MessiahCare
Lay Pastoral Visitors | Lay Eucharistic Ministers | Emergency Response Team
Funeral Reception Support Team | Prayer Chain Ministry | Alzheimer's Association
Hospitality

Fellowship
Acolytes | Altar Guild | Chimes | Lay Readers & Chalice Bearers
Memorial Fund | Music at Messiah | Music Committee | Ushers

Formation
Archives | Church School
Library | Spiritual Formation | Website | Youth of Messiah

Service
Almanor's Fund | Blanket Sunday | Cemetery | Companion Parish
Counters | Deanery & Diocesan Convention | Episcopal Community Services (ECS)
Fundraising | Nor-Gwyn Food Cupboard | Office Volunteers
Outreach | Property | Technology | Treasurer's Report

MessiahCare

MessiahCare is the name given to the cooperative efforts of clergy and parishioners to share God’s love through awareness, presence, practical action, worship and prayer. A wise and sensitive person once said, “Often our needs cross boundaries: as we need prayer, we also need a ride; as we need companionship, we also need help with meals or transportation; as we need to be heard, we also need to be quiet, but not alone.” The circles above represent the organized groups which intertwine to facilitate effectiveness. The clergy interacts with, and are supported by, all facets of MessiahCare.

Lay Pastoral Visitors stop in to see several of our own parishioners who are no longer easily able to join us at church.  Please let Beverly Case know if you wish to be visited or if you could offer some time to be an L. P. Visitor.

Several members of our congregation are now licensed Lay Eucharist Ministers, able to bring communion to those who are unable to attend church services. If you know of someone who wants home communion, please contact the parish office at 215 699-9204.

Emergency Response Team members provide meals, transportation and child care in times of crisis. “Many hands make light work”, so please consider giving to the coordinator, Lynn Klein, your name and phone number as someone to call upon for this kind of help.

During the past year we have been able to provide meals to several parishioners on an as needed basis. We have also provided transportation to several of our parishioners on an as needed basis. We are seeking other available volunteers. Ruth is very appreciative for all we do for her.
Emergency Response Team Coordinator: Lynn Klein

This year, we have grown in our ability to respond to needs through the organization and activities of the Funeral Reception Support Team. Their mission is to assist families, if needed, with planning and implementation of receptions for fellowship at the time of a funeral. Sue Martin, coordinator, would be glad to talk to anyone willing to help in this endeavor.

In the Prayer Chain Ministry, both intercessors and those who tell us of the needs and concerns for which additional prayers are needed! We now have 5 chains of 4 or 5 intercessors each praying daily for the specific needs of others. If you have a prayer request, please notify Betty Lee Stevenson. Also, if, having told her of someone with a special need, you can, after time, tell her how that person is doing, then we can keep our prayers current with each person’s need.

As one facet of MessiahCare here at Messiah, the Prayer Chain Ministry had its beginnings in 2001. Since then we have grown from two to five chains which now included twenty-two intercessors who have committee themselves to pray faithfully on behalf of those for whom prayer has been requested. These requests include prayers for guidance, healing, safety, support, a sense of God’s peace and presence and more, depending upon the need of each individual. As we receive new information, our prayers are adjusted to reflect the changing needs of those for whom we are praying. Our intercessors have also committed themselves to keeping confidential the information they receive. We recognize that God has called us to this ministry just as others have been called to other ministries and are grateful for the opportunity to pray with him on behalf of those with special needs. We are aware of the Lord’s blessings in our lives as well as the lives of those for whom we pray and we give him thanks and praise now and forever.
Coordinator: Betty Lee Stevenson,

Steps have been taken to move us forward in awareness and response to the needs of those dealing with the challenges of dementia. Please speak with Karen Givnish if you want more information.

The hostesses of Hospitality provide food and drink in a warm, inviting and friendly manner for the many events at the Church of the messiah. Coffee Hour and Tea on the Terrace continue to be a well-attended weekly source of fellowship. This time allows a sharing between old friends and an opportunity to make new friends. Both follow the 9:30 service with Coffee Hour running from September through May and Tea on the Terrace running from June through September.

Please consider joining our committee. There are many ways to contribute your time: you can join any of the many teams including: Coffee Hour hosts, bakers, kitchen keepers, special events, shoppers and seamstresses.No experience is necessary. Instructions and training are provided.
     MessiahCare is the work of us all: wonderfully diverse, offering opportunities for participation in many ways. Though the organization helps us be intentional about our efforts, parishioners not formally connected to these efforts often provide support in individual situations. Many thanks to everyone who has helped this Christian community pull together as we seek to live out our response to God’s love in our love and care for one another.
Beverly R. Case

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Fellowship

Throughout the year, the Acolytes have faithfully served the Church of the Messiah, helping as Crucifer, Torch Bearer, First Server and Second Server     Chair: Dave Prezuhy, 215 491-2903, dprezuhy@comcast.net

The Altar Guild assists the Rector in carrying out his or her responsibility for conducting the Worship of Almighty God. Teams alternate taking responsibility for all services during a specific time period.

