Please contact our administrative office to learn more about any of the programs below
Office Phone: (804) 693-3035

Please click on one of the hyperlinks below to be directed to a specific topic.

Ministries and Programs

Below are some of the various ministries within Abingdon Church. 

Outreach:  Although Outreach actually falls within the topic of Ministry, our list of outreach ministries is so long, we have chosen to provide descriptions of our Outreach endeavors on a separate page.  Please click here to go to the Outreach web page.

Youth Ministries:  Like Outreach, our Youth Ministries are part of the overall category of Ministry.  But, because we feel the education, guidance, and active involvement are essential elements of our church, we have created a separate web page for our youth programs and activities.  Please click here to go to the Youth web page.

Other Ministries at Abingdon

Acolytes:  Our acolytes are the assistants to the priest and lay ministers during our Sunday worship services.  Contrary to common perceptions, acolytes do not have to be just the youth members of our congregation.   In fact, we have adult male and female acolytes that bless our services with their contribution of service to God.

Altar Guild:  Preparing the church, the altar, and the sacraments for each service is a rewarding task.  Our Altar Guild members tirelessly perform this tremendous service.

Arts at Abingdon:  Arts at Abingdon is one of those programs that can also be classified as an Outreach ministry.  Examples of these performances include the Virginia Symphony Orchestra, Tewkesbury England Boys Choir, and many more.  

The Arts at Abingdon is an arts series designed to provide music concerts to the public as an outreach program.  This highly visible program includes a series of free or low-cost concerts by local, national, and internationally renowned musical artists.  The concerts are held in the beautiful and acoustically outstanding Abingdon Church and boasts performers from all over the world as well as musicians from our own Gloucester County.  The committee of nine works year-round on fundraising, programming, and advertising, in order to have a successful program to present to the public.  The series relies solely on financial contributions from individuals in the community for each fiscal concert calendar.  

Past performers on the Arts at Abingdon series have included:  Choir of the Abbey School (Tewkesbury England); Gordon Stewart (English organist); Raleigh Ringers; Ensemble Amarcord (German a cappella group); Stephen Bennett (An internationally renown Gloucester musician); members of the Viginia Symphony; and Dr. Jennifer Hayghe (concert pianist).

 If you would like information about Arts at Abingdon or would like a brochure, please call the church office at (804) 693-3035. 

(This ministry is also shown on our Outreach web page.)

Bread Guild: For 20 years, home-bakes bread has been an important part of our 10:30 Eucharistic feast.  The Bread Guild lovingly kneads and bakes as a spiritual exercise in thanksgiving and in devotion to the community.  

Buildings and Grounds:  Our Buildings and Grounds committee, like all of our other ministries, is made up of volunteers who take on the selfless task of supporting the needs of our church.  This committee is responsible for the upkeep and maintenance of our historic church building, our parish house, and the beautiful church grounds.  Annually, we augment this team of volunteers during our Spring and Fall clean-up workdays.

Child Care:  We view child care as a ministry for our church members.  By providing this service, our staff and congregational volunteers provide assurance to parents that their children are safe, protected, and enjoying Christian teachings during our Sunday 10:30 AM worship services and during special events throughout the year.  Please click here to go to the Youth web page.

Choirs:  Abingdon is blessed by having multiple choirs to support our Sunday services and special occasions throughout the year.   Many of our services combine the talents of more than one of the different choirs.   Like all of our ministries, we welcome new volunteers to join us.  All that is required is a desire to "sing (or ring bells) unto the Lord."

     Children's Choir:   The Children's Choir is perhaps the most special choir within our church.   Whenever they bless us with their songs, every member of our congregation listens intently as our children combine their angelic young voices to praise God in song together.   They sing five to six times a school year and rehearse weekly, very enthusiastically, for 30 minutes.  Please click here to go to the Youth web page for more information on children's and youth programs.

     Youth Choir:   The youth choir is for grades 2^nd through 6^th.  The children sing every six to eight weeks and provide the music for the early Christmas Eve service.  They rehearse weekly for 30-45 minutes on vocalizing, literature, and hymns.  Please click here to go to the Youth web page for more information on children's and youth programs.

     Adult Choir:   The adult choir is the main provider and leader of music in the Abingdon worship service.  With membership exceeding twenty adult voices, the Adult Choir graces us with beautiful hymns and anthems at every Sunday 10:30 worship service and on special occasions during the year.  The choir meets weekly for rehearsals.  They work on anthems and service music for the Sunday service and have had opportunities to perform in concert.  We have had the pleasure of singing  Durufle’s Requiem with an English Boychoir, and participate in a choir workshop directed by a well-known conductor from England.  Our primary literature is based on the classical repertoire with some gospel, contemporary, and “oldies” mixed in.

