St. David's Committees and Groups
Acolytes
Acolytes assist with the liturgy by lighting candles, carrying the cross in procession, and performing other tasks to help clergy conducting a service. Their duties vary according to the type of service they are participating in (e.g., Sunday Eucharist, special services such as Christmas, Good Friday or Easter, weddings, and funerals). Adults and young people are invited to volunteer and will be trained by the acolyte master.
Angel Hands
Parishioners facing surgery, serious illness, a death in the family, or other life difficulties will find the Angel Hands group is there to provide meals, visits, rides to medical appointments, and other assistance. There are many ways to help: for example, people who don’t cook have donated restaurant gift
certificates. This ministry is a wonderful way to live out the Golden Rule by helping others through trying times.
Christian Formation
This group oversees the education program for children, youth, and adults. Go to Christian formation for more information.
Counters
The counters tally all weekly contributions to St. David’s by categorizing contributions, entering them into the church’s computer accounting program, and preparing bank deposits. Timely and accurate handling of contributions enables the church to pay its expenses, and accurate documentation gives
parishioners a record of their church donations.
Eucharistic and Visiting Eucharistic Ministers
Lay Eucharistic Ministers assist the clergy by passing the cup during celebrations of the Eucharist. Visiting eucharistic ministers provide the precious sacrament to shut-ins at their homes or in nearby nursing homes or health facilities.
Fundraising
This committee finds ways to raise additional funds to offset the annual budget by incorporating people from St. David’s and the wider community in a variety of enjoyable activities. The group sponsors annual events such as the art auction, golf outing, women’s tea, and flea market. Participating in these activities helps parishioners to form friendships and become more committed to their church. With a new parish hall and a growing number of major events, more parishioners are now involved in fundraising events than ever before. Go to fundraising for more information.
Greeters
Each Sunday a designated greeter welcomes parishioners and visitors to St. David’s main service. This is an easy way to volunteer for the church while making others feel they are part of the family.
Hospitality
Members of the Hospitality Group work to provide a welcoming atmosphere, whether they are setting up for church parties and other social gatherings or offering refreshments after a funeral. The group helps to maintain St. David’s reputation as a warm, friendly place by welcoming visitors and providing a place for parishioners to gather, make friends, and strengthen relationships.
Kitchen Users
St. David’s beautiful new kitchen and parish hall provide a place for everyone — parishioners, clergy, and visitors — to get to know and catch up with one another. These facilities are used for Sunday coffee hour, the annual church picnic, a welcome tea for newcomers, fundraisers, youth group gatherings,
receptions after funerals and baptisms, area clergy discussions and diocesan meetings, as well as meetings of outside groups such as AA and NA. The space may also be rented for private parties. Go to building use policy for more information.
Liturgy Committee
This committee works with the clergy to plan the worship at St. David’s. It includes the heads of all the different groups in the church, in order to get as many viewpoints as possible involved.
Music
St. David’s talented choir, under the direction of organist and composer Dr. Brian Katona, provides a music program that enhances the worship experience during the main service on Sunday and other special services. The music is a combination of traditional church compositions and contemporary pieces. St. David’s congregation is justly proud of its music program. New singers are welcome to join the choir at any time; those interested should speak to Dr. Katona or a choir member. Weekly rehearsals are held on Thursday evenings. (The choir does not rehearse or sing during the summer months.)
Outreach
This group coordinates St. David’s efforts to provide assistance, such as food, clothing, and monetary donations, to others. A special offering on the second Sunday of each month has targeted organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Coats for Coates, and the Seaman’s Church Institute. Food is collected throughout the year, with a special target for each month (e.g., baby food, canned goods) and provided to local food pantries of Hightstown and Trenton.
St. David’s engages in many outreach initiatives throughout the year. Go to outreach for more information.
Prayer Shawl Ministry
This group works tirelessly making hats, scarves, prayer shawls, and lap and baptism blankets. The items are given to new babies, sick persons such as cancer patients at local hospitals, and the Seaman’s Church Institute, which distributes hats and scarves to merchant seafarers. Members meet a couple of times a month, during the day, at the Church. An annual sale of handmade goods is held with all proceeds donated to the Church.
Shepherds
Each Sunday a designated “shepherd” greets all visitors after the service. The shepherd requests the visitors sign the guestbook, gives them a tour of the building, and answers any questions they may have. A follow up note is sent by the shepherd so that the visitor feels a sense of connection to the Church.
