Ministry belongs to the whole people of God

At St Michael's, we believe that ministry is not something reserved for ordained clergy.

As baptised Christians, we are all called to participate in the life and mission of Christ's Church. Each of us has gifts, experiences and opportunities that can be used to serve God and build up the Church.

The ministry of the laity takes many different forms. Some are highly visible during our Sunday worship; others happen quietly during the week. Some involve leadership or teaching, while others involve practical service, pastoral care, administration or simply being present for someone who needs encouragement.

Together, these different ministries form an important part of the life of St Michael's.

Called Through Baptism

Lay ministry is rooted in our common baptismal calling.

The Lay Ministers' Workshop held at St Michael's in September 2026 explored the understanding that every baptised Christian is called and empowered by the Holy Spirit to share in Christ's mission in the world.

As the workshop guide explains, lay and ordained ministry exist in partnership. Clergy provide spiritual leadership, pastoral oversight and sacramental ministry, while lay ministers extend Christ's reach into the many different spheres of community and parish life.

This means that ministry is not simply about filling a role or performing a task.

It is about asking:

How has God gifted me, and how can I use those gifts in his service?

Ministry and Servant Leadership

Effective ministry begins with the character of the person serving.

Our workshop reflected on the importance of spiritual maturity, humility, integrity, prayerfulness and a servant-hearted commitment to building up the Body of Christ.

Whether someone is reading a lesson, serving at the altar, leading a Bible study, visiting someone who is sick or helping with the church's administration, the same principle applies:

we serve not simply to perform a task, but to serve Christ and his people.

The Many Faces of Lay Ministry

Lay ministry takes many different forms.

The workshop identified six broad areas through which lay people can participate in the ministry of the Church.

1. Liturgical Ministry

Serving in worship

Many aspects of our Sunday worship depend upon the ministry of lay people.

These ministries can include:

• Scripture readers

• Intercessors

• Chalice bearers

• Altar servers

• Sidespersons

• Ushers and welcomers

• Worship leaders

• Sacristan and sacristy teams

• Flower arrangers

• Music and choir

• Sound and audiovisual support

Those who serve in these ministries help our worship run smoothly and contribute to creating an environment in which the congregation can focus on God.

The workshop specifically identifies readers, intercessors, servers, sidespersons and worship leaders as examples of liturgical ministry, emphasising the importance of reverence and preparation.

Ministry at the altar and in the church

Some ministries take place behind the scenes.

The preparation of the church, altar and worship space is itself an act of service. Preparing vessels and linens, arranging flowers, ensuring that books and resources are available, assisting with sound and technology, and caring for the church building all contribute to the worship of the whole congregation.

2. Pastoral Care

Caring for one another

Christian ministry is also about being present for people during the ordinary and difficult seasons of life.

Pastoral ministry can include:

• Visiting the sick

• Visiting elderly or housebound parishioners

• Supporting people who are grieving

• Offering a listening ear

• Praying with and for others

• Offering encouragement

• Keeping in contact with people who are unable to attend church

The Lay Ministers' Workshop specifically identified visiting the sick, supporting the bereaved, listening, and offering prayer and encouragement as important expressions of lay pastoral care.

Pastoral ministry does not always require special words or answers.

Sometimes the most important ministry is simply being there.

3. Teaching & Discipleship

Helping one another grow in faith

The Christian life is a journey of continual learning and growth.

Lay people can play an important role in helping others explore Scripture, deepen their faith and develop their relationship with God.

This may include:

• Bible study groups

• Small groups

• Sunday School and Junior Church

• Confirmation preparation

• Lent or Advent studies

• Prayer groups

• Facilitating discussions

• Supporting new Christians in their faith journey

The workshop identifies Bible studies, Sunday School, confirmation classes and small groups as examples of teaching and discipleship ministry.

Teaching is not simply about passing on information. It is about helping people grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.

4. Evangelism & Mission

Sharing the Good News

The Gospel is not something we keep within the walls of the church.

Lay people have an important role in helping others encounter the Christian faith.

Evangelism and mission can take many forms:

• Welcoming newcomers

• Inviting friends or neighbours to church

• Sharing our personal faith

• Supporting outreach initiatives

• Building relationships within the community

• Serving people in practical ways

• Creating opportunities for people to encounter the love of Christ

The workshop identifies sharing the Gospel, organising community outreach and inviting neighbours into faith as expressions of lay evangelism and mission.

