Liturgy is central to the worship and community of St. Margaret’s--a fundamental aspect of our denomination. The liturgy committee seeks to provide our parish with guidance in the maintenance and development of this essential component of our community.

Week in and week out, we are treated to a rich experience at the table of grace. It is the awesome task of the Liturgy Committee to guild our collective worship in the midst of God’s incomprehensible reality, our denomination’s historical patterns, and our congregation’s unique needs and insights. If you are interested in participating in this ministry, please contact Julie Slavik at 202.966.6032 for details and the next meeting date.

Worship Participant Schedule

Inclusive Language

St. Margaret's Church makes every effort to make the language of worship conform to our conviction that the nature of God embraces both male and female and that men and women are equal in God's sight. Therefore, in our worship, we take our Bible readings from the New Revised Standard Version, the best translation currently available in this aspect, and Psalms from inclusive language sources. In our liturgies, we make minimal but symbolically important changes in the language of the prayer book in accord with our commitment to inclusive expression. Some historical texts, like the Lord's Prayer, that are widely known and loved are left unaltered, as is copyrighted material, such as hymns and anthems. In those texts, as in the ones that are changed, we recognize and affirm both the masculine and feminine in God.

Lectors & Vergers

St. Margaret's enjoys a wide range of participation from its members in the role of Lector each Sunday morning. Interested members should speak to Charlie Briggs to set up a brief training and be included in the rota. St. Margaret's has developed a cadre of vergers who rotate through the weekly services of the Eucharist. Interested parishioners are trained and mentored by Charlie or another currently serving verger. We appreciate so much the ministry of these men and women whose quiet presence keeps the service flowing seamlessly. A weekly schedule is available to help participants keep track of their commitments.

For more information please contact Charlie Briggs at 410.799.3272.

Acolytes & Crucifers

St. Margaret's is blessed with a robust cadre of children and adults who regularly participate in our services as acolytes and crucifers. Their tireless comittment to the community at worship is greatly appreciated. Generally, acolytes participate regularly in the 11:15 AM service, and occasionally at the 9:00 AM, and special services on seasonal holy days. Additionally, thurifers also participate during special services. Interested members should speak to Melanie Mullen or Karen Daniel to arrange a training period to be included in this important lay ministry. A weekly schedule is available to help participants keep track of their commitments.

For more information please contact Melanie Mullen at 202.904.6220 or Karen Daniel at 703.248.8825.

Intercessors

St. Margaret's understands the importance of prayer, and we honor those members who step forward to intercede during the services in behalf of the entire community. They represent every aspect our community, and as such add a depth and breadth of experience to the act of prayer that enrich each and every one of us. We regularly use all the forms of prayer in the Book of Common Prayer as another way to celebrate the diversity of our parish and the diversity of our church. We lift up by name the sick among us, those who have recently departed, and those who celebrate their birthdays; all acts of acknowledging one another personally. Finally, we also incorporate our mission statement into each of the forms of prayer so that each and every week we pray for who we say we are that we might live more fully into our highest aspirations. A weekly schedule is available to help participants keep track of their commitments. If you would like to join this ministry, please contact Julie.

For more information please contact Julie Slavik at 202.966.6032.

Altar Guild

St. Margaret's is honored by the faithful and tireless efforts of the Altar Guild. Week in and week out, these humble servants provide us with the simple implements needed to celebrate the Eucharist. They are present to clean up our messes, they are here before we even notice to polish and dust and maintain the beauty of our sanctuary. Altar Guild is a quiet, patient, and constant presence in the life of our parish; and one we do not often enough laud!

For more information please contact Florence Palmer at 301.445.2879.

Flower Guild

St. Margaret's is a community that appreciates the aesthetic. We are often blessed with simple yet stunning arrangements of flowers on the high altar, under the central altar, around the lecterns, and on special occasions at the baptistry, pew ends, and even the columbarium. The Flower Guild is one of the many silent ministries that occur all year long at St. Margaret's which blesses each of us, and without which we would be an infinitely poorer community.

St. Margaret's Flower Guild needs volunteers. While it is helpful, flower arranging skills are not necessary. If you would like to join in this quiet and deeply appreciated ministry, please call or email Suzanna Wight at 202.244.3466 to volunteer.

Ushers

St. Margaret's is grateful for the tireless service of many generous and loving members who donate their presence to the welcoming and care of all who enter our sanctuary to worship. Often the first people that visitors encounter, our ushers cheerfully and carefully welcome all who enter. If you are a member looking for a way to get more involved in the life of the parish, why not consider this ministry? Anyone interested should contact Silas in order to arrange a training and be added to the rota of ushers.

If you would like to help out please contact Silas Parrish at 301.445.2879.

PVLEM

We have 28 persons trained by the Diocese to take the Eucharist directly from the altar to the sick and shut in of the parish. On any given Sunday we have up to seven different sets of visitors going out. This ministry is critical in that it keeps us bound together as a community and assures that those who are unable to be with us are visited by lay persons as well as clergy. Though this is a liturgical, not a pastoral, role it is a way that we can be alert to the needs of those who are not physically with us.St. Margaret's is honored to participate in the Meals on Wheels program, a ministry coordinated by IONA Senior Services. On the fourth Saturday of every month, volunteers from our parish join in with others to provide nutritious meals for homebound elderly in our region of the District of Columbia. Runs begin between 10:30 AM and 11:00 AM and volunteers will be assigned a route complete with driving directions and special notes to assist with each delivery.

If you would be interested in assisting, please contact Rev. Susan N. Blue at 202.232.2995 ext. 12.

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