranged to grace our lobby and office. That is a ministry.
Our carillon chimes the hours, plays appropriate hymns once a day, and tolls at funerals. Somebody has to set those chimes and tolls and reset the timing when it invariably loses a minute during the month. That's a ministry.
How about the candles that add so much to our worship? Since we started using oil candles, someone has to be sure they are filled regularly. That includes the sanctuary lamp which burns constantly above the aumbry. That is a ministry.
Someone packs the snack bags and hygiene bags we hand out at our doors every weekday. Someone takes our boxes and paper to recycling. Someone picks up trash around our buildings and grounds. Someone waters the plants in our gardens and blows the dead leaves off the driveway.
Look around you and you'll notice (or maybe not) the dozens of jobs that get quietly and efficiently done on a regular basis, all of them for the same reason -- it's a way to show love for others. That's what ministry is all about, and it's also what WE are all about. If you notice someone doing one of these "unseen" ministries, just say "thank you!".
In Reach at Holy Comforter
Equipping the Saints
Through our many ministries, we come together to learn, love, and lift one another up each day. These ministries are the heart of our shared life where relationships are strengthened and faith is deepened. We joyfully invest in these ministries, honoring them as the foundation upon which our beloved parish has been built. Each ministry reflects our desire to serve faithfully, grow spiritually, and care for one another as the Body of Christ.
Lectors, Eucharistic Ministers & Acolytes
Greeters
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Children and Youth
Cherished, Growing, Hope-Filled
Our children and youth are cherished and nurtured by the entire parish community. Though our group is currently small, our commitment to these young members is strong, faithful, and joyful. We believe investing in children and youth is one of the most meaningful ways to grow God’s Kingdom. Holy Comforter is eager to welcome more young families and their children, and we stand ready to expand our children and youth ministries as God provides the opportunity. Here, our youngest members are known, loved, encouraged, and surrounded by a parish family that delights in watching them grow in faith.
• Nursery (0-3) available during most services and events.
• Children’s Chapel – Fully outfitted child-sized chapel to teach younger children about how we worship.
• EYC – Tweens and teens, classes and activities planned as needed.
• Acolyte training – Age 11+, getting kids involved in ministry and worship.
• Vacation Bible School – Summer program, includes Day School students.
Outreach
Faith In Action
The Episcopal Church of the Holy Comforter is committed to sharing God’s love through service and generosity, making a meaningful connection with our community. Though the world around us has changed since our earliest days, our call to love our neighbors has remained the same. We continue to reach outward with compassion, humility, and grace, seeing Christ in those we serve and allowing God’s love to work through us. Our outreach ministries reflect our deep desire to care for others and honor human dignity. We live faithfully into Christ’s command to love our neighbors. The outreach ministries we prayerfully nurture and actively support include:
• Episcopal Day School – Grades pre-K – 12, weekly chapel services in the church.
• Brown Bag – Packs once monthly lunches for Way of the Cross Feeding Ministry.
• Reverse Advent Calendar – Annual food collection for the Etowah Community Food Bank.
• ECW Soup Sale – Annual fundraising event, much-anticipated by the community.
• ECW @ Camp McDowell – Provides camper supplies and counselor meals during Special Sessions.
• Blessing Box – Provides food bags, clothing, and hygiene bags for the needy in the neighborhood.
• Kyle Home – Associated with Holy Comforter, Housing for 17 mentally-challenged adults; church has an “adopt a friend” program to pair parishioners and residents.
• Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI) – UA Adult Education classes meet in the church library on weekdays, 3 sessions per year,
• Daughters of the King - Welcome Bag Ministry for Newcomers.
• MANNA Sunday – Donations collected for our local meals on wheels program; several church members work as volunteers.
• Prayer Shawl Annual Sale – Our knitting group knits shawls which are blessed and given to members or neighbors who are ill. Sale of items pays for the yarn.
• Bell Carillon – Plays chimes and hymns for the community.
• Windy Van Hooten – Local non-profit uses our Episcopal Day Camp property as part of their educational programs for local schools and the community.
