The Role of the Laity

Lay people at Saint Mary's serve in worship in a variety of special ways: as choir members, acolytes, altar guild members, ushers, lectors, Lay Eucharistic Minister Type I (LEM I), and Lay Eucharistic Minister Type II (LEM II). While our bishop, when present, or, otherwise, our rector, presides at our worship, the Eucharist is celebrated by the entire community. Thus all lay and ordained persons at Saint Mary's are ministers of the Eucharist and are sent forth from the Eucharist as ministers to the world.

This page explains three of these special forms of Lay service: LEM I, LEM II, and Lector. If you feel called to serve God and your fellow Christians in these or other ways, we hope you'll accept this invitation to join us in this important and rewarding work.

Sharing God's Word: The Role of the Lector

The job of the Lector is to read scripture or lead the congregation in prayer during church services. When a service is informal or attended by a small group, the celebrant may ask anyone present to read or pray aloud with little or no preparation. During Sunday morning services at St. Mary's, the role of the Lector is a little more formal. Lectors are scheduled in advance and have the opportunity during the preceding work to prepare and practice. In a typical St. Mary's Communion service, a Lector will participate at three points during the first half of the service: by reading each of two lessons drawn from the Bible, and by leading the congregation in the Prayers of the People. Learn more...

Serving at the Altar: The Role of the LEM I

The Lay Eucharistic Minister Type I, or LEM I, assists in the celebration of Holy Communion by administering the chalice. At St. Mary's, one or two LEM I's generally participate at each Communion service. Learn more...

Beyond the Church Walls: The Role of the LEM II

The Lay Eucharistic Minister Type II, or LEM II, brings Holy Communion to those from our parish family who can't be with us in church due to illness or infirmity. If you are a LEM II, you'll be administering the bread and wine in the home of a fellow parishioner or sometimes in a hospital room. It's a form of ministry that is greatly appreciated by by those who receive it, and a very meaningful extension of the devotional experience for those who offer it. Learn more...

Additional Information

You can learn more about this ministry here...