St James' Church Islington

There are many ways to lend your talents in support of the Church. Here are some of the lay ministries that are essential to the support of worship at St James' Church.

Ministry of Welcome

Receiving a warm welcome is vital to how people experience a visit to St James' Church - be they visitors or regular members of the congregation. The Welcome Team greet people as they enter the church, handing out hymn books and the Order of Service. They also welcome visitors and new members of the congregation at the end of the service.

Contact:vicar@stjamesislington.org

Sunday School Team

- plays the important role of nurturing the faith of our young members and encouraging their active participation in Church Services.
See Young People

Contact:vicar@stjamesislington.org

Bell Ringers

- meet at the Church Tower at 7.45 p.m. every Tuesday to practise. They ring the church bells at the main Sunday Mass and on special occasions. See Bells

Contact: vicar@stjamesislington.org

Altar Servers

Altar servers perform most of the functions of the former minor order of ordained clerics known as ‘acolytes’ from the Greek word akolouthos (meaning ‘attendant’ or ‘follower’). An acolyte’s duties have varied from century to century, but have included taking the communion to the sick, distributing sacrament to the clergy at the Eucharist and carrying candles and incense in processions.

Today, Altar servers are not ordained but are commissioned by their Parish Priest. They play an important role, ensuring that services run smoothly and that the Priest is attended and assisted. All servers wear a white Alb and cincture and a gold cross (to distinguish them from the Eucharistic Ministers who wear enamelled crosses).

Altar servers fulfil several roles at the Mass –

The Master of Ceremonies organises the servers and ensures that the Mass runs smoothly.

The Thurifer leads the procession at Mass and ensures that the Thurible is charged with hot charcoal at all times so that the Altar, elements, Priest, Gospel and people can be reverenced with incense.

The Boat-bearer assists the Thurifer by carrying the incense to be offered.

The Cross-bearer carries the Cross in the procession at the beginning and end of Mass and at the Gradual procession to the middle of the Church for the Gospel reading.

The Acolytes work in pairs carrying candles in procession.

The Book-bearer carries the Gospel in the procession at the beginning and end of Mass and at the Gradual procession before the Gospel reading.

The Servers also assist by handing the elements to the Priest, washing the hands of the Priest, receiving the offertory and ringing the sanctuary bells.

They have additional seasonal duties, which may involve rehearsal -
At Christmas they assist at all of the services including the Midnight Mass.
On Palm Sunday there is a procession with palms from the Church Hall to the church, led through the streets by the servers.
During Holy Week, servers assist at all of the services, including the Good Friday Liturgy, the first Mass of Easter on Holy Saturday (assisting with the lighting of the Paschal candle) and the High Mass of Easter on Easter Day.
Our servers also assist at Baptisms and Confirmations.

At St James’ we are fortunate in having a large group of servers representing all ages - both male and female. If you would like more information please contact:

The Vicar (Parish Priest)
Tel: 020-7226 4108 St James' Vicarage, 1A Arlington Square, Islington, London N1 7DS
E-mail:vicar@stjamesislington.org

Eucharistic Ministry (Ministry of the Chalice)

Lay Eucharistic Ministry is an ancient tradition. In the Church’s infancy (and before there were daily celebrations of the Eucharist) people took the sacrament home so that they could receive Holy Communion during the week with their families and neighbours.
They also took the sacrament to the sick or housebound and travellers on long journeys would carry the sacrament with them.

As the Church grew, this service was formalised into an ordained ministry known as ‘acolytes’ (see Altar Servers). In time the distribution of the Holy Communion was taken over as exclusive work of the clergy and only recently has the lay ministry of the sacrament been revived.

Eucharistic Ministers wear enamelled crosses and have been chosen out of recognition of their own special gifts. The Eucharistic Ministry is recognised by the Church for the benefits of its people and Ministers are commissioned with the permission and authority of the Bishop.

There are 15 Eucharistic Ministers at St James’s who work on a rota in order to administer the sacrament to the congregation and to those who cannot get to Church. They come from all walks of life. If you would like more information please contact:

The Vicar (Parish Priest)
Tel: 020-7226 4108 St James' Vicarage, 1A Arlington Square, Islington, London N1 7DS
E-mail: vicar@stjamesislington.org

Intercessors Team

Prayer is at the heart of our worship at St James'.
The Intercessors Team plays a key role in leading prayers during the Mass and at major festivals during the week.

