Worship services at Grace Cathedral involve the participation of not only the clergy and those assembled, but also the support, assistance and coordination of several dedicated groups known as Liturgical Guilds. These groups work behind the scenes to prepare the necessary service materials and also participate in the service itself.

Membership prerequisites vary with some serving as an excellent introduction to a more involved worship experience for newer congregants and others requiring a more developed undestanding of liturgical procedures.

Key to all is the desire to enhance the worship experience for the individual and the community through service.

All worship services rely on the members of the Guild of the Transfiguration who enhance the ritual of the liturgy. Acolytes carry the cross, torches, and banners in procession and at the reading of the Gospel. Acolytes also assist the ordained ministers at the altar as servers delivering the elements for the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist.

For more information about the Guild of the Transfiguration and how you can get involved, please visit our website or contact us by e-mail.

The Altar Guild is responsible for preparation and maintenance of all of the altar linens and vessels. On a monthly rotation, members commit to several hours of laundering and ironing linens, polishing silver, and setting up all of the weekly services. Responsible, organized, and detail-oriented people who derive pleasure from behind-the-scenes work are needed.

For more information about the Altar Guild and how you can get involved, please e-mail us.

The Bread Bakers Guild prepares the loaves of bread used for Holy Eucharist at Sunday services. This is a wonderful opportunity for home bakers to share in the sacramental life of Grace Cathedral.

For more information about the Bread Bakers' Guild and how you can get involved, please e-mail us.

Flower Guild members help arrange floral decorations throughout the Cathedral for all services.

For more information about the Flower Guild and how you can get involved, please e-mail us.

Lay Eucharistic Ministers (LEM I) are chalice bearers who assist in administering Holy Communion. Lay Eucharistic Ministers (LEM II) are chalice bearers who are called to the special ministry of carrying the consecrated bread and wine from the Eucharist to homebound parishioners. Lay Anointers are specially trained lay people called to share in the Cathedral's ministry of healing, through prayer and the laying on of hands, during the principal Sunday morning service.

For more information about lay eucharistic ministry and how you can get involved, please e-mail us.

Members of the Guild of St. John Chrysostom are responsible for the Old Testament and Epistle readings at the Saturday and Sunday services. They also participate in special services at Christmas and during Holy Week, including the reading of the Passion Gospel and the readings at the Great Vigil. A strong, articulate voice is required. Auditions are conducted periodically during the year.

For more information about the Guild of St. John Chrysostom and how you can get involved, please e-mail us.

Ceremonial vergers escort the processions carrying staffs of symbolic authority. Vergers also lay out and put away the vestments before and after a service. Training is required and is offered a couple of times a year. The Guild encourages aspiring members to be familiar with Episcopal liturgy or to reside in the congregation for at least a year before applying.

For more information about this liturgical guild and how you can get involved, please e-mail us.

This mixed chorus provides an opportunity for experienced volunteer singers from the congregation and wider community to perform at several selected worship services during the year, as well as at a variety of special occasions. Rehearsals are held Wednesday evenings. Volunteers must have previous choral experience, read music, have a blending voice suitable for ensemble singing, and be available for all rehearsals. Auditions are scheduled periodically throughout the year.

For more information about the Cathedral Singers group and how you can get involved, please e-mail us.