Page update: July 2025
Hospitality Team
Provides refreshments and fellowship time following Sunday services. Also coordinates food and decor for wedding and funeral receptions, any special potlucks, lunches, and dinners.
Media Center and Sound Tech
Operates the media center which includes sanctuary screens and sound equipment for all services, special events, and programs.
Choir
Currently, we sing congregational hymns that are led by a song leader.
Musicians
The Music Ministry of Atwater UMC serves to glorify God and enhance the worship of our church through excellent and joyful choral and instrumental music. As we strive to grow as individuals, we hope that through blending our many gifts we can help ourselves, each other, and our entire community encounter God in a new and meaningful way.
Ushers
Ushers in a church escort people to open seats, help collect offerings and act as leaders in the act of worshipping. The job of church ushers is to maintain an atmosphere of reverence and order before, during and after the service.
Greeters
Church greeters play a vital role in creating a welcoming atmosphere for both members and visitors by providing a friendly first impression and offering assistance. They are the first point of contact for many entering the church and can significantly impact whether a visitor feels comfortable and included.
Acolytes
The word acolyte comes from the Greek word akolouthos, meaning follower, helper, or assistant. By the middle ages, acolytes were a clerical order. Acolytes may have any number of helping functions. They may carry the light, processional cross, banners, or Bible. They may also assist the pastor or other worship leaders with communion, baptism and other duties. Children and youth often serve as acolytes, but adults may serve as well.
Communion Stewards
Communion stewards in the United Methodist Church (UMC) prepare bread, wine, and communion ware for worship. Their duties include arriving early, receiving instructions, standing at a communion station for about 15 minutes, distributing elements, and helping with clean-up. They also facilitate communion for members unable to attend services. Stewards are trained quarterly and encouraged to volunteer.
Liturgists
Every Sunday a liturgist assists the pastor in leading worship. All readings and prayers are supplied to the liturgist by hardcopy and or by email, so this job is well-coordinated and easy. There are Sundays with 4 or 5 Sundays, a schedule of liturgists is kept ensuring Sundays are covered. If you would like to practice or build your speaking skills, this would be a great place to do so. Let the pastor know if you are interested.
Lay Servants
A Lay Servant is an active, supportive member of a United Methodist congregation who is eager to be in ministry through the church. He/she is well-informed on scripture, doctrine, heritage, organization and life of the United Methodist Church and is committed to witnessing through church and community leadership, care giving ministries and spoken communication. A Lay Servant is willing to initiate ministry in partnership with clergy and other Lay Servants and willing to improve his/her skills for service.
How Do Lay Servants Serve?
There are three ways to serve as a Lay Servant:
Lay Servants care, lead, and communicate, they encourage, equip, and support others for deeper commitment to Christ and to faithful discipleship
A Lay Servant is a person who chooses to take part in training on the Basic level, then perhaps on the Advanced level to become a Lay Servant. This person receives the recommendation of the Church Council and/or the Charge Conference and the pastor; and the approval of the District and Conference Board of Lay Ministry to serve as a Lay Servant.
Those in the Lay Servant Ministry serve in many ways: visitation, leading a study, singing in the choir, serving at a lunch program, teaching Sunday School, sending out church or personal prayers, volunteering to clean, go on a mission project, or to lead or preach at a worship service. The types of ministry are too numerous to list.