The following are the information on the Worship Ministries from the 2008 Parish Annual Report updated as appropriate and with a list of 2009 participants were available. 
o   Acolytes
o   Altar Flower Delivery
o   Altar Memorials and Thanksgiving Messages
o   Altar Guild
o   Bread Baking Ministry
o   Children's Choir
o   Circle of the Spirit
o   Closers
o   Eucharistic Ministry
o   Healing Ministry
o   Lectors and Eucharistic Ministers
o   Liturgy Committee
o   Mending Hearts
o   Music Ministry
o   Oblation Presenters
o   Teller Ministry
o   Ushers
o   Welcoming & Greeters Ministry

Acolytes:
This year St. John's continues to take in younger acolytes to replace the older ones as they move on in their individual journeys. There currently are 19 acolytes serving primarily in three roles - serving at the altar, curcifer or torch bearers. We conducted one training session this year that was primarily run by the more experienced acolytes. All the acolytes are doing a great job getting prepared for the service on time, asking questions and filling in for each other when necessary
The acolytes never cease to impress me, approaching this ministry with reverence and a strong sense of responsibility.  The experienced acolytes are consistently helping out developing the newer members, ensuring that strong support is there for our worship services.
The current acolytes include: Nicholas Bennett, Riley Bennett, Yvonne Falconer, David Gardiner, Margaret Harris, Sarah Hicks, Andrea Kelly, Kate Kelly, Jaclyn Mapley, Lee Ann Morgan, Nancy Nerli, Luke Pardy, Alec Speshock, Kate Speshock, Lakeisha Thompson, Anna Threat, Clayton Threat, Linda Tucker, Clare Valenti, Halsey Valsano, Cameron Waarala (21). 
Contact Person:  Dan Martin - (248) 672-4067

Altar Flower Delivery:
Historically, this ministry has been responsible for delivering the altar flowers to homebound and hospitalized parishioners after the 10:30 service.  Roses placed on the altar to indicate a new birth are taken to new parents.  Currently, due to limited volunteer participation, flowers are given to parishioners (often in celebration of a significant event) or to enjoy, to Lay Eucharistic Visitors who will be taking home communion to shut ins or to Hospice by one of the persons in this ministry.
If you are interested in joining this ministry once a month or if you would like to try it once to see if you would enjoy it, please contact me. 
Contact person:    Lynnda Ebright  248-879-0150

Altar Memorials and Thanksgivings Messages:
This ministry provides an opportunity for parishioners to honor their families and friends by arranging for a memorial, tributes or thank you messages which will be listed in the appropriate Sunday bulletin.  These messages are also acknowledged during the reading of the prayers of the people at each Sunday service.  The flowers are then distributed following the 10:30am service via the flower delivery ministry.  There is a suggested minimum donation of $25.00, but all donations, large or small, are appreciated. These donations help defray the cost of the altar flowers each Sunday. Donations are payable to St. John’s Episcopal Church (flower memorials listed on the memo line) and should be forwarded to Mary Adams, Coordinator for Finance and Education.  Many thanks to all of you who have been participating in this ministry, and any newcomers who wish to participate should call me at home.  I will be glad to give you more details and assist you with the wording of your messages. 
Contact Person:  Virginia Wagner  (248) 641-8811

Altar Guild:
The Altar Guild is a dedicated group of people who assist in worship services by setting up for Eucharist, baptisms, weddings, funerals and memorial services.  When we do our job well, we are invisible.  All our members help with services, making sure everything is in place and ready for whatever worship event is to be observed.  Our duties include caring for the altar hangings, linens, candles, and communion supplies.  Those of us who do this work have an unbelievable amount of fun and also derive great pleasure from this quiet ministry in service to our Lord.  As one of our predecessors said, “We are the few, the proud, the quiet.  The Altar Guild".
Contact person    Maggie Blanchard   248-399-4835

