ALTAR GUILD
The Altar Guild is the ministry of preparing and maintaining the vessels and vestments used at the altar. Members are trained and assigned to a rotating schedule that is responsible for the services during a given week. Contact Sandy Stantz for further information.
CHOIR
The choir provides musical leadership for congregational singing as well as performing musical enhancements to the worship experience. Contact Pearl Kiellman for further information.
DAUGHTERS OF THE KING
The Order of the Daughters of the King (DOK) is a spiritual sisterhood of women dedicated to a life of Prayer, Service and Evangelism. Members have made a commitment to Jesus as Savior, and follow Him as Lord of their lives. DOK is an Order for women who are communicants of the Episcopal Church, churches in communion with it, or churches in the Historic Episcopate. Membership includes women in the Anglican, Episcopal, Lutheran (ELCA) and Roman Catholic churches. The St. Edmund’s chapter was formed in 2006. Contact Ruth Adams for further information.
EDUCATION & COMMUNICATIONS
Christian education covering various subjects, including Bible study, is offered periodically. A parish newsletter is published monthly that includes items by the clergy, ministry coordinators, and others from the congregation. Contact Father Jim Williamson for further informationl
EPISCOPAL CHURCH WOMEN
ECW is the fellowship and service organization for women in the Episcopal Church. The women of St. Edmund’s Church were the leaders in generating the funding for the building of the present 1930 church building. ECW meets monthly. The women of the congregation do much of the work around the parish, are involved in outreach efforts, and provide funding for special projects. Their efforts include the United Thank Offering in-gathering, “Undies Sunday” for collecting new underwear for needy school-age children, during Advent gifts are collected for foster children in need of Christmas gifts, and Easter baskets are provided for children in the foster care system. Contact Carolyn Robins for further information.
HOSPITALITY
Each member of the congregation is called to the ministry of hospitality. Visitors are welcomed and new members are incorporated into the life of the congregation. Specific individuals participate in serving as "Greeters" at the Sunday Eucharist. Following the Sunday Eucharist, food and refreshments are available in the parish hall. It is a time for members and visitors to socialize and interact with each other.
LITURGICAL MINISTERS
Members of the congregation fully participate in the liturgies and worship services. Acolytes assist at the altar. Lectors read the Scriptures. Eucharistic Ministers assist with the distribution of Holy Communion. Contact Deacon Robert Vaughn for further information.
MEN'S GROUP
Unstructured and informal, the Men's Group consists of male members of the congregation who do periodic projects around the church. The group provides the Shove Tuesday Pancake Supper.
OUTREACH MINISTRIES
Attending to needs of people in our community is understood at St. Edmund Church to be an essential call of the Gospel of Jesus and mandated in our Baptismal Covenant. The congregation is responsive to need in the community and engages in various levels of involvement from financial support to hands-on endeavors. The local Habitat for Humanity and DeSoto Cares Homeless Services both started under leadership provided by the congregation. Individuals and families benefit from assistance offered during times of crisis. Each year the congregation participates in supporting children in the foster care system and gives two $1000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors. Participating with the Diocese of Southwest Florida, Episcopal Relief & Development funding has been used to assist local families with post hurricane (Hurricanes Ian & Milton) recovery. Contact Deacon Robert Vaughn for further information.