Protocols for Lay Assistants at services

Lay Ministers
Prayer Leaders
Lectors
Acolytes
Thurifers
Welcomers

Lay Ministers

BEFORE THE EUCHARIST

1. You are in charge of the running of the service and the public relations person. You need to choose a second person to assist with Holy Communion; this is conveniently and appropriately the children’s minister.
2. Arrive twenty minutes before the hour so that you can prepare everything and calm yourself before God. Assist other leaders in their preparation of torches, children’s ministry candle, lectionary and the two microphones in place.
3. Credenza: on the tray are corporal, ciborium (with 45 breads counted ready and the large host), wine tazza, bread box (with spare breads), silver chalice, two purificators, glass wash-bowl and towel, tabernacle key.
4. Chairs: two to the side, with the little table between us to share, with large liturgy books, songbooks, newssheets.
5. Candles: four (six at four major festivals) lit on the reredos; two lectors’ torches in the narthex ready for them to use.
6. At the hour: lead the group in prayer, announce the opening song, and carry high the gospel book.
7. Entry: at the second step move to the left for the president to join you, and acknowledge the meeting place of God with a deep bow.

MINISTRY OF THE WORD

1. Welcome the people and introduce the celebration and its people.
2. Be ready to guide the people whenever they need it. The specific points of leadership are marked in your book.
3. Gospel: bring the gospel-book to the priest, pray for God’s blessing before the priest proclaims the gospel from the book you hold open.
4. After the gospel talk you decide if you wish us to say a Creed, and then introduce it. There is no need to have a creed said.
5. Greeting of peace: you greet some people, and then return to announce the offertory song.

MINISTRY OF THE LORD’S TABLE.

1. From the credenza, bring to the altar, the large altar book open at the great thanksgiving of the day’s rite. The corporal, unfolded in the middle of the altar, with the last fold opening to the front edge where the president stands. Lay the long purificators in parallel together at the right of the corporal. Place the tabernacle key near the purificators.
2. At the credenza, prepare the open ciborium (bread bowl) with the large priest’s host and 45 small hosts (more or less as you gauge are needed). Place the ciborium centrally on the corporal.
3. At the credenza, prepare the chalice (half filled with wine, and a drop of water) and the tazza (a very little wine, a drop of water) and place these on the corporal.
4. In front, from the welcomers receive the collection plate, present it for the people to bless, set it on the credenza.
5. From the credenza, bring the bowl in one hand, with the towel over your fore-arm, and the water jug in your other hand, to wash the president’s hands. Pour water to rinse the fingers and offer the towel.
6. In front, invite the people to join the communion circle, with their service booklet and the service sheet.
7. For the great thanksgiving, stand by the book at the altar, and turn the pages of the book. You may wish to genuflect or bow with the priest in respect for the presence of Christ. At the climax, raise a chalice as the priest raises the ciborium before the people, and sustain it in silence. Again, at the communion raise the chalice and invite the people to communion.
8. At the holy communion, receive the Sacrament yourself, and then take the chalice at the knop, and the purificator in the other hand, to follow with the other ministers of communion.
9. At the altar, return the chalice to the corporal, with the purificator off the corporal to the right as before. You invite the people to return to the nave.
10. From the altar, remove the communion vessels: any extra hosts to the tabernacle, and the cups to the credenza to be drained, rinsed with water, and dried.
11. Move to the head of the nave before the people for the prayer after communion.

DISMISSAL

1. After the closing prayer, you introduce any notices, inviting people to the microphone.
2. When all notices are given, you invite the people to stand and you dismiss the assembly. Then you announce the exit song.
3. During the final verse of the song, move to stand facing the altar on the second step: reverence the altar with the president with a deep bow, and move out in front of the president through the people to the narthex.

