Ministries: Our Shared Life

Altar Guild

Everyone who enters our sanctuary or chapel to attend Sunday, Easter or Christmas services, First Wednesday Chapel Eucharist, baptisms, marriage ceremonies or memorial services witnesses the work of the members of the Altar Guild. The Guild members arrange altar and chapel flowers, care for the linens, brass and silver, and assure that the vestments and banners are ready for each service and season. During Christmas and Holy Week they beautify the church with special decorations.

The Guild is divided into rotating teams comprising two or three members. Each team determines its own preparation schedule; however, most teams meet for 30 – 40 minutes on a Friday or Saturday. On Sunday morning one team member cleans up after the 8am service and the others clean up after the 10am service.

Mary Cloutier coordinates the altar flower donations, contacting people who have given flowers in the previous year, communicating with the florist and providing Grace Notes bulletin announcements. If you’d like to donate or arrange flowers, please talk with Mary.

Sheila Baraze (sbaraze@pacbell.net), Mary Cloutier (cloutier_34@yahoo.com), and Arlene Leslie (arleneleslie@comcast.net) serve as co-directors and share the responsibilities for coordinating Guild activities.

All interested men, women, people, and teenagers are invited to join this ministry. We’re seeking additional members so there can be 3 and possibly 4 members per team.

Building and Grounds Team (BAGS)

All Saints’ Buildings and Grounds Committee (often referred to by its acronym, BAGS) oversees short and long-term maintenance of five buildings and their attendant systems (such as HVAC and A/V) and grounds: the Sanctuary, Education and Office Buildings, Parish Hall, plus the Rectory located in Mountain View. The Committee is composed of seven volunteer parishioners who complement each other in terms of skills and abilities, but who are all committed equally to the physical and aesthetic well-being of the campus and Rectory. A part-time Sexton aids them.
Contact John Sack jrsack@gmail.com or Margaret Weil.  margaretweilpa@gmail.com

Eucharistic Visitor Ministry

The Eucharistic Visitor Ministry to the sick and home-bound at All Saints Episcopal Church Palo Alto is carried out by men and women who have been trained for this ministry. Eucharistic Visitors (EVs) are first trained as Eucharistic Ministers (EMs – lay persons who assist the priest at the altar during services). Eucharistic Ministers usually serve as EMs for two years before they take EV training. After the Sunday service, the EV takes the Blessed Sacrament to persons confined to home or hospital, so that they are linked not only to Christ but also to the gathered worshiping community. The EVs serve an important role in augmenting the sacramental ministry provided by the clergy. EVs also coordinate with the pastoral care team to facilitate other needed services to parish members. This ministry was authorized by the national church in 1985 and All Saints Episcopal Church Palo Alto has had EVs since that time. If you would like to join this ministry or receive EV services, contact Margaret Astesano our Parish Administrator at Contact Us.

Lay Assistants (Eucharistic Ministers)

All Saints Episcopal Church Palo Alto is blessed to have dedicated Eucharistic Ministers (EMs). Every Sunday one EM assists at the 8am service and two assist at the 10am service.  If anyone (man or woman) is interested in becoming a Eucharistic Minister, or just interested in learning more about this ministry, please contact Mother Ajung (Contact the Rector) or Arlene Leslie (arleneleslie@comcast.net). Training will be provided! Come be a part of this important ministry!

Men’s Group

All Saints Episcopal Church Palo Alto Men’s Group is an open forum where men can talk with other men about common issues of living in a multi-racial, multi-ethnic, multi-faith community such as Palo Alto. The Men’s Breakfast Group meets the fourth Tuesday morning each month from 8-9:30 to enjoy coffee, pastries, and conversation. As men we share spirituality and support for each other in personal difficulties and triumphs alike. We bear witness to each other’s lives. Together, the men also prepare the parish Christmas dinner and Easter meal, along with at least one dinner for Hotel de Zink.

Contacts: Ken Van Bree or John Tinsley,
Mail: jtinsley@usgs.gov

Music Ministries

Liturgy and music making at All Saints Episcopal Church Palo Alto inspires us and holds us together. We are a congregation that loves to sing and to listen, both of which are assisted by our wonderful acoustic and our two fine Flentrop organs (as well as the grand piano and harpsichord). Our adult choir now numbers 26 members supporting the weekly Eucharist through hymns, descants, canticles, and anthems.

Anyone interested in joining the choir or otherwise contributing to the music of All Saints Episcopal Church Palo Alto, please contact Margaret Astesano our Parish Administrator at Contact Us.

Please contact Margaret Astesano our Parish Administrator at Contact Us.