Acolytes
Acolytes serve as helpers to the priests during services and perform a number of important functions before, during, and at the close of church services. Sixth through twelfth graders are encouraged to participate in this ministry. Contact Person: Gray Fowler.

Altar Guild
Altar Guild members work behind the scenes to assure the smooth flow of any service at St. James’. Whether the service is 11:05 on a Sunday morning or out on the lawn at a Bible School closing, it is our duty to have it ready. To quote the diocesan manual, “The Altar Guild’s work is most successful when it is least noticed”. As participants in this ministry of the care of sacred spaces we do most of our work in the prayerful quiet of those spaces and are not noticed in ways that other ministries are. It is very rewarding and can easily be performed by women who work inside or outside their home. We serve one week out of the month with four other women so duties are not too much on any one member. Contact Person: Harriett Eppes.

Banner Guild
The Banner Guild was formed to prepare banners to help celebrate the liturgies of the church year. The primary task is to make baptismal banners for each child to be given out on the day of Baptism. Additionally, we would like to make other seasonal and special day processional banners. Contact Person: Susie Baltz.

Chalice Bearers
Chalice Bearers help serve the wine during Communion. Diocesan Canons require that Chalice Bearers be confirmed in the Episcopal Church and licensed through the diocese. Chalice Bearers are approved by the St. James’ Vestry and trained by the clergy. When Chalice Bearers receive their diocesan license they are eligible to become Lay Eucharistic Ministers (LEM’s). The Clergy will hold periodic educational sessions for Chalice Bearers and Lay Eucharistic Ministers. Contact Person for Chalice Bearers, Lay Eucharistic Ministers, Eucharistic Companions, and Subdeacons: Mary Jane Duncan.

Children’s Liturgy & Worship Committee
This committee coordinates liturgy for children from birth through 5th grade with the intent of helping children draw close to God through Sunday Eucharist and Seasonal Celebrations. The committee works closely with the rector in planning the Children’s services for Christmas Eve, Ash Wednesday, and Vacation Church School. Contact Person: Mary Nell Prichard.

Choirs of St. James’
The Choir provides music during Sunday and most other major services. Members can sing at 8:40 or 11:05 or both services. Choir rehearsals are held on Wednesday evenings (5:00 p.m. for the Children’s Choir; 6:00 p.m. for the 8:40 service Choir; and 7:05 p.m. for the 11:05 service Choir). Don Messer, Organist/Choirmaster, is always excited to have new members.

Diocesan Licensed Lay Reader
Since the early 1980’s and the adoption of The Book of Common Prayer (1979), lay persons have shared a more responsible and vibrant role in the offerings of the church, especially in the worship services. The National Canons of the Episcopal Church give permission to license lay persons for specialized lay liturgical ministry to the Bishop of each diocese. Specialized ministries are lay readers, pastoral leaders, lay preachers, catechist, lay eucharistic ministers and lector. At present the Diocese of Mississippi does not offer a license for pastoral leader, lay preacher and catechist. To be licensed for a specialized lay ministry by the Bishop, a person (1) must be a confirmed adult in good standing who is committed and prepared to serve the Church; (2) must be recommended and endorsed by the Member of the Clergy in charge of the Congregation and approved by the Vestry/Mission Committee in which the person will be serving; (3) and, in some positions, trained, examined, and found competent in specific areas. A Diocesan Licensed Lay Reader is licensed to lead public worship and to read the sermon or homily under the direction of a Member of the Clergy in charge of the Congregation. In the Diocese of Mississippi, the person shall be trained, examined, and found competent in the following subjects: The Holy Scriptures, contents and background; The Book of Common Prayer and the Hymnal; the conduct of public worship; use of the voice; church history; the church’s doctrine set forth in the Creeds and An Outline of Faith, commonly called the Catechism. Those completing the four year Education for Ministry Program are eligible for licensing as Diocesan Lay Readers if they complete Test IV: Liturgy of the current Examination Booklet. If you are interested in becoming a Diocesan Licensed Lay Reader contact one of the Clergy.

