Acolytes carry crosses (crucifer) or torches in processions and assist clergy during worship. Regular training offered, open to adults and children 5th grade and older.

Ambassadors provide a welcoming presence in the church entryway before and after worship services, especially engaging with visitors and newcomers.

Altar Guild prepares the sanctuary for worship services, organizing silver, linens, communion supplies, and candles. Altar Guild service is a sacred responsibility, and its members serve at the invitation of the Rector.

Ushers play the important role of helping every worshipper find their way. We seat people, manage doors, receive the collection, maintain traffic flow during communion, and help with other logistics during church services, as well as other important events in the life of the parish.

Lay Readers Lectors read the Lessons and lead the Prayers of the People for the congregation. Open to adults and children in 8th grade or higher, participants must be comfortable reading in public. Training offered before being scheduled to read.

The Flower Guild arranges the beautiful flowers that enhance the worship experience of our parish. Members make arrangements for Sunday worship, weddings, funerals, Christmas, Easter, and Palm Sunday. The Guild also creates small arrangements for homebound/hospitalized parishioners and Sunday visitors.

The Vergers at Bethesda provide discreet assistance for everyone who has an active role in the service.

This includes checking that all assigned volunteers have arrived on time, lining up and providing cues for processions to begin, and being the contact point for all worship ministers before, during, and after services.

Perhaps the most important role is supporting and serving the clergy and key worship ministers to allow them more time for pastoral and sacramental responsibilities.

Vergers are trained in the various roles required and are vested while serving.

For more information, please click here: worship@bbts.org

The Bethesda Choir is an all-paid ensemble, directed by the Associate for Music and Liturgy, whose chief responsibility is to lead Sunday worship. Rehearsals take place on Thursday evenings, September through May. The choir rehearses every Sunday morning and sings at the11:00 a.m. service.

There is also a choral service on the first Sunday afternoon of each month from October through May, and the choir plays an important role in numerous Holy Week and Christmas services, some of which include orchestral accompaniment. Some choir members are also scheduled to help lead the 9:00 a.m. Sunday service and/or the Summer Choir.

The choir’s repertoire focuses on cathedral-style music from the vast Anglican tradition. Strong sight-reading ability, and comfort with singing in straight tone, is required of all singers.

To schedule an audition, or to hear more detail about the program click here: choir@bbts.org