Other Ministries...

Music Ministry
How do you get involved in the Saint Alban’s music program? Do you sing, play an instrument, or are you looking to share your musical gifts? There are many ways to get involved:

The Saint Alban’s Choir meets on Wednesday evening 6:00pm-7:00pm in the Chapel.  We sing on Sunday morning 9:30 (rehearsal) 10:30 (service). Soloists (vocal and instrumental) are  invited to prepare a song for the Sunday evening service. 

Everyone can participate in the music of the church by singing the hymns and service music.  This is perhaps the most valuable opportunity for everyone to be part of the musical life of the church.

We are always looking to expand participation in both services. For more information please contact our music director, Michael Trotta: music@stalban.org.

Worship Leaders
St. Alban's parishioners lead the worship alongside our priests and deacon.  The Altar Guild prepares the table and altar area for each service.  The tasks are not difficult and newcomers are welcome.  This ministry of behind-the-scenes service is open to both men and women.  Training is available for those who would like to learn to set up and close up for services.  Parishioners prepare flowers for each service.  Students and non-students serve as readers, Eucharist Ministers, and acolytes.  You are invited to speak to Fr. Drew to learn more about how to become involved.

Episcopal Church Women (ECW)
All women members of St. Alban's are automatically members of the ECW. This group meets periodically to plan events and serve the chapel. The ECW sponsors an annual Lenten Retreat in addition to a variety of social events. St. Alban's women are active on the diocesan level ECW as well.

Sunday Morning Bible Study
 (9:15 – 10:20)                                                                                                                      Our Sunday Morning Bible Study class will resume in the Fall of 2009 in the Common Hall. This gathering is open to everyone. You do not have to attend every session, nor is any previous experience with Bible study required. Fr. Drew begins each session with about 15 minutes of material, then opens the floor to discussion. This is a great way to begin your Sabbath day and to prepare for worship. (Donuts and coffee are always provided.)

The Julian Gathering
Julian Gatherings provide an emotional and spiritual atmosphere that supports and encourages anyone who is interested in developing a life of "still prayer."  Still prayer is also known as "silent prayer," "contemplative prayer," and "centering prayer."   Julian Gatherings are intended to provide a beginning place to help people develop a life of still prayer, and a trusting and sharing community of those who pray in this way.

The Julian Gathering at St. Alban's gathers every Friday in the library.  We begin with a short liturgy based on the service for Evening Prayer (BCP), we light a candle, and then we sit for 20 minutes of silent prayer.  All are welcome - old or young, short or tall, wide or narrow.

What:  Julian Gathering at St. Alban's

Where:  St. Alban's library

When:  every Friday, 5:30 p.m.

Contact:  Sarah Pierce,  pierce@lsu.edu or sarpiolgre@cox.net

Foyer Groups
In church one Sunday, Charlie Williams stated, “Foyer’s Rock.” This is true and, like rock music, foyers come in many forms!

In past groups, there have been picnics, sit-down dinners, trips to restaurants, hosting student   dinners, and an outing to Robert with a box lunch and a walk in the woods.  Adding to the list, some of the foyers decided to do some very   different things: providing and serving a hot dog lunch for 125 students for one of the Wednesday Lunch with C.S. Lewis gatherings; another Foyer Group took the money they would have spent on dinners and took their families to Wal-mart for a shopping spree to provide over $500 in food for the Baton Rouge Food Bank.  Leave it to St. Alban’s to always come up with neat ideas for anything!

The time has come to begin new Foyer Groups.  If you would like to know your church family better (or have a 3-hour laugh marathon at a Chinese restaurant as one group recently did), then fill out the Foyer Group form and put it in the bowl near the coffee pots or contact Laurie Morris in the chapel offices to sign up.  The drawing for Foyer groups will be held during the June Sunday brunch.  Come join us and see for yourself that “Foyer’s Rock”!                                   

                                                                                                                                                    Emily Hubbard & Paula Williams

Newcomers
Newcomer cards are available in each of the pews. If you will fill one out and place it in the collection plate, our Newcomer Committee will send you more information about St. Alban's. The chaplain will contact you if you indicate that you would like a call from the clergy. You can become active at St. Alban's very quickly. Even if you are not an Episcopalian, you can serve on any committee and involve yourself in any of our many programs and ministries. If you are interested in becoming an Episcopalian and a member of St. Alban's, please speak to one of our priests. Our bishop visits this parish once a year to receive and confirm new members. An Inquirers Class is offered every fall for those investigating membership. If you are already an Episcopalian and would like to have your membership letter transferred here, please contact the chapel office. 

Young Adults The Addictions Recovery Ministry (ARM) is a specialized ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Louisiana that reaches out on behalf of the Church to welcome recovering people into the Episcopal community and to help recovering Episcopalians find a home within the organized Church.  It provides people in recovery an opportunity to enlarge their spiritual lives in addition to their recovery programs.  The Recovery Ministry works within the local churches to provide education, guidance and support for families and parishes struggling with, or wishing to learn more about, addiction.  If you or a loved one have a problem with addiction, or if you just want to learn more and experience the fellowship of recovery under God's grace, please contact us.

Spring Testing
Every spring, St. Alban's Chapel and the LSU Chaplain's Association sponsor a jambalaya lunch for incoming freshmen and their families.  In 2009, around 1,500 people attended the event which is held on the grounds of St. Alban's.