Bread Baking Ministry:
The people of St. John’s are indeed fortunate to have fresh-baked communion bread every Sunday. The dedicated bakers of this ministry are listed below. Many thanks to all of them for their service to the  community of God’s people.  We use a recipe that contains no honey, so even young children can  take the bread of heaven.  Take a moment to look in the bulletin on a Sunday, see who made the  bread, and thank him or her.
We always welcome new bakers. If you need help the first time you bake, or aren’t sure whether you can bake the bread, call me and I  will be glad to help. It is not a yeast bread recipe, so if you can  bake anything, you can make St. John’s bread.  We have made it even easier with an online Recipe and Video of Bread Baking. To start the Bread Baking video just click-on the > in the lower left corner of the video (do not Download, it takes over 2 minutes).
Bakers are Maggie Blanchard, Dayton Brown, Karen Brown, Jennifer  Bruns, Maureen Conn & Cheri Salanty, Cathy Dobson, Diana Graor, Bruce  Griggs, Ann Johnson, Barbara Killinger, Barbara Moran, Lee Anne Morgan, Mary Ann Morrow, Trudy Nagaj, Cynthia Nixon, Monica & Dennis Pardy, Tim Spannaus, Jackie Speer & Betty Speer, Sue Tower,  Linda Tucker, Fran Twiddy, Mark Valenti, Halsey Valesano.  Thanks be to God! 
Contact Person:  The Rev. Tim Spannaus, Deacon  248-559-7282

Children’s Choir:
The Children's choir consists of children from ages four through eleven.  In the past year, the choir has been exposed to many different styles of music, including traditional, contemporary, modern and folk.  We also have worked on rhythm using chimes, hand clapping and other motions.  My goal for the children is for them to have fun and Christian fellowship while sharing the pleasure of singing.
Contact Person:  Cheri Whalen 248-203-6220 

Circle of the Spirit:
This contemplative prayer group combines education and worship in a way that aids  our participants in seeking and finding God’s presence.  We meet once a week to listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to us.  This past year, we have focused on refining our use of lectio divina, a special way of praying with scripture.  We have reviewed the techniques of the masters of this prayer art and have made measurable strides in this prayer form.  During Advent, in a follow-up to and Adult Education class in Anglican Prayer Beads, we used beads as an opening prayer to settle our minds and hearts before heading into a session of lectio divina.  Anyone who is interested in deepening his or her prayer life is welcome.  We meet on Tuesday evenings at 6:00 p.m.
Contact person:      Maggie Blanchard  248-399-4835

Closers:
Closers are responsible for making sure the building is locked and secured after services.  The Closers are in need of additional volunteers.  PLEASE consider being a closer. 
Contact for additional information    Michael Falconer 248-585-1923

Eucharistic Ministry:
Eucharistic Visitors and Ministers are trained by the deacons. Both  visitors and ministers are confirmed communicants in good standing. The Eucharistic Visitor is licensed to take the sacrament to members of the congregation who by reason of illness or infirmity are unable  to be present at worship services. This must take place immediately  following the celebration of the Holy Eucharist. At that time the (EV’s) receive a communion kit at the altar and are sent out with it  in prayer.
The ministry of Eucharistic Visitors and Eucharistic Ministers is a  pastoral and sacramental expression of the church that is the Body of Christ. Our EV’s are devoted, enthusiastic and do an outstanding job.  They are Betty Gibson, Chris & Charlie Sharp, Jeffernell Howcott, Lillian Melville, Mary Ann Morrow, & Tim Spannaus.
The Eucharistic Ministers are trained to administer the sacrament (the bread or wine) to persons during the Holy Eucharist. training for new Eucharistic Ministers and Visitors is scheduled as needed.
Contact person:   The Rev. Tim Spannaus    248 559 7282

Healing Ministry :
The Healing Ministers pray with parishioners or guests who seek this additional ministration during Communion at the Sunday services and the Thursday Healing Service.
Contact person:  The Rev. Linda Northcraft   248-546-1255

