Ministry: Ushers

Position:  Usher

Purpose:  Except when Greeters are on duty, the Ushers provide the official greeting to attendants at each of our worship services and accordingly represent the “first face” of the Church to existing members and guests of the congregation.

Responsibilities: Ushers are always scheduled to serve in pairs. The ushers:

Toll the bell 10 times 10 minutes before the service, except at the 8 a.m. service when it is tolled to signal the start of the service; distribute the program of worship to each person; keep a count of attendants at communion services and communicate this to the priest.  An usher also sets up folding chairs when needed at “capacity” services; tends to opening and closing of doors and windows to monitor heat, cold or noise in the sanctuary; carries the bread and the wine to the acolyte for communion; collects the offering during the service; and monitors the flow of communicants to the communion rail.  The ushers also render any special assistance required by any individual; they straighten pews, prayer books, hymnals and kneelers after each service; and they turn off lights and fans when the church is empty, locking the front door after the 10:45 service.

Qualifications: No special qualifications are required.

Amount of Time Required: Typically each usher at the 9:00 or 10:45 a.m. service is scheduled to serve approximately six times during the regular program year,

When Ministry is Performed: Ushers are regularly scheduled for the 9:00 and 10:45 a.m. services, in addition to serving at Ash Wednesday, Maundy Thursday, Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services, and serve at the 8:00 service under the leadership of Roy Black (with no written schedule for the 8:00 ushers).