Members of the Guild are unsung heroes of the parish, spending much time behind the scenes: but worship is the chief joy of all Christians, close to the heart of God, and it is a great privilege and honor to serve in this way.

The main task of the Altar Guild is to prepare the Altar for regular worship each week and also for weddings, funerals and special services as they occur. Approximately 30 people perform this work which includes caring for the Altar linens, polishing brass and silver, and arranging flowers for seasonal events.There are six teams of dedicated parishioners who rotate throughout the year, and everybody helps with the big holidays —Easter and Christmas— that have multiple services. Some members have additional responsibilities: Sylvia Vogenberg and Sally Little launder and maintain the linens.Effie Alpert oversees the Altar flowers on a weekly basis, and, jointly with Dale Murphy, plans the holiday arrangements and Pat Peters is the chair of the Altar Guild--maintaining the schedules and overseeing the Guild.

The Guild has need of additional members (males are most welcome) and would be happy to train anyone interested in joining.

The chimes are real! There are really people -- Chimers -- in the tower playing the bells before and after the 9:30 service. There are 13 church members who participate.  If you think you would like to be part of this group, please let me know or speak to one of the other chimers.
Coordinator: Fran Hillman

The Lay Readers and Chalice Bearers continue to serve our community faithfully each Sunday. We have 48 parishioners active in this important ministry, 5 of whom are youth.
Coordinator: Ciara Prezuhy

We have a Music Committee to support the work of the Music Minister, to act as a congregational voice for the Music Program and help provide a vision for the music life of the parish.
Committee Members: Barbara Harvey, Ralph Kaye, Greta Longenecker, Tina Madison, John Myers, Joe Santangelo, and Grant Stokoe
       Our Ushers continue to serve Messiah in many ways, including distributing bulletins, assisting with seating, giving directions, assisting in emergencies and welcoming newcomers. It is the Ushers who help make every service something special by greeting parishioners with a smile and handshake. Our committed group of men and women over the years has been very professional and dedicated to their ministry. If this is a way in which you think you might like to serve Messiah, please give me, Mercer Sisson, a call at 215-361-2269.
Chair: Mercer Sisson

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Formation

Archives: Preserving the history of this parish through record books, pictures, photos, videos, newspaper articles, program bulletins of events, oral history, tapes and letters gives us a chance to look back and feel the support of those who have gone before us as we face the challenges of the present and the future. The collection is maintained by the archivist and is used to answer specific questions from time to time. If you have anything you think might add to our documentation, please give it to the archivist or the church office. If you feel this would be an interesting area of ministry for you, please contact the archivist to talk over ways to help.
Archivist: Beverly R. Case T

The Parish Library exists to provide resources for parishioners who seek to explore ideas and nurture their spiritual growth. It is housed in a room at the top of the stairs in the Parish House and open anytime the building is open, however, the room, itself, is used for many other purposes. The collection is a greater treasure than most of Messiah’s congregation might believe. It is arranged as a “self-serve” operation and several parishioners use it regularly. Still, this has been a quiet year for this ministry. Volunteer help is needed. Should you have interest, time please make it known to the librarian or the clergy.
Librarian: Melanie Baker

Adult Education and Spiritual Life Programs are combined in group known as Spiritual Formation. Our purpose is to nurture the foundation of faith in the individual, family and our church community by featuring interesting guest speakers and opportunities to engage in faith based fellowship and education. ICoordinators: Paula Schafer, Linda Unangst, Dale Murphy

For the Glory of God, to reach out to others and to provide information for our parish members, our Website at www.messiahgwynedd.org is always a work in progress.
Webmaster: Sue Phillips

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Service

 The Rector's Discretionary Fund isintended primarily to meet special pastoral needs of individuals.  Names of recipients of funds from this source are kept confidential in all cases. According to diocesan policy this parish fund is subject to audit at the end of the year. Contributors to the fund include a parish operating line item, the Outreach Committee, and of course, caring and concerned individuals, all of whom the Rector wishes to thank for contributions to date.
    Each year Messiah participates in Church World Service's Tools of Hope & Blanket Sunday. Church World Service Organization has been providing comfort and assistance to those in need for more than 55 years.Working through partner agencies on the scene around the world,they are able to respond quickly in times of trouble.Through our support CSW will be able to provide immediate comfort for local and global families in need of basic essentials such as blankets, tents, garden tools and much more. Messiah’s support continues to bring hope and love to all these people who desperately need relief.
Coordinator: Roni Herninko, 215 256-1081, jrherninko@comcast.net

