Bahamas - St George's. Anglican Church

LAY READERS - The Licensed Lay Ministry is formed of people who feel a call to a more active role in the proclamation of the Word of God and to assist in the distribution of the Holy Eucharist during services. Licensed Lay Ministers start as Lectors, who read the lesson. After a "training" period, persons are licensed and begin to assist in the services. At least three lay readers are used during Sunday's three services. Additional lay readers may be required for special services on feast days and occasionally at weddings and funerals.

Ministries included in the Licensed Lay Ministry are:

Lay Readers
Vergers
Wardens
Catechists

Parishioners sensing a call to this ministry should speak to one of our Licensed Lay Readers for more information or to Fr Knowles who may be contacted at rector@batelnet.bs

GUILD OF ST. AMBROSE - Members of the Guild of St. Ambrose serve around the Altar of God in various capacities. He or she assists the Clergy with services on Sundays, or whenever there is a need. At St. George's Church the minimum age to become a member of this Guild is five, and there is no limit to the number of years you can serve. Prospective members if the Guild attends many training sessions, inducted in a simple ceremony in front of the congregation, and then begin to serve in the rotation. For additional information on the Guild of St. Ambrose please contact Kevin Davies at krmd11@hotmail.com

ALTAR GUILD - Members of the Altar Guild are entrusted with the care of the Altar and its vestments. All members of the congregation are invited to join the Altar Guild. If you are interested please contact the parish office (242) 322-1139

MUSIC MINISTRY - The Music Ministry of the parish is a vibrant one. At present there are 50 plus members of the music ministry from Organists, Pianists to choir members and instrumentalists. The Music Ministry is under the direction of Adrian Archer, Director of Music, while Brenda Archer is the Organist and President of the Singing Choir. Choir rehearsals are held on Wednesdays at 7:00 PM and Saturday's at 6:00 PM. Praise Team rehearsals held on Friday afternoons at 7:00 PM . Youth Choir rehearsals are held on Friday afternoons at 5:00 PM. To join the choir or any other group in the music ministry please contact the parish office at (242) 322-1139 or Adrian Archer at music@batelnet.bs

AUDIO-VISUAL - The church's sounds system is used on a regular basis to record services, sermons and Bible study to distribute to the sick and shut. If you wish to join you may contact Adrian Archer at admin.stg@batelnet.bs or via the church office (242) 322-1139.

ANGLICAN CHURCH WOMEN - The ACW is the largest organization for Women in the Anglican Church in The Bahamas. The ACW plays a pivotal part in the life of the Parish. They continue to provide financial assistance and membership participation n the following organizations:

St. Athanasius Church, Long Island (Companion Parish)
Vacation Bible School
Dedication Festival
Diocesan Synod
Mothering Sunday
Lenten Services
The ACW continues its outreach to the Geriatrics Hospital at Sandilands. This visitation takes place on a quarterly basis. Other outreach ministries include the recently launched "Soup Kitchen" which takes place from the Parish Hall every third Saturday of the Month. - For additional information please contact Collonna Hepburn at collonna@coralwave.com

ANGLICAN CHURCH MEN - A group of men which meet monthly for fellowship and service. The ACM of St. George's Church are a small but active group. During the year the ACM provided assistance to the various projects and programs of the parish. Assistance was generally given in form of cash donation or where necessary, in form of manpower for various self-help projects of the Management Committee. At the Diocesan level the ACM continues its support of toward the radio program "Insight" The group recently accepted the challenge to begin a "Big Brother" program for the young men of the parish. For additional information please contact David Ferguson at deltafoxtrot49@hotmail.com

CHRISTIAN YOUTH MOVEMENT - The Christian Youth Movement is a group of young people age 12 to 17 who meet on a regular basis for fellowship, education and fun. Officers of the CY M are:

President – Allyson Estwick

For more information contact: acestwick@hotmail.com

CUBS & SCOUTS - “The troop is under the direction of Mr. Arthur Taylor and he is assisted by Evans Oralhomme, Mark Burrows and Sean Burrows. For further information please contact acestwick@hotmail.com

