VOLUNTEER
We give our time and talent
Feeding
We provide for the hungry
Though we are a small parish, we feed hundreds of people each month through our outreach ministries.
Hesed House shelter for the homeless in Aurora relies on church volunteers like ours to staff its overnight shelter and serve meals to the residents. Meals for the homeless are provided at Hesed House in Aurora. Our church is in charge of the third Saturday of every month, providing overnight assistance at the shelter, a hot breakfast, and a sack lunch to all of the guests.
Free Spaghetti Dinner is served from 4-6 p.m. on the last Sunday of every month. The parish hall turns into an Italian restaurant of sorts, with the delicious aroma of garlic tomato sauce wafting in from the kitchen. Take-out meals are also available.
Six-times a year we help the Sandwich Board in Aurora. Our parish organizes, prepares, and serves a meal to the hungry at this cooperative project of several Episcopal Churches, providing a sack lunch for about 150 people at Trinity Episcopal Church in Aurora. Volunteers are needed to plan, donate food, assemble, and transport the meals.​
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In 2023 we also began providing meals twice a month for Lazarus House in St. Charles. Early in the month we make a dinner for 30, and the last Sunday we send 30 spaghetti meals
St. Charles Episcopal Church sponsors several food drives each year, as well as ongoing donations, for the Tri-Cities Salvation Army Food Bank.
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We welcome you to join us in the parish hall for hospitality and enjoy coffee and other refreshments after each service on Sunday morning, where parishioners meet to get to know each other better and welcome new friends.
Spiritual
We pray with one another
Foundational to everything we do at St. Charles Episcopal Church is one simple act--prayer.
We pray with and for one another on Sundays and through several organizations, such as The Order of the Daughters of the King.
The Order of the Daughters of the King is an international women's order​ devoted to daily prayer, evangelism, service, ​​and personal spiritual development. Our parish chapter is named for St. Catherine of Siena. Prayer requests can be sent to scecdok@gmail.com
Healing Prayer Ministry members offer prayers for healing, laying on of hands, and anointing at all services on the 3rd Sunday of each month. Ministry members meet regularly at the church for study and prayers. Dates are in the Pulse.
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Home Eucharistic Ministers bring Eucharist to the sick, homebound, or those who cannot attend worship services for any reason. ​
The Prayer Shawl Ministry knits and crochets shawls, afghans, and baby blankets for those in need or to celebrate special occasions such as marriage, birth,​​ and graduation. Volunteers are welcome and will be taught if needed.
On our parish grounds we are fortunate to have our very own outdoor Labyrinth. A beautiful site for reflection and quiet prayer, a Labyrinth is a medieval tool for centering and meditating, in which one walks slowly on a maze-like path toward the center of a circle. Ours is modeled after the one in Chartres Cathedral in France and Grace Episcopal Cathedral in San Francisco.
Liturgical
We each have a part in our worship services
At St. Charles Episcopal Church, we encourage everyone to take an active part in the liturgy. There are many roles available, including Eucharistic Ministers, Lectors, Acolytes, and Altar Guild.
We also have Home Eucharistic Ministers who bring Communion to the sick or homebound.
Prepare
The Altar Guild serves God by preparing the altar and worship space for all services, maintaining the communion vessels and linens and the priest's vestments. This is a behind-the-scenes ministry that is essential to the orderly running of all liturgical services.
The Flower Guild arranges flowers for Sunday services and decorates for Christmas and Easter.
Persons interested in donating to the altar flowers fund can sign up in the parish hall.
Deliver - Inside the rail
Acolytes assist at the altar during worship services. Acolytes must be in at least the 5th grade. They assist the clergy in the following ways:
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Carry the cross in procession
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Carry torches if needed
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Deliver contents of credence table to priest
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Join in gospel procession
Lectors read selections from the Bible at liturgical services.
Lay Eucharistic Ministers assist the clergy in administering communion. They serve at the altar and assist during communion at the 9:30 a.m. Eucharist. LEMs are licensed by the bishop.
Intercessors recite prayers from the Book of Common Prayer and invite requests during the Prayers of the People.
Assist - Outside the rail
Ushers help with organization and running of services.
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Arrive 15 minutes before the service
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Place service bulletins at both doors to church
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Ring bell 5 minutes before the service
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Count number of attendees
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Collect the alms
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Take collection to the acolyte at communion rail
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Follow the choir to front pew and invite people to receive communion, row by row.
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Community
We reach out to those around us
Our church is host to multiple organizations and lends its space for meetings of the Alcoholics Anonymous. If you would like to use our space, please contact the office.
Many of our parishioners are involved in outside organizations, such as the Fox River Valley Initiative, and have made subgroups at our church.
The parish offers its facilities to a number of 12-step support groups for people with addictions. See the church calendar for exact meeting times for Alcoholics Anonymous groups and Al-Anon. .
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Are you looking for a space for your group to meet? We may have the perfect spot. ​Contact the church office at 630-584-2596.