The Church of the Messiah is among the few parishes fortunate enough to have a lovely churchyard where we're called to remember those who have gone before us. The Cemetery is maintained by mowing, trimming, weeding and maintenance of paths, anc caring for trees and shrubs. Graves are lveled and seeded and headstones are kept straight and secure. There is a section of the cemetery which has been designated for the burial of cremated remains. The committee is dedicated to the maintenance of the cemetery out of respect to those interred there, their families and the good of the Church.
Chair: Greta Longenecker, longenecker007@comcast.net

The Counters are still working very hard and faithfully, handling both the Church offerings and the Belfry Bargains’ receipts. Our group now consists of ten Counters who, I am sure, feel a great satisfaction in being able to do their part helping the Ministry of the Church of the Messiah.
Chair: Clyde Shoop, 215-855-2970

Deanery & Deocesan Convention: Our parish is a part of the large, diverse and historic Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania, comprised of the Episcopal churches of the five counties in the southeast corner of our state. The churches of the diocese are divided into 11 Deanery clusters. Messiah belongs to the Montgomery Deanery along with 15 other parishes. The Very Rev. David Canan is Dean of Montgomery Deanery, and Bishop Charles Bennison oversees the Christian community of the diocese.

 Episcopal Community Services (ECS) is the social service agency of the Episcopal Church.  Relevant notices of ECS events are displayed on the Bulletin Board with special attention channeled to our Youth Directors when the events involve young people.  ECS, Diocese of Pa., commits itself to serve economically deprived, vulnerable individuals and their families of all faiths.
ECS Representative: Patricia Plumb, 610-584-9680, fayetteplumb2@aol.com

We give thanks for all those so willing to give their time to ensure that the daily administrative tasks of the parish get done. The Office Volunteers serve as proofreaders, publishers, receptionists and “everything-elsers.” The office staff just couldn’t get things done without their help. The regulars this year have been Sally Little, Lois Weisheit, and Marilyn Bonner.  We are also very blessed to have Bill Jacobs as our pledge/contributions minister, recording, posting and preparing statements. If you’d be willing to help when last-minute jobs pop ups such as compiling special seasonal worship bulletins, folding the newsletter, etc. please give us a call in the Parish Office.
Parish Administrator: Sue Phillips, 215 699-9204, office@messiahgwynedd.org

The objective of the Outreach Program is to provide financial aid and personal assistance to those in need within our parish, community, diocese, and certain specific international projects. Messiah’s outreach projects are funded, for the most part, through the allocation of all income received by Belfry Bargains. Additional funds are received from your generous participation in the Genuardi’s frequent buyer card program.

Messiah’s major community outreach activities include financial support of Interfaith Community programs in Ambler and Lansdale, Community Housing Services, NorGwyn Food Cupboard, Manna on Main Street, and New Life Youth & Family Services. Additional funding is provided to Habitat for Humanity, Laurel House and Voyage House.

Direct “hands on” community outreach is provided through the parish’s donation of food and household products to the NorGwyn Food Cupboard. In addition, the Outreach Committee provides staffing for the distribution center on a regular basis.

We also have an every other month meals ministry called Messiah Meals. In this ministry we make and deliver dinners to ECS to be distributed to individuals unable to cook for themselves. Diocesan Outreach is in the form of monthly financial contributions to support planned programs as well as periodic gifts to the Seamen’s Church Institute. In addition, the annual parish ECS ingathering provides support for their programs.

Parish “people to people” outreach ministries that involve large numbers of the Messiah Family are the Mental Health Luncheons, the annual programs for the St. Barnabas Mission for the Homeless, the Silverstream and Gwynedd Square Nursing Centers and the “adoption” of families for gift giving. These activities bring much joy to those who both give and receive.

Participation in the annual Lansdale Crop Walk gives special aid to Manna on Main Street as well as providing a chance for good fellowship among the walkers.

Funding is also provided to the North Penn Chaplaincy, Compeer, All Souls for the Deaf, RSVP, and other community aid agencies based on their need.

The Outreach Committee meets on the first Thursday of each month from September through June. We welcome anyone interested in joining this rewarding ministry.
Chair: Diana Mulroy, 215-661-9215, diana@atlasetravel.com

The Property Committee, keeps tabs on and make provision for the maintenance of our grounds and buildings.

Chair: George Standbridge, 215-699-5590

Technology: The Information Technology committee is intended to support the use of computers and technology by the staff and parishioners. We support the development, deployment and backups of the church websites, e-mail, and the onsite computer systems, printers, copiers and network, including shared DSL internet access.


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