Ministries & Parish Life
PARISH MINISTRIES & LIFE
St. Peter's encourages your involvement in parish life through various ministries. Please speak directly with the ministry Contacts for more information or to volunteer. Some self-evident opportunities from our "Time-Talent Survey" are omitted here. You can always contact the parish office or clergy concerning these ministries (662.234.1269).
Acolytes: Young people in grades six through college who assist at 11 a.m. (10:30 a.m. in summers) on Sundays and on Holy Days. Second grade and older acolytes can informally assist at the 9 a.m. Eucharist. (11 a.m.) David Knight @ 234-8054, dknight@dixie-net.com or (9 a.m.) Tom Fowlkes @ 234-7601, tfowlkes@vista-express.com.
Altar Guild: Men and women who assist in maintaining the beauty of the liturgical appointments in and around the altar and help prepare the church for worship. Responsibilities include care of communion vessels and brass, assistance with flowers and a variety of tasks that promote the dignity and beauty of worship. Lucy Turnbull @ 234-3392 or Marty Dunbar @234.2534.
AMOS: The Oxford-Lafayette Amos network is a consortium of churches and other voluntary organizations that have united to address issues that affect the quality of life in our area. Other Amos networks exist in Jackson and Meridian and are being formed elsewhere in Mississippi. Parishioners can sign up for a working group, which meets regularly, to study issues and make recommendations to the plenary group. Contact Ken Rutherford or Elizabeth Payne
@ 234-4258, epayne@olemiss.edu.
Bridge Group: This is a women's group which meets every Monday in the Parish Hall at 1:00 to play bridge. Judy Trott @ 234-1574, jtrott@olemiss.edu.
Brotherhood of St. Andrew: This is a men's fellowship founded on the principles of study, service and prayer. The ongoing service project is the maintenance of the library at the Lafayette County facility. This group meets on the third Saturday morning of each month from 8-9:30 a.m. and includes breakfast. Dan Costley, 281-1449; costly@watervalley.net
Caregivers: This group is intended for anyone engaged in caregiving: parents, spouses, siblings, children or other relatives. Support, grounded in scripture and prayer is provided in a group setting. Penny Sisson @ 234-7989, psisson@olemiss.edu.
Centering Prayer: Using both lectio divina, the meditative reading of bible lessons, and silent prayer, a varying group meets Mondays at noon in the choir room to deepen their faith. Taylor Moore @ 234-1269, prologos@earthlink.net
Choir, Adult: The adult choir rehearses Sunday mornings at 9:45 a.m. and on the first Wednesday night of each month at 7:00 p.m. Don Trott @ 281-8631, dtrott@olemiss.edu.
Choir, Children: The children choir rehearses each Wednesday during the school year from 4:30 p.m. until 5:25 p.m. It is comprised of young people ages 2nd grade until 6th grade. Contact Brooke Bagley, 801-6216, brookebagley2@gmail.com
Christian Education: This is a comprehensive study program involving children, youth, and adults, covering Sunday Christian Formation classes, Bible studies, Education for Ministry, Lenten Studies and Vacation Bible School. See specific listings on the Time and Talent survey. Liza Mallette @ 236-5459 for K-12, mallette@panola.com, and Taylor Moore for adults @ 234-1269, prologos@earthlink.net.
Cursillo/Ultreya: The Cursillo movement is a method of church renewal that begins with a weekend retreat. The purpose is to help Christians renew their Christian commitment and to understand their roles as leaders in all of life. The monthly meeting is called an Ultreya. Simon Webb. 513-3592, spiderweb243@hotmail.com
Daughters of the King: The Daughters of the King is a national order of women who are communicants of the Episcopal Church who undertake a life committed to the "rule of prayer and a rule of service." They are dedicated to the spread of Christ's Kingdom and to the strengthening of the spiritual life of their parish. Contact Lucy Turnbull, 234-3392.
Episcopal Church Women (ECW): The ECW is a diverse group of multi-talented women serving Christ in our families, the parish and the larger community. They are frequently called upon to organize receptions for special church functions and they strive to serve the church through prayer, worship, communication and nurturing. Melanie Ladner @ 513-6223, melanie_ladner@yahoo.com.
Episcopal Youth Community (EYC): Students in grades kindergarten through Senior High come on Wednesday nights at 5:30 p.m. during the school year for a variety of activities led by both adults and college counselors. Activities are age appropriate and end promptly at 6:30 so that the youth may attend the church supper or return home for supper. Special activities for St. Peter's youth, in conjunction with the Diocese of Mississippi, are added throughout the school year.
The Rev. Ollie Rencher @ 234-1269, orencher@olemiss.edu.
