Our Volunteer Opportunities
Please note that due to COVID restrictions, some of our Volunteer Opportunities have been reduced in size & scope.
COFFEE HOUR
Coffee Hour is considered by many to be the perfect complement to our Sunday morning worship service. It offers the chance to visit with each other and to greet and welcome newcomers to St. Andrew’s. Volunteers from the Parish (usually working in pairs) are encouraged to set out the coffee, tea, and juices and to provide light refreshments after the 10:30 service.
Sign-up sheets are on the counter on the second floor of the Parish Hall at the end of the pass-through counter
Coffee Hour is considered by many to be the perfect complement to our Sunday morning worship service. It offers the chance to visit with each other and to greet and welcome newcomers to St. Andrew’s. Volunteers from the Parish (usually working in pairs) are encouraged to set out the coffee, tea, and juices and to provide light refreshments after the 10:30 service.
Sign-up sheets are on the counter on the second floor of the Parish Hall at the end of the pass-through counter
MISSION and OUTREACH
The Mission and Outreach Commission leads the parish in making the reconciling love of Christ known to those beyond the walls of St. Andrew’s through the gifts of our time, talents, and resources. Its work includes providing for the regular delivery of groceries to the Kent Food Bank, various fundraising projects, and the thoughtful and intentional distribution of monies to other international, regional, diocesan, and local agencies.
Bill Dillon is the Chair
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On the fifth Sundays of the months that have them, volunteers from St. Andrew’s travel to the Community Soup Kitchen at Trinity Church in Torrington to prepare and serve the midday meal and to spend time with those who rely on this important service.
Bob McDowell and Irene Coe coordinate this ministry
The Mission and Outreach Commission leads the parish in making the reconciling love of Christ known to those beyond the walls of St. Andrew’s through the gifts of our time, talents, and resources. Its work includes providing for the regular delivery of groceries to the Kent Food Bank, various fundraising projects, and the thoughtful and intentional distribution of monies to other international, regional, diocesan, and local agencies.
Bill Dillon is the Chair
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On the fifth Sundays of the months that have them, volunteers from St. Andrew’s travel to the Community Soup Kitchen at Trinity Church in Torrington to prepare and serve the midday meal and to spend time with those who rely on this important service.
Bob McDowell and Irene Coe coordinate this ministry
LECTORS, ACOLYTES, SERVERS AND CHALICISTS
All four of these important roles involve assisting the priest during Sunday worship services held at St. Andrew’s.
Lectors are parishioners who come forward from the nave to read the first lesson, usually from the Old Testament. Servers and/or chalicists also may serve as lectors by reading the second lesson from the New Testament and by reading the Prayers of the People.
Acolytes are young members of the congregation who, during the academic year, assist in worship services by carrying the processional cross, lighting candles, holding the Gospel book, and assisting the priest in preparing the altar for the celebration of Holy Communion. In the absence of an acolyte, servers and/or chalicists may undertake all of the tasks of the acolyte.
Servers are parishioners who assist the priest in preparing the altar for the celebration of the Holy Communion.
Chalicists are parishioners who distribute the consecrated wine to communicants during the celebration of the Holy Communion.
The Priest-in-Charge oversees the training and scheduling of everyone involved in worship at St. Andrew’s
All four of these important roles involve assisting the priest during Sunday worship services held at St. Andrew’s.
Lectors are parishioners who come forward from the nave to read the first lesson, usually from the Old Testament. Servers and/or chalicists also may serve as lectors by reading the second lesson from the New Testament and by reading the Prayers of the People.
Acolytes are young members of the congregation who, during the academic year, assist in worship services by carrying the processional cross, lighting candles, holding the Gospel book, and assisting the priest in preparing the altar for the celebration of Holy Communion. In the absence of an acolyte, servers and/or chalicists may undertake all of the tasks of the acolyte.
Servers are parishioners who assist the priest in preparing the altar for the celebration of the Holy Communion.
Chalicists are parishioners who distribute the consecrated wine to communicants during the celebration of the Holy Communion.
