St. Edward's Groups and Committees

A vibrant church community is fueled by the many contributions of its members. St. Edward's members give of their time and talents through a variety of committees and groups, each dedicated to nurturing a diverse Christian community, worshipping God and reaching out in love to others.

Acolytes

The youth of St. Edward's are strongly encouraged to participate in Sunday worship services as acolytes. Training is held twice a year, and youth ages 10 and above are welcome. For more information, please contact Becky Scheig at (763) 420-6583 or bscheig@comcast.net.

Altar Guild

The members of the Altar Guild devote their time and talents to the preparation of the altar for worship services and for other special occasions. Being a member of the Altar Guild provides and opportunity for education and a better understanding of the Episcopal Church and its traditions as well as fellowship with other members.

To join the Altar Guild, please contact Trish Martin at (952) 473-7016.

Altar Flowers

Using contributions from parishioners, members of this group purchase flowers, floral supplies and baskets and create arrangements to adorn the altar for Sunday worship services. The Altar Flower-Inreach Fund is also used to purchase gifts for parishioners who are ill, bereaved or who have recently had a child. Parishioners are encouraged to contribute to the fund in recognition of important events (birthdays, anniversaries, etc.) as well as at Christmas and Easter.

If you have a talent with flowers to share, please contact Judy Starkey at (952) 475-2968 or coreydavis4@juno.com, Kim Cooke at (763) 420-8123 or kmcooke@aol.com, or Kathy Pilkington at (763) 498-8107.

Bread Makers

St. Edward's bread bakers provide the wonderful gift of homemade bread for Holy Communion every Sunday. If you would like to bake bread for the community we have recipes and encouragement to offer! Please contact Trish Martin at (952) 473-7016.

Building

Charged with the physical upkeep and care of the church, the Building & Grounds Committee coordinates upgrades, repairs, landscaping, signs and maintenance of the structure and surrounding lot. Parishioners are encouraged to participate in spring and fall clean-up days and various calls for help on related projects.

If you're called to contribute your talents in this manner, please contact Carol Bendell at 763-475-0690 or cbendell@comcast.net.

Chalice Bearers

Chalice bearers are active participants in the Holy Eucharist, assisting the priest by distributing wine during communion. If you are interested in being a chalice bearer, please contact the church office at (952) 473-2262.

Choir

All are welcome to join St. Edward's choir! The choir sings at the 10 a.m. service every Sunday from September through May, and once a month in June, July and August. For more information, please contact the church office at (952) 473-2262.

Coffee Hour

Coffee hour hostesses provide coffee, treats and juice after the Sunday 10 a.m. service, making it easy for parishioners and guests to mingle and get to know one another in an informal, welcoming environment. Parishioners are encouraged to sign-up on occasion to bring cookies, muffins, etc. Please look for the sign-up sheet at coffee hour. If you have any questions, please contact the church office at (952) 473-2262.

Education

The Education Committee coordinates all of the educational programs of St. Edward's. This includes Sunday School classes, the nursery and adult education. It also coordinates special events such as the making of Advent wreaths, the Epiphany pageant, Palm Sunday intergenerational activities and a breakfast every spring to honor our high school and college graduates.

For more information or to volunteer as a Sunday School teacher or committee member, contact Lynne Whitacre at (763) 591-0566 or chip_lynne@comcast.net.

Finance

The Finance Committee leads the parish in carrying out its mission by:

• working with the vestry to create an operating budget
• forecasting income and expenses
• tabulating actual donations and bills
• submitting monthly financial reports to the vestry
• and presenting an annual financial report at the annual meeting

Please contact Jennifer Slater at (763) 473-4506 or jbslater@comcast.net if you have an interest in the Finance Committee.

Lay Eucharistic Ministers

Performing an important outreach to shut-ins, Lay Eucharistic Ministers are trained to take communion to those who cannot join us in church. If you are interested in training to become a Lay Eucharistic Minister, please contact the church office at (952) 473-2262.

Lay Readers

Called upon to read the lessons and prayers of the people, lay readers play an important role in worship services. If you feel called upon to contribute as a lay reader, please contact the church office at (952) 473-2262.

Outreach

St. Edward's Outreach Committee is dedicated to active support of our immediate community (Plymouth, Wayzata and Orono) through fundraising and participation in local service programs. Annual fundraising efforts include the St. Edward's Plant Sale, our lemonade stand at St. George's Corn Days in Long Lake, and youth participation in Bob's Sleep-out for the homeless and affordable housing, all of which benefit local persons in need. Parishioners also participate in Loaves and Fishes monthly, which serves meals to the homeless across the Twin Cities; local Habitat for Humanity work days; and Interfaith Outreach Adopt-a-Family and Mitten Tree programs during the Advent and Christmas seasons. St. Edward's also serves the global community through youth mission trips and contributions to the Diocesan and National church.

To become involved in outreach programs, please contact Chip Whitacre at (763) 591-0466 or chip_lynne@comcast.net.

Ushers

Ushers play an instrumental role in weekly worship services by welcoming members and guests, passing out bulletins, taking up the collection, and directing people to communion. To become an usher, please contact the church office at (952) 473-2262.

Vestry

The vestry is the body within the congregation that, with the clergy, leads the parish. The vestry:

• helps to discern the vision toward which God is drawing that particular
  community
• articulates and communicates the vision
• holds the community accountable for its realization of that vision
• keeps the mission of the Church and that of the individual congregation
  clearly before the parish community

New vestry members are elected in January each year, when St. Edward's holds its annual meeting, and serve three-year terms. The terms of various vestry members overlap so that there is continuity year-to-year. The vestry is headed by a Senior Warden and Junior Warden.

Welcoming & Membership

Members of the Welcoming and Membership Committee act as liaisons to all other St. Edward's committees to examine and facilitate how our community welcomes and incorporates new and existing members in all aspects of our church life, from worship to education to outreach. We also plan quarterly newcomers gatherings that allow us all to get to know one another better. Plans are in the works to launch a Social Activities sub-committee by January 2005.

For more information or to join the Welcoming & Membership Committee, please contacts Deb Achenbach at (763) 557-6517 or achenbachfamily@comcast.net, Ginny Cassidy at (763) 493-7868 or ginnycassidy@comcast.net, or Becky Scheig at (763) 420-6583 or bscheig@comcast.net.