AFTER THE EUCHARIST

1. With the priest, greet the people as they come out.
2. From the credenza: remove all items to the sacristy cupboard; put the soiled purificators into the labelled laundering-jar.
3. From the chancel, put away microphones and stand, altar books, songbooks to the sacristy.
4. From the sanctuary, put away the candlesticks in the sacristy, and replace the metal with the wooden cross, and lay the folded blue cloth over the altar-top.
5. Throw out the wash-water outside, and leave the wash-bowl in the sacristy cupboard; leave the towel there (for later laundering).
6. Ensure the chancel is tidy, chairs in place, and lights off.

Thankyou for your ministry of service

Prayer Leaders

AIMS

• The prayer leader aims to lead us as a community in prayer before God;
• The prayer leader aims to lead each of us into prayer with God; and
• You as the prayer leader are first present in your own personality; from there you help us go with you into prayer before God.

Remember: you are addressing God and helping us do the same.

STRUCTURE OF THE PRAYERS-OF-THE-PEOPLE

1. the church
2. the world
3. the neighbourhood
4. the specific: including the sick, bereaved, departed
5. the closing prayer

(This classical structure helps you group the various elements of your prayers.)

RESOURCES

• Read the lections for the Sunday in good time before Sunday.
• The Anglican Cycle of Prayer; the diocesan prayer cycle, and the parish prayer cycle. Pam Lubransky prepares a paper, which you use in your own way.
• Resources in the lectern:
  • The Prayer of the Faithful – useful ideas and phrases;
  • The Aotearoa Psalms, Psalms Down Under by Joy Cowley.
  You may well find your own.
• Silent prayer: this provides the space for people to live with the words and find their own space.

Thankyou for your ministry of service

Lectors (Readers)

The Lectionary uses the same text as the NRSV Bible.

First Lector

The First Lection is from the Jewish scriptures, the Old Testament, and prefigures or enhances the meanings in the gospel.

After the ‘Amen’ of the Prayer when the people sit down for the first time, and the first reading has been announced, (but after the children are invited to go out for Sunday School, if relevant -- to avoid congestion), move to the lectern.

• ANNOUNCE: “The First Reading is from the First book of Kings”, etc.
  Read the passage: .........
   
• At the end of the reading, YOU SAY: “Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church”
  The people respond: "Thanks be to God."
  Return to your seat, after which a Gradual hymn is sung while seated.
   
• You may be required to collect the candle to perform Acolyte duty during the Gospel, in which case, collect your candle from beside the lecturn straight after the second reading, while the liturgist is picking up the Red Gospel book.

Second Lector

The Second Lection follows its own sequence through the New Testament letters.

Following the first reading there is a gradual or other hymn to be sung while seated. When there are about three lines left to sing in the Gradual or other hymn sung while seated, move up the the lecturn.

• ANNOUNCE: “The Second Reading is from the letter of Paul to the Galatians”, etc.
  Read the passage: .........
   
• At the end of the reading, YOU SAY: “Hear what the Spirit is saying to the Church”
  The people respond: "Thanks be to God."
  Return to your seat, unless you are required to collect the candle to perform Acolyte duty during the Gospel, in which case, collect your candle from beside the lecturn straight after the second reading, while the liturgist is picking up the Red Gospel book.

Thankyou for your ministry of enlightenment!

Acolytes

• OPENING. You mark the gathering of the community as you lead us in to form ourselves around the lectern.
  [Have some matches in your pocket or handbag – just in case!]
  You collect the torches (candle-holders) from the sacristy (ministries room) and bring them to the narthex, just before the eucharist is to begin. Carry the candles to the Narthex and light them, and be ready for the preparation prayer. Gather in procession in the Narthex behind the liturgist who will announce the opening hymn, and in front of the priest. After the singing of the opening song has begun, acolytes walk slowly at the head of the procession together forward to the lectern, holding the torches in both hands. Keep the two candles of the torches at the same level. When you reach the lectern, hold the torches directly straight above their slot-holders, and let them drop down into the holders. Return to your seat.
   