The Priest-in-Charge oversees the training and scheduling of everyone involved in worship at St. Andrew’s
ANNUAL TAG SALE
Each year on the first weekend in August (during the Kent Sidewalk Festival), St. Andrew’s holds a huge tag sale on the parish grounds with proceeds to benefit the Capital Fund of the parish. Work begins the first of July as gently used donations from parishioners and generous people from all over the area are unpacked for cleaning, pricing, sorting and displaying. Outdoor tents and the Parish House fill to bursting with kitchen ware, fine china and crystal, sporting and gardening equipment, rugs, furniture, jewelry, antiques, collectibles, hardware, lamps, and small appliances. Many volunteers make our tag sale successful, fun, and a great opportunity for fellowship.
Marel Rogers chairs this event and coordinates all volunteers
Each year on the first weekend in August (during the Kent Sidewalk Festival), St. Andrew’s holds a huge tag sale on the parish grounds with proceeds to benefit the Capital Fund of the parish. Work begins the first of July as gently used donations from parishioners and generous people from all over the area are unpacked for cleaning, pricing, sorting and displaying. Outdoor tents and the Parish House fill to bursting with kitchen ware, fine china and crystal, sporting and gardening equipment, rugs, furniture, jewelry, antiques, collectibles, hardware, lamps, and small appliances. Many volunteers make our tag sale successful, fun, and a great opportunity for fellowship.
Marel Rogers chairs this event and coordinates all volunteers
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS BAZAAR
Each year on the Saturday prior to Thanksgiving the parish holds its annual Christmas Bazaar, filled with all manner of baked goods, Christmas ornaments, antiques, jewelry, toys and beautiful gift ideas. A visit from Santa, plus drawings for door prizes and lunch tempt all who come. Proceeds from this event benefit the missionary work of St. Andrew’s as overseen by the Mission and Outreach Commission. Involvement by the entire parish is welcome.
Marel Rogers coordinates this event and the work of all of the volunteers
Each year on the Saturday prior to Thanksgiving the parish holds its annual Christmas Bazaar, filled with all manner of baked goods, Christmas ornaments, antiques, jewelry, toys and beautiful gift ideas. A visit from Santa, plus drawings for door prizes and lunch tempt all who come. Proceeds from this event benefit the missionary work of St. Andrew’s as overseen by the Mission and Outreach Commission. Involvement by the entire parish is welcome.
Marel Rogers coordinates this event and the work of all of the volunteers
ANNUAL CHRISTMAS TREE SALE
The annual Christmas Tree Sale begins with volunteers setting up lights, a campfire, and wooden supports adjacent to the Rectory. Over 200 Christmas trees arrive on the Saturday after Thanksgiving and sales are brisk every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until the trees are all sold or purchased for donation. All monies from the Christmas Tree Sale go to our general operating fund.
Chris Rehkow coordinates the purchase of the trees and schedules all of the volunteers
The annual Christmas Tree Sale begins with volunteers setting up lights, a campfire, and wooden supports adjacent to the Rectory. Over 200 Christmas trees arrive on the Saturday after Thanksgiving and sales are brisk every Friday, Saturday and Sunday until the trees are all sold or purchased for donation. All monies from the Christmas Tree Sale go to our general operating fund.
Chris Rehkow coordinates the purchase of the trees and schedules all of the volunteers
GREETERS
Sunday services begin with a warm welcome at the front doors of the church from two or three dedicated parishioners who serve as greeters. These teams also help attendees find seats, take the bread and wine to the altar for the Holy Communion, pass the collection plates, and assist with the flow of attendees to the altar rail for communion. Nick Downes coordinates the schedules for our greeters. 
LAY EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
Lay Eucharistic Ministers are licensed by the Bishop of Connecticut to assist the Priest in the regular administration of the Holy Communion to those who are unable to attend public services. Currently, two members of St. Andrew’s perform this important mission. All are welcome to consider this ministry in consultation with the Priest-in-Charge. |
CHOIR
St. Andrew’s is privileged to have many talented musicians among its parishioners. During the academic year, our choir — under the leadership of Tom Holcombe — rehearses every Saturday and Sunday at 9:30 A.M., and sings every Sunday during the 10:30 worship services. New voices are most welcome. Tom Holcombe is Organist and Choir Director 
ALTAR GUILD
The Altar Guild is a group of more than a dozen devoted parishioners responsible for readying the church for all services of worship, including weddings and funerals. Its members work week by week in teams to arrange flowers; polish silver and brass; wash and press altar linens; tend to the candles; and set up before and take down after each service. Marel Rogers and George-Ann Gowan are Co-Chair To see photos of our 2019 Tag Sale, click HERE.
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