Acolytes — This ministry exists at the heart of our worship services and includes members from age 9 through 60+! We typically have one server at the 8:00am service and the 10:15am service includes one server, one crucifer, and two torch bearers. On festival days, we include a thurifer, a banner carrier, a second set of torch bearers, and a second crucifer.

Altar Guild — This group of dedicated members works to prepare the altar for every service held throughout the week and during special occasions.

Annual Meeting — Our parish meets formally once a year in January. At this meeting the rector talks about the state of the parish, reflects on the past year, and discusses upcoming events for the current year; the parish elects its representatives for the annual convention.

Bible Study — Meets weekly to explore the Word of God.

Budget/Finance Committee — This ministry is responsible for the development of the annual budget for presentation to the Vestry. The committee meets at least four times a year to monitor income and expenses and to make recommendations to the Vestry. This committee also reviews activity that may require large financial commitments and makes recommendations to the Vestry regarding these decisions. Some projects currently being monitored by this ministry are the cost of a new roof within the next ten years, the cost of the interior renovation project, and the possibility of acquiring another adjacent property within the next few years.

Christian Formation — We have incorporated the diocesan and national church mandate in using Safeguarding God’s Children program as part of our children and youth ministries. We have also developed a policies and procedures guide for all youth and children’s ministry workers, which includes the requirement that everyone have state background checks.

College Ministry — “The Canterbury Club” — Prince of Peace has an active ministry at Gettysburg College that centers around bi-monthly Eucharists followed by lunch.

Companion Parish — From this developing, mutually beneficial relationship between Prince of Peace and Holy Cross of Sao Paulo, Brazil, we hope to learn more about each other’s church history, culture, and parish members. So far, we have sent resources and a delegation from our church to visit Brazil to strengthen this relationship, and Bishop Ito, from the Sao Paulo Diocese, has visited us. A second delegation from Brazil visited us and a teen stayed with a parish family for a week.

Confirmation Class — This is taught by the clergy to the 13 and 14 year olds in the congregation.

Decorating Committee — This ministry has the significant job of decorating the church for the major feast times of our church calendar — namely the Easter Season and the Christmas Season. They do a wonderful job of transforming our worship space to help us fully recognize the spiritual importance of these blessed seasons.

Endowment Committee — This ministry meets regularly to look at the best ways to serve our community through donating the money earned by our endowment funds. This committee makes recommendations to the Vestry.

EpiscoPals — This ministry is a monthly dinner gathering with the goal of providing a strictly social setting where parish members can get to know each other better. A different parish family hosts the meal each month and provides the meat and beverage while the guests bring a covered dish to share. All adults of the parish are invited to attend. It is a great way to get to know our church family better! Readers’ Group — This ministry uses books and reading to bring parishioners together. A different book is offered for discussion each month, and all are invited to read and participate.

EpiscoPedalers — Through bicycle riding this ministry provides an enjoyable social setting to help get our members into better physical shape. Weekly rides are held as weather permits and rides are tailored to those members able to join in the fun. Our local area full of orchards and historic spaces is perfect for a spirit filled journey. The ‘Pedalers rode more than 350 miles and raised over $1300 for the ADA at the 2005 Tour de Cure.

Eucharistic Ministers — This ministry helps to connect all members of our congregation, especially those unable to make it to a worship service to share in the Feast.

Evangelism and Growth — It is the work of this ministry to continue to make Prince of Peace a place where visitors and newcomers feel welcome and “at home.” This ministry also strives to make our church as friendly as possible by distributing information about our congregation, by updating signage, by encouraging and training greeters for every Sunday service, and by hosting newcomer receptions where tours and other informative talks are offered.

Every Member Canvass — Due in large part to the wonderful work of Jennifer and Bill Railing, this ministry has had a history of success. Each October callers are trained to contact EVERY family within our parish to invite them to make a pledge to the church for the upcoming calendar year. The callers are able to answer questions about the church and the budget. On All Saints Sunday in November, the pledge cards are presented at each service and are offered to the glory of God.

First Communion Program — This is a month-long program offered when there are enough children interested in learning more about the Sacrament of Eucharist — either preparing to take their First Communion or those already taking Communion who want to know more about the service. There are presentations on the meaning of Communion and Reconciliation, and after a weekend retreat, they take Communion together on Sunday.

Healing — At both Sunday services the healing station provides an opportunity for anyone to receive or request prayers and laying on of hands. This ministry is offered by our clergy and by members of the congregation who feel called to act as God’s servants in the healing process. Laying on of hands is offered at Sunday services.

