The Vestry

The temporal affairs of our parish are handled by a nine-member elected body called the Vestry. The Vestry also serves as a council of advice for the rector. Each year at the annual parish meeting in January three persons are elected from the parish membership to serve a three year term. Once a person has served a term, they may not be elected again until a full year has elapsed. The out-going vestry members serve as the nominating committee each year. If you desire to be nominated for election, please let Fr. Cantrell know.

Vestry Commissions

The following commissions function as subcommittees of our parish vestry. Any member in good standing may serve on these commissions. Participation is voluntary and not by election.

Art & Architecture - The responsibilities are to research and select artistic and architectural designs appropriate to our unique building and grounds, to approve design of any additions or alterations to our premises, to select and supervise a stained glass company for church windows according to the original design and placement, and to help select gifts to our parish.

Building & Grounds - Responsible for maintenance of our physical plant and the surrounding grounds. (see Yard Dogs.) Maintaining the church yard is also a major responsibility of this commission. Volunteers are needed every weekend during the growing season to help out.

Christian Education - This commission plans and coordinates the Christian education programs for youth and adults, recruits and trains leaders and teachers for these programs, and researches and recommends curricula and materials for Christian education. We presently have classes for:

Elementary (age 4 through grade 5): The Godly Play class.
Youth (grade 6 and up): A directed Bible Study
Adults: Two classes - The Rector's Class (meets in the Parish Hall) &
The Adult Bible Study (meets in the Library in the North Building)

Our goal is to have two teachers per class, and we are still in need of more volunteers.

Prayerfully consider becoming a Sunday School volunteer, and call the commission head if you’d like to help with a class.

Finance - Responsibilities are to prepare an annual budget for presentation to the vestry, to oversee the church’s insurance matters, to assure that an annual audit is conducted, to administer operation of the church’s columbarium, and to advise the vestry on all financial matters.

Long Range Planning - Responsibilities are to assess the state of the parish and the community and anticipate future needs of both and to determine the necessary response to those needs.

Outreach - is reaching beyond ourselves with a portion of our church income and through special gifts. We look outside the parish for missions and programs that feed the poor, house the homeless, educate the needy, and support seminarians. We take donations for practical items that can be used in shelters and schools, give baskets of food during holidays, and pray that God will direct us to find ways we can really make a difference.

Parish Life - is responsible for maintaining a program which assures that all our visitors receive a warm and cordial welcome, and to plan and carry out projects encouraging others to seek a commitment to Jesus Christ in our church family. We attempt to assure that every visitor is personally welcomed by a lay person and is asked to fill out a visitor card. Follow-up contacts are then made by the clergy and the laity. This commission also coordinates advertising and news releases about the church. This vital parish commission has a number of responsibilities: To plan and coordinate social events. To oversee the operation and functioning of the parish kitchen with regard to needed equipment, supplies and food/drink. To do the necessary handling of funds, purchasing and accounting of the coffee and drink service provided by the parish for the members and guests and to provide periodic financial reports to the treasurer. To consult with outside groups who have permission from the Rector to use our facilities.

Stewardship - Responsibilities are to work with the rector to instill a strong sense of Christian stewardship in all our members, to plan and direct the annual stewardship campaign, and to assist in other fund raising events.

Worship

Opportunities for liturgical service are open to all members of the parish over the age of nine.

Acolytes - are basically all those who wear vestments and assist during worship. Torchbearers may begin serving at age seven.

Chalice Bearers - assist in the administration of Communion at Mass and must be licensed by the bishop with the approval of the Rector and Vestry.

Lectors - serve by reading the Scripture Lessons during worship.

Oblationers - Holy Apostles has a tradition of having two persons, frequently family members, to bring forward the bread and wine that is used for communion service. This is done during the offertory part of the service.

Ushers - Ushers work in teams of two at each service, assisting worshippers, distributing bulletins, counting heads, and taking up the collection.

Nursery - We staff our Nursery each Sunday with two adults. If you would like to assist us in providing this service to the parish, contact Sheryl in the office, or sign up.

Guilds, Organizations and Other Opportunities for Service

Alpha/Credo - a new ministry of education and evangelism. We will be presenting the Alpha or the Credo Course several times a year. The Alpha Course takes 10 weeks. It has been wildly successful all over the Anglican Communion! The Credo Course is the product of Bishop Lindsay Urwin specifically for Anglicans. That course runs seven weeks.

Altar Guild - We are responsible for the care of the vessels, cloths and vestments that are used during the church services. We set up and clean up for most services. Morning Prayer does not require any preparation. We currently have seven members with four teams. Each team is responsible for a week. It is not hard work but it does require a commitment to your team’s week.

EYC (Episcopal Youth Council) - is open to anyone in grades 6-12 (friends are always welcome.) Participation with other Episcopalian Youth from around Fort Worth in Youth Council events such as the Fall Dance, a Fall Rally at Camp Crucis, Ice Skating, delivering Thanksgiving baskets, Christmas Angels’ Shopping, bowling, and many more activities. Adults who would like to help are welcome to sign up!

Flower Guild - Flowers for the Altar are donated to mark a special day. There is a sign-up in the Parish hall on which you may designate which Sunday you would like to give the Altar flowers. If you are interested in arranging the flowers and assisting with their placement, sign up.

Office Helpers - Volunteers are needed to assist the parish secretary in assembling and folding the monthly bulletin and other mass mailings and to assist in preparing other presentation materials such as the annual parish meeting handouts.

Saint Fiacre’s Guild - This is a gardening guild for the maintenance and upkeep of the Garth and the landscape plants of the Church grounds.

Saint Jude’s Corner - is the bookstore and gift shop located in the northwest corner of Steel Hall. It stocks books, some cards and small gifts. It is open on Sunday during the social period after the church service. All proceeds from sales are sent to St. Jude’s Ranch for Children, marked for use by the Bulverde, Texas Campus.

Saint Ruth’s Guild - All women of the parish are welcome to be members of this organization. Ruth’s Guild is involved with various projects such as the Rummage Sale, the Bazaar and Outreach. The Guild works closely with the Parish Life Commission.

Saint Martha’s Guild - is the guild that is involved with all the kitchen activities of the church. This includes coordinating pot-luck luncheons and dinners, preparation of meals for special functions such as parties, receptions, and conferences, and maintenance and improvements to the kitchen facility. This guild works in close coordination with the Parish Life Commission.

The Ladies Workshop Group - informally known as Holy Apostles' Gals or HAGs for short, through craft and other projects, work for the improvement of our physical plant and the program of the parish. This past Spring they had a Birdhouse and Plant Sale, the proceeds to be used for improving the Godly Play room. Any woman in the parish is welcome. Meetings are announced - usually on a weekday evening.

Yard Dogs - are the folk who see that the church grounds are maintained - mowing, weed-eating, trimming, etc. Volunteers are needed every weekend during the growing season to help out. They work under the direction of the Junior Warden.

Telephone Calling - A group of parishioners (men & women) who call the rest of the parish to inform them of news and information that needs to be communicated in a rapid manner.

Foyer Groups - groups consisted of 8 -10 folk who meet monthly in each other's homes to share a meal. The groups are reshuffled about three times a year. A wonderful way to get to know your fellow parishioners.