Acolytes
Nineteen
young men and women from grades 8-12 serve as Acolytes at St. Peter's.
Each has been confirmed and takes pride in the training and duties of
an Acolyte. Enthusiastic adults oversee the group. Acolytes act as Crucifer,
Gospel book bearers and first and second servers.
Altar
Guild
Thirty-five
St. Peter's women serve faithfully as members of the Altar Guild. They
care for the Altar hangings and linens and work closely with the
Rector to prepare the sanctuary for worship services. Members assist with baptisms,
weddings and funerals and the Altar Guild is responsible for flower
memorials at St. Peter's.
Book Group
All are welcome to join in the St. Peter's Book Group!
For information on books selected
and meeting dates
click here.
Christian
Education
Christian Education at St. Peter's is a very important part of our
programs for children and young people.
A Christian Education Committee works with the rector to organize the
curriculum, solicit teacher volunteers and provide ongoing support.
Regular attendance at
Sunday School and parental support of our program is important to insure a
meaningful Sunday School experience for all St. Peter's youngsters. Sunday
School starts at 9:50 a.m. and children join their parents during the 10 a.m.
service at the Peace to participate in the Eucharist.
Sunday School begins on September 23 and instruction is provided for children
of preschool age through the seventh grade.
For preschool through first grade, we are using the Gospel Light
curriculum, where children learn about God's love and about Moses, Hannah,
Samuel and David, based on Exodus and 1 and 2 Samuel. Children ages 2-4 and
pre-kindergarten, as well as those in kindergarten and first grade, meet in the
Undercroft.
Classes
for grades second through seven are in classrooms in the Parish Hall and on the
stage. We are using the Episcopal children and youth curriculum. For grades two
through five this is a three-year cycle of the Sunday lectionary and the seasons
of the church year. The curriculum is rooted in scripture and incorporates The
Book of Common Prayer and the Hymnal to teach church traditions. This year we
are focusing on the Church Year and God's prophets, Jesus' teachings, worship,
and the Saints of the church
In grades six
and seven we are using the Episcopal curriculum for youth, which tests values in
the context of the Christian faith. The younger middle school segment will make
Biblical characters come to life as real people who deal with issues of good and
evil, happiness, truth and ultimate meaning.
In
addition once each month all students in Sunday School will work on a project
together such as making shields for All Saints Day, Advent wreaths, and Jesse
tree symbols.
During
Advent parish children prepare a Christmas pageant to be presented at the early
Christmas Eve family service. Our Quiet Room, located off the
Parish Hall, is available to all parents with young children.
A
changing table is available. There is a speaker in the room,
so
while your children play you can listen to the service.
Please feel
free to return to the church and take your children with you to
Communion.
ECW
For
information on the ECW,
click here.
Fellowship
Parish social events during the year include
a Coffee Hour each Sunday following the 10 a.m. service, luncheons for parish events; receptions for visiting priests
and bishops, the parish picnic and trips to sporting events. Newcomer receptions are scheduled regularly
to welcome new members. Other social events
are planned as opportunities arise.
The Action Auction each spring is a festive annual event that
raises thousands of dollars for the parish.
Members of a
dedicated group of licensed lay ministers read the lessons at Sunday
services, administer the Chalice at the Eucharist and lead the
congregation in the Prayers of the People. They are available for
special services conducted at the church throughout the year.
Membership
The Membership Committee focuses on
welcoming visitors to St. Peter's, introducing them into our fellowship,
and working to incorporate them into our congregation as new members.
During the past year a new parish pictorial directory was published and
a new logo was developed for the parish.
Men’s
Breakfast Group
For
several years an enthusiastic group of parish men has gathered one
Saturday morning each month for breakfast and fellowship. Men of
all ages look forward to these gatherings as opportunities to become
better acquainted and discuss issues of mutual interest.
Music
St.
Peter’s boasts a lively and growing music program. New
participants are always welcome! See
Music Programs
for more information.
Oblation Bearers
Each Sunday a scheduled family brings forward the wine and the
wafers and presents them to the Celebrant for Communion.
Outreach
Be generous with your donations to the Interfaith Food
Pantry. Bring a food or grocery item to church every Sunday! Your
donations make a big difference in the lives of needy families in Morris
County. The pantry also needs your plastic bags from the market. Why not
bring a bag or two -- filled with food!
For
a full summary of outreach at St. Peter's and to learn the most
urgent needs of the food pantry
click here.
MANY THANKS FOR ANY AND ALL
CONTRIBUTIONS!
Pastoral
Care Committee
The mission of the Pastoral Care Committee is "to provide ongoing
Christian love, care, compassion, nurture and support for the members of
St. Peter's congregation or others who may come to our attention, always
on the basis of total confidentiality." The committee's goals are to
identify those who are in any kind of physical or emotional stress or
are facing one of life's milestones, such as a birth or death in the
family, and to offer appropriate support to anyone in need who welcomes
our care. The committee also acts as liaison when it is possible and
appropriate between the Rector, staff and other members of the
congregation.
Members work to organize requests for pastoral care,
establish a core group of volunteers, train lay Eucharistic ministers and create a system for ministering to the spiritual,
emotional and physical needs of parishioners on a confidential basis.
In all this
the committee relies heavily on all members of the church to be aware of
those around them, particularly anyone whose needs should be addressed by
the Pastoral Care Committee.
Stewardship
“We are, in the spirit of St. Peter's, working together to do God's
work.” At St. Peter’s, the Stewardship Committee has outlined a program
of giving that encourage parishioners to support the work that Christ
has given us to do through the giving of time, talent and financial
resources. Stewardship campaigns encourage parishioners to ask themselves:
“What is my relationship to God?” and “What does stewardship
mean to me?”
Pledge solicitations are combined with opportunities for fellowship
and dialogue on parish plans and issues. Volunteer canvassers attend
orientation sessions to enable them to respond effectively to parishioners
when making personal calls for pledge commitments.
Ushers
Ushers
greet worshippers at each service on Sunday mornings. Nearly 30 parishioners
serve as ushers, each about three or four times a year.
Vestry
The
vestry, with 14 elected members including the senior and junior wardens,
meets monthly with the rector. Vestry committees include Education,
Outreach, Pastoral Care, Worship, Finance, Youth, Stewardship, and Property.
Youth
Fellowship
There is a
great emphasis at St. Peter's on developing a Christian foundation
for our young people. Youth groups for grade school, junior high and
high school youngsters have been active at St. Peter’s. Parents
are enthusiastic about reorganizing and continuing these groups to build
a Christian commitment among parish young people. Many children are
very active in the Youth Choir at St. Peter's (see
Music Programs).
A schedule
of upcoming
youth events
for the fall of 2007 will be announced soon. See our new
Youth Programs page!
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