​ What is the Vestry? ​ The Vestry is a group of elected congregational leaders within the congregation of an Episcopal church. Its basic responsibility is to: Help define and articulate the mission of the congregation; Support the mission by word and deed; Elect a rector when the need arises; Ensure effective organization and planning; Ensure adequate resources in leadership and in financial stewardship; Manage resources effectively; Determine that appropriate programs, policies, and procedures have been developed and are followed; Assess its own performance. It has some similarities to a board of directors, but it is important to remember that this ministry of leadership is exercised within a church. The success of a congregation is not measured in terms of numbers of members or size of the endowment, but rather in the degree to which it is working toward fulfillment of the mission of the Church. ​ Vestry Current Vestry The Rev. Terry Street, Rector Geoff Albert, Sr. Warden Bill Rogers, Jr. Warden Patti Solomito, Clerk ​ ​ Rebecca Holley Tom Maslowski Shannon Mullins ​ Tina Stephens ​ Greg Temple Jessica Heckle (Treasurer) ​

Celebration of Life & Life Everlasting of Hester May Boyd September 10, 1923 - February 4, 2021

I'm New.... What To Expect Expect to be warmly welcomed. Expect to be with people who enjoy being together, laughing and talking. Expect to see people and families just like yours. Expect to feel at home. Expect to be with people who are committed to worship, fellowship and discipleship. ​ What Should I Wear Please be comfortable. There are no strict dress codes. Discretion is always appreciated. ​ What Time s are Services 8:00 AM Sunday service is a contemplative service, with no music. 10:30 AM Sunday service is a full Holy Eucharist, with organ and singing. 12:10 PM on Wednesday offers Holy Communion and Healing Service.

The Evangel *The Evangel is published monthly, except in July Articles, news events, updates on your organization and more should be submitted to the Parish office. Have an article or an update, send it via email: office@stphilipmemphis.org * As soon as we have information about when we can start full worship and activities again, we post the new monthly newsletter on this page. For the present time, we have posted our latest newsletter and will post Weekly Parish Updates and archive of newsletters and updates on the two subpages in this section.

Scouting Ministry St. Philip opened their doors 13 years ago to Troop 10263. In 2017, they welcomed troops 10339 & 10007. Adding Troop 10343 later that year. In addition to allowing our troops to meet there, they also host our monthly service unit meetings and many additional Service Unit and Troop events. Despite recent surgery, Father Terry gave the invocation at our Investiture and Rededication Ceremony. He offered additional storage space for Troop 10339 during cookie season as well. The Parish assisted in collecting donations for the Memphis Animal Shelter with troop 10007 and the children's home in 2017. We have used their kitchen for World Thinking Day treats and other badge work cooking. The office includes Girl Scout updates and activities in their monthly newsletter as well. We couldn't ask for a better community partner. We are truly blessed to have St. Philip Episcopal Church and their staff as our hosts.

Episcopal Church Lectionary with Scripture Links If you want to study the four scriptures readings (Old Testament, Psalms, Epistle, & Gospel) for any Sunday or Holy Holiday, you are invited to check out the Episcopal Church Lectionary site. It is in calendar form. For each Sunday or Major Holy Holiday, there are links to the biblical verses. These "lessons" can be downloaded in a MS Word document format. Planning Ahead? Use these calendars 2021 Liturgical Calendar 2022 Liturgical Calendar Reverse Lectionary NEW Resource: RCL Daily Reading s

