Get Involved: St. Paul's A to Z Guide 
To help you see how you might want to get involved with the ministries at St. Paul’s Church, please read the following A to Z guide.
Acolytes: Middle and high school age youth who assist in worship. They light the altar candles and assist with the offering and Holy Communion.
Contact: Pastor Omholt
Adult Sunday School Class: A class, led by the pastor or vicar, that meets on Sunday mornings (Sept.-May) from 10:00-10:45am in Schafer Hall to discuss issues of faith and life.
Contact: Pastor Omholt
Alcoholics Anonymous (AA): AA meets every Wednesday at 7:15pm in Schafer Hall.
Contact: Washington Area Central Office 202-966-9115.
Altar Flowers: Donors are invited to place flowers on the altar in honor or memory of loved ones.
Contact: Joy Belew, Office Administrator
Altar Guild: Members of the Altar Guild prepare the altar for worship and the celebration of the sacraments.
Contact the Church Office
Archives: Volunteers who help organize, categorize and maintain the records and historical data of the church. The goal is to educate our congregation about the legacies of St. Paul’s.
Contact: Jay Guerber
Assisting Ministers: Volunteers who help with the reading of the creed and prayers, during worship.
Contact: Pastor Omholt
Audit Committee: Volunteers with financial experience who audit the church financial books.
Contact: Gail Ferris
Banner Bearers: Youth who assist in festival worship services by carrying a banner in procession.
Contact: Pam Wannen
Baptisms: The Sacrament of Holy Baptism is celebrated during worship. Baptisms are scheduled throughout the year.
Contact: Pastor Omholt
Barber Shop Singers: A community group of men who meet every Monday at 7:00pm in the lower auditorium.
Contact: Bill Colosimo
Bell Choir: The Hand Bell Choir plays during worship and rehearses weekly in the sanctuary.
Contact: Karen Leigh Campbell, Bell Choir Director.
Bible Study: Offered occasionally throughout the year on many different topics. Regular Bible Study opportunities include Adult Sunday School on Sunday mornings at 10am and Wednesday Night Bible Study at 7:00pm in room 207.
Contact: Pastor Omholt or Vicar Chris
Boomers Ministry: A fellowship group for those who are part of the baby boomer generation.
Contact: Pastor Omholt
Budget Committee: A team of volunteers responsible for preparing and presenting the budget to the congregation.
Contact: Paul Reichert
Bulletins: All bulletins are prepared on Wednesdays in the church office. Items for the bulletin must be received by Wednesday at 12:00 noon.
Contact: Joy Belew, Office Administrator
Business Manager: The business manager of St. Paul's is Tim Boldt. He manages the church finances.
Contact: Tim Boldt
Campus Ministry at AU: Volunteers who reach out to the students at American University.
Contact: Pastor Omholt
Care Ministry: Volunteers who reach out to the sick and homebound with cards, food and visits.
Contact: Deaconess Cassie Brown
Care Notes: Pamphlets which provide helpful information and support for people struggling with intense emotional situations.
Contact: Deaconess Cassie Brown
Chapel Leader for Sunday School: Individuals who lead a brief (3-5 minute) talk during Sunday School Chapel.
Contact: Tammy Larson Sunday School Superintendent.
Choir: The Senior Choir sings every week during the 11:00am worship service. They rehearse on Thursdays at 7:30pm in the choir room.
Contact: Aline Otten, Music Director
Church Council: Elected leaders who provide oversight and vision for the congregation. Meets every 3rd Monday of the month at 7:30pm.
Contact: Pastor Omholt
Church Decorating: Volunteers who help decorate the sanctuary in preparation for Christmas. Held on the first Saturday of December.
Contact: Joy Belew, Office Administrator
Clutterer’s Anonymous: A 12-step recovery program that offers help to the true clutterer, who is overwhelmed by disorder. Meets every Monday at 7:30 pm in Schafer Hall.
Contact: 310-281-6064 for other meeting times and locations.
Coffee Hour: A time of food, fellowship and hospitality in the portico following the 11:00am service.
Contact: Nancy Shearer
Communion Assistants: Volunteers who assist with the distribution of Holy Communion during worship.
Contact: Pam Wannen
Community Council for the Homeless at Friendship Place: A partner organization of St. Paul’s Shelter that provides outreach to the homeless in our neighborhood.
Contact: Bill Long, Volunteer Coordinator, 202-364-1419.
Concerts and Recitals: Musical performances are held at St. Paul’s during the course of the year.
Contact: Aline Otten, Music Director
Confirmation: A two year program for 7th and 8th grade youth that prepares them to affirm their baptisms. Classes meet every Tuesday from 4:45-6:00pm in room 207 and on Sunday mornings from 10:00am-10:45am in the lower auditorium.
Contact: Pastor Omholt
Counseling: The pastor is available to meet with individuals and families in times of crisis and discernment.
Contact: Pastor Omholt
Cradle Roll: Outreach to the newly baptized of St. Paul’s through cards and mailings.
Contact: Debbie Goerlich
Crucifers: Youth who assist in worship by carrying the cross in the processional and recessional.