Environmental Stewardship Group: Those concerned parishioners whose purpose is to incorporate environmental stewardship and reverence for God's creation into our daily lives and worship. Jeanie Anderson, 234-5696, msfiddler@hughs.net, or Andree Walker, 281-0756, awalker 92003@yahoo.com
55+ Senior Adults Group offers Trips: a variety of day and occasional evening excursions are taken in the North Mississippi and South Tennessee areas. Also offered are Luncheons: On the 4th Thursday of each month, the 55+ group meets for lunch in the parish hall at 12 noon. Sometimes these meals are potlucks and sometimes there is a small fee for the catered meal. An entertaining program is provided at each luncheon. Elizabeth Williston @ 234-3821 for meals, Williston@watervalley.net, or John Crews, 234-9007 for programs, jcrews@watervalley.net.
Flower Guild: This new ministry is being formed to organize our flower calendar, distribute flowers to shut-ins and to create flower arrangements for special liturgies. Members might also be asked to assist with the placement of floral memorials prior to a funeral or funeral visitation. Leslie Horn @ 601-415-2999, lesliehorn@yahoo.com
Food Pantry: The combined community of Oxford/Lafayette County seeks to serve those local people in need of assistance with meals and food supplies. Church volunteers staff the pantry to distribute the food as needed on specified days. Local suppliers donate the food. Ed Sharpe @ 236-6766, edsharpe@watervalley.net.
Habitat for Humanity: Community group which works to build homes for low-income families; participants are from several local churches. Mike Brownlee @ 234-7485.
Haven House: Facility for helping with alcohol dependency. St. Peter's parishioners help with a worship service and with other duties. Jackson Taylor @ 234-6483, happyjata@aol.com.
Hispanic Ministries: Our ministry with the growing number of Spanish speakers in our community involves a Eucharist in Spanish every Sunday at 7 p.m. Volunteers are needed for English as a Second Language classes, as translators, to offer legal advice, to help in a monthly medical clinic, tutoring children, providing refreshments on Sunday evenings, and as conversation partners. Penny or Ed Sisson @ 234-7989, psisson@olemiss.edu.
Honduras Medical Mission: Yearly trip to aid in medical, dental, and veterinary needs. Penny and Ed Sisson @ 234-7989, sasisson@olemiss.edu or psisson@olemiss.edu.
Interfaith Compassion Ministry: This is an ecumenical organization, housed at First Presbyterian, that distributes money to those in need. Volunteers are needed to serve on the board of directors and to help with fundraisers. Melanie Ladner @ 513-6223, melanie ladner@yahoo.com
International Friends: A group of international students, faculty, and/or spouses meet to share their experiences as newcomers to America, to learn about our culture and that of representative participants. Contact Penny Sisson, 234-7989, psisson@olemiss.edu.
Lay Eucharistic Ministers: Licensed by the Bishop, these people assist in liturgical leadership. They lead the Prayers of the People, read lessons, bear the chalice at communion, and also take communion to sick and shut-ins twice a month. Study and training on the Diocesan level, along with approval by the Vestry and Rector, are required. Maurie White @ 662-489-8293, luckycat@onecallinc.com.
Leap Frog: An after-school tutoring and enrichment program, sponsored by St. Peter's, O-U Methodist, and the United Way, Leap Frog serves at-risk first and second graders from Oxford and Lafayette public schools. Volunteers are needed to tutor, lead recreational activities, provide refreshments for and drive home students from three locations, including St. Peter's. Anne Marie Ross @ 234-2411.
Lectors: These men and women read the Old Testament and Epistle lessons in our Sunday worship, usually at 11 a.m. Leon McCullouch, 513-6073, mccullouch@bellsouth.net..
Library Committee and Archives: A group is forming to sort current books, seek or buy new ones, and promote the sharing of books from a revitalized church library. Parish Office @ 234-1269, speter@dixie-net.com.
Men's Breakfast: This is the third Wednesday of each month, and is designed for fellowship, good humor, and second-guessing of the previous night's Vestry meeting. They meet at the Beacon Restaurant on North Lamar at 7:00 a.m. Just show up! David Knight, 234-8054, dknight@dixie-net.com.
Ministry with Gay and Lesbian Persons: A group interested in learning about being loving towards others, through our special attention to spirituality and church life as it is experienced by and in the company of gay and lesbian people. Debra Young @ 236-7772 or Ed Sisson @ 234-7989, sasisson@olemiss.edu.
Newcomers Committee: Group of church members who help identify and welcome visitors and newcomers, and encourage their involvement within the church. Theresa Knight @ 234-7363, tknight@olemiss.edu or Leon McCullouch @ 513-6073.
