Serving at St. Paul’s
Parishioners serve in all worship and prayer services at St. Paul’s. Many offer their time and talents to ensure beautiful services, the care of our sanctuary and materials, and other aspects of the church’s operations.
Parishioners and community members also serve tirelessly to meet the unmet needs of those living in Savannah and beyond. In all we do in the community, we seek to be Christ’s love to our neighbors.
If you are interested in learning more about any of the ways we serve, please contact the Parish Office.
Parish Choir
The Parish Choir’s main responsibility is to support the congregation, through music, in its worship of God at mass. The choir does this by leading hymns and Psalms as well as special music like the Introit and anthems. The Parish choir also performs Choral Evensong, concerts, and ordination masses from time to time. We invite you to come help us “seek through music to perfect the praises offered by God’s people on earth”.
Altar Guild
The Altar Guild is made up of special women and men who give of their time and talents, and who serve God by preparing His Altar. The work of the Altar Guild includes care of the altar vessels and linens, dusting, polishing brass and silver, arranging flowers, sewing on buttons, washing and ironing linens as well as setting up for Mass and other liturgical events including weddings and funerals. Those who share in this service are rewarded in the knowledge that they are serving God by tending the place where He is worshiped.
Flower Guild
The flowers placed on the various altars in our church are arranged by members of the Flower Guild. The floral materials are purchased through donations given in memorial or in thanksgiving by parishioners. Teams of two or more are assigned to a weekend once every four to six weeks and are responsible for selecting the flowers and preparing the required arrangements for the week.
Ushers & Welcome
A group of dedicated volunteers who serve during assigned Masses on a quarterly schedule. Duties include: greeting all attendees and assisting them with seating as needed; personally making welcome all visitors and ensuring they are provided with Mass Books, Calendar of Services, descriptions of our parochial and social activities, and obtaining contact information for follow-up. Additionally, we organize the collection and presentation of the Gifts at the Sunday Solemn and Evening Masses and ensure the safety of attendees and the security of their personal property.
Acolytes
The Acolytes at St. Paul’s are a group of dedicated people of all ages, from elementary school children to adults. As acolytes, we find joy in serving God by assisting the priests and deacons as they celebrate the Mass and perform other rights of the Church. Service at the Altar is a good way to learn the names of the items used during the Mass and helps children learn to participate in and follow the service. Each Sunday at the 10 am Mass we would like to have at least six acolytes to do the functions which need to be done during the Mass, but more are always welcome, and we make every effort never to turn away a child who wants to serve. Training is usually done on the job, and over time everyone is trained to do all of the tasks. Sometimes for the major celebrations, a practice is held the Saturday before.
Daughters of the King
The Our Lady of Walsingham Chapter of the Daughters of the King (DOK) was founded by Margaret J. Franklin on April 4, 1885, at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher now the Church of Resurrection, in New York City. The Order of the Daughters of the King is an international religious order for Episcopal Women. We pledge ourselves to a lifelong program of prayer, service, and personal evangelism. Our purpose is to bring others into a living, loving relationship with Jesus, our Lord and Savior, and to help strengthen the spiritual life of our parishes and missions. A Daughter must be a communicant in the Episcopal Church and be willing to participate in the preparation period, and vow to accept the Rule of Life. The DOK is not a social organization, and we do not raise funds. We pay yearly dues to the National and make voluntary contributions to the various funds of the Order. We meet every month on Saturday Mornings, which includes prayer and study.
Thomas Park Food Pantry
Founded by a parishioner (the late Gene Weith) about 45 years ago, the Thomas Park Food Pantry has grown from operating out of a small closet to supplying around 2,000 bags of groceries to our clients every year. Our clients self-report that those bags of groceries serve as supplemental food for more than 2,000 children under 18 years old, 1,500 adults, and 1,400 senior citizens, every year. The pantry operates rain or shine the second and fourth Tuesday mornings of every month from 7:30 to 8:30 a.m. Whether or not the date falls on a holiday, or during a hurricane or a snow storm, the Pantry distributes groceries from the church parking lot near the garage and courtyard of the house at 221 E. 34th Street. Stop by and see the work we are doing to help feed the community.
Backpack Buddies
The Backpack Buddies program was created to supply children who are dependent on the Free and Reduced lunch program provided by their school during the week and have very little to eat over the weekend and holidays. Research shows that hungry children have poorer mental and physical health, suffer with more behavioral disorders, and are less prepared to learn when they are in school. Hunger is an increasing and known problem among school-aged children in Savannah and Chatham County. We serve children who attend Charles Ellis during the school year. We prepare dozens of bags of food each week to go home with each child for the weekend. The bags contain protein, vegetables, fruit, breakfast items, milk, juice and snacks. Our volunteers deliver the bags to Charles Ellis each Thursday. Most of the food comes from Second Harvest Food Bank or through donations.
Card Ministry
A group of creative and dedicated volunteers have come together to make and send cards to parishioners to celebrate birthdays, anniversaries, or just to stay in touch. The cards, lovingly crafted by these talented individuals, brighten our parishioners lives, and are a joy to receive and enjoy. If you have an interest or talent in creating, and would like to get involved in the life of St. Paul’s in a fun and meaningful way, this is the group for you.