YOUTH DEPARTMENT - The Youth Department of St. George's Church is comprised of the following:

The Christian Youth Movement
The Christian Young Adults
The Sunday School
The Uniformed organizations (Cubs, Brownies, Guides, Rangers & Scouts)
The St. Ambrose Guild

The goals of the Youth Department are for individual to be:

Committed to Christ
Someone in whom the fruit and gifts of the Holy Spirit are evident
Well equipped to spread the Gospel message and to disciple to others.
Identify false teaching
Integrated into the fellowship of the church
Well equipped to carry out "Out Reach" ministry in the community.

For additional information please contact the Youth Coordinator, Miss Alyson Estwick at acestwick@hotmail.com

GUILD TO HELP THE SICK & NEEDY - The focus of the Guild to help the Sick and Needy is to bring cheer, joy and comfort to the sick and shut-in of our parish. This is done through regular weekly visits to various homes as well as the Princess Margaret and Doctor's Hospital. The Guild continues its outreach to The Good Samaritan Home. For additional information contact: admin.stg@batelnet.bs

EVANGELISM - Evangelism is the presentation of Jesus Christ in the Power of the Holy Spirit, in such ways that persons may be led to believe in Him as Savior, and follow Him as Lord within the fellowship of the Church, so that His mission might go forward" Since the introduction of the eight ministries in St. George's Parish, as proposed by "Diocese 2000 and Beyond," the Evangelism Ministry has been timely. We should not expect to see leaps and bounds in these Ministries. At the Ministry Fair which was held in early 1998, about eleven persons signed up to take on this Ministry.

Remember then that the ministry of the Lay Persons:

1. To bear witness to Him wherever we may be.
2. To carry on Christ's work of reconciliation in the world using the spiritual gifts God has imparted to us.
3. To take our place in the life, worship and governance of the Church - to get ourselves involved in the work of the Church.

For additional information please contact Cleomi Parker at cleomi.parker@kerzner.com

PASTORAL CARE & COUNSELING - During 1998, the role of the Pastoral Committee was documented after teachings from the pulpit as well as meetings with the Rector, Fr. Basil Tynes.

In order to familiarize members with the aims and objects of the committee a booth was operated at the Ministry Fair.

The following ministries have been implemented:
1. Baptismal Classes
2. Marriage Preparation Classes
3. Confirmation Classes
4. Leaders for Marriage Preparation Classes

We are pleased to report that our students at St. Anne's and St. John's Colleges are performing at an acceptable standard. A third scholarship in the name of Canon Dudley Strachan will be given to a student at one of our Anglican High Schools. To be eligible for this scholarship, the student must:

1. Be an active member of St. George's Parish
2. Be enrolled at one of our High Schools or have passed the entrance examination for the same.
3. Have maintained a "C" average or above.

We anticipate growth in the ministries when all parishioners complete their Diocese 2000 and Beyond forms and become involved when the training sessions begin. For additional information please contact Louise Barry at wloubar@batelnet.bs.

COMMUNICATIONS - As a result of the Ministry fair, held in the parish in early 1998, a number of people, young and old, volunteered to be a part of the communications ministry. The result has been a very exciting year for both the people charged with carrying out the functions of the ministry and the parish alike.

