How can I help? Volunteering at St Barnabas
Our Parish relies on volunteers for many aspects of our ministry. Would you like to get involved? This note outlines the many different functions that are performed by volunteers and tells you how you can participate. A contact person is given for each one. If you do not know the person named, please ask Fr Kwari or one of the wardens (Diane Roussel, Bill Hallett, Ellery Furlong).
1. Sidespersons
These are the people that you see at the back of the Church when you come in for Mass. They greet people, ensure that bulletins are given out, help newcomers with questions, and ensure an orderly traffic flow during Communion.
Contact: Diane Roussel
2. Readers
These are the people who read the first lesson at High Mass, and on occasion read lections at other services.
Contact: Barbara Schultz or Fr Kwari
3. Hospitality/Food
Coffee time - hosting refreshments after High Mass, including providing the snacks (cookies, etc - your choice) and tidying up the kitchen afterwards. This is currently done every week, with different people doing it on a rotating basis. Usually two people do this together.
Contact: There is usually a sign-up sheet for coffee posted in the narthex (the entrance of the church). For more information, please speak to Allayne Evans.
Evensong once a month is usually followed by a reception. Please speak with Barbara Schultz to volunteer.
We also on occasion have a pot-luck lunch after High Mass, in which case a sign-up sheet for food items is posted in the narthex a couple of weeks before the event.
4. Servers and Subdeacons
These are the people who assist the sacred ministers at Mass.
Contact: Please speak to Fr Kwari.
5. Altar Guild
- The altar guild prepares and cares for the sanctuary, altar, and sacred vessels used during worship services.
preparing Communion: Setting out the bread, wine, and water for the Eucharist before services, and cleaning up afterward. - caring for furnishings: Washing and mending altar linens, and polishing brass and silver sacred vessels (like chalices and patens).
- dressing the Altar: Changing the paraments (cloths and hangings) to match the specific colours of the liturgical calendar and seasons.
- sanctuary maintenance: Arranging flowers, filling candles,
This ministry is behind-the-scenes service: most of the work is done quietly before and after services with close support and guidance of the Rector. Members view their practical tasks as a spiritual vocation: an act of devotion, treating the preparation of the worship space with deep reverence.
Contact: Gary Rourke (sacristan), Wendy Warren, or Fr Kwari
6. Outreach
The Parish runs a Communitea once a month - an informal afternoon tea and sandwiches social for people from the neighbourhood.
Contact: Warren Halligan
St Barnabas supports the work of the Centretown Churches Social Action Committee and the diocesan social services ministries by regular donations of food and response to other appeals for help from these ministries. Donations of food and toiletries left in the large barrel in the narthex are taken to the Food Bank on Catherine St by volunteers. At Christmas, Fr Kwari delivers poinsettias.
Contact: Allayne Evans
7. Streaming
Many of St Barnabas’ services are live-streamed and posted on YouTube, and volunteers are needed to operate the streaming equipment during the service. Training is provided!
Contact: Jordan Wynja
8. Choir
Music has always played a vital role at St. Barnabas. Our award-winning choir sings at the 10:30am Mass each Sunday (September-June), and at 4pm Solemn Evensong once a month. An audition is required for new applicants, and Choral Scholarships are available for students.
Contact: Shawn Potter (organist and choirmaster)
9. Garden
Our church gardens and green spaces are much appreciated by parishioners and the general public. Various tasks need to be performed throughout the growing season: mowing lawns, weeding, planting annuals, trimming bushes and trees, raking leaves, etc.
Contact: Julie Cross or Wesley Warren
10. Sunday School
The Sunday School for small children requires assistance with preparing materials for classes, setting up and putting away furniture and equipment on Sunday mornings, and assisting children. Volunteers are also needed on occasion with sewing or woodworking skills and for special events. Expressions of interest are also welcome from those who would like to learn more about working directly with the children.
Contact: Catherine Schwartz (email sundayschool@stbarnabasottawa.com.)
11. Decorating
The church is decorated a number of times throughout the liturgical year: Harvest Thanksgiving, Christmas, Easter, etc. Tasks include obtaining materials, arranging displays, cleaning up, etc.
Contact: Gary Rourke (sacristan) or Wendy Warren
12.Other Activities
There are other Parish functions from time to time which need volunteers. The most important is the annual Bazaar in late November, which needs a lot of volunteers for setting up and taking down, for sorting and pricing, and for hospitality. Speak to Fr Kwari or the wardens to find out who the contact person is.
You are also encouraged to participate in the annual Vestry Meeting in late February. This is the annual general meeting of the Parish, at which parishioners decide on the budget for the year, elect volunteers for positions such as church wardens, and do other important business. It gives a good “snapshot” of the Church’s activities.
13. And most importantly...
The most important thing we can all do is to attend Mass regularly (and please consider including a weekday Mass in your schedule), and to uphold the Church’s work daily in your prayers. Not something we normally think of as a volunteer activity, but it is central to our ministry and to the life of the Church!