Pastoral Ministries
As each has received a gift, employ it for one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace: whoever speaks, as one who utters oracles of God; whoever renders service, as one who renders it by the strength which God supplies; in order that in everything God may be glorified through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 4:10-11
| Name of Ministry/Organization | Purpose | Head/Chair | Meeting Day/Time |
| Absalom Jones Prayer | The ministry prays for the people of the congregation and community and at any request of individuals/groups. The Forward Day by Day serves as the ministry’s guide for daily meditation and scripture. |
Enid Patterson Patricia Johnson |
Every Tuesday (12:15pm) for Intercessory Prayer Conference Call. Annual Blessed Absalom Jones’ Feast Day (February) and Outreach Activities as needed. Meetings take place immediately following the closing of the Prayer Call. |
| Altar Guild | This volunteer group cares for the altar, vestments, vessels, and altar linens of Saint Ambrose. Members prepare the sanctuary for services, clean up afterwards, and work closely with the Flower Ministry in decorating the sanctuary with flowers. |
Benita Merritt Hilda Ragland |
Quarterly |
| Building and Grounds | This committee shall be composed of at least three members with the Junior Warden serving as Chair. The committee is responsible for the physical plant of the church, maintenance, repair and improvement, etc. |
Paul Flanagan Eric Handy |
Monthly (1st Monday, 7:30pm) |
| Caregivers Guild | The ministry is devoted to keeping the members of Saint Ambrose that are unable to attend church services in person in touch with and connected to the parish family. To let them know that even though they are not present in body, they are thought of and are still considered to be an integral part of the life of the church. | Donna Mooney Haywood | As needed/case based. Meets annually in December to prepare Christmas baskets for sick and shut in. |
| Christian Education | Composed of all segments of the church family (i.e., youth, young adults, senior citizens, clergy, etc.) It shall be responsible for operating the Church School, selecting a Coordinator of the Church School for a term of two years, obtaining teachers for the Church School, keeping abreast of changes in the Diocese, and program of activities for the benefit, welfare and growth of the children. | Mallory Mbalia | As needed |
| Communications Ministry | This committee is responsible for promoting important church events and activities, publishing a periodic newsletter, making and keeping the historic records of the Parish, and maintaining the bulletin boards in the church. |
Adonya Hood Benita Merritt |
Completes the Brose, robocalls, and social media. |
| Digital Ministry | The ministry was born out of necessity starting with the beginning of the lockdown due to COVID 19 and now exists to serve the Saint Ambrose community in the virtual space for worship services, meeting, funerals, and special events. | Shima Flanagan | Weekly (after church) |
| Episcopal Church Women | Since 1871, the National Episcopal Church Women-ECW-have championed women’s rights and the Christian foundation of God and family. As a ministry of the Episcopal Church, we celebrate that Episcopalians believe in a loving, liberating life-giving God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Established at Saint Ambrose in 1956, ECW has a long church and community service tradition. | Phyllis Gray |
Quarterly at 10:00am in the Parish Hall. Summer Meeting – July (10:00am) and Fall Meeting – November (TBA at the July Meeting). The above information does not reflect the meeting dates and times for committees. |
| Episcopal Youth Community | The ministry is open to youth in middle and high school grades 6th-12th. |
Benita Merritt Melissa Smith |
Currently organizing activities and functions for the remainder of the year. More details will be shared later. |
| Environmental Justice | Our Environmental Justice ministries started as an effort to remove trash in Walnut Creek, and quickly became a mission to correct decades of environmental racism and oppression. | George Jones, Jr. | Quarterly: July, October, January, and April (6:30pm) |
|
Eucharistic Ministry
Eucharistic Visitors |
Lay Eucharist Ministers assist the priest in administering the Holy Communion.
