The Acolyte ministry at Grace in the Desert Episcopal Church includes parishioners of all ages who serve at the Altar and assist the clergy. Acolytes participate in the services by leading the procession and recession carrying crosses, torches and banners; assisting with the preparation and clearing of the Altar and during the administration of communion; and sometimes holding the gospel book for the Deacon.

Our Acolytes also serve at special services, such as weddings, baptisms, ordinations and funerals. As you can see, Acolytes are servants in the true sense of the word, both in practice and as symbols. For more information about becoming an Acolyte, please contact Renee Yackira or Ellen Stevens.

The Altar Guild team is comprised of up to a dozen dedicated volunteers who prepare the altar all services at Grace. Weekly teams set up and or reset the altar or chapel for baptisms, weddings, funerals, ordinations and special services. Lent, Holy Week, Easter, Advent and Christmas are are the most challenging times for our team.

Our teams enjoy this altar ministry; we meet with our clergy occasionally to review the upcoming services and plan our schedules. If you are interested in finding out more about the Altar Guild contact:Margie Turner .

This ministry was formerly combined with Ushers and is now a separate ministry. The primary responsibility of greeters is to welcome newcomers and greet congregants. Other responsibilities include urging newcomers to complete a Welcome Card and handing out gift bags. The welcome cards are gathered and placed in the collection plate so that the office is able to appropriately welcome them through clergy visitation, correspondence and e-mail. gift bags to The Sr. Warden or presiding clergy will ask for newcomers to introduction themselves and tell us where they are from.

Lectors are assigned in one month segments using the Ministry Scheduler Pro App administered by Michael Yackira. Lectors are most often lay readers who have had lector training. Lectors read from the Liturgy of the word for the week and receive their readings in advance so that they have an opportunity to rehearse the readings prior to services. Readings come from the Old Testament, New Testament and the Psalms appointed for the week.

Servers are trained by the Acolyte organizers and Clergy. If you are interested in these ministriescontact Michael Yackira.

Ushers are responsible for checking-in congregants as per the COVID protocols. They encourage congregants to wear their name tags which are located in the Narthex. In addition, ushers bring the goodwill food offerings to the altar during the offering, and pass the collection plates through the congregation. During Communion, they guide parishioners to the appropriate location for communion.