Our objective is to employ five methods by which to communicate the message of the Gospel and the activities of this parish to all. They were as follows:

·    Parochial Communications
·    Diocesan Communications
·    Community Outreach
·    Worldwide Outreach

For additional information contact: dgdingraham@hotmail.com

SOCIAL OUTREACH - The Social Outreach program continues to help persons in need on a regular basis.
Items of food, clothing and toiletries are donated by members of the congregation and these are distributed to persons in need of assistance. We have adopted a family with three school age children and they are provided with uniforms and other school materials. Plans are also in progress of having some repairs done to their home. This program has also helped other persons with medical and financial needs. As members of the outreach program we are always mindful of the fact that in Matthew 25 v 40 Jesus says, "In as much as you have done it into one of the least of these my brethren you have done it unto me." For additional information please contact; admin.stg@batelnet.bs

SUNDAY SCHOOL - - The Parish Sunday School Classes occur during the 9:00 AM Family Eucharist. Members of the Sunday School attend services on the fourth Sunday of each month for corporate worship. A Nursery is available for toddlers and infants. Sunday School is provided up to teenage years. For additional information please contact; admin.stg@batelnet.bs

BIBLE STUDY - Studies of the Bible for all are offered throughout the year and is conducted by the Rector. Bible Study is conducted weekly (Thursday) at 6:00 PM. For additional information please contact; admin.stg@batelnet.bs

CHRISTIAN EDUCATION - To accomplish this, The Vestry decided to sponsor a Ministry fair which was held on June 14th 1998 to more or less educate the entire church on the ministerial part of Diocese 2000 and Beyond. At the fair the congregation split up into the various ministries of their choice where they met with the various Chairpersons who outlined by way of handouts the mission statement, objectives and lists of possible areas of involvement. The fair proved worthwhile. At least fourteen (14) persons expressed their interest and sign up to become involved in Christian Education. They also added relevant topics they felt the congregation would benefit from their teaching. For additional information please contact; admin.stg@batelnet.bs

CHRISTIAN FORMATION - Most of the objectives of the Christian Formation were met and enable spiritual growth in the Parish. The Discovery Weekend Program continues. In February Adult Discovery Weekend was held with approximately 34 persons participating. The result - they renewed their faith and promised to live a life in Christ. The first ever Youth Discovery Weekend was introduced. Those who attended were Confirmation Candidates and other young people of the Parish approximately 52 in all. Members of the Parish were encouraged to find their place in the body of Christ when the parish held a Ministry Fair. Many were able to think seriously of their God-given gifts and how to use them. They were allowed to chose the ministry in which they felt they could best function. For additional information please contact; admin.stg@batelnet.bs

CURSILLO - Cursillo for Adults - Cursillo (pronounced 'kur-see-yo') is a three day renewal experience which concentrates on the person and teachings of Jesus Christ. Cursillo has become a powerful means of spiritual renewal and formation. Cursillo weekends are offered periodically for adults, eighteen years old and older, by the Diocese of Georgia at Honey Creek. For more information speak to one of the clergy or admin.stg@batelnet.bs

DISCOVERY - The Discovery program continues to be a blessing to members of the parish. The first teen / youth Discovery was held in October of last year. Fifty-two candidates made the weekend. For further information contact admin.stg@batelnet.bs

ALPHA - A 15-session practical introduction to the Christian faith designed primarily for non- churchgoers and new Christians. There are now over 7,000 Alpha courses being offered in 58 countries. Alpha has been endorsed by the Archbishop of Canterbury as one of the most effective tools currently available for sharing the Christian faith. For additional information please contact; admin.stg@batelnet.bs

LAYING A SOLID FOUNDATION - The follow up program to youth/ teen Discovery. The program seeks to generate interesting dialogue and questions from young people on their faith. For further information contact admin.stg@batelnet.bs

MANAGEMENT - The Management Committee is responsible for the day to day management of the church property, the staff of the parish and the Day School. In 1998 a considerable amount of money was spent on repairs and purchases for and to church properties. In addition, the curate residence was purchased and is located in the Twynam area. Plans for 1999 are as follows:

Electrical rewiring of the Church and Parish Hall
Construction of additional office space and conference room
Replacement of storm shutters, frames to doors and windows
Repairing of church pews
Reconstruction of Cabana
Restructuring of the Sanctuary
Upgrading of the Public Address System
Painting of the Church's interior
Repair Bell Tower
Purchase of a Church Bus

For additional information please contact David Ferguson at deltafoxtrot49@hotmail.com