Active Involvement
Acolytes and Lay Eucharistic Ministers
The Acolytes and Lay Eucharistic Ministers (LEM) are lay persons who assist the rector and priests during the worship services. The Acolyte and Lay Eucharistic Minister (LEM) is an active part of every Sunday worship service and on Feast Days and other special services. Three persons are assigned per service at which time they are responsible for assisting the presiding priest during the service and preparations before and clean up after the service. Generally every member of this ministry is assigned to serve one Sunday per months, where the day and group will vary with every Sunday based on the availability of individuals. Schedules are mailed in advance and also posted in the office. Duties of the Acolyte focus on preparing the altar area but not setting the altar itself for the service. This includes setting up seating around the altar, placing kneelers around the altar, lighting candles before and extinguishing them after the service, and acting as torch and cross bearers at the processions in the service. In addition to the tasks described above the LEM may also assist the priests by administering consecrated bread and wine at the celebration of the Eucharist. At our services the LEM is mostly active as a chalice bearer administering the chalice during the Eucharist. The LEM is a lay persons licensed by the bishop to administer the consecrated elements of the Eucharist. The time commitment each member joining this group needs to consider is made up of:
1. A one hour introductory training session
2. Serving in a worship service once every month (on average) for about 1 ½ hours with ½ hour of setup and clean
up
3. Occasional training as arranged by the LEM coordinator or clergy.Anyone over the age of 12 is welcome; both
adults and youth are invited to serve at the altar. The only requirement is a willingness to learn and to be
available on Sundays and special occasions. Volunteers welcome!
Readers and Intercessors
Traditionally there are two readings during the service that are read by lay people, the Old Testament reading and the reading from the Epistles. At the Church of the Ascension we have an additional reading of the Gospel in German which is read by a lay person as well. After an introduction to reading in public with a microphone there is a rota so that as many people as possible to participate in this ministry. The Intercessors are the leaders of the congregation for the Prayers of the People. While the form of the Prayers of the People is usually chosen by the rector, we have an additional prayer list at the entrance to the sanctuary where people can add names. These need to be included in the forms. The Intercessors usually stand in the middle of the congregation and do not have a microphone to assist their voice, though reading from the pulpit is legitimate as well. There is a special training how to prepare the Prayers of the People. Volunteers welcome!
Ushers
The Ushers (in the UK “sidesmen”) are among the first people you see when you arrive for the Sunday service. Their most visible job is to help welcome everyone to Church and, together with the greeters, provide everyone with bulletins and any other relevant information. As an usher you - together with the members of all the other groups - help make the weekly service possible and are an active and visible participant. This activity is also a super opportunity to meet and talk to newcomers as well as established parish members and of course your fellow ushers. We try and make sure that no one is on duty more than once a month. The workload is then 20 minutes before and 15 minutes after and some time – see above – during the service. Most of the time, however, you can take part in and enjoy church just like the rest of the congregation. Training is offered, both on-the-job and with the help of a more detailed “manual”. Practice sessions can also be arranged if so desired.
Volunteers welcome!
Greeters
Greeters meet new arrivals at the door of the Church of the Ascension and welcome and assist them in finding their way around the church. There are a few key criteria to being a greeter: Being friendly and welcoming. Handing out service booklets. Presenting newcomers with a newcomers package and pointing out the name and address slip for them to fill out and place in the collection plate, should they wish (the slip can be found attached to the outside of the package/bag). This one requires a certain amount of diplomacy. We don’t want to scare people off by being too pushy. Showing new people into Church, explaining the ropes (e.g. checking if the service requires hymn books and, if so, showing the newcomers where they are). Taking the opportunity of offering newcomers a sign of peace during the service. Inviting new people to coffee hour after the service and making them feel welcome (introduce to other members of the parish, preferably someone who may have something in common (hobbies, place of origin etc.). The basic idea is to be helpful and friendly to newcomers before, during and after the service. Should be easy enough because that is what Christianity is all about any way, isn’t it? The ordinary commitment for a greeter is 30 minutes once per month. Volunteers welcome!
Altar Guild
The Altar Guild is a small group who works quietly “behind the scenes” setting up the Altar, Credence and Oblation tables in preparation for the Eucharist. It is also responsible for tidying up, cleaning the vessels which are then put away in their places for the next service, and for laundering the altar linens.We work in teams with a very flexible rota. Each team is responsible for a specific Sunday. If a member is unable to be there, she/he informs the team-mate and / or the coordinator, who then arranges a swap or replacement. The other members are alert to fill in gaps caused be unexpected delays or absences. Presently we have five teams, which means a member is responsible for one Sunday each month. “New-comers” are usually paired off with the “older” members who then try to demonstrate the procedure, since the work is mostly learning-by-doing. A procedure sheet is available and usually handed to the new member for orientation and remainder.Meetings are called whenever necessary. As each member is encouraged to voice questions or suggestions to the coordinator, formal meetings are not frequent, or impromptu in nature. The coordinator tries to have a luncheon-meeting once a year, when we can enjoy the fellowship while discussing questions, problems or suggestions. This has worked our effectively in the past and afforded us the opportunity to get to know each other in an informal manner. Volunteers welcome!
Version of this page: 01/26/2007