Eucharistic Companions
Eucharistic Companions are parishioners who accompany Lay Eucharistic Ministers as they go out to the sick and shut-in after the Sunday Eucharist. No license is required. Parishioners are encouraged to serve as Eucharistic Companions. They along with the LEM’s represent our community of faith sharing with the person who is in the hospital or homebound. We share one bread, one cup. Contact person for Chalice Bearers, Lay Eucharistic Ministers, Eucharistic Companions, and Subdeacons: Mary Jane Duncan.

Flower Guild
The Flower Guild is composed of twenty-one regular members and six members who serve as floaters or with Floral Pastoral Care. This dedicated group has the sole responsibility for the flowers in the church on Sunday mornings and for funeral services, with special attention given to Easter and Christmas. Arrangements can be made with the Flower Guild for altar arrangements at weddings. Conact Person: Mona Crowell.

Lay Eucharistic Ministers (LEM’s)
LEM’s take Communion to the sick and shut-in immediately after the Sunday service. LEM’s are licensed through the diocese. Some of the LEM’s take the Eucharist to those who are shut-in after Communion Services held on Wednesday mornings. The Clergy will hold periodic educational sessions for Chalice Bearers and Lay Eucharistic Ministers. Contact person for Chalice Bearers, Lay Eucharistic Ministers, Eucharistic Companions, and Subdeacons: Mary Jane Duncan.

Lectors
This is a shared experience that gives voice, through many voices, to the Word of the Lord. It is a lay ministry that enlightens, inspires and guides the congregation and the readers to a clearer understanding of the meaning and power of God’s eternal yet timely words. Youth are encouraged to participate.  Contact Person: Neville Boschert

Subdeacons
A dictionary of the Episcopal Church states that “the epistoler is called the Subdeacon, whatever the order of the ministry and wears the tunicle but no stole.” So the subdeacon may be a lay person, deacon or a priest. These are the three sacred ministers of the Mass or Holy Eucharist. The duty of the deacon is to minister to the priest, and the subdeacon ministers to the deacon. For instance he/she carries the Gospel Book in processions and holds it as the deacon reads the Gospel. A church historian states that one of the duties of the subdeacon in the early church was to carry the consecrated bread and wine to safety if the Roman authorities arrived during celebration of the Holy Eucharist. However, we do not anticipate our subdeacons being trained for this duty. Contact person for Chalice Bearers, Lay Eucharistic Ministers, Eucharistic Companions, and Subdeacons: Mary Jane Duncan.

Ushers
Ushers serve at all Sunday and major services. Handing out service leaflets, helping people find seating, and passing the alms basins are some of their duties. Contact Person: Keith Kinkade.

Vergers
At St. James’ the Vergers serve under the direction of and at the pleasure of the Rector. In addition to our more visible ceremonial duties of leading processions, our primary duty is to assist the clergy, anticipate their possible needs, and help keep the worship services flowing smoothly and without interruption. They know where to find and then obtain for the clergy additional Eucharistic supplies as needed and clean up any wine spills at the communion rail. We supervise and train the acolytes and adjust acolyte duties as required by unexpected absences. We are prepared to substitute for lectors who fail to perform their assigned duties and ensure that sufficient Eucharistic ministers are present. We desire to ensure that our services are dignified, meaningful to our church community, and liturgically correct in the Anglican tradition and, for these reasons, it is essential that we interface with the Liturgy and Worship Commission. Contact Person: Weir Conner.

Wedding Guild
The Wedding Guild is charged with the responsibility of assisting the clergy in the arrangements for a wedding. St. James’ takes seriously the responsibility of upholding those members of the parish family who enter into the Sacrament of Marriage. Guild members assist the Bride, Groom and their families with the celebration of marriage before and on their wedding day. Contact Person: Sheri Cox.