Embedded Files
At St. Andrew's, we believe that our faith calls us to continue Jesus' servant ministry in our communities by witnessing to God's reconciling love. We believe that the ministers of the Church include not only the deacons, priests, and bishops, but also all lay persons--adults and children alike. Most importantly, we believe that by welcoming everyone into our church family and by working together as a faith community, we can make a difference in the world--to bring in the Kingdom of God, to build up the body of Christ, and to glorify God's holy name.
We believe that active participation in the life of our parish and our communities offers each person a tremendous opportunity to live exactly as Christ called us to live. There are as many ways to serve as there are needs for service. We do hope that you will join us in this important work.
Learn About our Active Commissions
Altar Guild
The Altar Guild's ministry is to care for the parish's altar, vestments, vessels, and altar linens. Altar Guild members prepare the sanctuary for services and clean up after each service. They frequently supervise the decoration of the parish's sanctuary with flowers. Special tasks are also associated with holy days, baptisms, weddings, funerals, and memorial services.
Buildings and Grounds
This commission of volunteers offers their talents by ensuring the important spaces of St. Andrew’s have proper attention, maintenance, and oversight so that future generations will have the opportunity to benefit from the spiritual inspiration, community spirit, and love of today. We invite all members of the parish to join our spring and fall clean up days, to help our gardening guild, and to serve in our menders group for those small maintenance tasks that need handiness. In support of our Diocesan Commitment to Creation Care, we prioritize energy conservation to reflect our values of good stewardship as well as protecting God’s creation.
Children & Youth
The Children & Youth Commission supports the faith formation of our youngest members, from preschool through high school. In partnership with the Rector, we oversee children’s and youth curricula, coordinate Sunday School and youth group programming, recruit and train volunteer teachers and leaders, and provide age-appropriate devotional materials. We also support opportunities for teens to engage in mission work, service projects, and experiences that help connect faith to action in the world.
Spiritual Growth
The Spiritual Growth Commission supports the lifelong formation of faith at St. Andrew’s by organizing opportunities for learning, reflection, and community. Through Bible studies, book groups, guest speaker forums, and other programs, we help individuals deepen their understanding of scripture, theology, and spiritual practice. Working closely with clergy and other commissions, we aim to foster a thoughtful, informed, and spiritually curious congregation.
Communications
The Communications Commission creates and implements effective communications both within the parish and outward to the local communities.
Membership
The Membership Commission is now part of our Come And See framework. As a group, this commission develops and implements programs to encourage parish membership growth and welcome newcomers.
Outreach
Our Outreach Commission oversees activities that reach beyond the parish and address human needs, including identifying outreach opportunities, recommending the allocation of the annual outreach budget, and encouraging time and talent involvement by members in outreach activities. We presently support Esperanza Academy, Habitat for Humanity - North Central Massachusetts, Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry, Massachusetts Council of Churches, and Partners In Health.
Visit the outreach page to learn more about our initiatives
Parish Life
Our Parish Life Commission works to promote a spirit of fellowship among parish members, newcomers, visitors, and guests. It coordinates the weekly coffee hours, plans parish-wide events, receptions, picnics, and potlucks throughout the year, and assists with organizing our benefit concert receptions.
Stewardship
Our Stewardship Commission oversees parish stewardship activities within the parish, including fostering time, talent, and treasures for year-round stewardship, conducting the annual "estimate of giving" campaign and "time and talent" survey, recommending the annual budget, recommending/managing insurance coverage, managing the reserve investment accounts, and coordinating endowment, memorial, and capital fundraising.
Technology
The Technology Commission supports the mission of St. Andrew’s by managing and maintaining the church’s digital and technical systems. From live streaming worship and managing audio-visual equipment to supporting office technology and infrastructure, we help ensure the church remains connected, accessible, and ready for the future. We also collaborate with the Communications Commission to keep our digital presence strong and user-friendly.
Parish Historian
The Parish Historian and assistants research and record the past and present history of the parish or mission with which they are affiliated and record events, developments, statistics, and other contemporary data that give evidence of the changing life of the congregation as it exists in the larger community. Historians collect, describe, and conserve the documentary and pictorial archives of their parish and encourage the preservation and recording of the artistic elements of workshop and liturgy including church architecture, sculpture, ceremonial legal instruments, relevant printed and published materials, and other valuable and historical appointments.
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