“Christian worship is never a solitary undertaking. Both on its visible and invisible sides, it has a thoroughly social and organic character. The worshipper, however lonely in appearance, comes before God as a member of a great family; part of the Communion of Saints, living and dead. His own small effort of adoration is offered “in and for all.” —Evelyn Underhill
Every member of the assembly gathered for worship is a minister of the liturgy. Each Sunday, some people are assigned to particular roles within the context of our worship. We welcome your exploration of any ministries listed here.
Saint Mark's uses Ministry Scheduler Pro to organize, schedule and communicate with the many people who serve as liturgical ministers and make the cathedral's liturgies possible. Click the first button to enroll in the system for the first time. The second button will take you to the scheduling portal.
Contact Cathedral Sacristan Michael Seewer with any questions or problems.
Ministries During Worship
These ministries play important roles during services, but do not vest (i.e., wear the white liturgical garment called an “alb”).
Ushers
Ushers are indispensable at cathedral liturgies, ensuring that all who join us for worship are welcomed and assisted with any questions. Ushers serve at most Sunday liturgies and special services. Ushers also assist with the collection, communion flow, and a few other tasks during the service. Sunday morning teams serve approximately once a month. This ministry is open to everyone, including adults and youth. Interested in ushering? Contact Don Sutkus (don@sutkus.com) or Saint Mark's Head Verger Michael Seewer (mseewer@saintmarks.org).
Greeters
Greeters are here to say “hello!” and “welcome!” to newcomers, long-timers and all who come through our doors on Sunday mornings, before and after services. Greeters serve approximately once a month. This ministry is open to everyone, including adults and youth. Interested in greeting? Contact John Selberg at jaselberg@aol.com.
Reading Ministries
The Reading Ministries consist of lectors (those who read scripture during the service), intercessors (those who lead the prayers of the people), and land acknowledgment (those who offer the land acknowledgment at the beginning of the service). This ministry is a good fit for those comfortable speaking in front of large groups, and is open to everyone, including adults and youth. Interesting in reading? Contact Saint Mark's Head Verger Michael Seewer at mseewer@saintmarks.org.
Oblation Bearers
Oblation Bearers (also known as element bearers) are ministers who bring forward the bread and wine for communion during the Offertory (the time when the deacon is setting the altar for communion). This ministry is ideal for pairs of two or families with children, and are scheduled approximately once a month at the 9am and 11am liturgies of Holy Eucharist. Little to no training is required. Interested in the Oblation Bearer ministry? Contact Canon Wendy Claire Barrie at wbarrie@saintmarks.org.
Vested Ministries
These ministers vest (i.e., wear liturgical garments called vestments) during services while serving in various capacities during the liturgy.
Acolytes
Acolytes are ministers who assist with various liturgical processions by carrying the cross, torches, banners, incense, or other items. This ministry is open to everyone, is ideal for youth and young adults, and is scheduled approximately every 3-4 weeks. Interested in acolyting? Contact Erik Donner at edonner@saintmarks.org.
Eucharistic Ministers
Eucharistic Ministers (also known as chalice bearers) are licensed ministers who serve the chalice of wine to communicants during all liturgies of the Holy Eucharist. This is a licensed ministry which requires special training, is open to all communicants in “good standing” who are 16 years of age or older, and is scheduled approximately once every 3 weeks. Interested in chalice bearing? Contact Peter Snyder at petersnyder58@gmail.com.
Vergers
Vergers are ministers of hospitality who support all liturgical ministers by guiding the processions, answering questions, identifying people who may need special assistance, and helping to set a prayerful tone. They can be identified by their purple and black vestments, and the liturgical staff they carry, called a “virge”. This ministry is open to those 16 years of age and older, requires completion of a training course for vergers, and is scheduled once every 3-4 weeks. Interested in the Verger ministry? Contact Saint Mark's Head Verger Michael Seewer at mseewer@saintmarks.org.
Altar Guild
Altar guild members help prepare the community’s Eucharistic meal by setting up bread, wine, vessels, linens and the altar table, assisting the presiding team during the service and caring for the vessels and linens following the service. Altar guild is open to adults, and is scheduled approximately once every 3-4 weeks. Interested in altar guild? Contact Cathedral Sacristan Michael Seewer at mseewer@saintmarks.org.
Ministries Before or After Worship
Ministries connected with worship either before or after the liturgy begins or ends.
Flower Ministry
Flowers give beauty, hope and solace and enhance the fabric of the church. Member of the Flower Ministry create the nave and chapel arrangements, and in doing so, give back a gift of beauty to the One who created us. Flower Ministers work in teams to create flower arrangements for Sunday liturgies and special services, and also volunteer to purchase flowers or clean up for the next week’s arrangement. People of all skill levels are welcome. Interested in the Flower Ministry? Contact Beatrix Roemheld-Hamm at flowers@saintmarks.org.
Bread Baker Guild
The Bread Bakers Guild meets in the parish hall kitchen approximately once every 4-6 weeks to bake the bread used for some of our services of Holy Eucharist. People of all ages are welcome to participate in this ministry. Interested in bread baking? Contact René Marceau at marceau_rene@comcast.net.
Eucharistic Visitors
Eucharistic visitors are licensed ministers entrusted to bring the sacrament of Holy Communion to members of the community who are sick or otherwise unable to attend services in person. This ministry is open to adults, requires special licensing and training, and is scheduled periodically as Eucharistic visits are requested.
If you would like Holy Communion brought to you, please call the cathedral at 206.323.0300. To accompany a Eucharistic Visitor on a visit, or if you’d like to learn more about this licensed ministry, please contact Kevin Johnson at kevincjohnson@comcast.net.
Other Worship & Prayer Ministries
These ministries do not serve during liturgies of Holy Eucharist, but serve in other worship & prayer capacities.
Compline Hospitality Ministers
Compline Hospitality Ministers are present during the Sunday evening Compline services to greet people, answer questions, and help ensure all attending compline feel welcomed. This ministry is open to all and is scheduled approximately once a month. Interested in this ministry? Contact Head Verger Michael Seewer at mseewer@saintmarks.org.
Worship Leaders
Worship leaders are licensed ministers who lead services of the Daily Office (Morning and Evening Prayer), either in person or online, following the rites of the Book of Common Prayer. This ministry is open to all and requires special training and licensure.
Taizé
Taizé Prayer services occur seasonally at Saint Mark's. These contemplative prayer services are comprised of silence and song, candlelight and stillness, prayer and meditation. Volunteers contribute in a variety of roles: musician (vocalist, instrumentalist), reader, usher, livestream, and sound. Visit our Taizé webpage for more information about this ministry. Interested in volunteering at a Taizé Prayer service? Email Cathedral Sacristan Michael Seewer at mseewer@saintmarks.org.