Contact: Pastor Omholt
Deaconess: The Deaconess of St. Paul’s is Cassie Brown. Called to Word and Service, she coordinates senior and health ministry.
Contact: Deaconess Cassie Brown
Devotional Booklets: Booklets for personal devotional use available in the narthex.
Contact: Deaconess Cassie Brown
Director of Congregational Life: Lisa Wackler is St. Paul's Director of Congregational Life. She can be reached at the church office or at lwackler@stpaulslutherandc.com
Disaster Response: Volunteers who provide help and support in times of disaster.
Contact: Pastor Omholt
Education Ministry: A ministry team who oversees Christian education, including Sunday School.
Contact: Liz Rihani, Education Ministry Chair
Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA):The national Lutheran church body of which St. Paul’s is a member.
Contact: Pastor Omholt
Evangelism Ministry: A ministry team who oversees the communication of the gospel through the website, visitor mailings, community service projects etc... Contact: Lisa Wackler, Director of Congregational Life.
Financial Oversight Committee: Volunteers who have oversight of the budget and the various funds of the church.
Contact: Pastor Omholt
Financial Secretary: The Financial Secretary of St. Paul’s is Rob Hershey. He monitors the giving of St. Paul’s members and distributes quarterly financial statements.
Contact: Rob Hershey
First Communion Class: A class for children of all ages to prepare them to receive Holy Communion for the first time.
Contact: Pastor Omholt
Flower Arrangers: Volunteers who arrange the flowers that are used during worship.
Contact: Joy Belew, Office Administrator
Food Pantry: Food donated by members of St. Paul’s for distribution to those in need. St. Paul’s also partners with the Capital Area Food Bank to provide food two Saturdays each month.
Contact: Megan Schroeder or Peter Schroeder
Funerals: Upon the death of a loved one, the pastors are available to help with funeral arrangements and to comfort the grieving.
Contact: Pastor Omholt
Gifts of Hope: An alternative gift giving ministry during Advent that supports Lutheran ministries around the globe.
Contact: Rebecca Highsmith
Good Steward: Church members who receive all of their communication from the church electronically thereby being good stewards of God’s creation and our financial resources.
Contact: Joy Belew, Office Administrator.
Greeters: Team of volunteers who welcome worshipers as they arrive for worship.
Contact: Pam Wannen
Health Ministry: Volunteers who help with blood drives, flu shot clinics and preventative health screenings.
Contact: Deaconess Cassie Brown
Holiday Church Decorating: Volunteers who help decorate the church for Christmas and Easter.
Contact: Joy Belew, Office Administrator
Holy Communion: Communion is celebrated at every worship service at St. Paul’s.
Contact: Pastor Omholt
Homeless Shelter: A shelter for 5 men that operates year round in the church and provides shelter, food and counseling. Volunteers provide meals, mentoring and supplies for the residents.
Contact: Pastor Omholt, Kate Belinski or Glenn Ralph
Homeless Shelter Dinner Volunteer: A team of people who take turns bringing a hot dinner to our homeless shelter residents each night.
Contact: Debra Fried Levin or Glenn Ralph
Investment Committee: A team of volunteers who have oversight of the church’s investments.
Contact: Bob Hershey
Instrumentalists: People who share their musical gifts by playing instruments during worship.
Contact: Aline Otten
Landscaping: Team of volunteers who help care for and maintain the church landscape.
Contact: Neil Berger
Language Program: Weekday classes at St. Paul’s for the learning of Spanish, French and Italian.
Contact: Cinzia Roveta
Lay Readers: Worship leaders who read the scripture lessons.
Contact: Pam Wannen
Lubuto Library Project: Volunteers are needed to help with selecting and organizing donated books into library collections for African street kids. The library is located in the lower narthex.
Contact: Jane Meyers
Lutheran Social Services (LSS): A social service agency that reaches out to those in need in the metropolitan area.
Contact: Lutheran Services Main Office, 202-723-3000.
Metropolitan Washington DC Synod: One of 65 synods of the ELCA. This is the synod of which St. Paul’s is a member.
Contact: Bishop Richard Graham
Memorial Committee: A team of volunteers who has oversight of the giving and dedication of gifts to St. Paul’s in preparation for Anniversary Sunday in January.
Contact: Pastor Omholt
Mission Teams: Mission teams are formed on a yearly basis to travel internationally for service and learning.
Contact: Pastor Omholt
Montessori School: Auguste Montessori Preschool is located on the second floor of the educational building.
Contact: Valerie O’Connor, Director, 202-237-1788.
Murch Extended Day Program: A before and after school program for students at Murch Elementary School located in the Lower Auditorium.
Contact: Brenda Shaw, Director, 202-282-0130.
Music Director: The Music Director of St. Paul’s is Aline Otten.
Contact: Aline Otten
New Member Classes: Quarterly classes offered for those interested in becoming members of St. Paul’s. Contact: Pastor Omholt
New Member Sponsors: Members of St. Paul’s who help new members adjust to being part of the St. Paul’s community. Contact: Lisa Wackler, Director of Congregational Life.