• GOSPEL. You hold the candle to honour Christ the light of the world as he addresses us.
  The second reading ends, and as soon as the red Gospel book is picked up by the liturgist before the beginning of the Reading of the Gospel, the Acolytes collect the candles and walk behind the Cross and the book holder, ahead of the priest, and stand facing each other beside the third pew opening on either side of the Book of the Gospel in front of the priest to illuminate the volume. After the Gospel replace the candles in the holders near the lecturn, and return to your seat.
   
• OFFERTORY. You lead the people around the altar of the Sacrament.
  As the offertory plates are taken up to the altar by the liturgist who is given them by the collectors, (leaving your order of service and song-books in your pew!) collect candles again for the start of Eucharist and carry them up to the altar and place them in the holders on either side of the altar table. Stand in the circle but remain nearby the candles.
   
• AFTER HOLY COMMUNION. You lead us forward into our daily lives.
  Pick up the candle at the conclusion of the Eucharist, and walk with the candle to stand just above the step that the lecturn is on. You will be standing either side of the ministers. Stay there during the closing prayer and closing hymn. During the final verse of the closing hymn, follow slowly out in procession ahead of the ministers down through the people to the narthex, carrying the candle. Blow out the candles carefully and return them to their place in the sacristy.

Thankyou for your ministry of enlightenment!

Thurifers

GENERAL GUIDANCE ON MOVING DURING SERVICE

• During processions walk deliberately. During the entry and exit songs the aim is not to rush there and back.
• At other times judge your rate of walk to get to the desired place just when needed, neither slowly or quickly.
• The one time you are on “display” so to speak is when going to cense the People. Again walk deliberately but not solemnly.

BEFORE THE EUCHARIST

1. You set the tone for the beginning of the service. Key relationships are with the lay minister, priest and boat-bearer (when available). Others you may need to coordinate with include torch-bearers and crucifer (if present).
2. Arrive at least twenty minutes before the hour so that you can prepare everything and calm yourself before God.
3. Select and put on a white alb and girdle.
4. Set up the sanctuary: place thurible stand (kept above steel cabinet) between altar and tabernacle. Ensure there is a chair for yourself and boat-bearer. Collect service-book, hymn-book and service-sheet for you both and place on these chairs.
5. In the ministries room (sacristy) take: Thurible from its hook by the outside door, and Boat, plate & candles, matches, incense and charcoal in jar and place on the high bench
6. Fill the boat with incense (and give to the boat-bearer).
7. Light the candles on the plate and using the tongs heat up at least three charcoal tablets. Place them glowing steadily in the cup inside the thurible.
8. Put out candles and ensure all is safe.
9. If time permits return charcoal and incense to containers and return to their place in grey steel cabinet.
10. Go, with the boat-bearer, to the narthex gently swinging the thurible to keep the coals glowing. Take a position near the entrance to the church but leave room for arrivals to collect books and enter the church.
11. Before prayers bring the thurible to the priest, raise the cover of the thurible and invite the priest to place and bless the incense. Gently swing the thurible to ensure the charcoal glows to burn the incense.
12. After prayers and when the lay minister is ready to announce the entry song take the lead position inside the church. The order is thurifer (with boat-bearer at left side), crucifer if present, torch-bearers, lay minister, priest.
13. Process deliberately, swinging the thurible as you go.
14. In front of the lower step move to the left to leave room for one torch-bearer and the lay minister to your immediate right.
15. After the torch-bearers have moved to place the torches by the lectern and the priest and lay minister have taken their places move to your place near the tabernacle.

GOSPEL

1. During the second lection, and staying seated, have the boat-bearer take the boat and you take the thurible.
2. On the completion of the second lection, stand and move to follow the person who is to read the Gospel.
3. Stand behind and to the right of the gospeller when the gospel procession comes to rest.
4. Raise the cover ready for the gospeller to place and bless incense.
5. Hand the thurible to the gospeller, who censes the Gospel and returns the thurible to you.
6. As the Gospel is announced stand back a few paces (to about where you stood at the entrance) facing the Gospel.
7. At the conclusion of the Gospel wait till the Gospel-book has been placed on the altar and then move to resume your place near the tabernacle.

