Acolytes
Acolytes are volunteers (children, youth, and adults) who serve God in the church and share all the ceremonial aspects of Holy Communion on Sundays and Holy Days.
The entire church community—not only the priests—participate in the liturgy, and acolytes serve in essential ways at every worship service. They prepare for and assist in the rituals of worship as
- cross-bearers (crucifers)
- torch-bearers (lucifers)
- incense-bearers (thrivers)
- chalice-bearers (Eucharistic Ministers)
- subdeacons (overseers and keepers of the holy vessels at the altar)
If you are interested in supporting the liturgy as an acolyte, please contact Fr Matthew (matthew.reese@stphilipstucson.org).
Altar Guild
The Altar Guild is a ministry that works behind-the-scenes to support the clergy by preparing the altar for Eucharistic services.
Volunteers work in teams that are assigned to work one week per month.All volunteers polish the silver and brass, fill the candles with oil, iron linens, steam vestments, and complete a few other tasks. Time flies because everyone works together.
Work schedules, family commitments, vacations, physical disabilities are all taken into consideration when preparing the schedule. On the first Thursday of every month (September-May) there is a short business meeting from 11:00am-12:00pm.
New volunteers are assigned a mentor who offers training in the first provisional year. People who enjoy this ministry are those who enjoy paying attention to detail, like to work behind-the-scenes, and are interested in being part of a long tradition of service.
If you are interested in exploring this ministry, please contact Jean Windmiller (jmwindmiller72@gmail.com).
Off-Campus Worship
Parishioners trained as Lay Eucharistic Ministers facilitate Sunday worship services at assisted living residences in Tucson. If you are interested in learning more, please contact Sunny Bal (balbro@mindspring.com).
Desert Springs
30 W Lambert Lane
520-219-8100
Services are at 11:00am on Sundays.
The Forum
2500 N Rosemont Boulevard
520-325-4800
Services are at 10:00am on Sundays.
The Fountains at La Cholla
5830 N Fountains Avenue
520-797-2002
Services are at 10:00am on Sundays.
Villa Hermosa
6300 E Speedway
520-462-6124
Services are at 10:00am on Sundays.
Ushers
Volunteers in this ministry offer hospitality and presence—two core aspects at the heart of Saint Philip’s community life. Serving as an usher is an especially wonderful volunteer opportunity for someone newer to Saint Philip’s because it allows you to meet a wide variety of people in the community.
Ushers welcome people to all Sunday services and to special liturgies throughout the year, including weddings and funerals. They distribute service leaflets, assist the disabled, record attendance, collect alms, present the gifts of bread and wine for Holy Communion, and assist communicants at the altar rail.
Ushers work in teams with three or four other volunteers, and usually serve once a month. If you would like to explore this volunteer opportunity, contact Kyle Kim-Hays (k2hays@gmail.com).
Vergers
Vergers are lay persons who “lead” throughout the liturgy. The verger leads the procession into the church, leads the lectors (readers) to the podium, leads the priests and deacons into the center aisle when they read the Gospel, etc.
The history of the verger dates back to the Middle Ages when the verger was the “Protector of the Procession.” He would lead the way, making the procession to enter the church from the town square, and his verge (rod) in hand would literally clear the way if necessary.
If you are interested in supporting the liturgy as a verger, please contact Fr Matthew (matthew.reese@stphilipstucson.org).