Mission is not necessarily about having all the answers.

Often it begins simply with building a relationship, listening to another person's story and showing Christ's love through our actions.

5. Community & Social Ministry

Putting faith into action

Our Christian calling extends beyond the congregation gathered on Sunday.

Lay people contribute to ministries that respond to practical needs in our community and seek to demonstrate Christ's love through action.

At St Michael's, this includes involvement in initiatives such as:

• Nahoon Community Outreach

• The Parish Charity Shop

• Holding Cross Ministry

• Knitting and Sewing initiatives

• Practical support for community organisations

• Donations and collections for people in need

The workshop describes community and social ministry as serving the needy, engaging in local outreach initiatives and embodying Christ's love in action.

These ministries remind us that worship and service belong together.

We gather to worship God, and we are then sent out to love and serve others.

6. Leadership & Administration

Serving through leadership and practical support

A parish could not function without the many people who contribute to its organisation and administration.

Lay leadership can include:

• Churchwardens

• Parish Council members

• Treasurers and financial administrators

• Parish secretarial and administrative support

• Stewardship and giving administration

• Event organisation

• Communication and publicity

• Property and maintenance

• Sound and technology

• Gardening

• Hospitality and fellowship

The workshop identifies parish councils, operations, stewardship and coordinating parish life as examples of lay leadership and administration.

These ministries may not always be visible during worship, but they are essential to enabling the parish to fulfil its mission.

Ministry Happens in Many Places

One of the most important things to remember about lay ministry is that it does not only happen on Sunday morning.

Ministry happens:

At the altar
When someone serves, reads, intercedes or assists with worship.

In the church hall
When people gather for fellowship, learning or community activities.

In someone's home
When a parishioner visits someone who is sick, elderly or grieving.

In the community
When we serve through outreach and practical action.

Behind the scenes
When someone prepares the church, manages finances, fixes something, arranges flowers or operates the sound system.

In everyday life
When a Christian listens, encourages, welcomes, forgives, serves or shares the hope of Christ with another person.

Lay and Ordained Ministry

The ministry of the laity does not compete with ordained ministry.

Rather, lay and ordained ministry work together.

The clergy of the Church have particular responsibilities associated with their ordained ministry, including spiritual leadership, pastoral oversight and the administration of the sacraments.

Lay people have their own calling to participate actively in the mission and ministry of the Church.

Together, clergy and laity form the Body of Christ and work towards the same purpose:

to worship God, proclaim the Gospel, build up the Church and serve the world.

What Is God Calling You to Do?

Which of the many faces of lay ministry is God calling you to explore or deepen in this season?

That question is not only for people who already have a formal ministry at St Michael's.

It is for all of us.

Perhaps you have a gift for:

• Reading or speaking

• Prayer

• Teaching

• Listening

• Welcoming

• Organising

• Music

• Working with children

• Technology

• Administration

• Practical work

• Hospitality

• Visiting

• Encouraging others

• Serving people in need

Or perhaps you have a gift that you have not yet recognised as a ministry.

There is a place for you to serve.

We encourage members of St Michael's to prayerfully consider how God may be calling them to use their gifts in the life of the parish and the wider community.

Ministry begins not with a title, but with a willingness to serve.

A tangible reminder of God's love

The Holding Cross Outreach Initiative was launched at St Michael's in 2025 as part of our 75-year celebrations.

The ministry was born from a desire to extend God's love in a tangible way while also providing practical financial support to a couple in our extended community. Through this initiative, a simple wooden cross becomes a means of sharing comfort, encouragement and faith while helping a local couple sustain themselves through the work of their hands.

What is a Holding Cross?

A Holding Cross is a uniquely crafted wooden cross designed to fit comfortably in the palm of the hand.

Unlike a traditional cross, it has smooth, rounded edges and an ergonomic design, making it comfortable and soothing to hold. This can be particularly helpful for people with limited hand mobility, including those living with arthritis or other physical challenges.

The cross can be held during prayer, meditation or quiet reflection, and can provide a tangible reminder of God's presence during both ordinary and difficult moments.

Because of its size and shape, a Holding Cross can also be particularly suitable for people in hospitals, hospices and nursing homes.

