St. Philip’s encourages involvement in parish life through various ministries.  If you are interested in getting involved with any of these ministries, you may speak directly with the ministry contacts for more information or to volunteer.  Training sessions may be required for certain ministries. The church office may be contacted at any time for additional information or clarification. Telephone: (903.729.4214) or e-mail kelan@stphilipepiscopalchurch.org.

| Acolytes | Altar Guild | Bible Study | Chalice Bearers | Choir | Christian Education |
| Cursillo/Ultreya | Daughters of the King | Episcopal Church Women | Flower Guild | Lay Ministers |
| Lectors or Readers | Newsletter | Prayer Shawl Ministry | Scholarship | St. Mary’s Guild |
| Stewardship Committee | Ushers |

Acolytes:  These people assist at service on Sundays and on Holy Days.  The acolytes help with a number of liturgical activities from lighting candles to assisting with preparation of the altar.   

Altar Guild: This ministry involves 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 the care of communion vessels, altar linens, brass, and a variety of tasks that promote the dignity and beauty of worship.  Contact: Jay Dietz   

Bible Study:  Men and women meet to explore the Bible in this discussion class.  The study group meets on Wednesday mornings at 10:00 AM.  Contact:  Bebe Beasley (903.729.1748)

Chalice Bearers:  The chalice bearers help administer the chalice at Communion.   

Choir:  The choir rehearses on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 PM and on Sunday mornings prior to the 10:00 AM service.  Contact:  Clarissa Delany (903.723.0980)

Christian Education:  This is a comprehensive study program involving children, youth and adults.  Contact:  Bob Blackwell (903.729.8924).

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. Contact: Martha Polasek; Home: (903.723.4754) or Cell (903.922.2619) ma_polasek@earthlink.net or Jenny Cunningham; Home: (903.478.3804) or Cell (903.724.8064) jennymc@starband.net.   For additional information regarding the Cursillo movement in the Diocese of Texas, please visit the website:  http://www.episcopalcursillotexas.org.

Daughters of the King:  The Daughters of the King is a national order of women who are communicants of the Episcopal Church and 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. The Daughters of the King regularly receive prayer requests from communicants and share these requests with DOK members via email and phone. Contact:  Kathleen Smith (903.723.4029) or mkathleensmith@embarqmail.com

Episcopal Church Women:  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 church functions and they strive to serve the church through prayer, worship, communication and nurturing.  Every woman in the parish is invited to participate. The butterfly, the logo for the Episcopal Church Women, is a natural symbol for the resurrection.  Butterflies and Christians alike undergo a metamorphosis to attain new life. ECW meets at 9:30 AM on the second Tuesday of each month from September through May.

Contact:  Katherin Wardlaw, (903.729.7243)

Flower Guild:  The purpose of this ministry is to organize the flower calendar, accept contributions towards altar flowers, to distribute flowers to shut-ins and to consult with florists to create flower arrangements for special liturgies. Contact:  Francis Williams (903.729.5763)

Lay Ministers: These people assist in liturgical leadership. Lay Ministers visit parishioners in the hospital and at home as needed. Contact: Fr. Ted Welty (903.729.4214)

Lectors or Readers:  Lectors read the assigned lessons for the day.  These men and women read the Old Testament and Epistle lessons at worship services. Contact: Kelan Eckerman, (903.729.4214) or kelan@stphilipepiscopalchurch.org

Newsletter:  The Curate is a monthly publication that keeps everyone notified about  parish activities and plans.  The month’s birthdays and anniversaries are included as well as the monthly calendar of events. Input for The Curate is requested by the 20th of the month. Contact: Kay Chapman, (903.764.2952) or kchapman@elkhartisd.org

Prayer Shawl Ministry:  This ministry is involved in knitting or crocheting shawls/lap robes which are then blessed by the parish priest during a church service.  The shawls are then given to those people who have been or are ill or in some cases, their caregivers. Free prayer shawls are available to anyone, upon request.  People who do not know how to knit or crochet are encouraged to join the group for activities that support the Prayer Shawl Ministry. Contact:  Bebe Beasley (903.729.1748) or Joe Ann Leggett (903.764.0549).  

Scholarship:  The scholarship committee meets annually to select students who are graduating from Anderson County schools to be recipients of financial assistance under the St. Philip’s Episcopal Church Scholarship fund.  This scholarship is renewable each year until the student’s course of study is complete or for a term of four years, whichever comes first.  Contact:  Ann Maffitt or Martha Styner, The church office may be contacted for additional information: (903.729.4214)

St. Mary’s Guild:  St. Mary’s Guild meets on the 3rd Monday of each month from September-May at 6:30 PM. Light refreshments precede the meeting at 6:00 PM.  The Guild is a group whose focus is Bible study, the Book of Common Prayer and other spiritually related programs and studies.  All women are invited to attend. Contact: 903.764.5049.

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 giving.  Contacts are: David Sullivan or C. L. Kolstad, III,  

Ushers:  The usher team helps to host the congregation by welcoming people, handing out bulletins, ushering people to communion and by taking up the offering at church services. Contact: David Sullivan (903.729.8956)