Service Opportunities

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

We encourage you to get involved in one or more of our many service, support and ministry opportunities.

ADULT FORMATION
YOUTH FORMATION
CHILDREN'S FORMATION
PASTORAL CARE
COMMUNITY OUTREACH

WORSHIP

Worship is our expression of our love for God and is the foundation for all that we do at Christ Church. The many services offered each week depend upon those who faithfully serve in these ministries.

Acolytes

 Adult Acolytes
serve at special services such as those held during Holy Week and our major liturgical feasts. Adults help by setting the table and carrying the cross or tapers during processions.
Contact: Lisa Foster

Youth Acolytes assist the clergy at the altar during Sunday worship services at 9.00 and 11.15 am Traditional worship services. Contact: Marianne Palmer

Altar Guild
AG members prepare the altars in the main sanctuary, chapel, and Contemporary Worship Space for all Sunday worship Services. They also care for items used such as silver, brass, vestments, and linens.

Church - Kathy Lowery  
Chapel - Mary Bartlett Hiatt
Jordan Service - Kathy Blackman
Memorials/Funerals - Jane Wallace 

Church Mice
Church mice work “behind the scenes” once a week in the church, straightening and restocking materials in the pew racks, making the church welcoming and beautiful.
Contact: Patti and John Ernst

Eucharistic Ministers
Adults and Youth in their late teens are licensed by the bishop and trained by our ministry leaders to serve the chalice at communion and to lead morning and evening prayer. 
Contacts: Lisa Foster
The Rev. Andreis Diaz

Festival Decorations
This team decorates the campus with seasonal arrangements for Holy Days.
Contact: Mary Watson

Lectors (Adult and Youth)
Lectors read the Bible lessons appointed for Sunday during the worship services.
Contact: Sally Basso  

Ushers (Adults and Youth)
Ushers greet worshipers as they arrive at church for traditional services, provide bulletins and seating assistance, collect the offering, and guide worshipers as they come to Communion. Contact: Kathie Seabrook

Greeters
Greeters welcome worshipers as they arrive at church for contemporary worship services and assist with communion.
Contact: Valerie Gambino

Weddings

Our wedding coordinator works with the pastoral care director, clergy, and families to coordinate weddings at Christ Church.
Contact: Liz McCarthy

Welcome Team
The welcome team serves on Sundays welcoming and assisting visitors with directions and information. They staff the welcome carts and greet people as they enter the church campus.
Contacts: The Rev. Deacon Leila Quinlan 
Courtyard/Outside Areas   Phyllis Bove   

Chancel Choir and Common Ground
The Chancel Choir leads the congregation in singing at the 11:15 a.m. services. All high school youth and adults are welcome. The choir rehearses on Wednesday evening. Common Ground vocal ensemble sings at 9 a.m.
Contact: Dr. Rachel Root 

Children’s Choirs
An opportunity for children ages 5 years old through 5th grade to sing, dance, play games and instruments and make new friends. The choir meets every Wednesday to rehearse and sings at services once a month.
Contacts: Stephanie Bennie
Wendy Waller

GROW

Christ Church is a place to grow in faith, fellowship and service. Keeping a church of this size running well requires the dedicated support of hundreds of volunteers. Many ministry teams offer training and fellowship opportunities, and all welcome newcomers to join them in service.

Formation and Fellowship

Adult Christian Formation Teachers
Adults support the spiritual growth of other adults by teaching a variety of classes covering topics such as spirituality, the Bible, church history, ethics and contemporary life.
Contact: The Rev. Amy Slater

Archives & History Ministry
Volunteers catalog and care for our archive and history collection, scanning, creating displays, chronicling and sharing our history with the parish.
Contact: Nancy White

Children’s Christian Formation Teachers
Caring adults support children’s spiritual development through teaching Sunday formation for ages 3 years old and up. All teachers are required to take “Safe Church, Safe Communities” online courses, and additional training is provided.
Contact: The Rev. Laura Magevney

Community Circles Facilitators
Community Circles provide space for connection and growing in faith. Leaders and facilitators help plan and guide group discussion and involvement. These small groups happen both at church and off campus.
Contact: The Rev. Deacon Leila Quinlan

Cursillo
A renewal ministry and community of the Episcopal church. For information see diocesefl.org/cursillo or Contact Ron Kessner

Education Scholarship Commission
Providing scholarships and mentoring to local students in need.
Contact: Dave Bovee 

