Involvement Opportunities

Throughout this booklet, there are descriptions of many different ways to be involved in the life of our church community.  We encourage all people, from relative newcomers to long-term members, from children to adults, to take advantage of these opportunities.  These next pages describe current opportunities for various ministries and are offered as experiences that can be fulfilling, nurturing and life-giving.  The lay leadership members of St. Paul’s, elected by the church at the Annual Meeting, along with other volunteers and staff oversee each area.  The areas are listed below in alphabetical order.  Some of the committee members are appointed by the rector with term limits.

Acolytes:  Participate in candle lighting, processions and serve at the altar during Eucharist; for youth grades 5 and above.  Contact Deacon Barb Hauck  724-3535, ext 13.

Altar Guild:  Care for the altar, linens, vessels, prepare the worship area for regular and special services.  Contact Carlyle Conrad 724-1254.

Archivists:  Care for the books, documents, photographs, and plans that have been compiled through the life of St. Paul’s.  Materials are organized and placed in acid free folders, envelopes and boxes.  Contact JoAnn Chesser 728-1516 or Fayth Glass 525-2384.

Buildings and Property Committee:  This committee tries to pro-actively and reactively deal with the needs of the physical plant and equipment. They also have a scheduled maintenance program for the building and property.   Contact Craig Fellman, 728-4180.

Celtic Garden Committee:  These volunteers take care of the plants and flowers surrounding the building, including the beautiful Celtic Garden.  Parishioners have the opportunity to take a part of the garden home with them during the annual plant sale. Contact Carol Andrews 730-9954.

Chalice Bearers:  Participate in the Eucharist by administering wine to communicants.  Contact Bruce Hansen  728-1308.

Choir/Musicians:  Provide vocal and instrumental music for regular and special services.  Contact Jackie Holstrom, 724-3535.

Christian Formation Committee:  Assists the Director in designing and providing educational opportunities for all ages in a variety of settings as described in this brochure and planned throughout the year.  Contact Sue Van Oss 724-3535.

Evangelism/Newcomers Committee: The mission of the Evangelism Committee is to facilitate a culture at St. Paul’s Church that is warm and inviting. A secondary aim of the committee has been to help the congregation understand that evangelism is everyone's ministry. A newcomers committee is a subcommittee of Evangelism. Contact Deb Almirall, 525-6660.

Finance and Budget Committee: Serve as an advisory committee to the vestry which is the main decision making body of the church. The finance committee makes recommendations about the wise use of church funds and provides advice and counsel to the church Treasurer. Contact Mike Machones 720-4836.

House Committee: This group looks at the needs of the interior of the church and works with other committees, individuals, memorials and donations in meeting the needs of our wonderful church. Ideas and suggestions are always most welcome. Contact Bev Bennett  525-7374.

Investment Committee: This committee supervises the activity of St. Paul’s funds in the Pooled Investment Fund of the Diocese of Minnesota as well as the local account. Contact Mark Danielson 728-1440.

Lay Eucharistic Visitors: This ministry involves people sharing our Eucharistic meal and church community with those who are unable to gather with us, either on a short term or long term basis. LEVs make their visit(s) once each month, sharing food from our table with others and providing news of our community. Contact Deacon David Hill 724-3535, or Barb Hauck 724-3535.

Lectors: Read Scripture lessons at regular and special services. Contact Bruce Hansen  728-1308.

Legacy Society:  This society is open to any person who has made a provision for St. Paul's in his or her estate plan or will, regardless of the size of the gift. The amount of the gift is not important and not discussed. The central form of our giving is the annual pledge which supports the parish operating budget, but, in addition, we are invited to support the parish in more particular and long term ways. Contact Laura Budd 721-4443.

Library: A children’s library is maintained in the parish hall for children to check out books to take home. Adults can find resources for their reading enjoyment in the second floor Olcott Room. Contact Sandy Leake  525-7444.

