Elders Ministries

The members of the Elders Ministry serve as liaisons between the congregation and the ministerial staff in creating and maintaining the various worship experiences that serve the diverse needs of the Union Church membership. We make every effort to be aware of and responsive to the varying needs of the congregation. Our standing committees (described below) support different aspects of the church's worship needs from the physical to the spiritual.

How We Serve

Standing Committee Duties

Altar Guild

• Coordinate donations of altar flowers for sanctuary and chapel each Sunday.
• Prepare altar for each service (i.e., flowers are in place and watered).
• Order poinsettias and lilies for Christmas Eve and Easter, respectively, and coordinate distribution of these plants to shut-ins.
• Choose banners for display in sanctuary.
• Select antependia (liturgical cloths hanging from pulpit) to reflect the church year.

Ushers

• Recruit, train and schedule ushers.
• Coordinate acolyte training.
  

Greeters

• Recruit and coordinate greeters at 11 am service each Sunday.

Communion

• Prepare elements for communion.
• Recruit volunteers to serve communion monthly at 8 am, 9 am, and 11 am services, as well as at other special services throughout the year.

Lay Leaders

• Secure lay participants for 8 am and 11 am services as needed.

Sound System

• Operate sound system for 11 am services each Sunday.

Special Programs

• Coordinate Wednesday evening Lenten services.
• Plan and prepare Ash Wednesday “simple suppers.”
• Sponsor other special opportunities such as jazz worship.

Youth Worship/Confirmation Liaison

• Provide liaison to Youth Worship planning team and Confirmation class to assist that team in planning the portions of their services that relate to Elders' responsibilities such as baptism and communion.
• Coordinate scheduling of confirmands as communion servers, greeters, acolytes and lay readers as needed.

Baptisms

• Affirm each baptism, leading the congregation in a promissory pledge to the child and presenting a baptismal certificate and symbolic candle to the parents.

Communication

• Inform congregation via The Good News of decisions relating to worship and upcoming worship–related events.
• Remind, educate and inform our members of the various rituals, seasons and components that comprise our worship.

(For more information about Elders Ministries,
please contact Dan Woodle ministry co-chairs or Verlee A. Copeland, Senior Minister.)

Katie Sims
Roy Skoog
Laura Snedeker
Gayle Trask
Charlie Wentling
David Tillinghast