The team currently comprises six intercessors and the rota provides for Young People to lead prayers on the first Sunday of each month during school terms, normally including Mothering Sunday and Harvest Thanksgiving.

Intercessors are encouraged to follow an outline which includes the Anglican Communion, our Deanery, and our concerns for Peace and Justice, for our local community, for those living within the parish and for our congregation.
Also, from lists maintained within the church, for the sick, for those in need and those who have recently died or whose anniversaries occur in the week ahead.

At the Requiem Mass on All Souls Day, intercessors share the reading of the names of the 200 or so departed, for whom prayers have been asked for in advance.

For daily prayer and current concerns, please view our Prayer Board

Contact: vicar@stjamesislington.org

Reading Team

We have a Readers Rota of some thirty lay people responsible for the readings at Sunday Mass and at major festivals. From time to time they are supported by Voice Workshops run by a professional within congregation. Once a month, at the Family Service, the readings are undertaken by the Sunday School.

Contact:vicar@stjamesislington.org

Flower Team

There are beautiful flowers in the church throughout the year, with the exception of Advent and Lent. Flowers are funded by the PCC and by personal donations given in remembrance of an anniversary, a celebration of a success, or for a special occasion.
We have a team of nine arrangers who are responsible for the flowers on a weekly rota basis.

If you wish to make a donation please download/print off the Single Donation Form below (and Gift Aid Form, if applicable) and send the completed form(s) to:
Flower Team, St James' Vicarage, 1A Arlington Square, London N1 7DS

Single Donation Form
Gift Aid Form

If you would like advice or further details, please contact: vicar@stjamesislington.org

Refreshment Team

We like to invite people to stay and chat after a Service so that we can share our news and enjoy each other's company. Those who prepare the Refreshments encourage this to happen.
Contact: vicar@stjamesislington.org

If you interested in finding out more about these ministries or offering your support please talk to one of the clergy, or contact the relevant leader by e-mail.

