WORSHIP LEADERS
ALTAR GUILD
Members care for the altar linens, set up and clean Communion vessels, and arrange flowers for altar bouquets. Instruction is provided, and new members will be paired with an experienced person until they feel confident. Each member helps on 6-8 Sundays during the year.
ASSISTING MINISTERS
Lead the chanting of the kyrie, hymn of praise, and psalm in the Sunday liturgy, read the prayers, and assist with the distribution of bread or wine at Communion. Training is required.
COMMUNION ASSISTANTS
Are confirmed members who distribute wine during Communion. Training is required.
GREETERS
Are friendly individuals or families who agree to be at the front door 20 minutes before worship to welcome members and visitors.
LECTORS
Read the first lesson (Old Testament) and second lesson (Epistle) at Sunday worship services. It requires an ability to read clearly and a willingness to serve occasionally, according to a prepared schedule.
OFFERING TELLERS
Work in two-person teams, as assigned, and count the offering either immediately after the 11:00 a.m. Sunday service or on Monday mornings. Training is provided.
USHERS
Serve as important “ministers of welcome” on Sundays. Ushers arrive before the service to hand out bulletins, take the offering, and help provide an orderly flow to and from the Communion rail. Written guidelines, as well as periodic training, are provided.
WORSHIP & MUSIC COMMITTEE
Along with the pastors and music staff, coordinates and supports all aspects of our worship and music.
LEADERSHIP & ADMINISTRATION
AUDIT COMMITTEE
An elected, ad hoc committee that audits the church’s books.
CEMETERY COMMITTEE
Helps coordinate all aspects of our cemetery’s operation. Find out more in the Cemetery section.
CONGREGATIONAL COUNCIL
Members are elected for three-year terms at the congregation’s Annual Meeting in May. Our twelve Congregation Council members meet on the third Wednesday evening of every month for Council meetings, and they attend an annual Saturday retreat, usually in late September or early October. Council members also serve as Council representatives on committees. The Council is responsible for setting policy and direction for the congregation, and for delegating the details involved in carrying that direction forward.
FINANCE COMMITTEE
Monitors the church’s investments and prepares an annual budget which is submitted to the Congregation Council and the Congregation. The committee also advises the Treasurer on all financial matters of the church and consults with the Nursery School Committee in preparation of their budget.
NOMINATING COMMITTEE
Elected at the Annual Meeting in May. It is an ad hoccommittee which nominates candidates for Council, Audit, and Nominating Committees the following year.
PRESCHOOL COMMITTEE
Supports the program, assists in making policy, and sets a budget for Prince of Peace Pre School, a Monday-Friday program for 3 and 4 year olds, as well as pre-kindergarten 5 year olds.
PLANNING COMMITTEE
Develops long-range plans for the future of the church, keeping in mind the needs of its members and the community.
PROPERTY COMMITTEE
Approves and monitors building use, and coordinates and executes ongoing and emergency maintenance of all church-owned buildings and grounds.
STEWARDSHIP COMMITTEE
Stimulates us to offer our lives joyfully to God in thanksgiving for what God has given us. The committee coordinates the annual pledge drive and encourages church members to use their time, talents, and treasure in service to God.
FELLOWSHIP
COFFEE HOUR HOSTS
Set up coffee before the 8:15 a.m. service or clean up after the 11:00 a.m. service. The Church provides supplies; hosts serve 4-8 times a year.
FRIDAY NIGHT LIVE
Friday Night Live is an event open to all adults in the church. The group meets the third Friday of each month at 7:00pm. Its purpose is to provide members with the opportunity to socialize and grow in fellowship with one another. The group gathers at a different host home each month to enjoy good food and conversation.
Each couple attending is asked to bring an entrée (to feed 6) and an appetizer, or a side dish, or a dessert. A single person only needs to bring one of the above. The host family provides the paper products and drinks.
Call the church office for the current Friday Night Live schedule. The sign-up sheet is posted in the church Narthex. We hope you will join us!
WELCOMING COMMITTEE
Explores and facilitates ways to invite people to Prince of Peace, to welcome visitors, and to include new members in the life of the church.
WOMEN OF E.L.C.A.
