Ministry
Ministry takes all sort of shapes and sizes at the Cathedral – it is the work of all the baptized. There are formal and informal ministries. There are ministries of service and activity along with ministries of contemplation and stillness.
Through the links below we invite your to discover some of the many ministries of the Cathedral Community. As you do, though, please know that if you have an inspiration or an idea, share it with the clergy or lay leaders. We cannot do everything, in fact we are not called to do everything, but perhaps you are the vessel that the Holy Spirit is using to invite us into something new or different.
Lay Healing Ministers
The Great Commission of our Lord to the Church is both to preach the Good News and also to heal the sick. At the Cathedral, healing prayer with laying on of hands is offered at every celebration of the Holy Eucharist, for those desiring healing in mind, body, and spirit for themselves and for others. This ministry is offered by both the clergy and by lay healing ministers who have been called, and trained, and commissioned to this important mission of the Cathedral.
Lay Eucharistic Visitors
Eucharistic Visitors are well trained lay parishioners who, once licensed, are able to take communion to homebound parishioners.
Training for this ministry at the Cathedral involves two 3-hour sessions with the Dean, the lay leader of the group, and the deacon. Learning includes work on one’s approach to offering communion to another, building relationships with those being visited, and listening skills. Following the first session, each person makes at least two supervised visits with one of the three persons mentioned earlier. At the second training session, considerable reflection is done on the visit experiences. In addition, Eucharistic Visitors must have completed Safeguarding Gods People through the Whitaker Institute. Commissioning of the Eucharistic Visitors is done during Sunday Services. If you feel called to this ministry, please contact the Cathedral Office at info@detroitcathedral.org.
Visitation
Clergy, lay healing ministers, and Lay Eucharistic Ministers are all involved in the visitation and pastoral care of those who need healing in mind, body, and spirit. Parishioners are asked to keep the Cathedral Office updated on those who have been admitted to metropolitan hospitals and other care centers so that clergy and volunteers can arrange visiting and taking the Holy Eucharist to those who request it.
Alcoholics Anonymous
An AA chapter meets at the Cathedral on Monday evenings at 5:00 pm.
Ushers
Ushers are the public face of the Cathedral for its many visitors. They are responsible for maintaining a welcoming presence on Sunday mornings before and after services to all newcomers, encouraging them to sign the guest books, take part in the services, and join the Cathedral family for fellowship during the breakfast and coffee hours.
Hospitality Committee
The Hospitality Committee is charged with making all who visit the Cathedral welcome. This includes greeting visitors, helping them feel comfortable in the service (particularly if they are not Episcopalian or are unfamiliar with the Cathedral’s worship), encouraging them to sign the guest books so that they may be contacted and thanked for their visit, and inviting them to join and meet the parish family at the breakfast or coffee hour following the Sunday services.
Noel Night
In conjunction with UCCA/Midtown Detroit Inc, the Cathedral is a participant in the Annual Noel Night Festivities taking place the first Saturday evening in December. Volunteers greet thousands of visitors to the Cathedral each year.
New Years Day Feast
Volunteers from all over the community come together to cook and serve a wonderful meal. As they leave, our guests are invited into the Cathedral to pick out a hand knit scarf or hat. Please contact the Cathedral office if you would like to be a part of this important work at 313.831.5000.
The Cathedral Crafters Christmas Warmth Outreach Project
The Cathedral Crafters meet on the first and third Tuesdays of the month at 12:30-2:00 p.m. All are welcome.
As in past years, items have been distributed to men, women and children through the following organizations: Crossroads, Williams Pavilion, St. Anne’s Mead, Ruth Ellis Center, Detroit Orthodox Outreach (a community meals program in SW Detroit), Development Centers PATH Program (a comprehensive employment training and support) service for adults in Detroit/Wayne County, and New Year’s Feast community guests.
For more information on donating time and talent or monetary gifts towards the cost of yarn, please contact info@detroitcathedral.org.
Guided Tours
Weekday tours may be arranged by calling the Cathedral office at 313.831.5000. The Cathedral is open Monday through Friday, 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. for self guided tours.
Open Cathedral
The Woodward Avenue doors are open every Friday from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and docents are available to greet visitors and provide tours for those who wish to learn more about our Cathedral.
United Thank Offering (UTO)
Recently revived at the Cathedral by the Ruth chapter of the Daughters of the King, the United Thank Offering (UTO) is an annual appeal that is forwarded to the national church, to help people all over the world who are in immediate need: victims of war, natural disasters, and so on. In addition, a portion of the United Thank Offering is given to local organization in need. The UTO ingathering of offerings is taken up in November to celebrate Thanksgiving Day, as well as in May.