Ways a Holding Cross Can Be Used

Prayer and Reflection

Holding a cross during prayer can provide a physical point of focus and help deepen our sense of spiritual connection.

For some people, the simple act of holding the cross can help quieten the mind and create a moment of stillness in which to pray.

A Gift of Comfort

A Holding Cross can be offered to someone who is grieving, ill, distressed or going through a difficult time.

It provides a tangible reminder that God's presence and love remain with us, even during times when life feels uncertain or painful.

An Everyday Reminder of Faith

A Holding Cross is small enough to carry in a pocket or bag, or to keep on a desk, bedside table or other special place.

It can serve as a quiet reminder throughout the day of one's faith and relationship with God.

A Family Heirloom

Over time, a Holding Cross may become a cherished keepsake.

It can represent a person's faith journey and may eventually be passed on to another family member as a reminder of faith, love and God's faithfulness.

A Ministry That Blesses Both Giver and Receiver

The Holding Cross ministry has two significant dimensions.

For the person receiving the cross

Each Holding Cross can serve as a physical reminder of God's unwavering love and presence.

Whether given to a friend, family member, child or stranger, it can offer comfort, peace and encouragement.

The cross may be used personally in prayer or given to someone who needs a tangible reminder that they are cared for.

For the couple who make the crosses

The Holding Crosses are lovingly crafted by a couple in our extended community.

Despite physical challenges, they use their woodworking skills to create these crosses. The proceeds from their work are then used to support their basic needs, including food and electricity.

In this way, the ministry creates a circle of blessing:

one person's purchase helps support the makers, while the finished cross can bring comfort and encouragement to someone else.

Supporting the Ministry

Holding Crosses are available from St Michael's for R15 each.

All proceeds go directly towards supporting the couple who make them.

A Holding Cross can be purchased for:

• Personal prayer and reflection

• A gift for a friend or family member

• Someone who is sick or recovering

• Someone experiencing grief or difficulty

• A resident of a retirement home or care facility

• Anyone who might appreciate a tangible reminder of God's presence

By purchasing a Holding Cross, you are not simply buying a wooden cross. You are participating in a small ministry of faith, compassion and practical support.

A Simple Cross. A Meaningful Ministry.

We invite you to join us in spreading comfort, faith and love through the Holding Cross Outreach Initiative — a ministry intended to bless both the giver and the receiver.

Holding Crosses are available from the parish for R15.

Working together to serve our community

Nahoon Community Outreach (NCO) was established in 2019 as a collaboration between churches in the greater Nahoon area.

The participating churches work together to support and uplift people experiencing poverty and unemployment in our communities in a way that is both loving and sustainable. St Michael's Anglican Church has an active and leadership role within this ecumenical ministry.

NCO was established with the purpose of:

“To feed the hungry, work-seekers, and encourage them to cultivate a work ethic and to provide them with job skills, and introduce them to Jesus in a real way.”

The ministry seeks to respond to immediate needs while also helping people move towards greater independence, responsibility and hope.

A Hand-Up, Not Just a Hand-Out

At the heart of NCO is a desire to restore hope through relationships in which the love of Jesus Christ can be demonstrated in practical ways.

We recognise that poverty and unemployment are complex issues. Providing food can meet an immediate need, but sustainable change often requires opportunities to develop skills, find employment and build confidence.

For this reason, NCO seeks to provide both immediate assistance and pathways towards longer-term change.

The ministry works through a phased pathway that requires participants to make a faithful commitment to their own personal growth and responsible citizenship while receiving support from the NCO community.

The Churches of NCO

NCO is an ecumenical initiative involving churches from the Nahoon area.

The current participating churches listed by NCO are:

• Nahoon Methodist Church

• St Albans Anglican Church

• St Michael's Anglican Church

• Redeemer Christian Church

Working together across denominational boundaries allows the churches to combine their resources, gifts and people in service of the wider community.

Feeding the Hungry

One of the most visible aspects of NCO's work is the provision of meals for people in need.

NCO operates two soup kitchens each week, on:

Tuesdays · 12:00
Thursdays · 12:00

Soup is prepared and donated by members of the participating churches. It is then warmed and distributed to people in need together with bread.

On average, approximately 60 litres of soup and 32 loaves of bread are used each week.

For someone experiencing hunger, a warm bowl of soup and some bread meet a very real and immediate need.

But the soup kitchens are about more than food.