Nursery: St. Paul's Sunday morning nursery is available most Sundays from 10:30 am - 12:20 pm. The nursery is located in room 111. There is a sign in sheet and paretns are asked to provide a cell phone number that aour attendants can text if the parents are needed in the nursery. St. Paul's Nursery is open to all! Contact: Joy Belew or Lisa Wackler.
Nursery School: The St. Paul’s Nursery School for three and four year olds operates Monday through Friday from 9:00am-12:00 noon on the first floor of the educational building. Contact:Katie Johnson, Director
Office Administrator: The Office Administrator of St. Paul’s is Joy Belew.
Contact: Joy Belew
Operations manager: Operations of the church are handled by Joy Belew. Contact: Joy Belew
Pastor: The pastor of St. Paul’s is Thomas A. Omholt. Contact: Pastor Tom.
Piano Player for Children’s Worship: Individuals who accompany singing during Sunday School chapel. Contact: Tammy Larson, Sunday School Superintendent.
Podcasting: Volunteers who assist with recording the Sunday sermon and podcasting it on the church website.
Contact: Glenn Ralph
Prayer Shawl Ministry: Volunteers who prayerfully knit shawls and other items for the sick and homebound.
Contact: Deaconess Cassie Brown
Prime Time Center: A meeting every Wednesday of the month from 11:00am-2:00pm for seniors that includes lunch and a variety of activities. Volunteers are always needed.
Contact: Deaconess Cassie Brown
Reconciling in Christ: St. Paul’s is a reconciling in Christ congregation that openly welcomes gay, lesbian and transgender individuals to become part of the faith community.
Contact: Pastor Omholt
Simply Giving: A stewardship opportunity by which members can have their offering automatically withdrawn from their bank accounts.
Contact: Tim Boldt, Business Manager or Gail Ferris, Treasurer
Social Ministry: A team of volunteers who have oversight of how St. Paul’s reaches out with the good news to people in need locally, nationally and internationally.
Contact: Lisa Wackler, Director of Congregational Life
Stewardship Ministry: A team of volunteers who oversee the ways in which we share the gifts of time, talent and treasure.
Contact: Pastor Omholt or James Carstensen, Stewardship Chair
Sunday School: Christian education for children and adults held every Sunday morning during the school year from 9:45-10:45am.
Contact: Tammy Larson Sunday School Superintendent.
Sunday School Teachers: Volunteers who commit to a year of teaching children’s Sunday School.
Contact: Tammy Larson, Sunday School Superintendent
Sexton: The sexton of St. Paul’s is Glenn Ralph. He cares for the church property and provides security.
Contact: Glenn Ralph
Support Ministry: A team of volunteers who provide oversight for the church property and personnel.
Contact: Joan Janshego, Support (Personnel) Ministry Chair, or Joy Belew for Property matters.
Tellers: A team of volunteers who are responsible for securing, counting, and recording the weekly offering.
Contact: Paula Stewart
The Trumpet: The monthly newsletter in which members and ministries are encouraged to contribute articles and announcements. Contact Joy Belew
The Village at Rockville, A National Lutheran Community: A community for people of all faiths, offering a continuum of care from independent living to skilled nursing and alzheimers care. Contact: www.thevillageatrockville.org or 301-424-9560
Torch Bearers: Youth who assist in the 11 am worship service by carrying a torch during the procession.Contact: Pam Wannen
Ushers: Leaders who welcome worshipers and assist with giving bulletins and collecting the offering.
Contact: Pam Wannen
Vacation Bible School: A weeklong summer educational experience for children ages 3-5th grade. Youth and adults serve as teachers and helpers.
Contact: Lisa Wackler or Tammy Larson
Visitation Ministry: A group of members who regularly visit with people who are in nursing homes, recovering from illness, hospitalized or just in need of some company. Contact: Pastor Tom.
Walk for the Homeless: Yearly events that are held in support of St. Paul’s shelter ministry.
Contact: Kate Belinski or Caitlin Thistle
Website: An evangelism tool maintained by the church office and volunteers to help spread the word about the ministry at St. Paul’s.
Contact: Joy Belew
Weddings: The pastor is available to do premarital counseling and to help couples with plans for their wedding day and marriage.
Contact: Pastor Omholt
Wednesday Night Bible Study: A weekly evening Bible Study that takes place in room 207 of the educational building. Contact: Pastor Omholt
Women’s Book Club: Women from the congregation who gather monthly for fellowship and discussion about a book.
Contact: Nancy Shearer
Worship Ministry: A team of volunteers who have oversight of the worship and music ministry at St. Paul’s.
Contact: Karen Leigh Campbell, Worship Ministry Chair
Young Adults Group: A fellowship group of young adults ranging in age from 20-40 something who enjoy social and service activities. Contact: Caitlin Thistle or Stephanie Dana.
Youth Groups: Middle and High School youth who participate in monthly events, retreats and other fellowship and service opportunities.
Contact: Vicar Chris Schaefer
Youth Group Advisors: Adults who help plan and lead events for the Middle and High School youth groups.
Contact: Donna Hershey or Rob Hershey