Memorial and Thanksgiving Committee: Committee members work with families in guiding their decision on giving memorials to St. Paul’s Church. Donations may be restricted or non-restricted according to the families wishes; such contributions meet current needs of the church in spiritual, physical and musical ways. Contact Maren Hustad 728-5720.

Northern Grounds Teen Coffeehouse:  A committee of adults and teens plan events for the Teen Coffeehouse.  Contact Susan Peterson, norstar@superlake.us.

Opening Our Doors, Opening Our Hearts: Five years ago, First United Methodist Church, St. Paul’s and First Lutheran gathered for the first Opening Our Doors, Opening Our Hearts Conference. The mission of this group is to assist communities of faith in accepting and welcoming gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered persons and their families. An annual conference is held in spring of each year. Contact Barb Hauck 724-3535.

Outdoor Ministries: Celebrates God’s presence in creation and community through discussion in outdoor settings such as hikes, or indoor gatherings. The group is informal and meets for various activities with time for reflection and spirituality. Past activities have included hikes of varying location and difficulty; cross country skiing; snowshoeing; solstice bonfires and dinners; book study; boat trips; and gathering greens for the Parish Advent wreath-making event. Contact Jill Peterman 525-6343.

Outreach: See the separate page on outreach in this booklet for more information. Contact Deacon Barb Hauck 724-3535, ext 13.

Personnel Committee: This committee assists the rector in hiring decisions for the church, including interviewing, hiring, contract
negotiations, and evaluations. Contact Ken Buck 729-1978.

Planned Giving/Mission Endowment Committee: The Planned Giving or Mission Endowment Committee plans programs to help parishioners know and understand the various ways of making gifts to St. Paul’s in their financial or estate planning now and in the future. Contact Laura Budd 721-4443.

Reception and Hospitality Committee: The mission of the committee is to provide a ministry of outreach and hospitality in support of St. Paul's many church and neighborhood community activities. Church members, young and old, men, women and youth, are all welcome and invited to join in and help. Contact Fayth Glass 525-2384.

Scholarship Committee: These funds are invested by the Investment Committee and the income from the Fund is used for scholarships for students to attend Marshall School or post-secondary institutions. Recipients must be active members of St. Paul’s Contact Bill Dinan 525-9212.

Social Ministries: This group meets monthly to review grant requests they’ve been asked to fund. This commission also provides leadership in empowering our parish to actively serve the larger community in a wide variety of ways. For more information on how to participate in this vital and vibrant ministry. Contact Charlie Bertel 728-4640.

Stewardship: This committee encourages members to express spiritual gratitude for the church as the Body of Christ through pledged financial commitment by organizing yearly and special pledge campaigns. The primary goal is to examine how we, the members of St. Paul’s, steward the gifts we have been given by God. Contact Beth Fait, 728-0619.

Technology Committee: This committee continues to focus on supporting the church’s web page: www.stpaulsduluth.org. Contact Melinda Machones 720-4836.

Understanding and Dismantling Racism Committee: The purpose of this group is responding to the call in our baptismal covenant to strive for justice and peace among all people, and to respect the dignity of every human being. They commit themselves to spiritually challenge each other in the task of undoing racism in all its forms. Contact JoAnn Chesser 728-1516.

Ushers: Welcome those who enter the church, distribute bulletins, count attendance and present the Eucharistic elements at the offertory. They also take up the collection and guide communicants to the altar for Eucharist. Contact Mary Ann Howard, 525-1533.

Vestry: The vestry helps to discern the vision toward which God is drawing the parish. It articulates and communicates the vision, holds the community accountable for its realization of that vision, and keeps the mission of the Church and that of the individual congregation clearly before the parish community. Each year members of each Episcopal church gather for an annual meeting where parishioners are elected to serve terms as wardens and vestry members. Contact Mark Danielson, 728-1440.

Worship Committee: A new committee will be appointed by Bill Van Oss to look at the overall worship at St. Paul’s and assist the clergy in offering worship opportunities that have a broad appeal to all. Contact Jackie Holstrom, 724-3535.