St Philip's Parish Church

Altar Guild The Altar Guild began in the mid 1990s and interest in the group increased after the 1998 flower festival. The group is responsible for beautifying the church through various activities such as flower arranging, sewing and laundering of vestments. The guild’s fundraising comes from plant sales, bake sales and donations from the congregation to commemorate birthdays, anniversaries, memorials and church festivals. The “Adopt a Window” project at Harvest time, which was introduced by Canon Titus, is the main activity spearheaded by the group. This activity sees all organizations participating by “adopting” a window.	Altar Servers The role of the Altar Server is a very important ministry in the church. Their weekly routine includes carrying the torches, incense and the cross. They also assist the priest in ensuring that services run smoothly by having his vestments and the vessels ready for worship. The servers also lead the congregation in the responses and prayers of the church. In preparation for worship, it is the altar servers’ responsibility to ensure that all utensils are ready for use; this includes cleaning the vessels, polishing brass and washing purificators and corporal. This organization was once male dominated, but St. Philip’s Church created history in 1978 when it was the first church in the Diocese of Barbados to admit females to the Servants of the Sanctuary.	Bible Study The Bible study group started in April 1989, just after the Lenten season during Father Pemberton’s time. During Lent, nuns would conduct evening service on Tuesdays; that Tuesday evening tradition continued with a bible study. The group meets to study and discuss the various books of the Bible and apply the readings to daily life. They also give a gift to the church every Christmas from members’ donations. Occasionally, the group also holds Bible study at the homes of shut-in members.
Church Choirs The choir is an institution almost as old as the church itself, with a second choir introduced in 1994 to sing at the earlier service. The mission of the choir is, to promote the music ministry of the church through singing performances, both in the church and the wider community. The choirs sing most Sundays throughout the year and also perform at special activities such as the Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols, Lenten services, Harvest programme and the Patronal Festival. The choir has also holds workshops on choral training.	Church Army The aims and objectives of the Church Army are to minister to the sick, incapacitated and shut-ins in the diocese; to minister to others by holding open-air meetings; to minister to lapsed members of the Church; to support the poor spiritually and where possible, financially and to support the activities of the Church at the parochial and diocesan levels. At their regular meetings they have prayer sessions, testimonies and gospel shots. They also read the Bible, hold discussions and reflections on the readings. Their regular activities include visits to sick and shut-in members; fellowship with them during their anniversary services or Patronal Festivals; corporate worship on the fourth Sunday of each month and an anniversary service every August.	Health Guild The mission statement of the Health Guild reads “working together in harmony to assist all persons of the parish family in emergency care and promoting a healthy lifestyle” and their theme song is “Bind us together Lord.” The guild’s objectives are to assist any member of the congregation who may become ill during the service; to provide necessary support where care can be carried out; and to sensitize the parish family that their bodies are temples of God and how they should take good care of their bodies through healthy lifestyles. The guild’s major activities include organizing and hosting the breakfast stall at the Harvest Bazaar and Thanksgiving festival, managing a stall at the church fair; an annual Christmas luncheon for the shut-ins; attending the patronal festivals of other churches; and health lectures.
Men’s Fellowship The year 1974 saw the birth of the St. Philip’s Men Fellowship. Its objectives are to build up together their life on Christ and to promote fellowship among Christian men through worship, prayer and service; to promote good family life and create among men an awareness to be responsible citizens; to encourage men to bring up their children in the faith and life of the Church; to assist the poor and needy, and to support joint activities sponsored by the Church at Parochial, Deanery and Diocesan levels, as well as providing a means for circulating information among males in the Church. The Men’s Fellowship’s regular activities include promotion of culture and Christian relationship among members by worship, debates, lectures; visitation to sick and shut-ins including those at the St. Philip District Hospital; fellowship with Brother organisations through attendance at anniversary services and Patronal Festivals and assisting with the maintenance of the church, furniture fittings and churchyard.	Mission and Evangelism The Mission and Evangelism Group was commissioned in February 2001 with the purpose of “proclaiming the gospel and the Church’s witness to Jesus Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit by word and deed”. The group’s aims and objectives are to renew and develop among the congregation a personal commitment to Jesus Christ; to convert persons to Christianity; to equip and encourage members to share their faith with greater confidence; to encourage lapsed Anglicans to return to Church; and to persuade the people of our congregation to live as agents of God’s reconciling love in a broken and sinful world. The Mission & Evangelism Group’s activities include leading and participating in open air services; Bible study and reflection; and social fellowship activities; visiting the sick, shut-ins, bereaved and lapsed members; hosting cottage meetings, retreats and prayer and fasting sessions; drama presentations and donations to the church.	Mothers’ Union The Mothers’ Union as one of the oldest organisations in the Anglican Diocese has a responsibility to mothers and women to uphold the teachings of the church and to maintain a worldwide fellowship of Christians united in prayer, worship and service. This organization has as its aim “the advancement of the Christian religion in the sphere of marriage and family life;” and it is against this background that their programmes are planned. These programmes include- Cradle Roll and Young Parents’ group which is an outreach programme that targets parents of the church and encourages them to take an active part in the church and the Sunday School; Bible study and discussion; supporting activities hosted by other organizations; attending other churches to worship at anniversary services, patronal and dedication festivals; and organizing and participating in concerts.
Sunday School The role and function of the Sunday School is to bring young souls to Christ by teaching the children the same lessons that are being taught in church in an age-appropriate manner. The teachings and activities of the Sunday school are geared to bringing young minds to a fuller understanding of God and to fostering good relations with God, among themselves and their community. The talents and gifts of the children are showcased through voice, music and dance during this time and on other occasions like the Harvest Festival. The children attend and participate in Deanery and Diocesan activities as well as attend Patronal Festivals at other churches. The annual Easter party is usually the highlight of this organisation.	Ushers’ Guild The St. Philip’s Parish Church Ushers Guild was founded on January 15^th, 1997 under the leadership of Canon Noel Titus. An usher is a trained leader in the house of the Lord. As members of the congregation arrive for fellowship an usher is the first person they meet. Because first impressions are important, an usher bears awesome responsibility within the church. The foundation of the usher’s preparation, as in any Christian service is prayer. The work begins, continues and accomplishes its ultimate purpose in prayer. Their highlighted activities include adoption of two children offering assistance with their needs and workshops with guest speakers on various topical subjects.	Parochial Church Council The Parochial Church Council or the PCC is considered the governing body of the Church. It is charged with the responsibility of overseeing all matters pertaining to the church. These areas include the spiritual, financial, property management and social affairs of the Church. In keeping with the Constitution, Canons and Regulations of the Diocese of Barbados, the PCC is comprised of 12 members, 3 Synod representatives, Assistant Clergy and the Incumbent. The Incumbent or Priest –in-Charge chairs the meetings on occasions when they meet. From this group 3 persons are chosen to the post of Deanery Representative, Church Warden and Priest Warden.


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