Annual Reports to the Parish Jan. 31, 2010
   o   Acolytes
   o   Altar Flower Delivery
   o   Altar Guild
   o   Altar Memorials and Thanksgivings Messages
   o   Bread Baking Ministry
   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   Oblation Presenters
   o   Teller Ministry
   o   Ushers
   o   Welcoming Ministry
Note: We are looking for additional volunteers for the Acolyte, Altar Flower Delivery, Altar Memorials & Thanksgivings, Bread Baking, Closers, Lectors & Eucharistic Ministers, Oblation Presenters, ministries.

Acolytes
     Over the course of the past year there have been 18 acolytes consistently serving, with 4 new members joining us this year.  The acolytes are regularly schedule in a number of roles during the service, including Crucifer, Torch Bearers and the Server at the Altar.  In addition they are responsible for being present and dressed prior to the service to make sure that candles are lit and things are in place and ready to go.  St. John's really has a great group of kids in this ministry, and a strong group of parents supporting them.  The Acolyte ministry is open to students who is at least 8 years old and in the 3rd grade.  We are always looking for newcomers, so if you are interested be sure to let me know.
     Adult acolytes also serve at the earlier worship time and for evening worship.
     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 10:15 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 Guild
     The Altar Guild is an amazingly dedicated group of people who assist in worship services by setting up for Eucharist, baptisms, weddings, funerals and memorial services.  When we do our jobs well, we are invisible.  That is one of the many things that makes this ministry special.  All of 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.”  Because of my new job at Christ Church Detroit, we now have a new co-chair for Altar Guild, Mary Ann Morrow, who will be the “Sunday presence” when I am at work.
     Contact person    Maggie Blanchard   248-399-4835

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 10:15 am 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

Bread Baking Ministry
     The people of St. John’s are indeed fortunate to have fresh-baked communion bread most Sundays. We expect to resume the use of baked bread during Lent. I will send out a new schedule for bakers.
     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. 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.  There is a new video on the website demonstrating how to make the bread - just click-on the link 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, Nathaniel Conn & Cheri Salanty, 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, and Timi Wittig.  Thanks be to God!
     Contact Person: The Rev. Tim Spannaus, Deacon 248 559 7282

Circle of the Spirit 
     This contemplative prayer group combines education and worship in a way that aids people in seeking and finding God’s presence.  We meet once a week to listen for the voice of the Holy Spirit speaking to us.  We use several methods of prayer to achieve this.  One is lectio divina where we read the scripture and receive a word or phrase upon which we then meditate.  Another is the use of Anglican prayer beads, and the last is the use of body prayer.  This worship service is a gentle way of coming into God’s presence and spending time in silence to hear whatever the Spirit might say.  We meet at 6:00 p.m. in the library on Tuesdays.
     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 H. Michael Falconer for additional information.
     Contact person:     H. Michael Falconer 248-585-1923

Eucharistic Ministry 
     Eucharistic Visitors and Ministers are trained by the deacon. 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 Chris & Charlie Sharp, Joyce Morey, Jeffernell Howcott, Mary Ann Morrow, Fran Twiddy & Tim Spannaus.
     The Eucharistic Ministers are trained to administer the sacrament (the bread or wine) to persons during the Holy Eucharist. All Eucharistic Ministers participated in refresher training in the Fall of 2009.
     Contact persons: The Rev. Dcn. 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
     The primary responsibility of the liturgy committee is to advise the rector in planning and evaluating all worship services. Consequently, representatives from all the various ministries who participate in the worship are included in the membership of this committee.  We use a comprehensive bulletin to print the text and some music for worship. Our worship follows the liturgy in The Book of Common Prayer, Enriching Our Worship and a Celtic Liturgy based on resources from Iona, Scotland. We also pray prayers from a variety of resources within our Anglican tradition. Musically, we use The 1980 Hymnal and Wonder, Love and Praise, My Heart Sings Out, Voices Found, Gather and Celtic Hymns. Members of this committee have been appointed by the rector.
     Contact person:  The Rev. Linda Northcraft (248) 546-1255 

Mending Hearts
     At some time in all of our lives we will feel the emptiness and pain of grief when a loved one dies. That is way of the world.  That is the way of life.  The ‘Mending Hearts’ support group offers a sanctuary of prayer, love, and assistance in dealing with the grief process. 
     Please give me a call if you are interested in meeting with us on Thursday evenings at 6:30pm. 
     Contact persons: The Rev. Jeffernell Howcott 248-546-1255       

Oblation Presenters
     Welcome to a New Year.  A new year brings opportunities to us all.  One of those is the opportunity to present oblations, the bread and wine, at the 10:15 am service on a Sunday morning of your choice. You have the opportunity to carry the bread and wine down the aisle to the altar to the waiting acolyte.  You are welcome to do this any Sunday, but you may want to do it especially on your birthday, anniversary, or some Sunday that is special to you.  This is an opportunity for entire families to participate in the service, our smallest members enjoy this responsibility very much.  So get you calendars and decide which Sundays are most important to you, then call me with the dates you would like to present the oblations during service.  I look forward to talking to you.
     Contact person:  Trish McManaman   248-549-0647

Teller Ministry
     The goal of the teller 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), Barbara Jones, John Avery, Andy Lawfield, Cheryl Donigan, Mary Ann Morrow, Dave Horner, Jackie Speer, Chuck Tucker, and Maryann LeComb.  The Tellers perform this service while working in pairs every Sunday. 
     Anyone interested in joining this ministry please contact Mark Valenti or Mary Addams.
     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   313-794-7317

Welcoming Ministry 
     The Welcoming Committee met periodically in 2009. 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 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 distribute 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