Instructions For Assisting at Christ Church Ithan

Acolytes

• Acolytes should arrive at the church and be vested 15 minutes before the service starts.

Greeters

• Please arrive at church 5-10 minutes before the service
• Wear your name tag
• Pick up the basket of welcome cards/lapel pins from the office. It may also be on the bench at the back of the church.
• Please stand at the entrance (Narthex) of the church and greet any newcomers.
• Give them a welcome card/lapel pin and ask them to sign an information card or the guest book.
• Explain that there are nursery services in the Parish Hall, that Sunday School is available and show them where the activity packets are if they have children.
• During the closing hymn, please position yourself at the outer door or on the drive and direct all people to the Parish hall for hospitality.
• Please encourage newcomers to go into hospitality with you, or with another parishioner.
• During hospitality, please "work the crowd" - introduce the newcomers to as many people as you can.
• Put any completed information cards in the office or give them to Father Parker

Ushers

• Ushers should arrive 20 minutes before the service
• Make sure the bell tower door is unlocked - it is a fire exit.
• Place the road barriers near the church entry way
• Pick up the service bulletins from the office - they may also be on the back pew of the church
• Take the American Flag from the bell tower and raise it on the flag pole - except during inclement weather.
• Hoist it briskly, lower it respectfully - please make sure it doesn't touch the ground
• Before the service - do a quick run-through the church to make sure the pews are in order (leaflets picked up, prayer books and hymnals in their racks etc.)
• Ten minutes before the service begins - ring the bell in the belfry 20 times - deliberately, but not rapidly.
• Greet arrivals, hand them a service bulletin and encourage them to sit at the front of the church.
• Encourage newcomers to sign the visitor's book and fill out a visitor card.
• Inform newcomers with children of the Church School routine and the availability of the nursery; also show them the "activity packages" available for use by small children during the service.
• If only one usher is present, please "draft" a parishioner to stand in the Sacristy during Communion to help those who may need assistance. If there are two ushers - one should take this position while the other guides parishioners up to communion.
• Before the service begins, ushers are to ask two people or one family to make the Presentation of the Gifts (bread and wine) at the offertory. If you are unable to find anyone to do this - the ushers may do this themselves.
• Before the service begins, upon signal from the Rector, one usher should ring the bell 8-10 times.
• At the Offertory, the family or people presenting the gifts picks the bread and wine up from the back of the church and walks in unison up the center aisle to the alter. Once the gifts are presented, the people may exit via the stairs to the right and return to their seats.
• The ushers follow those presenting the gifts and pick up the offertory collection plates from one of the Acolytes.
• Collect the offering - making sure to count all of the people - including clergy, choir and yourself.
• At the end of the offertory hymn, walk in unison up to the alter - the congregation will stand.
• Place the plates into the larger plate - held by the Acolyte - then each usher should take one step sideways to "open" the view of the Celebrant (left usher move left 1-2 steps; right usher move right 1-2 steps).
• At the conclusion of the Offertory blessing, one usher places the kneeling cushion to the center.
• Both ushers exit to the right - down the stairs.
• One usher opens and secures the sacristy door.
• During Communion, one usher may stand in the Sacristy to provide assistance to those who need it.
• The other usher will guide the congregation to the alter rail. Typically - the usher steps back 1-2 pews at a time - maintaining a short line to the alter rail - making sure that there are no gaps.
• The ushers follow the last parishioner to the rail and receive communion.
• When done, the usher moves the center cushion back to the left and then exits to the right.
• The sacristy door is closed.
• After the service, one usher cleans up the church. Pick up any bulletins/papers and discard. Place the Hymnals and Prayer Books in the racks (Blue Hymnal on the left - Red Prayer Book on the right) - check the books for uniform alignment by "sighting" down the columns of books from the back - it is easy to "spot" a set of books that is misaligned.
• If the flag is up - the ushers should take it down, fold it properly and place it in the bell tower. Folding the flag properly is a two person job - instructions to fold the flag properly are at this link: How to Fold the Flag
• One usher should pick up the offering plates and take them to the church office. Count the cash and loose checks and complete the form and record the attendance. DO NOT OPEN AND COUNT THE PLEDGE ENVELOPES.
• Place the collection and summary in the canvas bag, and put it in the safe in the closet. Please LOCK THE SAFE and return the collection plates to the Sacristy.
• You're done - THANK YOU for your service. Now go get the last cookie and a cup of coffee!