Family Ministries
Volunteers help plan fellowship activities that provide opportunities for them to grow and form Christian community and friendships. Contact: The Rev. Laura Magevney 

Kitchen Support Ministry
Volunteers prepare and / or serve food for weekly meals and special events.
Contact:  Jennifer De Rycker

Newcomer Ministry Team
Assist newcomers with membership information, help new members assimilate into the parish and serve at events.
Contact: The Rev. Deacon Leila Quinlan

Office Volunteers
Volunteers answer phones, greet visitors and perform various administrative tasks in the church office.
Contact: Kathy Culbertson

Vacation Bible School
VBS helps children grow in their love for God through hands-on activities, music, and service. There are volunteer opportunities for youth and adults through the week-long event. Contact: The Rev. Laura Magevney  

Wednesday Night Community Dinners
Sept 20 through Nov 15.  Westbury Hall dining room 5:45- 7:00 p.m.
Whether you are here for church activities or just want to gather with friends for a simple meal, you are welcome!

Youth Ministry
Middle schoolers and high schoolers meet on Sunday morning for Christian Formation and Wednesday evenings for fellowship and group activities. Adult volunteers assist with team building, events, and chaperone mission trips. Contact: Brooks Slater 

The Creative Academy

The Creative Academy includes all types of art ministries and features an annual festival to showcase them all.

Art Gallery
Rotating art exhibitions by parishioners and friends in the art community. Arts demonstrations and promotion of art events
Contact: Mary Blue Ster 

Music Instructors
Offer lessons for children and adults on various instruments.
Contact: Dr. Tim Root 

Dance
Offers a variety of lessons throughout the year including an annual production of the seasonal classic, The Nutcracker.
Contact: Dawn Jacobs    

Painting
Art groups meet to paint and share fellowship. Oil and acrylic painting class meets Monday from 2-4. All are welcome.
Contacts: Eve Albrecht
Ellen Jones

Theater
The Academy presents at least two musical productions a year:  a children’s production and an adult production that may include children. Casts include parishioners and community members.  Lots of opportunities to volunteer.
Contact: Barb Roberts   

Love

Pastoral Care – Love in Our Church Family

These are some of the many ways we help our parishioners in times of need through pastoral care ministries and how we are connecting with our community outreach partners to find and engage in community service opportunities.  For more information contact Director of Pastoral Care, Liz McCarthy  or The Rev. Amy Slater

Celebration Ministry
Compassionate people welcome guests and host receptions for bereaved families and friends following funerals and memorial services.
Contact: Carole McManus

Christ Centered Advance Care Planning
Trained volunteers facilitate a program designed to bring peace through advance care planning for end-of-life issues.
Contact: Brian Mickley

Christ Church Babies
Support and encouragement for families who are expecting or adopting children, offering information on liturgies of Thanksgiving for Birth
or Adoption of a Child and Holy Baptism.
Contact: Contact: Deb Hardegree

Eucharistic Visitors
Laity (trained and licensed by the Bishop) take communion to those who are hospitalized, homebound or in care facilities.
Contact: The Rev. Amy Slater

Flower Ministry
Flower arrangers repurpose the altar flowers into bouquets to be distributed to those who are sick, homebound or celebrating special occasions. Volunteers help to arrange or deliver flowers.
Contact: Suzanne Mulvee

Good Samaritan Ministry     
“Handypersons” who are available to help disabled or physically challenge parishioners with minor home repairs.
Contact Jim Whitlow

Intercessors Ministry
A network of parishioners pray confidentially for the physical, emotional and spiritual well-being of those who seek their support.
Contact: Deb Holton

Meal Ministry
Volunteers prepare and deliver meals to parishioners in need. Meals are prepared together in our church kitchen and stored in the benevolence freezer, ready to be used when needed. Contact: Jen DeRycker

Prayer Shawl Ministry
Parishioners create and distribute prayer shawls as tangible reminders of prayers
prayed and love offered to those who are grieving, facing life-threatening illness, etc.
To donate or pick up a shawl, contact the office at 285-6127

Recovery Ministry

Programs and opportunities to support others in recovery and health through the year.

