Member Ministries
This page contains a listing of all the Committees and Organizations
at Good Shepherd. Click on a link below for more information. If
you are looking to become more involved in the Church or wish to
donate some time this is the place to start! Not only will you find
time spent enjoyable and the fellowship fabulous you will be making
a concrete and much needed contribution to our church.
Acolytes
All children in kindergarten through the 12th grade are invited to become
acolytes at the Church of the Good Shepherd. Adults are also welcome to serve as
acolytes. An acolyte assists in the service by leading the procession and recession
with the torch and crucifer. Later in training acolytes may become servers and
participate in the service by helping the Priest and Deacon to prepare for
Holy Communion. The acolyte program is coordinated with the Sunday School
so that the younger acolytes can attend school first and then join the Mass
afterwards.
Contact: Father Troy (914) 248-5632
Altar Guild
The ministry of the Altar Guild members is one of service and dedication.
Each week Guild members care for the altar furnishings, candles and torches,
vestments, vessels and linens - all of the elements of the worship service.
They set up and reset for every service, and they assist the Rector, Chalice
Bearers, Acolytes and Lay People participating at each service.
They plan for and arrange all the floral and decorative displays for
regular and special services and prepare the altar for all weddings and
funerals. Members of the Guild are always in attendance at these events
to help as needed. It is our privilege to serve God and the people who
worship in His Church. Estimated time commitment: 1 hour per person per
week except when special occasions arise.
Contact: Arleen Flury (914) 248-8896
Birthday Card Committee
The Birthday Card Committee provides an opportunity to
send best wishes and blessings to parishioners on behalf of the Good Shepherd Parish.
A volunteer is responsible for writing and addressing cards for one month (you choose
the month). You are provided with the cards, stamps, return address labels, suggested
messages and procedures. It is a simple way for an individual, family, or two friends
sharing coffee to provide a rewarding ministry to our parish. The estimated time
commitment is 1-2 hours/month.
Contact: Nancy Anderson (914) 962-4033
Chalice Bearers
A Chalice Bearer is a layperson licensed by the Bishop of the Diocese
to administer the chalice at the Eucharist, usually after a period
of study and training. Lay chalice Bearers can function as sub
deacons or servers. They may also be lay readers and may read the
epistle
at the Eucharist.
Contact: Father Troy (914) 248-5632
Choir
The choir is a warm fellowship of music-loving parishioners
which sings at the 10:00 a.m. service most Sundays from mid-September to mid-June.
In addition to leading the congregation in the hymns of the Mass, we often perform
special musical pieces during the Offertory. We meet for rehearsal each Sunday
after the 10:00 a.m. service (yes, you have time to get some coffee first!).
Everyone is most warmly invited to join us, whether you are an experienced singer
or a “just-in-the-shower” vocalist (basses and tenors are particularly needed).
The choir also performs a special Midnight Mass Concert on Christmas Eve.
Even if you do not regularly sing in the choir, you are welcome to join us for
this special performance. Estimated time commitment: 1 hour/week during the regular
season, 2-3 hours/week right before the Christmas concert.
Contact: Cecilia Sparacio (914) 734-1792
Coffee Hour Host/Hostess
Coffee Hour takes place after the 10 am service each
Sunday. It is a time when church members can take time out from their
hectic schedules to share fellowship and good cheer. Coffee, tea and
various goodies are provided for the parish each week by a volunteer
host or hostess. The host or hostess for the week needs to show up
20 minutes before the service to start the coffee and get things ready
and stay at least 20 after the Coffee Hour to clean up. Detailed instructions
are taped to the side of the refrigerator in the kitchen
regarding how much coffee to use Approximate time commitment is 1 hour
for the Sunday you select to prepare and clean up.
Contact: Julia Bacal (914) 248-6842
Outreach
The Outreach Committee has expanded its activities
through the Westchester community and is now funding and servicing
organizations in a wide area from White Plains to Poughkeepsie. We
do not limit our support to grant giving - each organization that we
fund has a connection to one or more of our Church members. We feel
this bond is important for the development of relationships with organizations
in our area. Some of the programs we have funded include Episcopal
Church Youth Ministries, Green Chimneys, The Lord's Pantry, Today's
Students Tomorrow's Teachers, Northern Westchester Hospital Center
Chaplaincy, River Haven Youth Shelter & SErvices, Liberia Project,
Special Program & Resource Connection and Children's Center/Bedford
Correctional Facility. We need motivated embers to help with fundraising
activities and to create programs that will expand the tie between
the church and its outreach recipients.
Contact: Father Troy (914) 248-5632
Stewardship
The Stewardship Committee's job
is to encourage all parishioners to give their time, talent and treasury to God.
Our year is focused around Covenant Sunday, the second Sunday in November, when
each church member is asked to make a pledge of time and money to help the church
plan its activities for the coming year. To accomplish our goals, we have monthly
to bimonthly meetings and include a monthly column in The Shepherd's Voice,
reminding parishioners about this very important part of spiritual living.
Before covenant Sunday we do two mailings to the congregation of financial worksheets
and pledge cards as well as personally calling each family to remind them of
this important event. We coordinate the 24 hour Prayer Vigil before and the luncheon
after the 10 am Mass on Covenant Sunday itself. Estimated time commitment is
1 - 2 hours/month.
Contact: Maria Kaprielian (845) 628-6775
Sunday School
How about becoming a Sunday School teacher? There's
no experience necessary; all you need is the desire to help root children
in the knowledge of Christ! Each session is themed and lasts approximately
seven weeks, including six "teaching" Sundays and the final "presentation"
Sunday, where the children present what they have learned to the
congregation. You have your choice of three age levels to teach:
Pre-Kindergarden through 1st grade (4-6 year olds)
Second/third grade (7-8 year olds)
Fourth-sixth grade (9-12 year olds)
There are approximately ten children at each level. all subject
matter and lesson plans are provided, but you have the freedom to
be creative about how you present it. A new team-teaching approach
is being used which will provide lots of teacher support. Total time
commitment is a one-hour evening preparation meeting in advance of
the session and one hour for each of the teaching Sundays and the
final presentation Sunday.
Contact: Jan Corning, Arlene Flury
Vestry
The Vestry serves as the board of trustees for the
Parish Corporation and consists of the Rector, two church wardens
and nine vestry
members. It has custody and control of all Parish property,
real and personal, and manages the temporal affairs of the
Parish in accordance with the by-laws of the Corporation, the
Episcopal Church in the United States of America, the Dioceses
of New York and applicable state law. the wardens and vestry
members are elected by ballot at the Annual meeting. The Vestry
meets on the second Thursday of every month to discuss church
matters. Estimated time commitment is 2 - 3 hours a month.
Contact: Wardens Phil Levy (914) 248-5677 or
Pat MulHolland (914) 248-8551
WOCOGS
The "WOMEN OF THE CHURCH OF GOOD SHEPHERD" have an
active book club which meets about every two months for fellowship and
discussion of the current book. Past activities have also included art
and exercise classes and arranging a church "Christmas Gala."
All women of the church are welcome to join the group and to propose
new activities. Your time commitment is however much you would like.
Contact:
Worship Committee
The Worship Committee meets three or four times a year
to coordinate practical arrangements for upcoming worship services with the Rector.
The Committee also welcomes suggestions from the congregation for our worship services.
Time commitment: 1 hour 3 or 4 times a year.
Contact: Father Troy (914) 248-5632
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