Ministries

Finding ways to know Christ and make Christ known, together. There's a place for you here, whether you have an hour a month or a heart for something more. Browse the ministries below, and when something catches your eye, reach out to the parish office at office@stpaulssmithfieldnc.org or (919) 934-2675 and we'll get you connected.

Worship Ministries

Supporting and participating in the worshiping life of St. Paul's.

  • This intergenerational ministry invites children and adults alike to help create meaningful worship for our congregation. Acolytes and servers assist during the service, carrying the cross, lighting candles, and supporting our clergy at the altar. It's a wonderful way for younger members of our parish to feel ownership of our worship.

  • Lectors read our assigned Bible lessons aloud, connecting the congregation with Holy Scripture through the spoken word and bringing life to these ancient texts. They also lead the congregation in the Prayers of the People, inviting all of us into communal prayer.

  • LEMs serve at the altar rail and assist in administering the consecrated wine during our Eucharistic services. LEMs are appointed by the Rector and licensed by our Bishop, a visible reminder that ministry belongs to the whole people of God, not just the clergy.

  • The Altar Guild lovingly prepares the altar and church for every service. Members polish brass and silver, tend the candles, change the seasonal hangings, care for the linens, and prepare the Eucharistic vessels with bread and wine, quiet, behind-the-scenes work that makes our worship possible.

  • Led by the Rector, the Worship Committee plans and prepares for our various seasons of worship and special services throughout the year. The committee's focus is creating a worship space and experience that feels both welcoming and transformational. Outside of special worship events, the committee meets quarterly.

  • Each week, our altar flowers are graciously donated by members of our congregation. These flowers are a small, beautiful way of sharing God's abundant generosity, offered in celebration or in comfort with someone in our community.

    Following our Sunday morning services, our Flower Delivery Team identifies individuals or places in our community where that week's altar flowers can be delivered. Volunteers carry these small gestures of care and remembrance out into the community we serve.

Music Ministries

Lifting our voices and sharing our talent as we raise songs of praise to God.

  • The Adult Choir sings at our 11:00 a.m. service of Holy Eucharist each Sunday, as well as special services such as Christmas Eve, Maundy Thursday, and occasional funerals. The choir rehearses Wednesday evenings and before the Sunday service, and takes a break over the summer aside from occasional solos and small ensemble anthems.

  • The Handchime Choir is an intergenerational musical ensemble that plays for special services throughout the year, including Christmas and Easter. The group rehearses on Wednesday evenings and welcomes ringers of all ages and experience levels.

Pastoral Care Ministries

Ministering to the needs of those in our community.

  • Lay Eucharistic Visitors carry Holy Communion to members of our parish who are ill or homebound, bringing our Sunday worship directly to those who cannot join us in person. This ministry is a reminder that no matter where we are in our journey, we remain part of this community and the Body of Christ. Visitors are appointed by the Rector and licensed by our Bishop.

  • Commissioned by the Rector, our Lay Healing Ministers participate in the ministry of prayer through the laying on of hands. On the first Sunday of each month, a member of the team is present during our service of Holy Eucharist to confidentially pray with anyone who wishes to receive healing prayers.

  • Daughters of the King is a lay order of women in the Episcopal Church, organized nationally in 1885. Members make a lifelong pledge to prayer and service in support of Christ's kingdom and the spiritual life of our parish. Our own chapter, St. Mary Magdalen, was founded in 1996 and maintains a confidential prayer list, always open to new requests.

Education & Formation

Opportunities to learn and grow for all ages.

  • St. Paul's is committed to making sure every age group in our parish is seen, heard, and loved, including our very youngest. We offer nursery care during our 11:00 a.m. service for children from birth through age 4, and our Nursery Provider and help our littlest members feel safe and cared for, with the help of regular St. Paul’s volunteers.