Health/Healing Ministry — This ministry offers a free monthly blood-pressure screening administered by a nurse in our congregation, a telephone-activated prayer chain for those in need of healing prayers, periodic informational programs about health-related topics, a defibrillator on the premises with training for congregational members, and initially in 2005, an annual communitywide ecumenical service of healing. This ministry is poised to grow.

High Street Chowder and Marching Society — Don’t let the long name discourage you. This is a fellowship ministry for the men in the parish who gather a few times a year to share in a meal and enjoy one another’s company in the spirit of fun and fellowship.

Historic Church Walking Tours — Held on Wednesday evenings through June, July, and August, these tours allow us to share our historic and beautiful church with local people, visitors, and Elderhostel groups. Our church is one of eight that participate. Via Media — This past fall, 2005, Prince of Peace was one of the first churches to provide an opportunity for its members to participate in the Via Media, or “Middle Way” presentations. This 8-week course includes dinner of pizza and salad, a short video presentation on a specific topic each week, round table discussions in small group formats, and a closing prayer service. The purpose of this enlightening ministry is to educate new and old members about what it means to be an Episcopalian.

Hospitality Committee — This ministry helps to create a welcoming atmosphere in the church by providing food and decorations for receptions and fellowship times. The volunteers on this committee are called upon during funerals and memorial services, as well.

Jubilee Ministry —

The NEW "Moveable Feasts" Cookbook can be viewed and ordered on line! click here!!

This committee coordinates many ministries that benefit the community. In 2002 we became recognized as a Jubilee Center, a distinction we take seriously. Some of the projects this ministry has been involved with include the Emerge House (a transitional program for women moving from prison back into the community); Prison Ministry; Big Brothers/Big Sisters; Habitat for Humanity; resettling of refugee families; assisting with the Soup Kitchen; and helping with Pancake Day.

Knitting Group — This ministry provides an opportunity for our members who are talented (or not!) in arts and crafts to gather and socialize while working on projects.

Lenten Worship — During Lent additional worship opportunities are available. The Stations of the Cross are walked each Friday evening, and Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, and Good Friday services are conducted. The Maundy Thursday service includes the washing of feet and clearing of the altar in preparation for Good Friday. Beginning immediately after the Thursday service, members of the parish are invited to maintain the Watch.

Meals & More — An extension of our parish’s partnership with the Gettysburg Community Soup Kitchen, this ministry provides meals and activities for Gettysburg’s local youth ages 7 to 12. A structured environment is provided for the children with an emphasis on encouragement, education, entertainment, and spiritual exploration. The targeted population for this ministry are children whose home lives offer little supervision or enrichment in the summer months.

Memorial Garden Committee — When the church was enlarged a few years ago, this committee was created to design, plant, and maintain our beautiful small garden at the back of our buildings. In the middle of town, this ministry has created a quiet, peaceful, and beautiful space with a bench and a one-of-a-kind sculpted fountain created for our parish. We take great pride in having this space available to all who pass by.

Music — Thanks to our choir director and organist, we have an active and involved music program, although there is always room for more participants! Our Senior Choir rehearses at 8:30am on Sunday mornings (September through June) and participates in the 10:15am service each week, as well as at other festival services. The “Hallelujah Chorus” has become a popular favorite during the 10:15am Easter Service with the entire congregation invited to rehearse and participate. The Praise Singers form our choir for students in grades 3 through 8. They rehearse after the 10:15am service and sing once a month from October through May. The Joy Ringers are the hand bell players in the church. We have a variety of instrumental ensembles that play throughout the year, and there are many opportunities for vocal & instrumental soloists to participate in our worship.

Nursery — Volunteers tend to our youngest members, three and under, in our designated nursery room in the undercroft. This ministry is available from 9:00 until 11:00am during the church school year and from 10:00 until 11:00am during the summer months. This ministry often serves between two and six little ones each Sunday.

Office Angels — This ministry is indispensable as part of our daily office needs. These volunteers provide support for many tasks including greeting visitors to the office, giving directions, answering the telephone, taking messages with the understanding that at times, these messages are confidential, photocopying, mailing, folding, and keeping the office neat and organized.  

Over-55 Group — This is a social group designed to offer a relaxing way to gather and discuss topics of interest to those over 55. A Tai Chi class is held weekly.