Meet periodically for spiritual, social, and service events. An annual retreat is offered in the spring at Camp Calumet. Opportunities are also available for participation in women’s synodical activities.
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION
ADULT FORUM
Held between services, beginning at 9:30 a.m. Various topics are presented throughout the year by volunteer leaders and by the pastors. Leaders are given the opportunity to suggest topics, which can include such areas as social and world issues, beliefs and the church.
Click here to view a presentation given by Gerald H. Nabozny, Ph.D. on Embryonic Stem Cell Research, What it is, What it is not and How we think about it. (2009)
BIBLE STUDY
Bible Studies will begin again at Prince of Peace, in September. In the past we studied several Book of Faith initiative Bible Studies including: People of Faith: Adam, Abraham, Sarah, Jacob; People of Faith: Rachel, Joseph, Moses, Joshua; Book of Faith: Genesis; Together in Faith: God’s Standard or Gold Standard: Studies in Proverbs; Together in Faith: God’s Will for Life: Studies in Mark; For more information about the Book of Faith initiative, see: www.bookoffaith.org. Check the table in the narthex or call 203-775-9070 for up to date information on Bible Studies.
There is a Women’s Bible Study on the third Wednesday of the month from September to June.
SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS & SHEPHERDS
Sunday School Teachers for first-sixth grade students teach as a part of the Cornerstones curriculum, which is a workshop rotation model for Sunday School. Each teacher chooses a way of teaching a Bible story or lesson about faith from the lessons available from Cornerstones and then teaches that lesson to three different age groups over three weeks. They are assisted in class by Sunday School Shepherds who are other adults who stay with each class from week to week, to provide continuity for the children.
Teachers for the pre-K class and for the 7th-10th grade class use curriculums chosen by the teachers in order to introduce young children a basic understanding of God, his love for them, and his activity in the world and to help older children to see how God is at work in and relevant to their lives.
Substitute teachers teach a class when a regular teacher is absent.
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL TEACHERS
Vacation Bible School Teachers participate in the Brookfield Ecumenical Vacation Bible School. This very popular summer offering usually draws about 200 children.
SUNDAY SCHOOL COMMITTEE
Plans and implements Christian Education for children including Sunday School and Prince of Peace’s participation in the Brookfield Community Vacation Bible School. More information is available under the Youth section.
CARING MINISTRIES
BROOKFIELD FOOD PANTRY
Collection and distribution of non-perishable foods to those in need.
CASSEROLE MINISTRY
Prepare casseroles for Prince of Peace family members in need.
COLLEGE MINISTRY
Members of Prince of Peace send letters, cards, and care packages to Prince of Peace college students.
DAILY BREAD, DANBURY
A volunteer organization, located at 25 West St in Danbury – behind St. James Episcopal Church. Volunteers welcome and record the customer’s names, assist them with their food selection, pack the bags and restock the shelves as necessary. Each Monday and Friday approximately 60-100 bags of food are distributed to people and families in need from the Greater Danbury area. Each bag contains the basic items that will provide three daily meals for a household of four, for three to four days. Prince of Peace is committed to work about five times a year. Work begins about 9:00 a.m. and ends about 11:30 a.m.
EUCHARISTIC MINISTERS
Receive training to take communion to any member who is unable to come to church worship services on a regular basis.
PARISH LIFE COMMITTEE
Plans and carries out important social events such as the weekly coffee hour on Sundays, receptions after funerals (when requested), and other social events.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Help to actually build homes for persons in need.
LOAVES AND FISHES, NEW MILFORD
A volunteer organization, located on the Green in New Milford, which serves food to those in need. Loaves and Fishes provides one hot meal a day to 30-50 people and supplies them with an additional brown-bag lunch. Volunteers assist with preparing and serving the food (provided by Loaves and Fishes), prepare the lunches, and clean up the dishes and kitchen. Prince of Peace is committed to work on the second Sunday of each month. Work begins about 2:30 p.m. and ends about 6:00 p.m.; serving is from 4:30-5:30 p.m.
NAOMI CIRCLE
A group of women who meet the first Monday afternoon of every month to sew quilts and other items which are sent to hospitals or to others in need. As with any good sewing group, good conversation and personal support are included.