Lectors and  Eucharistic Ministers:
Lay Readers and Eucharistic Ministers have highly visible ministries at St. John's because they participate in most of our worship services.  Lay Readers read assigned passages from the Bible each Sunday. A Lay Reader also leads the congregation in the Prayers of the People. Children, teen-agers and adults all participate in this ministry. Typically, each Lay Reader reads one time each month. Eucharistic Ministers stand at the altar during pre-communion prayers and then, with the clergy, distribute consecrated bread and wine during the Eucharist. If you want further information about either or both of these spiritually enriching ministries, please call.
Contact person:  Sandra Curtis   248-968-1063 or This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Liturgy Committee:
Representatives from all the various ministries that participate in worship services serve on this committee, which is responsible for planning and evaluating all worship services. The purpose of the Liturgy Committee is advisory and is under the direction of the rector.
Contact person:  The Rev. Linda Northcraft (248) 546-1255  

Mending Hearts:
This is a support group for persons who have lost a loved one.  We provide a safe place, a sanctuary, if you will, to talk about your loved one and receive assistance with the grief and mourning process.  Sometime we pray, laugh, and cry together, as well as just sit and listen if one chooses.  During St. John’s 2008 adult education series, Death and Dying, Linda invited parishioners to begin thinking about what we would like to happen at our own funerals.  She passed out funeral/memorial planning forms to help us begin this process.  Since most of us have never done any thing like this, Mending Hearts decided to fill out these forms together at our next meeting to be held. Extra forms will be available. 
Contact person: The Rev. Jeffernell Howcott 313-862-6049        

Music Ministry:
In my usual manner, I’ll begin by looking back to:

• New Year’s Eve, 2007 - when the Chancel Choir and soloists performed Antonio Vivaldi’s “Magnificat” in G-minor, much less heard than his famous Gloria in D. The performance of that work included St. John’s soloists and instrumentalists from both St. John’s and outside organizations, consisting of strings, oboe and organ, and arrangements by Rob Styberski of Rutter’s “Sanctus” from his Requiem, Willan’s “O sacred feast,” and a new choral anthem, “This is a day of new beginnings” by David Ashley White and Brian Wren.
• Children’s Pageant - took place during the liturgy on January 6th, Epiphany Sunday. The Annual Meeting took place on January 27th.
• Ash Wednesday - fell on February 6th in 2008. During the 7 weeks of Lent that followed, we used a Celtic song, “Forgiveness is your gift” during Offertory and sang Psalms in the most requested manner, with a chanted verse and sung original Antiphon based on a Lenten hymntune.
• The Children’s Choir - now ablaze with enthusiastic members, sang essentially every 3rd Sunday of the month, and they have increasingly used small rhythmic and melodic instruments in their anthems, proving again they are a talented group indeed, under the direction of Cheri Whalen. An emissary of our Bishop visited St. John’s on Sunday, March 9th, also the day of the time change to Daylight Savings.
• Holy Week - began on March 16th with Palm Sunday and included the services of Tenebrae on Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday (now split into a series of services that include the 2:15PM Good Friday liturgy with Choir and organ, and then Holy Saturday (Great Vigil of Easter, which includes baptism, and during which Deacon Tim Spannaus chanted the ages-old chant, “Exultet.”
• Easter Sunday - included a brass quintet (3 trumpets and 2 trombones) and tympani. Music included Rob Styberski’s arrangements of Richard Strauss’s “Festival Procession,” Giovanni Gabrieli’s “Canzona duodecimi toni,” and Sigfried Karg-Elert’s “Praise the Lord with drums and Cymbals.” There was one service, at 9:30AM, followed by a light breakfast.
• Pentecost - fell on May 11th and featured music provided by the Whalen’s in both Bluegrass and Irish styles, and a choral anthem “Look at the world” by John Rutter.
• Summer Music - Services at 9:30AM began on May 25th, and the Choir sang through June 15th before breaking for summer months. Substitute organists during (Rob Styberski’s) vacation days on July 6, August 3, September 21 and October 12 included Mary Jo Disler, Ray Stilwell and Craig Rifel, and special summer musicians included Mark Valenti, Andy Henry, Virginia Wagner, George Blair, Rob Styberski and Kim Graor.
• Fall Choir - The Choir then began its fall schedule on September 7th.
• All Saints Day - The Whalen family were primary musicians on All Saints Sunday on November 2, featuring son Mark’s first piano solo in church during the postlude.
• Advent - began on November 30th, and Psalms were again chanted with Antiphon responses as in Lent.
• Christmas Eve - During Christmas Eve 10:30PM service, a string quartet and flautist composed of players from Detroit Symphony, Cleveland Orchestra, DePauw University and Bowling Green University were featured.
• New Year's Eve, 2009 - On New Year’s Eve, the Chancel Choir performed music of Willan and Dan Forrest, a new anthem purchased in memory of long-time member and friend Shirley Allen. No major works were performed this year.
• Respectfully,  Rob Styberski, Director of Music/Organist