Newsletter: The monthly publication that keeps everyone notified about the parish activities and plans. Your input is requested by the 20th of each month. Cindy White @ 234-1269, stpeter@dixie-net.com.
NMRC Worship: North Mississippi Regional Center is a residential facility for the mentally challenged of this portion of the state. St. Peter's assists in a worship service there on the second Sunday of each month at 3:00 p.m. Penny Sisson @ 234-7989, psisson@olemiss.edu or Kathy Knight @ 236-3556, kknight@olemiss.edu.
Office Volunteers: People willing to help in the church office by assisting in special mailings, covering the office when one of the secretaries is out, etc. Cindy White @ 234-1269, stpeter@dixie-net.com.
Pastoral Care Team: Group which makes sure members of St. Peter's and their families are cared for in times of illness, family crisis, births, deaths, etc. Also includes a variety of ministries that vary from serving on regular visitation teams to nursing homes and shut-ins or occasionally helping with transportation, food preparation, and hospital visits. Penny Sisson, 234-7989.
Prayer Shawl Ministry: This ministry is involved in knitting or crocheting shawls/lap robes which are then blessed by the parish priest during church and then given to those people within the parish who have been or are ill. People who do not know how to knit or crochet are encourage to join the group and one of the current participants will help you get started. Children are encouraged to join in as well. Contact Liza Mallette @ 236-5459, mallette@panola.com or Kris Mink at 236-5485.
Prison Ministry: Each year a group of parishioners travel to Parchman on a Saturday before Christmas to worship and share gifts with prisoners there. Also, see Brotherhood of St. Andrew.
Maurie White @ 662-489-8293, luckycat@onecallinc.com.
Property Committee: This task group, led by the Junior Warden, helps with the maintenance and makes design suggestions for the interior and exterior of the church buildings and grounds. Lynn Wells, 513-0200. lnwdesigns@msn.com.
Pumpkin Patch Committee: After the unloading of the pumpkins, the real work begins. Help recruit and schedule volunteers, collect and count proceeds and, in general, manage this major fundraiser. The proceeds go to support the Youth Programs of the parish. Amy Barton, 236-1675, amybarton1@mac.com.
Race and Reconciliation Task Force: For those interested in furthering our relationship with Second Missionary Baptist Church or other opportunities to foster racial reconciliation. William Strickland @ 234-2346, wstrickland@bellsouth.net
Shepherds: Experienced parishioners who contact newcomers and help them assimilate into the parish and find a ministry or group to connect with. Coordinated by Newcomers Committee. Theresa Knight @ 234-7363, tknight@olemiss.edu.
Stewardship Committee: This committee works on the stewardship campaign each fall. It establishes goals, produces the mailings, makes visits to some parishioners and monitors the progress of our pledging. Next year's chairperson(s): TBA
Supper Club: This is a social evening where the only agenda is good food and fellowship. Church members take turns hosting this event in their homes; co-hosting is encouraged. The only requirement is to bring a dish of food to share. Jenny McGee @ 234-7569, mjaamc@yahoo.com.
Tuesday Morning Bible Study: Men and women meet to explore a book of the Bible in this discussion class. Marty Dunbar @ 234-2534, padunbar@dixie-net.com.
University Chaplaincy/Episcopal Church at Ole Miss (ECOM): The Episcopal Church at the University of Mississippi is an outreach program of the Diocese and parish to University students and faculty. Sunday evening Holy Eucharist is celebrated at St. Peter's at 5:30 p.m. followed by a student supper at 6:30 p.m. Bible studies and other events are held on the campus. Volunteers are especially welcome to help with the suppers, to host events, to assist with music at the Eucharist, etc. The Rev. Ollie Rencher @ 801-1269, orencher@olemiss.edu.
Ushers: Men and women who assist by welcoming people, handing out bulletins, ushering people to communion, taking up the offering at 11 a.m. (10 a.m. summers) on Sundays and at Holy Day liturgies. Jack Taylor @ 234-6483, happyjata@aol.com.
Wednesday Night Suppers: Supper in the Parish Hall each Wednesday night after the 5:30 p.m. Holy Eucharist/Healing service. The church provides most of the food, but members are asked to bring side dishes and desserts to round out the menu. A monetary contribution is suggested to help defray the cost for kitchen staff and food. Kathy Knight @ 236-3556, kknight@olemiss.edu.
Writing and Spirituality: Every Monday a group meets at 6:30 p.m. in the small parlor to write a response to one of the Bible lessons from Sunday and then to discuss their creative responses. Mary Ann Bowen @ 236-4612.
Writer's Way: This group meets the first Tuesday of every month at 6:00 p.m. in the small parlor. Neil White @ 234-5083, neilwhite@nautiluspublishing.com.
(Revised August 1, 2006)