Contact: The Rev. Deacon Priscilla Wodehouse  

Savvy Job Hunters Ministry
Offers free workshops with expert presenters, networking and spiritual support for the unemployed, underemployed or less-than-happily employed. Volunteers make presentations and assist with event logistics.
Contact: Pam Ottesen

Shepherd Ministry
Shepherds work in teams to support the pastoral needs of the congregation. They build relationships with parishioners and connect them with pastoral support ministries. They receive ongoing basic pastoral training and supervision.
Contact: Liz McCarthy

Stephen Ministry
Men and women who have received extensive training equipping them to offer confidential, one-on-one, Christian care to those who are facing illness, dealing with grief, suffering loss, etc.
Contacts: Mary Ann Reynolds
Kathy Lowery 

Transportation Ministry
Volunteers periodically transport those who because of age or infirmity are not able to drive to doctors appointments, church, etc.
Contact John Arrowsmith

Walking the Mourner’s Path
An 8-week course where participants ‘walk’ together as they grieve the loss of a loved one.. Contact: The Rev. Deacon Leila Quinlan [email protected]

Community Outreach - Love in the World

Adopt-A-Family
Every Christmas, parishioners are invited to select a “family” from the angel tree and provide gifts for everyone in the family. The gifts are collected, tagged and delivered to the families a few days before Christmas.  Contact: Gail Werneburg 

Amistad Mission – Bolivia*
Amistad Mission provides loving, Christian homes in Cochabamba, Bolivia, where children can thrive and become the leaders of tomorrow. Casa San Francisco is sponsored by Christ Church and we continue to visit and develop relationships with the children there. Parishioners are also “prayer and card pen pals” with the children.
Contact: Pam Laco or Diane Downing 

Bakery Book Exchange
Parishioners and friends bring new and gently used books in exchange for a baked good made by one of our CCPVB youth. The books are then used to enhance reading and literacy in the community.

Contact: Charlotte Peverley 

Beaches Dial-a-Ride
Dial-a-Ride promotes the health and social engagement of homebound senior and disabled persons in Jacksonville’s beach communities by providing personal, affordable transportation.
Contact: Deb Hardman 

Beaches Emergency Assistance Ministry (BEAM)*
The mission of BEAM is to keep families in their homes and help them get the support needed to become self-sufficient. Volunteer opportunities include monthly food donation and sorting, delivering food, working in the pantry, garden, or thrift store.
Contact: Sarah Knowles or Deacon Leila Quinlan 

Beaches Habitat for Humanity*
Share in the ministry of building simple, decent, affordable houses in partnership with God and families in need.
Contacts: Jack Hardman 
Doug Knowles

Betty Griffin Center
Protection, temporary shelter and counseling are provided for victims of domestic violence and their minor children. They provide outreach services, training, and education. Ways to be involved include volunteering in their thrift store or participating in the run for peace.
Contact: Kevin Davidsen 

Blessings in a Backpack*
During the school year we pack food bags for local students at risk of food insecurity at home. Packing usually takes place in the Westbury Hall dining room Thursdays 8:30 a.m.
Contacts: Sharon Kehoe  or Katharine Loeb 

Cuba Ministry
Church of the Good Shepherd, Güira, Cuba*
We support the mission of the Church in Cuba through our relationship with our sister parish in Güira, providing clean water for the town, education for children, laundry for seniors, and Christian affection for all through mission trips, prayers, and fellowship.
Contact: The Rev. Andreis Diaz

Council on Aging+
COA provides the opportunity for every person in St. Johns County to enjoy wellness, longevity, and quality of life choices within a strong, healthy community.
Contact: Sharon Carlson

Diaper Bank of Northeast FL*
The mission is to alleviate diaper need in the Northeast FL community by providing low-income families with an adequate supply of diapers in order to keep their babies clean, dry and healthy. Contact: Katharine Loeb 

Epic-Cure*
Epic-Cure rescues food from stores and restaurants that would be wasted and redistributes it to those in need. Since 2018 over 13 million pounds of food has been redistributed.
Contact: Katharine Loeb 

Episcopal Relief and Development*
ERD is the international relief and development agency of the Episcopal Church in the U.S.A.
Contacts: Bill and JoAnn Lee

Feeding Northeast Florida*
The largest food bank in Baker, Bradford, Clay, Duval, Flagler, Nassau, Putnam & St. Johns Counties, serving 85,000 people in need every day. Volunteers sort non-perishable food in their warehouse and provide groceries at mobile
pantry sites.
Contact: Sarah Knowles 

Foster Closet*
A resource for children and families in the foster system, offering clothing, supplies and support. Volunteers sort clothes, help families find what they need and more.
Contact: Kathy Seabrook

