Ministries
The Bishop’s Committee
The bishop’s committee is the leadership body in each Episcopal mission congregation. The bishop is the head of the committee, though regular moderating of meetings is delegated to the vicar. Other members of the committee lay members who are elected each year by the congregation to three year terms. The bishop’s committee holds the mission and vision of the congregation, and implements those in the ongoing life of the church through worship, parish life and mission beyond the walls of the church. At St. A the bishop’s committee is comprised of people from both language groups. Translation is provided as necessary throughout the meeting. Relationships between the priest, the bishop’s committee, and the congregation is supported by the wardens, of which there is one for the English service and one for the Spanish service.
LEMs
Lay person licensed by the bishop to administer the consecrated elements of the eucharist. Lay eucharistic ministers may be licensed to administer the consecrated bread and wine at any celebration of the eucharist in the absence of a sufficient number of priests and deacons to assist the celebrant. They may also be licensed to go from a Sunday eucharist or other principal celebrations of the eucharist to share the sacrament with members of the congregation who were unable to be present at the celebration because of illness or infirmity. Lay eucharistic ministers may be licensed for either or both ministries. This ministry is understood to be an extraordinary ministry, and is not to take the place of the ministry of priests and deacons concerning the administration of the eucharist. Prior to the current lay ministry canons, specially licensed lay readers administered the chalice at the eucharist and were known as “chalice bearers.”
Music
LEMs
Lay person licensed by the bishop to administer the consecrated elements of the eucharist. Lay eucharistic ministers may be licensed to administer the consecrated bread and wine at any celebration of the eucharist in the absence of a sufficient number of priests and deacons to assist the celebrant. They may also be licensed to go from a Sunday eucharist or other principal celebrations of the eucharist to share the sacrament with members of the congregation who were unable to be present at the celebration because of illness or infirmity. Lay eucharistic ministers may be licensed for either or both ministries. This ministry is understood to be an extraordinary ministry, and is not to take the place of the ministry of priests and deacons concerning the administration of the eucharist. Prior to the current lay ministry canons, specially licensed lay readers administered the chalice at the eucharist and were known as “chalice bearers.”