Organizations within St. Paul's

The Vestry is chaired by the rector and Senior Warden. It consists of nine members elected in groups of 3, annually for a term of 3 years. The Vestry meets at least once a month. It represents a good cross section of men and women of all ages. The Vestry acts in liaison with some of the committees and others are chaired by elected or appointed members.

The Finance Committee is charged with the monitoring of our finances, constructing budgets and reporting to the Vestry.

The stewardship arm of the Finance Committee is responsible for outreach in order to inform and challenge members and friends of the parish to support the goals and responsibilities of St. Paul's.

The choir, which performs at all 10:30 services, consists of dedicated men and women and is led by the organist/director, a paid staff member. In 1997 they also sang at the Maundy Thursday service, a December Evensong and the Christmas Eve service. The choir was included in the Choir Festival at the Naval Academy Chapel.

St. Paul's had 22 acolytes in 1997. The acolytes serve at each 8:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. service and also read the first lesson each month at the family service. They serve at special services as called. The acolytes range from 6th through 12th grades. As the church grows they look forward to more participation.

Our lay readers read the scriptures, conduct Morning Prayer and assist in all of the services of the church. In addition, they serve as chalicists for the Holy Communion. At least one reader and chalicist is provided for the 8:00 a.m. service and one or two readers and two chalicists are provided for the 10:30 a.m. winter service or 9:00 a.m. summer service. Youth readers are scheduled for the monthly family service.

All the women of the church belong to this organization which gives emphasis to service both within and beyond the parish, in the local community and worldwide. These women assume responsibility for the parish and diocesan functions, the Lenten series, and other unscheduled parish events. Their fundraising projects provide funding to local charities and organizations. One of their continuing projects is the sale of their award winning cookbook, Queen Anne Goes to The Kitchen. They maintain the Biblical herb garden which is used for "hands on" herb projects and Biblical study in the parish and community.

The Altar Guild prepares the altar and the baptismal font for the services of worship, baptism, weddings and funerals. Working in teams, the members launder and care for the linens, polish brass and silver, arrange flowers, and change the hangings for the seasons of the church year. This requires close scheduling checks with the Rector. They gloriously decorate the church for Christmas and Easter Services.