Crucifers and Our Torch and Banner Bearers:  Although performing the duties of crucifer, torch bearer, and banner bearer is technically performed by our Acolytes, these roles require special mention.  During our procession into the church and recession at the conclusion of a service, these volunteers provide much of the solemn, regal air of our celebration of God's love.

Cursillo:  "Little Course" in Christianity is a simple definition of the Cursillo.  The Cusillo is a small group ministry that meets for prayer, support, and active ministry -- a discipline for Christian life.

Education:  We offer a wide array of religious education opportunities for our church members.  Below is a partial listing of these activities.

     Children's Sunday School:   We provide children's Sunday school education starting at 9:30 AM every Sunday for age 2 through the high school age group.   Our children's educational programs are designed to be fun and exciting, while closely interwoven with teaching our children about the Love and the Word of God.  Please click here to go to the Youth web page for more information on children's and youth programs.

     Adult Sunday School:   Adult education is provided every Sunday between our morning worship services.   These open forum discussions provide all participants an opportunity to learn and to share their views.

     Vacation Bible School (VBS):   During the summer months, we conduct Vacation Bible School.  Like all of our activities, membership at Abingdon is not a prerequisite for attendance at VBS.  This program is a fun-filled week of activities and excitement.  Please click here to go to the Youth web page for more information on children's and youth programs.

     Other Educational Programs:   Other educational activities include newcomer orientations, adult discussion groups, confirmation classes, Lenten studies, and other educational experiences throughout the year.

Episcopal Youth Fellowship (EYF):  We all know how hectic the lives of our teens can become.  And yet, our EYC membership and attendance is growing by leaps and bounds.  If you are a teenager or have a teenage child, we encourage you to check out this wonderful program for our youth.  Please click here to go to the Youth web page for more information on children's and youth programs.

Fellowship Gatherings:  We participate in numerous fellowship gatherings that involve us coming together as a community of worship.   Examples of these special activities and events are the annual Fall Oyster Roast, the Spring Pig Roast, Lenten Soup Suppers, Sunday Coffee Hour, Potato Bars after Sunday worship, meetings of our youth, men's group, and many more.  In other words, we strive to make fellowship within a church community a principal part of our lives.  (This ministry is also shown on our Outreach web page.)

Lay Eucharistic Ministers:  Assisting our clergy or performing as licensed servers of bread or wine at communion., our Lay Ministers enrich or worship services and allow us to expand our ability to provide communion to the homebound.

Lay Readers:  Each Sunday we are given a special gift by our lay readers.  These members of our congregation read the lessons of the Bible, lead us in prayer, and assist the our priest during baptisms, communion, and other special worship activities.

Long-Range Planning:  This committee develops a detailed long-range plan and presents to the vestry a unified statement of the goals and objectives to be attained in all facets of parish life.   The plan serves as a guide for the vestry and other committees in directing the various ministries and physical assets of the parish.

Men's Club:  Each month, the Men's Club meets to share in fellowship.  These dinner meetings, as well as Spring and Fall Clean-up Days, Sponsorship of the Pancake Supper, the Pig Roast, the College Scholarship, and assistance to the elderly and needy are just some of the examples of this vibrant organization of servitude to our community.

Nursing Home Ministries:    Each month, we provide Eucharist services for the residents of local nursing homes.  In addition, we visit these local facilities on many holidays throughout the year.  We have taken on this 'challenge' because we understand how important it is for all people to have the opportunity to share in God's Love through recurring worship services and fellowship.  We truly believe that we receive far more from the residents that we could ever give them.  (This ministry is also shown on our Outreach web page.)

Prayer Chain:  Our Prayer Chain is an intercessory group that provides support to those in despair, depression, or trouble.   This ministry is one of the few that provides twenty-four hour on-call support and on-going support for those in need.

Restoration and Preservation:  The aim of this committee is to ensure that any renovation or maintenance to our church building and associated eighteenth century grounds is reviewed by the committee with recommendations made to the vestry for action.

Sunshine Luncheon:  The retired members of our church form a vast pool of wisdom and talent for all members of our community.   Sunshine Luncheon's are an opportunity for these retirees to get together with their peers to share in fellowship in an informal setting.

Ushers:  The role of the usher is extremely important to us.  During or church services, ushers are always standing by to pass out bulletins, assist those in need, and assist in the passing of the offertory plates.  We are pleased to say that our usher male and female volunteers range from young teens to some of our oldest members.

Visitation:  Members of the visitation committee visit shut-ins, conduct phone call visits on a regular basis, provide transportation when needed for shut-ins, provide assistance after accidents, medical operations, family death or illness, and other crises.