Worship Lay Ministries During times of Worship, there are several lay participates who actively contribute to our Holy experience. These people are Parish members and their ministry actions represent the worship community with Holy participation. If you are interested in serving the ministry of the church in any one of these capacities, please contact the Church Office: office@stphilipmemphis.org . ​ Acolytes An important ministry for our youth and adults is to serve as Acolytes. The word “acolyte” means “helper”. With the Acolytes’ responsibilities, they perform valuable services in helping those in charge of the Worship. At the beginning of the service, they are lighters of the candles and extinguishers of the flame at the end. During the processional, they may carry candles (torch bearers), banners, or the cross (crucifers) as the ministers and choir enter or exit the church. The Acolytes assist with the Gospel Procession when it is read from the center of the church. They also help with receiving the offerings from the congregation and assist the priest with his or her duties at the Altar. St. Philip welcomes worshipers who want to become a part of this vital ministry. Training is scheduled at convenient times for participants. ​ Ushers Parish ushers are persons who help ensure a smoothly running church service and who ministers to people in a variety of practical ways. Their duties include greeting people as they arrive for the service, assisting people with special needs, collecting the offering. St. Philip provides a pocket tag that easily identifies our ushers. As the worshipers arrive, the ushers will act as doorkeepers, greeting each person with a smile, shaking hands, and handing out bulletins. They are also available to answer visitors’ questions and extend extra help in seating those who need the assistance. They are ready to assist anyone in the congregation who might need help, to aid latecomers in finding a seat, and to inform those in the sanctuary of any urgent matters. The ushers will always present first-time visitors with a welcome gift bag. As a part of the liturgy, the ushers are responsible for taking up the church offering and then walk back toward the alter during a hymn of praise. They hand the plates to the Verger who then presents it to the Rector who blesses the tithes and offerings. Also, they count the number of worshipers so the Rector will know the amount of bread and wine to prepare for the Eucharist. After the service, ushers will again be at the door to greet the congregation as they leave and provide assistance as needed. The ushers will then make sure that the sanctuary is tidy, the thermostat is adjusted, and the lights are shut off. The heart of an usher is that of a servant, and he/she does this work for his Lord Jesus (Colossians 3:24 ). The church usher has a true love for the people of the Parish and a desire to promote an atmosphere of reverence and worship in the house of the Lord. . ​ Verger Ministry The term verger usually refers to a member of an Anglican Church who takes on the extra duties of planning the details of services, participating in religious processions, and can substitute for any worship role except Priest or Deacon. The word verger comes from the ceremonial staff or rod that the verger carries during these processions — in Old French, a verge is a "twig, branch, or wand of office." Vergers serve the church in a ministry of welcome. Often a visitor to a new parish church will see the verger in a simple black cassock moving about the church before the worship service, checking fonts, candles, and in general prepping the church for solemn worship. The verger is usually the first person a visitor meets and cheerfully responds to any inquiry concerning the upcoming service, church facilities or current program offerings. Logistically, a verger’s support allows the clergy more time for pastoral and sacramental responsibilities. Many of the other typical verger duties include assigning, training and checking in lectors, chalice bearers, acolytes and prayer intercessors. The verger coordinates with the altar guild and funeral guilds, checks lighting, and the Priest’s vestments and liturgical hangings. Above all, he/she works behind the scenes making sure that everything runs smoothly during the liturgy. All of the Verger's duties are specific to the church in which he/she serve and can evolve through many years under the direction of the rector. ​ Lay Eucharistic Ministers (LEM) Lay Eucharistic Ministers are licensed by the bishop to administer the consecrated elements of the eucharist. Lay eucharistic ministers may be licensed to administer the consecrated bread and wine at any celebration of the eucharist in the absence of a sufficient number of priests and deacons to assist the celebrant. They may also be licensed to go from a Sunday eucharist or other principal celebrations of the eucharist to share the sacrament with members of the congregation who were unable to be present at the celebration because of illness or infirmity. Lay eucharistic ministers may be licensed for either or both ministries. This ministry is understood to be an extraordinary ministry, and is not to take the place of the ministry of priests and deacons concerning the administration of the eucharist. ​ Lay Readers The Lay Reader volunteers to read the Scripture Lessons during worship services. The Book of Common Prayer directs that laypeople should read the lessons preceding the Gospel. The readers at St. Philip are provided a printed copy of Lessons well in advance so they may practice their reading. All scripture readings are derived from the Episcopal Church Lectionary . ​ Oblation Bearers Oblation Bearers are responsible for processing the oblations (the bread and wine to be offered for consecration) to the altar during the Holy Eucharist (Holy Communion). They also represent the entire congregation in which we offer our lives to God as a “reasonable, holy, and living sacrifice.” ​ Offering Counters The Offering Counters count the Sunday and special service offerings and prepare the receipts for bank deposit. They document the giving for the finance secretary who then enters the information in the church finance database, preparing a record for each giver.

Video of Service and Sermon the Week

Receiving Communion All baptized Christians are welcome to receive the Blessed Sacrament if they so desire and are prepared. If you do not wish to receive the bread or the wine, cross your arms over your chest and the priest will give you a blessing. To receive Communion, kneel at the Altar rail, if able, and hold your hands one on top of the other with your palms up. The priest will place the bread in your hand. If you wish to receive the wine by intinction (dipping the host in the wine), continue to hold the bread in your hand and the L.E.M. will dip it in the wine and place it on your tongue. If you do not wish to receive the wine, cross your arms over your chest and the L.E.M. will pass by. If you are unable to come to the Altar, please notify an usher and Communion will be brought to you. ​

Men's Club ​ Did you know, if you are an adult male and a member of St. Philip you are automatically a member of the Men's Club. Come join us for our next meeting. We enjoy a fellowship meal, discuss upcoming projects and activities, and get to know each other little better. We meet monthly on the 2nd Thursday at 6:30 in the Parish Hall. ​ ​ The Men of St. Philip continue to prepare a "Paul Bunyan" breakfast for our members, guests and visitors during the summer! ​ ​ ​ Gary Mullins President - Men's Club ​

Flower Guild The Flower Guild currently consists of dedicated parishioners who rotate Sundays. Each member is responsible for arranging or ordering flowers for the altar on her/his Sunday, as designated on our calendar. In addition to regular Sunday services, the Flower Guild takes care of ordering and placing the Easter lilies and Christmas poinsettias at St. Philip. We also handle the flowers for any special occasions such as a reception for the Bishop, the new Confirmands, etc. We welcome anyone who is interested to team with us. If you would like to serve in this ministry, please email the church office: office@stphilipmemphis.org .

What We Believe The Holy Trinity To Pray as our Lord Taught Us to Pray