If you are interested in any of these ministries and don't have the contact information for the names listed, please contact the Parish Administrator whose information is listed under the "contact" link to the left.
Christian Formation
Eucharistic Assistants
Music
Ministry in the Community
Fellowship and Service Organizations
Church School
Our Church School consists of several classes, with children ranging from
ages 3 through 18. For the school year, we meet during the 9:00 a.m. Christian
Formation Hour between the 8 and 10 a.m. services; adults meet for Adult
Forum in Craft Hall. We are currently using the "Episcopal Children's/Youth
Curriculum" which is rich with the history and teachings of the Episcopal
Church. Each Sunday all ages meet in the church at 9 for a musical gathering,
then move into their age-appropriate classes. During the 2011-2012 year,
those 13 and up will also have Confirmation Classes during this time, in
preparation for the bishop’s visit in spring 2012. In addition to Sunday
Church School classes, we offer other enriching experiences in sharing our
faith, such as the "warming tree," Christmas pageant, and Palm
Friday Holy Week Program, as well as opportunity for children and teens
to help lead worship as acolytes and servers.
For more information about Grace-St. Paul's Church School, please contact Mary Marks.
Vacation Bible SchoolFor more information about Vacation Bible School please contact Erin Cook.
Youth Group
Grace-St. Paul's Youth Group (in addition to the teen Church School classes
on Sunday morning) is an active, diverse group of teens who grow together
in spirituality and community. They engage in fellowship and team building
through activities such as ski trips, ice skating, discussions, and hosting
church activities for the parish. They also offer stewardship of their time
and talent, through volunteering to help with the church's fund raising
events, clean-up days, and childcare events. The youth group also is involved
in Diocesan and regional activities. Active members range in grades 5th
to 12th within the parish but are not restricted to only parish members;
friends and neighbors are welcome. Adult guidance for the group is provided
regularly. The group meets twice a month during the school year term, once
for regular meetings and once for an activity.
For more information please ask group leaders Rachel Holland and Kevin Drennan.
Adult Christian Formation
Grace-St. Paul’s recognizes the need for the deeper connection that comes
through intentional discussion of life, faith, and questions of community.
From September through May, adults gather in Craft Hall for Adult Forum,
which includes programs around faith and work, faith and life/relationships,
Bible study, and projects and directions within the GSP community. Adult
formation also includes Lenten Programs, retreats, baptismal preparation,
Confirmation classes and other educational opportunities throughout the
year to help us deepen our faith in and knowledge of God, and to equip us
for ministry in the church and the world. In addition to educational offerings
here at GSP, many learning opportunities are available in the wider Diocese
such as offerings by the Diocesan Ministry Institute and the annual Equipping
the Saints Workshops at nearby Trinity Cathedral in Trenton.
For more information please contact the rector, Susan Richardson.
AcolytesAnyone of any age interested in acolyting should see Cathy Roe.
Lay Eucharistic Ministers
Lay Eucharistic Ministers assist with distributing the Eucharist at Holy Eucharist and bringing the Eucharist to those who cannot be present at church.
Anyone interested in becoming a LEM should contact Susan Higgins.
Lay Readers
Lay Readers participate in the Holy Eucharist as readers of the Old Testement,
New Testement readings as well as leading the intersessions. No experience
is needed for this simple but fulfilling ministry.
Anyone interested in becoming a Lay Reader should speak to Cathy Roe.
Ushers
In this simple yet important ministry, ushers are welcoming faces to visitors and members alike. Their responsibilities include counting people in church, taking up the collection, passing out bulletins and flyers, and helping with liturgy. They also reorganize the nave after church, and basically help make visitors and members feel welcome and comfortable during services.
Anyone interested in Ushering should contact the parish office.
The Senior Choir of Grace-St. Paul's assumes a major role as a leader in worship. The choir sings for the 10:00 am Sunday service, as well as special worship services throughout the year. The singers enjoy a repertoire of chant, Renaissance and Baroque motets, Anglican anthems and contemporary sacred works. All are welcome to participate, however, regular attendance at rehearsals and services is expected.Rehearsals generally take place on Tuesday evenings 6:30 pm and Sunday mornings at 9:00 am.