They also provide opportunities to meet people, build relationships, listen to their stories and demonstrate the love of Christ.

As a member of NCO, we recognise that it is difficult to meaningfully share the Gospel with someone who is hungry. Meeting physical needs therefore forms an important part of the ministry.

Developing Work Skills

NCO recognises that sustainable change involves more than meeting immediate needs.

For people seeking employment, NCO runs weekly worker-readiness workshops.

Representatives from local businesses participate in these workshops and share information about the characteristics, attitudes and skills they look for when considering potential employees.

Regular participants can then progress to the Job Club.

The Job Club encourages participants to:

• Network with others

• Search actively for employment

• Identify suitable employment opportunities

• Tailor CVs for particular positions

• Email and submit job applications

• Develop greater confidence in the employment process

The Job Club also supports participants who are interested in entrepreneurship and encourages them to consider opportunities to establish their own small businesses.

In this way, NCO seeks to help people move from dependence towards greater independence and sustainable employment.

How You Can Support NCO

NCO depends on the generosity and involvement of people from the participating churches and the wider community.

There are several ways you can help.

Make Soup

Prepare soup in 2-litre ice-cream containers and donate it to St Michael's or one of the other NCO churches.

At St Michael's, soup can be dropped off:

Monday–Friday · 08:30–12:30

or after a Sunday service.

The NCO churches have freezers available, allowing donated soup to be stored safely until it is needed.

Donate Bread

Bread is another important part of the weekly meal programme.

Donations can be dropped off at St Michael's or another NCO church during office hours or after a Sunday service.

St Michael's also has freezer facilities to help keep donated bread fresh.

Volunteer

There are several opportunities to give your time.

You can help serve at the soup kitchens on:

Tuesday or Thursday · 12:00–13:00

There are also opportunities to help pack dry meals on:

Thursday · 10:00–11:30

Give Financially

Financial contributions can be made directly to NCO or through St Michael's.

If donating through St Michael's, please use:

NCO

as the payment reference.

NCO is a registered NGO, and tax certificates can be issued for qualifying donations made directly to NCO using its banking details.

For current banking details or tax-certificate enquiries, please contact NCO directly.

Contact Details

Phone: 067 730 7405

Email: nahooncommunityoutreach@gmail.com

NCO and St Michael's

St Michael's is grateful to be part of a ministry in which churches work together to serve people in our wider community.

NCO provides an opportunity for us to put our faith into practice by responding to hunger, unemployment and the need for hope with practical assistance, friendship, dignity and the love of Christ.

Together, we seek to offer a hand-up, not simply a hand-out.

Giving pre-loved items a new purpose

The St Michael's Charity Shop is a practical ministry that connects generosity with community support.

We collect donated pre-loved, gently used clothing and suitable household items and make them available for affordable resale to people in our wider community.

In doing so, items that might otherwise go unused are given a new purpose, while the proceeds from their sale are used to support children-focused charitable and outreach initiatives.

More Than a Charity Shop

The Charity Shop is about more than buying and selling second-hand goods.

It provides:

An opportunity to give
People can donate items they no longer need and know that their generosity will benefit others.

Affordable goods for the community
People can purchase good-quality pre-loved items at accessible prices.

Support for children and families
The proceeds are used to support organisations and projects working with children and vulnerable families.

A practical way to serve
Volunteers and supporters can contribute their time, skills and resources to a ministry that has a tangible impact.

The Difference Your Support Makes

During the 2025–2026 year, the Charity Shop raised just over R25,000.

These funds enabled St Michael's to support a number of children-focused organisations and initiatives, including:

CHOC

Supporting children and families affected by childhood cancer.

Child Welfare

Contributing towards work supporting vulnerable children and families.

Guardians of Hope

Supporting the work of this organisation with children and families.

Breath of Life

Supporting work involving surrendered and abandoned babies.

Chulumna Primary School

We also support a primary school in the Chulumna villages outside East London.

Our support has included contributions towards:

• Stationery

• Toiletries

• School fees for families experiencing financial difficulty

Through these contributions, money raised through the Charity Shop is transformed into practical support for children and families who need it.

How the Charity Shop Works

Donate

If you have good-quality clothing or suitable household items that you no longer need, consider donating them to the Charity Shop.

Your unwanted items may become someone else's useful purchase — while helping support children and families.

Shop

Visit us on our regular opening days and browse through the available items.

