To support the broad and varied program of worship offered at Saint Mary's a number of traditional ministries have been identified and flourish within the church family. While there are any number of personal ministries which are not identified here, these are the ones which are most open to persons wishing to take a more active role in the worship life of the church:

Acolytes: Saint Mary's is proud of her large and well organized Corps of Acolytes. Beginning in the primary grades through adults, the membership of the Corps serves in processions and at the altar for all of the formal services offered by the church. Under the leadership of Dick Schwanke, Master of Acolytes, members of the Corps progress through several levels of skill until they reach the level of Master Acolyte.

Lay Readers (Eucharistic Ministers) : The Lay Readers of Saint Mary's serve at all of the Sunday and Holy Day services and officiate at the services of Morning Prayer. Readers are trained by the Rector and then enter a period of internship ending in their licensing as Lay Readers and Eucharistic Ministers. Readers preside at the Daily Office, assist in the administration of the Holy Communion, and officiate at services in the absence of the clergy. When needed, they can also assist the Rector in the carrying of the sacrament to the sick and shut-in. Assisting the clergy in the conduct of services is a group of volunteers who have been trained in the reading of lessons, the conduct of worship, and the administration of the chalice. Lay Readers, both male and female, are under the direction of the Rector.

Adult Choir: The Adult Choir is under the direction of Joan Barnett, also our Organist, and sings at both of the major Sunday services as well as on high holy days. They sing at the 9am service on the 3^rd, 4^th, and 5^th Sundays of the month and at the 11am service on the 1^st Sunday. The Choir rehearses in the church on Wednesday evenings at 7:00pm. Singers in all four ranges (satb) are welcome. The choir is composed of a dedicated group of volunteers who have committed themselves to providing quality music for the major services of the church.

Junior (Children's) Choir: The Children's Choir is under the direction of Bette Scarborough, who works with the assistance of Linda Anthony as children's accompanist and Irma Garvey. They sing throughout the academic year at the 9 am Sunday service on the 2^nd Sunday of each month and at the early service on Christmas Eve. The choir rehearses in the Great Hall following the Sunday School hour. This choir is composed of children in the second grade through high school.

The Ushers assist the congregation at the major services on Sunday and on Holy Days as needed. There is a separate group for each of the major services and they join forces on high holy days. The ushers serve at the pleasure of the Rector and are scheduled for services along with the Lay Readers. The ushers greet and assist the members of the congregation at main services of worship, helping to keep the services well ordered. Ushers are volunteers and new participants are welcomed. Contact the Rector at 410-569-2660 if you are interested.

Little Church: One of the curiosities among Saint Mary's programs is the "Little Church". This group is composed of the children who are "too small" to attend the regular worship service at 9am and who are under the care of our Cribbery staff. Liz Hale is the officiant and minister for this service, which trains children in the basics of public worship and teaches them prayers that are simple and useful in their budding spiritual lives. The Little Church gathers during the 9am worship hour each Sunday on the lower floor of the Educational Building.