MINISTRY OF THE LORD’S TABLE

1. At the Peace move forward (hands free) with the boat-bearer to greet the priest, lay minister and organist and return to your place.
2. Ready the boat and thurible gently swinging to ensure the charcoal is enlivened.
3. Move forward to the side of the altar and raise the cover.
4. The priest will be place and bless some incense.
5. Stand back near your place as the altar and communion elements are censed.
6. When censing of the altar is finished the priest returns the thurible to you. Acknowledge by inclining the head.
7. Cense the priest with two double swings. Acknowledge.
8. When the people are all in the communion circle, move right around the circle, censing the people in clusters of four\ or five, in acknowledgement of God dwelling with them.
9. Acknowledge by inclining the head.
10. Return to your place and put the boat and thurible on the stand.
11. Receive communion in turn.

DISMISSAL

1. During the second to last verse of the song take the thurible and with the boat-bearer be ready to form the procession.
2. Move, between the torch-bearers to the aisle and turn to face the altar, gently swinging the thurible. Leave room for the crucifer, if present, between you and the altar.
3. Turn as the priest and lay minister turn and process to the narthex in a deliberate way swinging the thurible.
4. At an appropriate time return to the ministries room

AFTER THE EUCHARIST

1. 1 This is the time to complete the tidy up.
2. 2 Place the charcoal outside and crush with, say, the sole of your shoe to ensure it is out and not a fire risk.
3. 3 If not done before the eucharist, place unused incense and charcoal back in their containers, especially emptying the boat.
4. 4 Clean the candles of any carbon and ensure they are ready for use next time. Return all to their place in the grey steel cabinet.
5. 5 Return the stand to its storage place above the grey steel cabinet. Return books etc to the reception counter in the Narthex.

Thankyou for your ministry of service

Welcomers

BEFORE THE EUCHARIST

1. Aim to be at the church about half an hour before the service begins. Prepare your name tag, newsletters with the service booklet(s), and songbook. Turn on the lights in the church and if needed, the gas heaters. You take the collection plates from the ministries room (sacristy).
2. Check the newsletter: this tells you what is happening on that day, which service book to hand out (gold or green), and whether you hand out the yellow baptism booklet.
3. Ten minutes before the service, ring the bell. You can ring it eight times at the early eucharist, ten times for the sung eucharist. At either eucharist, you may prefer to ring it 33 times for the years of our Lord’s life. Check the narthex floor for water drops and leaves or whatever, someone may slip.
4. Remember to keep smiling. When all else is collapsing around you, you are the one who needs to keep their head.
5. As people arrive, invite them to wear their name tags, and if newcomers wish to have one, you can make one with them from the spares held in the cupboard below the hymnbooks.

DURING THE EUCHARIST

1. Once the service has begun, close the doors quietly to stop draughts. Until the peace, you are the ones to care for the people. For instance, monitor the heat levels, and turn off the heaters yourself or ask the lay minister to do so; monitor sound levels to ensure the microphones are on. The heater switch is with the light switches in the sanctuary to the left front.
2. At the greeting of peace, return to the narthex and ring the bell twice to call the children’s ministry people back to join us. If they are not back for the great thanksgiving, go out and ensure that they are all right.
3. During the offertory song move to the front pews and pass along the offertory plates. When the collection is completed, take the plates to the front of the altar for the lay minister to collect from you.
4. During communion time, you do a full head-count including the altar party and every child. The custom is for the welcomers (sidespeople) to enter this number in the vestry register held in the sacristy.
5. During the closing song open the doors and be ready to receive all the books back. Stack them in their place, and give the church a check through for any papers left behind. Enter in the vestry register the total number of people in church that service. Turn off the lighting and heating in the narthex and join us for coffee.

Thankyou for your ministry of service