Internal Ministries

Acolytes - The acolytes are the young people who assist during the service by caring for such duties at lighting and extinguishing the candles, receiving the offering plates, and assisting the celebrants ministering at the altar and in the sanctuary. If you are interested in joining the acolyte group, please let Fr. Tom know.

Altar Guild - The altar guild is an essential ministry in every church. The members are appointed by the rector, and their main purpose is to serve the rector by assisting him and help prepare all those things necessary for the celebration of the Eucharist. They are the back stage crews, so to speak, for all the church services. At St. Philip's we are fortunate to have such loyal, dedicated and caring members who work diligently every week for the glory of God.

Choir - We are currently experiencing a growth in our choir and are eager to welcome anyone who would like to join us. Rehearsals are usually on Thursday evenings, and if you play an instrument please let us know so we can include your talents in our plans. Our choir director and parish organist is Mrs. Cindy McIntosh.

Green Thumbs - The green thumb group meets twice a month from March to October and gives its talents to keeping the grounds of St. Philip's looking their best. Over the past several years we accomplished many projects, including: building 2 compressed pebbled meditation areas near the park benches, added plantings in the meditation garden to supplement the Serenity Walk and Meditation Garden, kept all the bushes and trees pruned, planted seasonal flowers in the pots and near the Wood St. entrance portico. Any parish members who would like to contribute time and talent for the beautification of St. Philip's grounds are welcome to join us.

Greeters and Ushers - The greeters and ushers are responsible for greeting our members at the entrance of the church, handing out the program for the service, and passing the collection plates during collection. We have had a very successful year, thanks to those who have volunteered their services for this program. We welcome any newcomers who would like to serve on this program, and could always use more greeters for the 8:00 am service!

Lay Readers - The lay readers are those volunteers who serve our Lord weekly during the service by reading the Scripture Readings for each service, the intercessory prayer for each service, and assisting during communion by acting as chalice bearers. We have a variety of vested lectors, first and second chalice bearers, first and second readers, youth readers and intercessors. Our services could not go on without their assistance! We also have licensed Eucharistic ministers who assist in serving our shut-ins.
Christian Education

Catechesis of the Good Shepard - Catechesis of the Good Shepherd is a religious education program for children. It was started in Italy and has been heavily influenced by the Montessori method. This is a hands-on, low-keyed approach, but is highly structured.
Part I centers on The Good Shepherd Story and is for three- to six-year-olds.
Part II centers on the True Vine and is for six- to eight-year-olds. It builds on what was covered in Part I.
Part III centers on God’s Plan and builds on the previous two programs. It is designed for nine- to twelve-year-olds. Saint Philip’s Church has been offering the program long enough to have had children come all the way through all three levels of the program.

Beginning on the 3rd Sunday of September, all three levels of Catechesis of the Good Shepherd are offered. This coincides with the 10 AM service for adults, which includes music and hymns. A nursery is also provided at the time of this service. Coffee Hour follows the 10 AM service.

Youth Group - The youth group is formed of both the junior and senior high students in the parish. A Christian Ed program is offered on Sunday mornings while a social program is offered on alternate Sunday evenings.

External Ministries

The Angel Tree and the Apple Tree - The Angel Tree is a ministry that St. Philip's Church supports in conjunction with the Palatine Township Authority and a number of other churches in the northwest community around Palatine. Local community service agencies obtain names of needy families that require assistance in providing Christmas gifts for themselves and their children. St. Philip's makes up "angels" with each request on one angel. These are hung on a tree for parishioners to look over, select, and buy the requested gift. The gifts are brought to St. Philip's where they are then taken to the local public service agency for distribution to the needy family. About 125 to 150 gifts are purchased by the parish every year. In the fall we do much the same thing with "apples" on a tree which carry requests for school supplies for needy children.

Heifer Project International - The mission of Heifer Project International is to alleviate hunger and poverty in all parts of the world. This goal is accomplished by providing food-producing animals and related assistance to families in need in 33 countries. An essential part of HPI's philosophy is the understanding tat each person who is helped will pass on the gift. They must give one of the animal's offspring to a needy neighbor or share new skills in animal care. St Philip's has been involved in this project for quite some time and it is a particular favorite of the youth group. At Christmas time, we ususally raise enough money to buy an animal for HPI.

PADS (Public Action to Deliver Shelter) - PADS is a coalition of area churches which provides food and shelter to the homeless from October 1st to April 30th of every year. Our church facility is not used for this program, but members of our congregation volunteer their services at various church sites.

Saint Leonard's House, Grace House - Saint Leonard's House is an established Episcopal charity located on the west side of Chicago. It is a halfway house for men that are getting out of prison and returning to society. It has been in existence for a number of years and does an excellent job helping ex-offenders integrate back into society as useful and productive citizens. Sine 1992 St. Philip's Church has collected men's clothing for St Leonard's House. On occasion we will also go down to the house and bring a large, home cooked meal for all the men. Grace House is a more recently established charity located on the south side of Chicago which does much the same thing for women who are in various stages of adjusting to life after prison. We also collect women's clothing to send to Grace House.

Palatine Township Food Pantry - There is a special container in the back of the church that holds donations to Palatine Township Food Pantry. Volunteers transport the food items from Saint Philip's to the township building. The second Sunday of every month is dedicated

Food for the Poor - This year we have begun supporting Food for the Poor, an organization which provides food and shelter for needy families in third world countries.

World Exodus - Our parish has sponsored families from third world countries who settle in Chicago. We also have an annual jewelry & artifacts sale that raises funds for the missions in Uganda.