Ministry Groups at GHTC

Serving God in his church starts young. The acolyte program is an excellent way to serve the church, and to learn responsibility and discipline. Age-appropriate duties may include giving alms basins to ushers, helping the priest to set the communion table, marking pews at communion, and as able, to lead processions carrying a cross. Younger children can start as junior acolytes carrying a torch or banner. Young people are trained before being scheduled to serve. How often an acolyte serves depends on the individual’s or family’s schedules, and regular participation is encouraged. If your child would like to serve as an acolyte, please call Dan McNamara at (804) 754-7319 or visit ghtc.org/contact and select the ministry from the contact form’s drop-down menu.

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.

GHTC’s Belize Mission Team gathers, trains, and supports members of our faith community as they work together in spiritual mission in Belize. The work we have done there has included dental care and vision screening for children, service projects in the community, and an annual summer camp for children from age five to twelve. We welcome parishioners of all ages and skill levels.Opportunities are available for parishioners of all skill levels and ages, including families. Please contact Mary Cay Kollmansperger at (804) 240-6096 or visit ghtc.org/contact and select the ministry from the contact form’s drop-down menu.

The Pace Center is an inclusive, multicultural, interfaith VCU student center at VCU. Pace is a place where students feel their unique stories and gifts are valued. As a queer-affirming campus ministry, we believe all are created to live in relationships with one another, not in isolation. Pace and Grace & Holy Trinity Church share a covenant partnership. Contact Campus Minister & Pace Center Student Engagement Coordinator, the Rev. Russ Kerr at (804) 658-4064 or visit thepacecenter.com/about.

Caroling in Monroe Park continues to expand this year with new musicians and more vendors as part of a holiday marketplace. If you make crafts or merchandise and/or would like to participate as a vendor in the market or volunteer in the event, please contact Meredith McGuire by visiting ghtc.org/contact and selecting 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.

The Children’s Choir is directed by Abigail Stinnett (Abbey). Under her leadership, and with the able assistance of Stanley Baker, children have the opportunity to develop singing skills, grow in fellowship and community, and participate in worship. We invite children in pre-K through 4th grade to join the Children’s Choir. The Children’s Choir rehearsals are held every Sunday from 9:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. Parents of interested children, please contact Children’s Choir Director Abbey Stinnett by visiting ghtc.org/contact and selecting Abbey from the contact form’s drop-down menu.

The significant staffing transitions at Grace & Holy Trinity have created a natural opportunity for intentional focus on the children’s and youth ministries. Contact Terry Hathaway at (804) 350-7580 or visit ghtc.org/contact and select the ministry from the contact form’s drop-down menu.

The Christmas Ministry provides Christmas gifts and clothing for 25-35 students in need at a local elementary school. Parishioners sponsor each student by providing clothing and gifts. Other parishioners make monetary donations which are used to buy gift cards for the student families and teachers. We are seeking volunteers to assist in organizing sponsors and delivering gifts. Contact Nancy Smith at (804) 339-8030 or visit ghtc.org/contact and select the ministry from the contact form’s drop-down menu.

In-kind donations for water, paper goods, and plastic ware are also welcome. Leaders are also supported by volunteer Resource Teams that help with jobs and education, connecting them to community services, and addressing systemic barriers at Circles Big View Night. 

With your help, whether once a week or once a month, Circles RVA empowers families to break the cycle of generational poverty and move permanently toward economic stability. Contact Glenn Moore at (804) 835-5029 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.

Our music ministry reaches out beyond our regular worship with musical offerings throughout the year. There are receptions in the Parish Hall after some of the concerts. We need people on the Music Ministry Team to help plan receptions when they are offered. We are also looking for volunteers to assist with music publicity. These are excellent opportunities to support the concert series with a relatively modest commitment of time. Please reach out to Dr. Elizabeth Melcher Davis at (804) 359-5628, ext. 18 or visit ghtc.org/contact and select Beth from the contact form’s drop-down menu.

The cookie ministry volunteers provide the cookies, donuts, cake, brownies, fruit, etc. for the coffee hour following the 10:30 a.m. service on Sundays. Ministry members are given an option of dates, then the members decide which date(s) they can help out. If you are interested, please reach out to Cary Henderson by visiting ghtc.org/contact and selecting the ministry from the contact form’s drop-down menu.

The purpose of the National Episcopal Church Women (ECW) shall be to empower the women of The Episcopal Church to carry out Christ’s work throughout the world. If you would like to participate in GHTC’s chapter of ECW please email Jodie Pully by visiting ghtc.org/contact and selecting the ministry from the contact form’s drop-down menu.

These are informal gatherings for brunch, lunch, or dinner, either potluck or in a restaurant. These are opportunities to enjoy good conversations and excellent meals, and hope you will join us. Your contact people are Maurice and Debra Cole, (804) 440-092, or visit ghtc.org/contact and select the ministry from the contact form’s drop-down menu.

The Greater Richmond Children’s Choir (GRCC) is dedicated to bringing together boys and girls from diverse backgrounds to experience the joy of singing and to gain a life-long love for good music through age-appropriate vocal training. The GRCC strives to nurture the unique gift each child brings, to encourage all to reach for excellence, and ultimately, to create responsible and compassionate citizens of the world. Veteran GRCC director Crystal Jonkman was named Artistic Director in 2017 after Founding Artistic Director Hope Armstrong Erb was named Artistic Director Emeritus. The 2024-2025 season will be our 28th! GRCC includes choristers, ages 8-18 in ensembles representing many different schools in the city of Richmond and the surrounding counties.

The Sunday Greeter’s Ministry welcomes everyone to church before the later service, both parishioners and parishioners-to-be. We are welcoming and warm to all, affirming the friendliness of this parish, and offering newcomers an opportunity to be included in the church’s email list. Most volunteers serve once a month. To volunteer, or to get more information, please call Lisa Dawson at (804) 350-1950 or visit ghtc.org/contact and select the ministry from the contact form’s drop-down menu.

The intrepid Susan Hankins organizes and leads comfortable, companionable excursions on foot to explore parts of the city that are historic, inspiring, beautiful, or all three! Keep an eye out for the plans in the regular parish communications. Susan Hankins invites you to call, text, or email if you have questions at (804) 938-8440 or visit ghtc.org/contact and select the ministry from the contact form’s drop-down menu.

The Hospitality Team organizes the receptions celebrating the parish’s activities, including the Christmas festivities.  Volunteers are on hand for each event, and take on the requirements of the plan, including organizing beverages, baking, preparing savory hors d’oeuvres, and whatever else is on the menu. Then they handle serving as necessary, and cleaning up. Call Karin Walker at (804) 539-4800 or co-chair Sandie Hale at (804) 512-7806, or visit ghtc.org/contact and select the ministry from the contact form’s drop-down menu to add your entertaining skills to the group.