Many groups, committees, and volunteers work to serve St. Mary Anne’s parish and the local community. These include:
Acolytes
Mac McMullen, chairperson. The acolytes are trained volunteers who serve the clergy during services. They can be young people or adults.
Adult Education
This committee is waiting to start a new season.
Altar Guild
Andrea Pugh, chairperson. The altar guild is a group of laypeople who care for the altar, the priest’s vestments, sacred vessels, and altar linens.
Church School
Patricia Wood, chairperson. Church school meets on the first and third Sundays of each month, September through May. The activities include lessons on God’s love and care, prayer, and crafts. Children return to the church service for communion.
Church Yard
Tom Brickner, chairperson. This committee handles any matter related to the churchyard.
Communications
ENews, social media, and website are managed by Valerie Manges, Parish Administrator. Valarie gets help from Vicki Tillman, along with Kate Blomquist and Amanda Inmon on social media.
ECW (Episcopal Church Women)
Dru Torregrossa, chairperson. ECW is an Episcopal ministry of women who gather for community and service.
Eucharistic Ministers
Carol Weisel, chairperson. Eucharistic Ministers are trained laypersons who assist priests and deacons in distributing the bread (Body of Christ) and wine (Blood of Christ) during the Sunday services.
Eucharistic Visitors
Eucharistic Visitors bring Holy Communion and fellowship to parishioners who are unable to attend worship in person due to illness, extended care, or short-term hospitalization. Visitors are laypersons authorized to take the consecrated elements to members of the congregation and serve under the direction of the rector. St. Mary Anne’s Eucharistic Visitors include: Linda Gibeck, Kristen Polanco, Andrea Pugh, Dru Torregrossa, Bill Weisel, and Carol Weisel.
Faith and Recovery Services
An important part of the ministry of St. Mary Anne’s is the monthly Faith and Recovery Service, which serves both as worship and outreach. The goal of this service is to strengthen those in recovery through a message of hope, redemption, and God’s grace.
Each service is followed by a meal served in the Parish Center. Linda Gibeck coordinates the meal and volunteers. Worship leadership includes the Altar Guild led by Andrea Pugh, lay leader Carol Weisel, musicians Paul and Sue Keller, Rev. Deacon David Kamihachi of St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Perryville, and Pastor Zach of Bethel Lutheran Church in North East.
Family Train Day
George Kaplan, chairperson. Each year, volunteers set up model or toy train sets and snacks in the Parish Hall for the local community and church families to enjoy. Funds raised above expenses go to Youth Empowerment Source, an Elkton organization that provides services to local children and youth.
Flower Committee
Mary Bloomquist, chairperson. The flower committee oversees the flowers that grace the church during the Sunday services and special events such as the Garden of Repose for the Nightwatch, the Garden Market, Easter, Thanksgiving, Advent, and Christmas.
Finance
The Finance Committee provides guidance in managing the church’s financial responsibilities.
Flower Delivery to Shut-ins
Ginny Roney, chairperson. Ginny delivers flowers from the altar to the ill and homebound. More than 90 people have received flowers each year.
Food Pantry
The Food Pantry’s mission is “neighbors sharing food with neighbors”. It serves between 120 and 150 families each month. An active team works to receive and organize food deliveries. The Pantry distributes food to neighbors at the church each Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday. George Kaplan is in charge of federal food record-keeping. Rich Gilbert has trained as the federal food procurement volunteer.
Garden Committee
Sande Taylor, chairperson. The garden committee maintains the pots and gardens on the church campus, including 24 rose bushes, the Memorial Garden, and the Mary Lutz Garden.
Giving Tree
Linda Hunt, chairperson. Parish members bring Christmas gifts for Bayview Elementary students and their siblings. More than 70 families have received gifts in recent years.
Green Team
The Green Team cares for two areas in the church’s property: an area near the dock and the gardens around the sexton’s house.
Garden Market
Mike Pugh, chairperson. A beloved parish and community tradition, bringing together thousands of guests, along with gardening and craft vendors, musicians, and church tours.
Lectors
Tom Kenny, chairperson. A team of sixteen lectors read the Lessons each Sunday and on holidays as well.
Men’s 2:42 Group/R.O.M.E.O.s
The 2:42 Group promotes fellowship, learning, and serving (inspired by Acts 2:42). R.O.M.E.O.s meet monthly at a local restaurant for food, fellowship, and conversation. Bill Weisel organizes this activity.
Mission Committee
The primary responsibility of the Mission Committee is to draft and administer the annual income from the Sturgeon Fund, according to the budget by the congregation at the annual meeting. These funds are distributed to the Food Pantry, Rector’s Discretionary Account, Episcopal Relief and Development, and a variety of local, national, and international organizations.
Music
Joel Alarcon, Director of Music. Our director is joined by cantor Rose McFassel to bring beautiful, high-quality, consistent support for worship, special occasions, and music education. Our music team fosters a spirit of community and enriches the spiritual life of the congregation. Our director and cantor are joined periodically by choir, guest musicians, and a string studio.
North Elk Coffee House
John McFassel, chairperson. The Coffee House presents live music on the third Saturday evenings of September-November, February-May, and July. Proceeds beyond expenses are donated to Meeting Ground, a support service for local persons experiencing homelessness.
Prayer Team
Carol Weisel, chairperson. When a person has a need for prayer, this 15-member group is available via email throughout the week. Prayer is raised for Healing and Comfort. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, with prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4: 6-7
Prayer Shawl Ministry
Linda Hunt, chairperson. The Prayer Shawl team maintains a store of prayer shawls to be delivered to sick or homebound parishioners.
Senior Ministry
Each month, the rector and members of the Pastoral Care Team lead a worship service with Communion at Victoria Park Senior Living. Team members and Eucharistic Visitors visit Caraway Manor and Autumn Lake, as well as homebound parishioners, bringing worship and fellowship.
Team members deliver lap quilts from the Quilt Ministry and prayer shawls from the Prayer Shawl Ministry. Also, from time to time, our Director of Music, Joel Alarcon, delights residents with impromptu violin performances.
Scholarship Committee
The committee awards a Dream Big Scholarship to a high school graduate who actively participated in parish life.
Quilters “Wildcats” Mission Group
Wendy Gilbert, chairperson. The quilters create quilts for warmth and comfort for homebound parishioners. They also make pocket prayer quilts and other projects for the community.
Ushers
Chris Inmon. The 10-member Usher Group at St. Mary Anne’s welcomes parishioners, provides guidance, helps with seating, and answers questions to deliver a meaningful experience to all who attend services. They also get to ring the bell at the beginning of the service!
Worship Committee
This committee helps organize the details of Sunday services.
Wreaths Across America
Tom Kenny. St. Mary Anne’s participates in this national day to honor our veterans by placing wreaths on their graves.