Lay Eucharistic Ministers

Lay Eucharistic Ministers (LEMs) are trained according to diocesan requirements and are licensed by the bishop. They assist the priest at the altar during worship (bearing the chalice, reading the prayers, lighting candles, and accepting the offering).

Readers

Lectors read the lessons at worship on Sunday mornings and special services. They are not required to be licensed, but do receive some training.

Ushers

Ushers are scheduled for each worship service. They greet people as they arrive, distribute bulletins, and assist anyone who needs help to and from worship. One usher is assigned the 8 AM service and two the 9:15 AM service on Sundays.

Acolytes

Acolytes light the candles, carry the cross in procession, and serve the priest at the altar during the Holy Eucharist. At St. James, acolytes must be at least 7 years old. Acolyte training is offered several times a year.

The Choir

The 9:15 AM choir consists of about twenty people who offer their rich voices to lead the congregation in hymns and all service music. Rehearsals are Fridays at 5 PM and again on Sunday morning at 8:30 AM before the service. The choir sings for other special worship services too, and many of our singers are members of the Taos Community Chorus. Some members, with other parishioners, also are in the bell choir, which makes beautiful music during special services and events.

Altar Guild

These dedicated volunteers work behind the scenes to make sure the altar is sparkling clean and properly set. They place the flowers, set out elements for the Eucharist, wash and iron linens, clean and polish serving pieces, and generally make sure God's house is clean and ready for company. Duties are rotated among members of the guild.

Sunday School Teachers

We have a group of dedicated teachers, each of whom conducts a class every few weeks in a rotating system.

Pastoral Care Committee

Get involved with the Pastoral Care committee, which meets once a month to plan support for fellow parishioners.

Singers and Ringers

We always have room for more singers and ringers. Add your voice to our fine choir, or your musical skill to our bell choir.

Stewardship Groups

A Stewardship Committee plans fundraising events and coordinates a year-round program of financial stewardship. The Green Committee guides the parish in efforts to protect the environment and our planet.  

Outreach Volunteers

Our outreach programs are diverse and deep. And volunteers are the key to the success of these programs, which reach into the community to serve needs for food, emergency assistance, prescription support, gifts for foster kids, homelessness, domestic abuse. Our music education program supplants the shrinking offerings at community schools and expensive private programs. If you want to help, there is a spot for you.

Quarterly Newsletter

We welcome contributions to our quarterly newsletter, Good News, which is published in February, May, August, and November. Articles about a topic of interest to readers should be submitted by the middle of the month preceding the issue month.

Communications Committee

The Communications Committee has responsibility for letting the Taos community and our own internal community know about all the exciting things going on here at St. James.  We use all channels of communication available to us, including the newsletter, Sunday bulletin, e-mail announcements, bulletin board, and so on.

Getting Out the News

We can always use a little help getting the newsletter out to readers every month. A group of four or five volunteers fold and address the issue in the last week of each month.

Boyz and Girlz in the Hood

Seasonal and occasional work days by this group focus on the physical needs of the parish. There is always a need for crew members.

Sunday Coffee Hour

Volunteers help set up the coffee service for Sunday mornings, and provide delicious treats to share. A sign-up sheet enables parishioners to choose a Sunday they wish to participate.

Building Committee

The Building Committee has coordinated construction over the years, during our growth spurts, and keeps its eye on needed building improvements and acquisitions. Architectural planning and interior design are part of that mandate, along with design for memorials on the property and for an ongoing inventory of art works, furnishings, and equipment.

Facilities Management

The Facilities Management group is in charge of day-to-day operations and maintenance. Leasing and upkeep of the rectory and casita are part of that charge, along with operating and assuring usability of the kitchen and meeting other maintenance and housekeeping needs. Events planning is also in the group's responsibilities. Activities by the Boyz and Girlz in the Hood are coordinated through the Facilities Management group.

Wedding Coordinators

A Weddings Committee works to ensure that St. James is a welcoming location for weddings. Some members, acting as wedding coordinators, work with couples to smooth the way toward a perfect wedding at the church, providing information about local services and assisting with facilities and music decisions.

Events Coordination

St. James is a busy place, with parishioners and community groups using the spaces for meetings, workshops, classes, and projects. Help coordinate scheduling and concierge support for events.

Hospitality

Our hospitality volunteers ensure that building uses by outside groups go smoothly for everyone. In a concierge role, our hosts meet groups, handle keys and security issues, and take care of details that assure a secure and comfortable experience in the St. James spaces.

Contributing Time and Talent

Click here for a PDF form that enables you to select a program or committee to which you would like to offer your talent and experience. Send or deliver the form to us so that the program or committee chair can contact you.

Food Pantry Preparation and Distribution

On Mondays, mid-day, volunteers work a sort of assembly line, preparing the bags of food that will be distributed.

On Thursday afternoons, volunteers distribute the food. A special team of strong-backed people pick up and unload perishable groceries earlier that day.

Rummage Sales and Holiday Bazaar Volunteers

These events rely on the enthusiastic help of volunteers who transport items to the church for sale, set up the parish hall so that merchandise is attractive and accessible, and "work" the sales. A separate group works together to cook, serve, and wait tables at the Holiday Cafe.

The Giving Tree Helpers

Make decorative ornaments for our Giving Tree. Wrap packages for kids. Shop for presents. Our Giving Tree project is all about celebrating the spirit of Christmas. Want to be a helper?

Emergency Assistance Interviewers

People who come to St. James for emergency help with bills or food or other needs are interviewed by trained volunteers, who keep regular hours at our front entry area. We need not only kind hearts but wise souls.

Contributing Financial Support

Click here for a PDF form you can fill in and mail, deliver, or fax to us, if you would like to make a financial donation to support our outreach programs. You may designate specific programs.