Oblation Presenters:
The “Presenters of the Oblations” simply means carrying the bread and wine from the table in the narthex to the waiting acolyte at the altar.  The acolyte then places the oblations on the altar (God’s table).  It requires 2 people and anyone  can do it, young or old, male or female.  Children seem to be especially pleased with this opportunity to become contributors to the service.  This is a great opportunity for celebration, such as honoring a birthday; wedding anniversary; a visit from family or friends (who can share in this); the birth of a baby; recovery from an illness; or a promotion at your work.  Also, it is a great way to share a memorial of a loved one’s life or birthday.  Thanksgivings are another opportunity: for your life and well-being, your family your friends, all that you have and enjoy and share.  Now put on your thinking cap, get your calendar, and let me know your special dates to be remembered and celebrated.  Please call the church office if you are assigned and are unable to serve.
Contact person:  Trish McManaman (248) 549-0647

Teller Ministry:
The goal of the ministry is to count the weekly offering, deposit the money in the bank and create detailed information that the Lay Administrator’s office uses for record keeping.  The Teller Ministry consists of 10 volunteers: Mark Valenti (scheduler), M.J. Ainsworth, John Avery, Greg Bennett, Cheryl Donigan, Mary Ann Morrow, Dave Horner, Jackie Speer, Chuck Tucker, and Jennifer Wofford.
The Tellers perform this service while working in pairs every Sunday.  Anyone interested in joining this ministry please contact Mark Valenti or Mary Adams.
Contact Person:  Mark Valenti  (248) 549-4655

Ushers:
Ushers are the men and women who serve St. John's on Sunday mornings and for special services, greeting worshipers as they arrive.  Ushers distribute bulletins, seat people, collect offerings and if necessary can even provide first aid!  Usher persons provide security during services by patrolling the halls of the church.  Forgot your bulletin in the pew?  The usher team will take care of it as they tidy up after everyone has gone.  This fun and rewarding ministry consists of three usher teams who rotate two weeks on duty and four weeks off throughout the year.
Contact person:  Bruce Griggs  

Welcoming & Greeters Ministry:
The Welcoming Committee met periodically in 2008. Our goal is to help newcomers to St. John’s feel welcomed to our church community.  Members of the committee serve as greeters throughout the year. Greeters meet people as they enter St. John’s, giving directions and answering questions. They give newcomers a brochure with information about St. John’s, and encourage them to fill out the yellow information form. We can then better serve the needs and concerns of these people who are new to our community.
Committee members continue the practice of delivering bread to newcomers soon after their first visit to St. John’s. The contact with a Welcoming Ministry member, as well as receiving bread, a symbol of our welcome, is a meaningful way to greet newcomers to our midst. Each member of the Welcoming committee then serves as a mentor to the newcomer, helping them to become more a part of the St. John’s community.
Members of the Welcoming Ministry are a part of quarterly Saturday afternoon gatherings of newcomers along with the Rector. These meetings give new members of St. John’s a chance to learn more about our community and to meet each other.
The Welcoming Ministry sponsors a Coffee Hour once a month to allow parishioners to meet newcomers to St. John’s.  There are now nametags for (almost) everybody at St. John’s! We urge everyone to wear their nametags each Sunday so we can call each other by name, and we can learn a newcomer’s name as soon as they join us.
We developed a brochure with information about St. John’s, and continue to take pictures of newcomers. Look for the pictures on the bulletin board outside the library.
Contact person:    Bruce Donigan, Chair (248) 547-1850
Note - Members of the Welcoming Ministgry and St. John's can view up-to-date information on the ministry by clicking on the "Wecoming Ministry" menu item under the User Menu.  You must login as a registered member to view this web page.