  • Children's Chapel, held during our 11:00 a.m. service, welcomes kids who have outgrown the nursery but may not yet be ready for a full worship service. Children practice sitting still, saying prayers, listening to stories, and singing songs, then process back to their families at the Peace. Volunteers to lead Children's Chapel are always welcome.

  • All children in kindergarten through 5th grade are invited to Sunday School from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m. These casual, discussion-based classes help our youngest members build a foundation of faith in a space made just for them.

  • Teens in 6th through 12th grade are invited to our monthly youth group, which meets after worship on Sundays and includes lunch and an activity. It's a chance for our youth to build friendships and explore their faith together.

  • Held Sunday mornings in Lawrence Hall, our adult formation class explores how the elements of our faith, Scripture, theology, church history, and the practices of our tradition, inform our daily lives. It's a space for honest conversation and lifelong learning.

  • On Wednesdays at 11:00 a.m., a small group gathers in Lawrence Hall to study the upcoming Sunday's Gospel passage. No materials or RSVP required, so feel free to drop in any week that works for you.

Service & Outreach

Becoming the hands, feet, and heart of Christ in our community.

  • This committee identifies and shares opportunities for the parish to serve our community and the world the way Christ would. Past and ongoing projects have included a Lenten fundraiser for Selma Middle School, a food pantry drive, and participation in Stop Hunger Now.

  • Looking to give back and spend time with kids in our community? Reading Buddies volunteers are matched one-on-one with a student at South Smithfield Elementary for 30 minutes to an hour each week, reading together and building a relationship that supports a strong educational foundation. Books are provided by the school.

  • The Brotherhood of St. Andrew is a national and international ministry of Christian men, incorporated by an act of Congress in 1908. Our St. Paul's chapter welcomes men of all ages and meets monthly for fellowship, study, prayer, and service, and sponsors events throughout the year to raise funds for parish projects and community outreach.

  • Every woman at St. Paul's is automatically part of the ECW. The group meets monthly and plans events like Souper Sunday and Salad Sunday that raise funds for special parish projects and community outreach, all while building friendship along the way.

  • The Creation Care Committee educates and encourages new ways of thinking and acting in support of our earth and its inhabitants. The group is committed to making care for creation a way of life, both at St. Paul's and in the wider community, as an expression of loving God and our neighbor.

  • This committee oversees the memorial garden that surrounds our outdoor labyrinth, including the sale of memorial plots in memory of loved ones. It's a quiet, meaningful ministry that helps our parish hold space for remembrance and reflection.

Hospitality & Community Life

Creating a space of welcome, care, and beauty for all who enter.

  • The Special Events team arranges refreshments and hospitality for special occasions at St. Paul's, from a visit from the Bishop to a funeral reception. Sign-up sheets make it easy to contribute exactly what you're able, whether that's food, set-up, or clean-up, and no one is ever asked to help every time.

  • The Kitchen Guild keeps our kitchen clean and fully stocked so it's ready whenever it's needed. This friendly group often wraps up its monthly work day with a trip to a local restaurant together.

  • Our Vestry, through the Junior Warden, oversees the care of St. Paul's building and grounds, and regularly calls on parishioners to help. From coordinating outside contractors to organizing clean-up days, this ministry keeps our historic home in Smithfield looking its best.

  • Meeting on the first and third Mondays of each month, this small crew handcrafts ornaments for our Chrismon Tree at Christmas and crosses given out for special services like Ash Wednesday and Palm Sunday. Their crosses also go to our Meals on Wheels clients and to first-time visitors to St. Paul's.

  • Office volunteers support our Office Manager in a variety of ways throughout the week, from folding and stuffing bulletins and mailers to helping keep our office organized. It's a quiet but essential ministry that keeps the life of our parish running smoothly.

Ready to Get Involved?

However you're gifted, there's a ministry here for you. Reach out to the parish office at
Office@stpaulssmithfieldnc.org

or give us a call at

(919) 934-2675

and we would be happy to help you find a ministry that fits.