You never know what bargain you might find!

And every purchase helps support our outreach work.

Support

You can also support the Charity Shop simply by telling others about it.

Invite friends, family and neighbours to donate, visit the shop and support the causes that benefit from its proceeds.

When We're Open

The Charity Shop is open on the:

First and last Wednesday of each month

12:30–13:30

Further information about special opening times or changes will be announced through the parish notices and website.

A Ministry of Generosity

The Charity Shop is a simple example of how generosity can multiply.

An item donated by one person can become an affordable purchase for another person, while the proceeds can then help a child or family elsewhere in our community.

Give. Reuse. Support. Make a difference.

Creating with care. Giving with love.

Sometimes ministry happens quietly.

A group of people sitting at home with knitting needles, a sewing machine, some wool or a piece of fabric may not look like a traditional ministry — but the things they create can bring warmth, comfort and dignity to someone who needs them.

The St Michael's Knitting and Sewing ministry grew out of this simple desire to use practical skills to bless others.

From the Mask Army to a Ministry of Making

The story of this ministry began during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In 2020, a member of the congregation became concerned that many vulnerable people in our neighbourhoods and the wider East London community did not have access to the fabric masks that were required at the time.

This led to the formation of the “Mask Army” — a group of people with sewing machines from several churches who came together to make reusable fabric masks.

The group included people from:

• Nahoon Methodist Church

• St Albans Anglican Church

• St Michael's Anglican Church

• Redeemer Christian Church

• Holy Spirit Catholic Church

• Stirling Presbyterian Church

Members initially used fabric from their own supplies. As the initiative became better known, people began donating fabric and elastic so that the work could continue.

The masks were distributed through the participating churches to people who needed them.

It is difficult to know exactly how many masks were produced, but it is estimated that several thousand masks were made between June 2020 and December 2021.

A New Chapter

As the pandemic waned and mask mandates were lifted, the need for the Mask Army gradually disappeared.

However, the friendships, skills and desire to help others remained.

Many of those involved were older members of the churches, and the project had provided a sense of purpose, connection and meaning during an exceptionally difficult period.

Rather than simply ending the initiative, the group decided to allow it to develop into something new.

From this grew an informal network of knitters and sewers who continue to use their own time and skills to create items that can be donated to people and organisations in need.

What Do They Make?

The group creates a variety of useful and comforting items, including:

• Beanies

• Mittens

• Socks

• Blankets

• Baby booties

• Crocheted teddy bears

• Other knitted and sewn items

These items may be donated to organisations such as:

• Child Welfare

• Guardians of Hope

• Breath of Life

Some items are also distributed to the maternity and oncology wards at the local government hospital.

A small knitted item may seem insignificant, but to someone in hospital, to a new mother, to a vulnerable child or to someone going through a difficult time, a handmade gift can communicate something very important:

Someone cared enough to make this for me.

An Ecumenical Ministry

It is important to recognise that this is not exclusively a St Michael's project.

The present-day group remains relatively small, informal and largely behind the scenes. People from several churches continue to contribute according to their own skills, available time and resources.

There is no large central organisation coordinating every activity. Instead, the ministry continues organically as people make things when they are able and pass them on to organisations and people who can use them.

St Michael's plays a supporting role by:

• Providing a drop-off point for completed items

• Receiving occasional donations of wool or fabric

• Helping distribute completed items

• Supporting members of the congregation who participate in the ministry

In this way, the ministry is another example of churches working together for the good of the wider community.

How You Can Help

You don't have to be an experienced knitter or sewer to contribute.

Donate Wool or Fabric

Good-quality wool, fabric and suitable craft materials can help the ministry continue.

Donate Completed Items

If you knit or sew and would like to contribute something you have made, St Michael's can serve as a collection point for suitable completed items.

Share Your Skills

If you enjoy knitting, sewing or crocheting, you may be able to contribute your skills and creativity.

Pray

Pray for the people who make these items, the organisations receiving them and the people whose lives they touch.

Quiet Acts of Love

This ministry may operate largely out of sight.

There are no large events, no grand announcements and no expectation that every item will be noticed.

Instead, there are people quietly using the gifts and skills they have been given to make something for somebody else.

Sometimes ministry happens quietly, one stitch at a time.

And sometimes a small handmade gift can be a very tangible expression of God's love.