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There are many ways to lend your talents in support of the Church. Here are some of the lay ministries that are essential to the support of worship at St James' Church. Ministry of Welcome Receiving a warm welcome is vital to how people experience a visit to St James' Church - be they visitors or regular members of the congregation. The Welcome Team greet people as they enter the church, handing out hymn books and the Order of Service. They also welcome visitors and new members of the congregation at the end of the service. Contact:vicar@stjamesislington.org Sunday School Team - plays the important role of nurturing the faith of our young members and encouraging their active participation in Church Services. See Young People Contact:vicar@stjamesislington.org Bell Ringers - meet at the Church Tower at 7.45 p.m. every Tuesday to practise. They ring the church bells at the main Sunday Mass and on special occasions. See Bells Contact: vicar@stjamesislington.org Altar Servers Altar servers perform most of the functions of the former minor order of ordained clerics known as ‘acolytes’ from the Greek word akolouthos (meaning ‘attendant’ or ‘follower’). An acolyte’s duties have varied from century to century, but have included taking the communion to the sick, distributing sacrament to the clergy at the Eucharist and carrying candles and incense in processions. Today, Altar servers are not ordained but are commissioned by their Parish Priest. They play an important role, ensuring that services run smoothly and that the Priest is attended and assisted. All servers wear a white Alb and cincture and a gold cross (to distinguish them from the Eucharistic Ministers who wear enamelled crosses). Altar servers fulfil several roles at the Mass – *The Master of Ceremonies* organises the servers and ensures that the Mass runs smoothly. *The Thurifer* leads the procession at Mass and ensures that the Thurible is charged with hot charcoal at all times so that the Altar, elements, Priest, Gospel and people can be reverenced with incense. *The Boat-bearer* assists the Thurifer by carrying the incense to be offered. *The Cross-bearer* carries the Cross in the procession at the beginning and end of Mass and at the Gradual procession to the middle of the Church for the Gospel reading. *The Acolytes* work in pairs carrying candles in procession. *The Book-bearer* carries the Gospel in the procession at the beginning and end of Mass and at the Gradual procession before the Gospel reading. The Servers also assist by handing the elements to the Priest, washing the hands of the Priest, receiving the offertory and ringing the sanctuary bells. They have additional seasonal duties, which may involve rehearsal - At Christmas they assist at all of the services including the Midnight Mass. On Palm Sunday there is a procession with palms from the Church Hall to the church, led through the streets by the servers. During Holy Week, servers assist at all of the services, including the Good Friday Liturgy, the first Mass of Easter on Holy Saturday (assisting with the lighting of the Paschal candle) and the High Mass of Easter on Easter Day. Our servers also assist at Baptisms and Confirmations. At St James’ we are fortunate in having a large group of servers representing all ages - both male and female. If you would like more information please contact: The Vicar (Parish Priest) Tel: 020-7226 4108 St James' Vicarage, 1A Arlington Square, Islington, London N1 7DS E-mail:vicar@stjamesislington.org Eucharistic Ministry (Ministry of the Chalice) Lay Eucharistic Ministry is an ancient tradition. In the Church’s infancy (and before there were daily celebrations of the Eucharist) people took the sacrament home so that they could receive Holy Communion during the week with their families and neighbours. They also took the sacrament to the sick or housebound and travellers on long journeys would carry the sacrament with them. As the Church grew, this service was formalised into an ordained ministry known as ‘acolytes’ (see Altar Servers). In time the distribution of the Holy Communion was taken over as exclusive work of the clergy and only recently has the lay ministry of the sacrament been revived. Eucharistic Ministers wear enamelled crosses and have been chosen out of recognition of their own special gifts. The Eucharistic Ministry is recognised by the Church for the benefits of its people and Ministers are commissioned with the permission and authority of the Bishop. There are 15 Eucharistic Ministers at St James’s who work on a rota in order to administer the sacrament to the congregation and to those who cannot get to Church. They come from all walks of life. If you would like more information please contact: The Vicar (Parish Priest) Tel: 020-7226 4108 St James' Vicarage, 1A Arlington Square, Islington, London N1 7DS E-mail: vicar@stjamesislington.org Intercessors Team Prayer is at the heart of our worship at St James'. The Intercessors Team plays a key role in leading prayers during the Mass and at major festivals during the week. The team currently comprises six intercessors and the rota provides for Young People to lead prayers on the first Sunday of each month during school terms, normally including Mothering Sunday and Harvest Thanksgiving. Intercessors are encouraged to follow an outline which includes the Anglican Communion, our Deanery, and our concerns for Peace and Justice, for our local community, for those living within the parish and for our congregation. Also, from lists maintained within the church, for the sick, for those in need and those who have recently died or whose anniversaries occur in the week ahead. At the Requiem Mass on All Souls Day, intercessors share the reading of the names of the 200 or so departed, for whom prayers have been asked for in advance. For daily prayer and current concerns, please view our Prayer Board Contact: vicar@stjamesislington.org Reading Team We have a Readers Rota of some thirty lay people responsible for the readings at Sunday Mass and at major festivals. From time to time they are supported by Voice Workshops run by a professional within congregation. Once a month, at the Family Service, the readings are undertaken by the Sunday School. Contact:vicar@stjamesislington.org Flower Team There are beautiful flowers in the church throughout the year, with the exception of Advent and Lent. Flowers are funded by the PCC and by personal donations given in remembrance of an anniversary, a celebration of a success, or for a special occasion. We have a team of nine arrangers who are responsible for the flowers on a weekly rota basis. If you wish to make a donation please download/print off the Single Donation Form below (and Gift Aid Form, if applicable) and send the completed form(s) to: Flower Team, St James' Vicarage, 1A Arlington Square, London N1 7DS Single Donation Form Gift Aid Form If you would like advice or further details, please contact: vicar@stjamesislington.org Refreshment Team We like to invite people to stay and chat after a Service so that we can share our news and enjoy each other's company. Those who prepare the Refreshments encourage this to happen. Contact: vicar@stjamesislington.org If you interested in finding out more about these ministries or offering your support please talk to one of the clergy, or contact the relevant leader by e-mail. Return to top
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