The Altar Guild prepares the church for each service, including special services such as baptisms, weddings, and funerals. The members set the altar for communion, mark the lessons, and arrange flowers. They also maintain the pristine condition of the linens. Currently, the Altar Guild has about twenty members who serve on five active teams. The schedule is rotated yearly to make sure that each team gains experience with different types of services and celebrations. Catherine Perrin is the Guild member who is in charge of the flower arrangements. This ministry is led by Jean Jumet; call her at (804) 938-5600 or visit ghtc.org/contact and select the ministry from the contact form’s drop-down menu.

According to the Episcopal Diocese of Virginia, “A Eucharistic Minister is a lay person authorized to administer the consecrated elements at a celebration of Holy Eucharist when an adequate number of clergy is not present. A Eucharistic Minister acts under the direction of a Deacon, or under the Member of the Clergy who oversees the congregation or community of faith.” They are a “Confirmed communicant in good standing, Faithful in worship and in stewardship,” and “Mature in faith.” If you are interested in becoming a chalice bearer, please contact Mike MacDowell at (571) 512-8587 or visit ghtc.org/contact and select the ministry from the contact form’s drop-down menu.

Confirmation is the rite in which we express a mature commitment to Christ, and receive strength from the Holy Spirit through prayer and the laying on of hands by a bishop. Through attending at least four of eight offered full day retreats and service opportunities, confirmands will wrestle to answer four essential questions: What is Confirmation? What is Christianity? What does it mean to be Episcopalian? What does it mean to be a part of GHTC?  The cycle of four retreats is each year and participants are expected to attend one of each retreat in that two year cycle. The bishop will visit GHTC in the spring of 2026 to confirm. If you are interested, please reach out to Billy McGuire by visiting ghtc.org/contact and selecting the ministry from the contact form’s drop-down menu.

Why was Saint Paul talking in the Epistle about eating or abstaining from meat? In a ten-minute sermon, the preacher can’t delve into every Bible reading. If these texts pique your interest, consider coming to Lectionary Group every Sunday between 9:30 a.m. and 10:15 a.m. in the library. For more information contact the Rev. Jack Sutor at (804) 994-4809 or visit ghtc.org/contact and select the ministry from the contact form’s drop-down menu.

This Wednesday night group has been meeting by Zoom over the past few years from 7:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. to discuss the upcoming gospel for the following Sunday. Each session lasts 6-8 weeks. For more information, please contact Beth McClelland at (804) 304-8823 or Mary Ann Blankenship at (804) 334-8922 or visit ghtc.org/contact and select the ministry from the contact form’s drop-down menu.