Stewardship
This committee works to promote stewardship and provide a focus for pledges to St. David’s operating budget. Go to stewardship for more information.
Ushers
Ushers are some of the first people encountered upon entering St. David’s. They hand out bulletins and make sure that visitors find seats or get any other assistance they may need. Ushers also assist with the flow of the service by taking up the collection and guiding those who wish to receive communion. At the end of the service, they make sure the church is tidy and ready for the next service.
Valentines Project
Valentines made by Sunday school students and other small gifts are assembled in boxes and sent to young people from St. David’s families who are away attending college. The boxes provide the students with a great diversion from their studies and remind them that St. David’s is thinking about them and praying for them.
Vergers
Each Sunday a verger has the responsibility of ensuring that all elements are in place for the main service. This ranges from making sure that the lay participants are present to ensuring that the sound system is working and necessary lights are on. The vergers allow the clergy to prepare for the service without having to worrying about housekeeping details.
Welcoming Committee
This committee makes sure things are in place so that visitors feel comfortable and have a contact person. Shepherds and Greeters fall under this committee. The group facilitates new member gatherings and new member Sundays and hosts an annual new member dinner. Some recent projects include developing pew cards and a welcoming brochure, designing St. David’s window decals, and installing informational signage at the doors.
Women’s Discussion Group
This group provides an educational and social community for women middle-aged and older. Members are encouraged to share their interests with the group, which is open to members of the community as well as parishioners.
Acolytes assist with the liturgy by lighting candles, carrying the cross in procession, and performing other tasks to help clergy conducting a service. Their duties vary according to the type of service they are participating in (e.g., Sunday Eucharist, special services such as Christmas, Good Friday or Easter, weddings, and funerals). Adults and young people are invited to volunteer and will be trained by the acolyte master.
Angel Hands
Parishioners facing surgery, serious illness, a death in the family, or other life difficulties will find the Angel Hands group is there to provide meals, visits, rides to medical appointments, and other assistance. There are many ways to help: for example, people who don’t cook have donated restaurant gift
certificates. This ministry is a wonderful way to live out the Golden Rule by helping others through trying times.
Christian Formation
This group oversees the education program for children, youth, and adults. Go to Christian formation for more information.
Counters
The counters tally all weekly contributions to St. David’s by categorizing contributions, entering them into the church’s computer accounting program, and preparing bank deposits. Timely and accurate handling of contributions enables the church to pay its expenses, and accurate documentation gives
parishioners a record of their church donations.
Eucharistic and Visiting Eucharistic Ministers
Lay Eucharistic Ministers assist the clergy by passing the cup during celebrations of the Eucharist. Visiting eucharistic ministers provide the precious sacrament to shut-ins at their homes or in nearby nursing homes or health facilities.
Fundraising
This committee finds ways to raise additional funds to offset the annual budget by incorporating people from St. David’s and the wider community in a variety of enjoyable activities. The group sponsors annual events such as the art auction, golf outing, women’s tea, and flea market. Participating in these activities helps parishioners to form friendships and become more committed to their church. With a new parish hall and a growing number of major events, more parishioners are now involved in fundraising events than ever before. Go to fundraising for more information.
Greeters
Each Sunday a designated greeter welcomes parishioners and visitors to St. David’s main service. This is an easy way to volunteer for the church while making others feel they are part of the family.
Hospitality
Members of the Hospitality Group work to provide a welcoming atmosphere, whether they are setting up for church parties and other social gatherings or offering refreshments after a funeral. The group helps to maintain St. David’s reputation as a warm, friendly place by welcoming visitors and providing a place for parishioners to gather, make friends, and strengthen relationships.
Kitchen Users
St. David’s beautiful new kitchen and parish hall provide a place for everyone — parishioners, clergy, and visitors — to get to know and catch up with one another. These facilities are used for Sunday coffee hour, the annual church picnic, a welcome tea for newcomers, fundraisers, youth group gatherings,
receptions after funerals and baptisms, area clergy discussions and diocesan meetings, as well as meetings of outside groups such as AA and NA. The space may also be rented for private parties. Go to building use policy for more information.
Liturgy Committee
This committee works with the clergy to plan the worship at St. David’s. It includes the heads of all the different groups in the church, in order to get as many viewpoints as possible involved.