Pancake Day — A 26-year tradition originally started to help the church cover its own expenses, this has become a thriving annual event held each Shrove Tuesday in the Gettysburg Fire Hall. A breakfast of pancakes and sausage, served with coffee and juice, is offered for a modest donation. Members of the congregation do the cooking and serving which strengthens our bonds as members in the community of Christ. We are proud to say that the proceeds once used to sustain our own church are now totally given back to the community each year.

Parish Picnic — Each year, everyone in the parish is invited to a beautiful parish picnic often held on a member’s farm in the middle of orchard country. Depending on the season, we may glean apples from the areas already harvested and give the gathered produce to our local Soup Kitchen or Food Pantry. This is a wonderful opportunity for fellowship and enjoyment of the rich natural beauty of our area.

Pastoral Care Committee — This ministry strives to serve members who need a physical or spiritual helping hand. The members deliver flowers, meals, and cards as needed and make personal calls.

Planned Giving — The purpose of this ministry is to acquaint the membership of the parish with opportunities for making testamentary gifts to the Prince of Peace and to the diocese. This committee also teaches parishioners about ways to gain personal income through church-based annuity plans.

Property Committee — This ministry is responsible for the property of the church – from minor plumbing issues to leaks in the roof. The committee meets quarterly to discuss property issues and to organize the two annual workdays, one in the spring and one in the fall. The Junior Warden is responsible for the leadership of this ministry and a co-leader works with the Jr. Warden and is the primary point of contact and provides historical continuity as well as maintains a list of needed repairs. The Vestry must approve out of budget repairs or projects.

Interior Renovation Committee — Formed in the fall of 2002, this ministry is charged with suggesting improvements to the interior of the Nave. The committee, with the approval of the Vestry, has hired a liturgical designer to make more educated decisions and to help save time and money. One set of proposed plans has been submitted. No final plans have been approved.

Soup Kitchen — The Gettysburg Community Soup Kitchen is a nonprofit social service agency that serves free, nutritious meals to people in need in the Gettysburg community. No longer solely a Prince of Peace project, it is still located in our church. Meals are served six days a week to anyone in need. A shower facility has recently been added near the area of the Soup Kitchen dining room.

Sunday School — On a typical Sunday, we have about twenty children in Sunday School. Our current program for preschool through sixth grade is the Firelight Series, which provides activities focusing on Bible stories at age-appropriate levels. We incorporate and supplement elements of the Catechesis of the Good Shepherd educational program for special events. Christmas Pageant — This is presented by the children of the parish during the 5:30pm family service on Christmas Eve.

Vacation Bible School — This week-long program runs the last week in June and has a different theme each year. For one-hour sessions Monday through Thursday evenings, the children hear Bible stories, work on crafts, and learn songs. On Friday, everyone takes a day trip to Fuller Lake – a local State Park – where they have a special worship service, picnic, nature walk, and swimming. The older children are invited to assist as junior counselors for the week.

Vestry — Our church is led by a Vestry of twelve elected members, who serve a term of three years. The Vestry appoints a Treasurer, who is a voting member. Four members are elected for each “class” in October with their terms beginning in January. The Vestry meets once a month on the third Tuesday, with the exception of July and August, and is responsible for overseeing the budget and spending of the church, for participating in the Every Member Canvas, for participating as greeters, for monitoring each of the ministries that serve our parish and community through the SWEEPS document, and for the over-all well-being of the members of the congregation. The Vestry meets socially at least once a year for a fellowship potluck.

Vestry Greeters — To make the leadership of the church known and accessible to the members of the congregation, each member of the Vestry signs up to be a greeter at either the 8:00am or 10:15am services for one month of each year. Each Vestry member is expected to greet at the 8:00am service for one month and at the 10:15am service for one month.

Worship Committee — This group meets quarterly to reflect on our life and worship at Prince of Peace. The committee reviews our current opportunities for worship and proposes new ideas and approaches.

Worship Services — We currently offer Eucharist at 8:00am and 10:15am on Sundays; and noon on Thursdays. Sunday School begins at 9:15am, and Lay-led Morning Prayer is offered at 9:00am Monday through Friday. Although not every worship opportunity is attended equally, each serves to bring Christ to our parish family and our community.

Youth Groups — At this time the Senior High Youth Group is not active. The Junior Youth Group (EpiscoPunks) meets the first Sunday of each month for an afternoon long activity or service project.

Youth Worship Training — This ministry aims to expand the inclusion of youth in the weekly worship. All children ages seven and older are invited to participate in Sunday worship as greeters, ushers, lectors, and as servants at the healing station.