Take the sacrament to those that are ill or otherwise unable to attend the church service. |
Hilda Ragland Donna Mooney Haywood |
Monthly as required Twice a year and training in August. |
| Finance | Duties will be, but not limited to the review in advance, when feasible all proposals requiring expenditures of church funds. | Sonya Prear | Monthly (3rd Thursday) |
| Flower Ministry | The ministry provides flowers or greenery for church services. | Rosie Rodriguez | As needed |
| Healing Garden | The ministry mission is to provide wellness programming grounded in the metaphors of gardening and nature for parishioners and underserved members of our community, working in all the natural and gardened spaces on our beautiful campus. | Kirsten Reberg-Horton | Monthly (3rd Sunday – Gardening together) following service and as needed. |
| Hospitality | The committee will plan and coordinate refreshments for hospitality after Sunday church services for other special events including any requested by the Vestry. |
Patricia Johnson Jackie Reid |
Twice a year and whenever needed to prepare for a repast or other events. |
| Laymen | Ministry specially designed to minister to the needs of men and others. | Harold Mallette | Monthly (1st Sunday at 8:30am) |
| Lector/Reader | The readings from sacred scripture with the exception of the Gospel. |
Donna Mooney Haywood Jackie Reid |
As needed. |
|
Music Ministry Choir |
Coordinates the music program for all services, special music programs, choral and instrumental concerts. |
Christian Foushee-Green Albert Cardogan |
Weekly (Sundays before church) |
| One Church One School | The ministry is a partnership between Saint Ambrose and Fuller Magnet School to support efforts to achieve excellence in education with the goal of being a light in our community. | Emily Cadogan |
August (Back-to-School supplies) September (Back to School Teacher Breakfast) November (Thanksgiving Baskets) December (Angel Tree Gifts) February (Education Sunday) May (Teacher Appreciation Breakfast) |
| ONE WAKE | ONE WAKE is about people: developing their innate skills and ability to work with each other to identify common problems, to find or create workable solutions, and to work together to implement systemic changes within society to achieve the common good. |
Julia Daniels Jessie Maeck Father Taylor |
As needed and the following times: Fall pre-election campaign (Sept/Oct) Spring legislative/budget Season (February through May) |
| Parish Council | The Council consists of representatives from each parish organization. It serves as a clearing house for organizational activities within the Parish. |
Glendia Bryson-Jacobs Carolyn Penny |
January, April, July, and October (12:00-1:30pm) Annual meeting (January) Semi-annual meeting (July) |
| Silver Angels | Provides opportunities for the senior members of our community to come together monthly for lunch, fellowship, and continuing lifelong learning. |
Patricia Johnso /Karen Stroud |
2nd Wednesdays of the month (immediately following the 12:15pm mid-week service) |
| Stewardship | The committee is chaired by a Vestry member. It shall consist of the Rector, and five eligible voters of Saint Ambrose. The committee shall develop and implement an in-depth, year-round stewardship education. |
Karen McLean LaVerne Reid Kendra Paiz |
Annual meeting (the theme and date are provided by the Diocese) |
| Ushers | Its objective is to serve those who come together for the purpose of worship. The usher acts as a personal representative of Jesus Christ and is the first to greet people on a person-to-person basis as they arrive at church. |
Vanessa Harris Michael Minor |
Tuesdays (6:30pm) via Zoom, frequency will be given at a later date. |
| Vacation Bible School | A summer program that provides Christian education for children. The program usually takes place over a week and includes religious study, arts and crafts, games, and recreation. The goal of VBS is to provide a fun and creative environment for children to learn about the Bible and build relationships with other kids and their church. to nurture students in middle & high school, grades 6 – 12. The program is open to the community. | Jackie Reid | February, March, April, May, June, & July (2nd Tuesday at 6:30pm) |
| Vergers | St. Ambrose’s Vergers are laypersons who serve the church in a ministry of service and welcome. The Vergers report directly to the clergy and carry out the liturgical style directed by the clergy. Often the visitor will see the Verger moving about the church preparing for worship. The Verger can respond to any inquiry concerning the upcoming service, church facilities or current program offerings. | Gail Reid Vestal | As needed by Zoom or in person (when working with other ministries such as acolytes) |
| Worship | In the absence of a Rector the Wardens may assemble a Worship Committee to assist with the planning and implementation of the corporate worship of the Parish. When present, the Rector shall assume all responsibility for worship (Constitution & Canons Title 3 Canon 9:5) and may convene a team to assist with innovation and implementation of worship services. | Ronald Penny | 3rd Tuesday via Zoom (6:30pm) |
Saint Ambrose Episcopal Church is a welcoming community that gives worship to God, receives wisdom from God, and works alongside God to move the city of Raleigh.
Contact Us
813 Darby St Raleigh, NC 27610 (919) 833-8055