Serving our Church

St. Luke’s Church invites and encourages all to become involved in the life and ministries of our parish in ways that will enrich us as individuals and as a faith community. Through service, we connect with our neighbors and grow together as a faith community. Come serve and discover how we can make a difference!

“I…beg you to lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, making every effort to maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”  Ephesians 4:1-3

Parish Ministries

Participating in a parish ministry is a wonderful way to connect with St. Luke’s and deepen your faith. Whether you’re serving at the altar, tending to the gardens, or greeting visitors, we warmly welcome your involvement. Below, you’ll find various opportunities to serve. Explore them and discover how you can contribute!

Worship Ministries

Altar Guild

 The Altar Guild plays a key role in preparing, maintaining, and setting up the altar and sanctuary for Sunday services and other liturgies throughout the year. This team manages the purchasing of vestments and linens, handles flower memorials, replenishes the supply of bread, wine, and candles, and advises on memorial gifts for the sanctuary. Additionally, they participate in special liturgies such as Christmas and Easter. The Guild is divided into five teams, with each team serving for two weeks every two months.

Contact: Liz Fox

Acolyte Guild

Open to individuals from 5th grade through adult, acolytes assist at the altar during services. New acolytes attend a training session and shadow experienced members before fully participating. We also offer service refreshers each fall to ensure everyone stays updated. Every year, we recognize our acolytes during a worship service in the fall, and in the spring, we honor high school seniors for their service and leadership.

Contact: Dr. Charlie Cronin

Eucharistic Ministers and Lay Readers

Eucharistic Ministers and Lay Readers serve under the direction of the clergy and are authorized to administer the Sacrament during Celebrations of Holy Eucharist. After training by the parish clergy, a confirmed communicant will be licensed by the Bishop at the request of the Rector. Lay Readers are invited to read lessons and prayers of the people as scheduled.
Contact: Parish Office

Ushers

 Ushers ensure that everyone feels welcomed by providing service bulletins and assisting with seating. They also manage the offering, guide the congregation to the altar rail for Eucharist, and help close the church after services.
Contact: Steve McLoughlin

Parish Support

Coffee Hour Host

Coffee Hour Hosts organize fellowship time after the 8:00 am or 10:00 am services. They coordinate supplies and refreshments, ensuring that parishioners can enjoy a time of connection following worship.

Contact: Marcia Gladue 

Pastoral Care

Pastoral Care volunteers provide support and prayer to parishioners during times of illness, family crises, or other stressful life situations. They offer their care through personal visits, cards of encouragement, meal delivery, and distributing prayer shawls blessed by clergy, as well as Caring Crosses crafted from olive wood in the Holy Land. Some volunteers also serve as Eucharistic Lay Visitors, bringing Holy Communion to those unable to attend Sunday services. The committee also reaches out to college students and military personnel.

Contact: Dottie Fleming

Newcomers’ Committee

Newcomers  This team of parishioners works together to identify, welcome and engage newcomers to St. Luke’s Church. The team hosts fall and spring receptions for all newcomers, providing them an informal opportunity to meet each other, parish clergy and staff, vestry members and program leaders. Additional outreach is incorporated throughout the year to inform newcomers about upcoming events, service schedules and parish traditions and to help them become involved in parish ministries and outreach.

The Newcomers Team also coordinates activities with the East Greenwich Chamber of Commerce to assure St. Luke’s and other faith communities are included in Chamber welcome materials and in Chamber-sponsored events such as the Summer Main Street Strolls. Outreach to the local community through mailings, local media coverage, and social media is an ongoing mission of the team as they invite our neighbors to ‘come see’ what St. Luke’s is all about!
Contact: Jan Burch    

Buildings and Grounds

Buildings and Grounds If you enjoy hands-on work, the Buildings and Grounds committee needs you! This group handles maintenance and repairs for St. Luke’s church, parish hall, and grounds. Join our monthly Breakfast/Project Parties, or Saturday morning work parties, where we tackle smaller projects. The committee meets quarterly, contributing their time and talent to take care of the smaller projects. The Committee is always looking for parishioners with technical skills or professional licenses who would like to help.

A Breakfast/Project Party is held the third Thursday of every month beginning at 8:00am in St. Luke’s Dining Room. After breakfast and fellowship, the assembled men and women select from a list of projects what they would like to do that morning. In addition, Saturday morning work parties are scheduled each year, enabling employed parishioners to contribute as well.
Contact: Doug MacPherson and Steve Nichols