Children and Teen Choirs
Voice for Life is the RSCM (Royal School of Church Music) guide to training
choirs and singers of all ages. This music education program provides a
framework for choristers to develop their vocal skills, musical understanding,
and a knowledge of diverse repertoire. In addition to learning anthems,
hymns, and music of the liturgy, part of the rehearsal is spent on rhythm
and sight-singing. We strive to provide a positive learning experience.
The choirs sing for major festival Sundays throughout the liturgical year.
The Voice for Life program meets every Sunday at 11:45 am. Choristers are
divided into two age groups: children, ages 8-11 and teens, ages 12-16.
Organ Concert Series
In addition to the choir programs, Grace-St. Paul's sponsors an annual organ
concert series. These concerts feature the Opus 6 pipe organ, built exclusively
for the church in 2004 by Russell Meyer & Associates, Bridgeton, New
Jersey. The organ consists of 28 ranks and 1,798 pipes and is located in
the rear gallery, highlighting the wonderful architectural detail of the
sanctuary. The Grace-St. Paul's series presents concert artists from throughout
the region, performing brief programs to showcase the instrument. Performances
are on designated Sunday afternoons at 4:30 p.m., with a reception following
each concert.
For more information about the music program, please contact Cynthia Westbrook, Director of Music, at the parish office, (parishoffice@gracestpaul.org or 609.586.6004)
For more information please speak to Steve Higgins.
Outreach in the
Community
This group of committed parishoners participate in the annual Hamilton Township
Crop Walk, sponsor Red Cross Blood Drives, and work with the Trenton/Princeton
Crisis Ministry.
For more information please see Joyce Moffett or Fran Boss.
Girl's Friendly Society (GFS)
Juniors
The GFS Jrs group is composed of women of girls ages 7-14. Grace-St. Paul's
GFS has been in continuous existence since 1897. Fund Raisers such as Bunco
and the painted pots and the Roast Beef Suppers support the GFS Juniors'
activities and the mission of the whole parish. The GFS provides a great
place for helping girls grow up in the church. The GFS Juniors meet every
other Friday at 7:00 p.m. though theyalso take part in other activities
such as an annual trip to Cape May. The GFS invites all girls of the parish
to join in this organization of Christian Fellowship.
There is also now a recently started GFS Srs. Group for slightly older girls.
Anyone interested should contact Rose Cooper.
For more information about the GFS see www.GFSUSA.org or please contact Jill Brzezynski or Lisa Auletta.
Girl's Friendly Society (GFS) Sponsors
The GFS Sponsor group is composed of women of all ages after 21. Grace-St.
Paul's GFS has been in continuous existence since 1897. Fund Raisers such
as Bunco and the Bakeless Bake Sale support the GFS Juniors' activities
and the mission of the whole parish. The annual Warming Tree in December
also supports community outreach. The GFS sponsors meet on the first Monday
of each month at 1:00 p.m. and invite all women of the parish to join in
this organization of Christian Fellowship.
For more information contact Shirley Sked.
Vestry
Working under Canon Law of the Episcopal Church and Statues of the State
of New Jersey, the Vestry of Grace-St. Paul’s Episcopal Church governs parish
affairs and provides parish leadership. The GSP Vestry is comprised of a
Senior Warden, a Junior Warden, a Treasurer, and nine Vestry – persons.
The Rector presides over the regular monthly or special meetings. The Rector,
Wardens, and Vestry are together, according to state and canon law, the
body that has legal responsibility for financial and physical affairs of
the parish. While the canons give final authority over some matters of parish
life to the Rector alone (i.e. worship and education), the Vestry serves
an important role of shared leadership with the Rector for the overall life
and ministry of the parish. At times, the Rector asked the Wardens and/or
Vestry to serve as a council of advice.
For more information about the Grace-St. Paul's Vestry, please see the Parish Leaders page.