Hart Felt Ministries*
Hart Felt Ministry assists seniors by helping them maintain independence in their own homes. Volunteers provide companionship, encouragement, and other support.
Contacts: Art Billingslea or Alan Tate

Home Again St. Johns*
Home Again St. Johns coordinates a multi-agency system to positively effect and alleviate homelessness in St. Johns County.
Contact: Kathie Seabrook  or Alan Tate 

I.C.A.R.E.
The Interfaith Coalition for Action, Reconciliation and Empowerment is a faith-based community organization that addresses neighborhood and community-wide justice issues in Jacksonville.
Contact:  The Rev. Amy Slater

JaxTHRIVE*
A student-led non-profit that provides services to refugee students who have come to this country under extraordinary circumstances. They provide a nurturing environment where tutoring, life skills, mentoring and friendship help them advance in the classroom and flourish in their new communities.  Contact: Kevin Davidsen 

Jericho Road Legal Service Ministry*
Jericho Road’s mission is to close the justice gap one neighbor at a time by providing access to justice through affordable legal help and Christian compassion.
Contact: Mike Roberts

Kairos Prison Ministry
Volunteer teams share the love of Christ through annual retreats and monthly visits to Baker County Correctional Facility to be with incarcerated individuals.
Contacts: Dave Bovee
Alan Moore 

Learn to Read St. Augustine+
Provides free literacy skills assessment and instruction to underserved people in St. Augustine and surrounding cities.
Contacts: Elaine Reagan or Mary Jane Dillon 

The Lighthouse
The Lighthouse Youth Community is an affirming, nonreligious gathering open to LGBTQIA+ middle and high school students and their families in Jacksonville and the Beaches area, including people of all faiths and no faith. There is also a separate meeting for parents. Both spaces are for friendship and resource sharing, rooted in the church’s baptismal covenant to respect the dignity of every human being.
Contact: Catherine Montgomery 

Mede Nio*
Father Tom and his wife DeeAnn helped found this ministry for orphans in Uganda.
Contacts: The Rev. Tom Reeder  
Deb Hardman  

Mission House*
Christ Church is a founding member and primary supporter of Mission House, whose goal is to assist with material, physical and spiritual needs through service to those in need. Groups prepare and serve food monthly.
Contact:  Diane Downing

Operation New Hope*
Provides everything needed to build a new future after involvement with the criminal justice system: training, job placement, financial benefits, support services housing and transportation assistance.   
Contact: Mike Roberts 

Pie in the Sky Community Alliance*+
Volunteers provide hope by serving with dignity and respect to alleviate hunger and social isolation through the home delivery of healthy fresh produce to low-income senior citizens.
Contact: Loretta McMaster 

Rhoda Martin Early Learning Center
A Head Start preschool in Jacksonville Beach founded by Christ Church. Volunteers read to the children and help support their development through art, music and love of learning.
Contact: Joy Hardaker

South Woods Elementary+
Creating a secure community that will instill in all students a desire for academic excellence. Volunteers tutor students and assist as needed.
Contact: Margo Cleary  

St. Francis Housing Crisis Center
/ Port in the Storm*+
Engaging those experiencing homelessness to achieve stability, self-sufficiency, and a viable plan for their future by providing a safe, stable environment, access to essential services, and supportive connections.
Contact: Jack Tull  

St. Gerard’s Campus+
Providing hope and compassion to teen parents and young mothers. promoting empowerment through education. Volunteers provide childcare and administrative support.
Contacts: Paula Allmen   
Stan Sundermeyer 

St. Mary’s Mission
Christ Church provides monthly supplies of food and volunteers to run the food pantry each Tuesday afternoon and Thursday morning.
Contact: Deacon Leila Quinlan

St. Nicholas Toy Drive
Christ Church parishioners are invited to donate toys which are collected and distributed to children in need. The first Friday in December is dedicated to sorting and delivering toys to local agencies.
Contact: The Rev. Laura Magevney 

Sulzbacher Beaches Adult Health Center*
Medical and dental professionals can volunteer time and skills for the clinic which provides comprehensive healthcare to those in need in the Beaches area. Parishioners also collect hygiene products for home insecure persons and assist with maintenance projects. Other volunteer opportunities exist at the agency’s downtown facilities.
Contact: Susan Schantz  

The ARC Project - Surf Camp*
The ARC Project provides free surf and water safety camps for at-risk youth who don’t have the opportunity to learn lifesaving water safety skills while hearing about the hope of Christ.
Contact: Brooks Slater