Sunday Services<: Ushers/title> </head> <BODY BGCOLOR="#FFFFFF" LINK="#000080" VLINK="#000099"> <A NAME="top"></A> <FONT FACE="arial" SIZE="-1"> <P> <a href="../index.html">Back to index</a> <P> <center><h3>Internal Ministries</h3></center> <p> <center> <a href="cares.html">Cares and Concerns</a> | <a href="ministry.html">Committee on Ministry</a> | <a href="drerel.html">DRE Relations Committee</a><br> <a href="hospitality.html">Hospitality</a> | <a href="membership.html">Membership</a> | <a href="sundayservices.html">Sunday Services</a> </center> <p> <h3>Usher Responsibilities</h3> <P> <div align="center"> <a href="#checklist">Quick Checklist for Ushers</a> </div> <blockquote> <p> <b>Setting Up a Welcoming Environment:</b> <p> <ol> <li>Please turn the lights on if they aren't already on (9:15) and turn them off if they aren't already off (11:15). <p> <li>Please place (9:15) or retrieve (11:15) the "no parking" signs across the street in front of the neighbors' home. Storage location: between the restrooms in the sanctuary. <p> <li>Please place (9:15) or return (11:15) the wheeled "kiosks" in the entryway between the RE and sanctuary. Storage location: an empty space at the back of the sanctuary. <p> <li>Please place chairs where needed. Notice the tape on the floor (as well as the photo) to guide location of rows. Leave a space at the walls to form aisles in case of an emergency evacuation. <p> <li><b>First Service Ushers:</b> Please place hymnals on the chairs as a courtesy to the congregation, one for every other seat. <p> <li><b>Second Service Ushers:</b> Please pick up hymnals from the chairs after the second service and return them to the storage cart. </ol> <p> <b>Setting Up (9:15) or Cleaning Up (11:15) the Chancel Area:</b> <p> <ol> <li>For the 9:15 service, place the chalice (found under the pulpit) on the stand directly in front of the pulpit, emblem facing out. After the 11:15 service, return the chalice to the left front side of the space under the pulpit. <p> <li>Please use the gloves and the blue cover to carry the chalice to avoid oils from your hands tarnishing the pewter. Keep the cover on the chalice when it is stored. <p> <li>Please use the coffee filter paper under the candle to catch wax that may drip onto the pewter. Beware of liquid wax when storing the chalice candle. Candle can be laid on side. <p> <li>Check large chalice candle before each service to be sure that the wick is exposed so it can be lit! <p> <li>Place small votive candle next to chalice on stand. Light just before service begins. Matches are in the pulpit drawers. Store votive close to the chalice when putting away. (Additional votives are in the credenza drawer at the rear of the sanctuary.) <p> <li>Place bowl of sand on the higher of the two white pedestals. Handle with great care! Store on right front of pulpit storage area. <p> <li>Place small bowl of candles on the lower of the two white pedestals. Refill as needed from boxes in the rear of the pulpit storage area (behind the chalice storage space). <p> <li>At the end of EACH service, please remove the spent Joys/Sorrows candles so sand is clean. Dispose of candle stubs. <p> <li><b>First Service Ushers:</b> The verbal announcement book will be in the offering plates. Please place it on the pulpit. <p> <li>Retrieve the offering plates and return the offering plates. Two wooden bowls for the offering are stored upstairs in the built-in shelf between office doors. <p> <li><b>First Service Ushers:</b> A glass of water for the minister or speaker is appreciated. Please place it on the floor level of the pulpit. </ol> <p> <b>Other Important Responsibilities:</b> <p> <ol> <li>Help people to find and take seats -- especially visitors, newcomers, and late arrivals. Congestion is sometimes a problem, so gentle nudges are sometimes helpful. <p> <li>Encourage congregation to take their seats prior to the Prelude, but if they arrive a little after the Prelude allow them to discreetly take seats during the Prelude (empty seats can be easily seen at this time since people are sitting). However, if they arrive after the Prelude and during the opening part while congregation is standing, please hold them back until after the Musical Response to the Lighting of the Chalice (see Order of Service) and people are sitting again. <p> <li>Ushers are encouraged to take their own seats near the rear of the Sanctuary so they can help with latecomers and have an overall view of the congregation in case there is some problem. If you see some problem, please help out if possible. <p> <li><b>Taking the Offering:</b> After taking the offering, take plates upstairs to office. Put $$ into envelope(s) and write date and whether 1st or 2nd service on envelope(s). Place $$ in the safe located behind the desk. <p> <li><b>First Service Ushers:</b> Stack 4 rows of chairs (left rear of sanctuary as you face the front). <p> <li><b>Second Service Ushers:</b> Replace the stacked chairs in their rows (except after the 4th Sunday of the month when the congregation stacks chairs for cleaning. (A notice will be in the Order of Service on the 4th Sunday.) <p> <li>After EACH service, pick up "left" things (i.e. programs and cups) so it will look welcoming for the next gathering. <p> <li><b>For Second Service Ushers When Closing:</b> Please check that all doors are locked, including the ones at the front of the sanctuary and the kitchen. Also check that windows are closed -- don't forget windows in bathroom. If a staff member is still present, check with them for the final locking of the front door. If not, lock the front door. ("Closing the Church" instructions are at the left of the front door.) </ol> <p> <hr> <a name="checklist"> </a> <p> <div align="center"><b>QUICK CHECKLIST FOR USHERS</b></div> <p> <b>Set-Up:</b> <p> <ul> <li>Lights on (9:15); lights off (11:15). <li>"No parking" signs out (9:15) or in (11:15). <li>Kiosks placed in entryway (9:15) or returned (11:15). <li>Chairs where needed. <li>Hymnals out and returned (both services). </ul> <p> <b>Set Up (9:15) / Clean Up (11:15) Chancel Area:</b> <p> <ul> <li>Chalice out (9:15); chalice returned (11:15). <li>Votive candle next to chalice lit just before service. <li>Bowl of sand on higher pedestal. <li>Bowl of candles on lower pedestal. <li>Remove Joy/Sorrows candles after each service. <li>Verbal announcement book out (9:15). <li>Retrieve and return offering plates. <li>Glass of water for minister out (9:15). </ul> <p> <b>Other Responsibilities:</b> <p> <ul> <li>Help seat congregation, especially visitors and newcomers. <li>Ushers please sit near back of sanctuary for overall view of congregation. <li>Encourage seating before Prelude, but allow during Prelude. <li>Seat arrivals during opening of service after Musical Response. <li><b>Take Offering.</b> Offering plates to be brought upstairs. Place $$ in envelopes and safe. <li><b>First Service Ushers:</b> Bring out coffee service and stack 4 rows of chairs. Return the first service coffee carts to kitchen by 11:00 and replace the stacked chairs in their rows. <li>Pick up after each service. <li><b>Second Service Ushers:</b> Close building if last one out and no staff present. </ul> </blockquote> <p> <script language='javascript'>  </script> </BODY> </HTML>