Information for Ushers

October 20, 2006

Ushers – Basic Information - The Board of Ushers shall be responsible for the ushering function of the Church worship services. This includes: the scheduling and administration of the ushers; establishment of practices to foster a warm and friendly atmosphere toward the congregation; ensuring appropriate decorum during worship; assisting the Ministers and other Boards in greeting visitors to the services. The Usher Chairperson (ûhead usherú) will solicit volunteers and develop a schedule. The schedule will divide the ushers into multiple teams per service, aimed at an objective of ushers serving once every six weeks.

Substitutes - In the event a member is not able to be present on an assigned Sunday he or she is requested to find a substitute from the list of ushers. The Group Leader should be notified of the replacement.

Early Service - Four ushers are assigned per service with one designated as the team leader.

The bulk of this document pertains to the early service.

Late Service - Two ushers are assigned per service with one designated team lead.

Late Service ushering is lower key. Please inform the minister you are present and will be ushering. Greet the congregation as they come in. The most important thing is to assist with the collection. After the conclusion of the sermon, the minister will descend from the pulpit with the plates. Receive the plates from the minister, pass the plates among the congregation, and then return the plates to the minister.

The Usher Group Leader - The Usher Group Leaders are familiar with the process and can provide assistance and guidance for their groups.

Be on Time - Ushers are asked to arrive at least 20 minutes prior to the start of the service.

Proper Dress - In order to improve on the decorum of the group, men are requested to wear shirts, ties and jackets. For women, dresses, skirts, slacks are appropriate. No jeans or sneakers, please.

Greet people - Greet people as they come into the Church. Try to learn as many names as possible.

Station Assignments - Locations from which to conduct greeting: the rear of the church, the narthex and the door to Lisle Hall/Barnwell. At least one usher should stay in the rear of the church for the duration of the service in assist in case of an emergency.

Seating - Ushers are to assist members and visitors in being seated by showing them to a pew and handing out bulletins as they are being seated. Suggestions may be made to those seated to move to the center to provide space for latecomers.

Late arrivals - Late arrivals tend to be an issue. There are asterisks listed in the bulletin as to when late arrivals may be seated. It is important that this be followed to avoid people being seated during times that will interrupt the reverence of the service. Ushers are requested to stand in the aisles at the rear of the Church to deter people from entering until the proper point in the service.

Offering Period - the four ushers who will be receiving the offering must be ready to move down the aisle when the minister is standing in the front of the Church. Ushers are asked to walk down the aisle at a steady pace making sure they are in step altogether with their partners. The same procedure will take place when you bring the offering to the altar and returning you to the rear of the church. Please do not race and please stay together.

Attendance - Attendance should be taken after the youth leave for Church School. Two ushers, assigned by the head usher, take attendance including the choir, the ministers, organist, congregation, and ushers. Attendance should be recorded in the notebook that is on the windowsill in the back of the narthex.

After the Service - After the service, all ushers in the group are responsible for replacing all hymnals and Bibles and for picking up all discarded bulletins. There is a box in the Copy Room (opposite the Office) for the bulletins. Put away any folding chairs used during the service.

** Emergency ** - In the event that a member of the congregation requires medical attention, call 911. Telephones can be found in the Church office, in the kitchen of Barnwell Hall, and inside the door behind the organ.

Fire Extinguisher - The fire extinguisher is located in the narthex under the stained glass windows on the left side. Call 911 if there is a fire.

Ice Water and Cups - Ice water and cups are available on the windowsill in the narthex for the relief of coughing, etc. Check to see if there are cups and if the water is fresh. If there are no cups please take some off the coffee table or ask the Sexton. If there is no water please fill the pitcher. Ice can be found in the freezer in the kitchen.

Bell Ringers - The bell ringing should take place at 9:50 and at the end of the prelude. The minister will prompt the bell ringer.

Check - Check that lights are on, the altar candles are lit, doors and windows are opened or closed, etc. If there is snow, ice, or other dangers present, please notify the Sexton immediately.

Hymnals - Put extras in windowsills on heavy attendance Sundays.

Chairs - Set up folding chairs in the rear when the Church is almost full. Put the chairs back after the service.

Standing - People are to stand in the side aisles, not in the narthex. People should not sit in the windowsills.