Music
St. David’s talented choir, under the direction of organist and composer Dr. Brian Katona, provides a music program that enhances the worship experience during the main service on Sunday and other special services. The music is a combination of traditional church compositions and contemporary pieces. St. David’s congregation is justly proud of its music program. New singers are welcome to join the choir at any time; those interested should speak to Dr. Katona or a choir member. Weekly rehearsals are held on Thursday evenings. (The choir does not rehearse or sing during the summer months.)
Outreach
This group coordinates St. David’s efforts to provide assistance, such as food, clothing, and monetary donations, to others. A special offering on the second Sunday of each month has targeted organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Coats for Coates, and the Seaman’s Church Institute. Food is collected throughout the year, with a special target for each month (e.g., baby food, canned goods) and provided to local food pantries of Hightstown and Trenton.
St. David’s engages in many outreach initiatives throughout the year. Go to outreach for more information.
Prayer Shawl Ministry
This group works tirelessly making hats, scarves, prayer shawls, and lap and baptism blankets. The items are given to new babies, sick persons such as cancer patients at local hospitals, and the Seaman’s Church Institute, which distributes hats and scarves to merchant seafarers. Members meet a couple of times a month, during the day, at the Church. An annual sale of handmade goods is held with all proceeds donated to the Church.
Shepherds
Each Sunday a designated “shepherd” greets all visitors after the service. The shepherd requests the visitors sign the guestbook, gives them a tour of the building, and answers any questions they may have. A follow up note is sent by the shepherd so that the visitor feels a sense of connection to the Church.
Stewardship
This committee works to promote stewardship and provide a focus for pledges to St. David’s operating budget. Go to stewardship for more information.
Ushers
Ushers are some of the first people encountered upon entering St. David’s. They hand out bulletins and make sure that visitors find seats or get any other assistance they may need. Ushers also assist with the flow of the service by taking up the collection and guiding those who wish to receive communion. At the end of the service, they make sure the church is tidy and ready for the next service.
Valentines Project
Valentines made by Sunday school students and other small gifts are assembled in boxes and sent to young people from St. David’s families who are away attending college. The boxes provide the students with a great diversion from their studies and remind them that St. David’s is thinking about them and praying for them.
Vergers
Each Sunday a verger has the responsibility of ensuring that all elements are in place for the main service. This ranges from making sure that the lay participants are present to ensuring that the sound system is working and necessary lights are on. The vergers allow the clergy to prepare for the service without having to worrying about housekeeping details.
Welcoming Committee
This committee makes sure things are in place so that visitors feel comfortable and have a contact person. Shepherds and Greeters fall under this committee. The group facilitates new member gatherings and new member Sundays and hosts an annual new member dinner. Some recent projects include developing pew cards and a welcoming brochure, designing St. David’s window decals, and installing informational signage at the doors.
Women’s Discussion Group
This group provides an educational and social community for women middle-aged and older. Members are encouraged to share their interests with the group, which is open to members of the community as well as parishioners.
St. David's Vestry: Committees and Members
Non-Vestry Contacts
- Tracy Smires (Sr. Warden)
- Kathy Herzog (Jr. Warden)
- Building and Grounds: Maria Eswine
- Building Use: Maria Eswine
- Christian Formation: Jo Cornell
- Endowment Fund: David Thomsson
- Evangelism:
- Finance: Ellen Torres
- Fundraising: Tom Pearson
- Journey to Adulthood: Abbi Clissold
- J2A Laison: Jordan Bailey
- Liturgy: Ed Abramovitz
- Outreach: Jon Harding
- Pastoral Care:
- Stewardship: Tena Achen
- Communications: AJ Polanco
- Worship: Leslie Terhune
Non-Vestry Contacts
- Altar Guild: Kathy Herzog
- Acolyte Masters: Leslie Terhune
- Coffee Hour:
- Community Garden: Patricia Kraft
- Deacon: Rev. Carol Patterson
- Greeters: Sandy Szymanski
- Lay Participation: Harry Ruhl
- Music, Choir: Dr. Brian Katona
- Parish Administrator: Judy Henningsen
- Prayer Shawl Ministry: Renee Christiansen
- Social: Kathy Herzog
- Sunday School Co-Superintendents:
- Treasurer: John Patterson
- Ushers: Richard Bailey
- Web Site Contact: Judy Henningsen
