INSTRUCTIONS FOR USHERS

 

Usher – Duties:  Key responsibilities of the ushers: 

 

1.    Get to church early - Ushers are asked to arrive at least 20 minutes prior to the start of the service.

 

2.    Greet People - Work with the Greeters to greet people as they come into the Church. Locations from which to conduct greeting: the rear of the church, the narthex and the door to Lisle Hall/Barnwell.

 

3.    Organize the Ushers:  There are typically four ushers assigned per service, however this year we sometimes have less than four assigned.   If there are more than four and/or there are kids involved decide who will take the offering.  Generally speaking kids 4th grade and above are OK for the collection; below 4th grade the child can “escort” the parent.

 

If there are less than four ushers pull in a sub from the congregation.  Typical ad hoc subs are:  John Vigilante, George Ross, Terry Baker, Steve Ring, and Tom Loughlin.  Anyone willing to help out, however, will do, and there are always people available. 

 

4. Prepare to take the collection – the four ushers who will be receiving the offering must be in the back of church BEFORE the minister announces the offering.  Gather in the back of the church during, or before, the “announcements, joys and concerns” portion of the service.

 

5.  Take the collection – When the minister announces the offering the four ushers who will be receiving the offering are asked to walk down the aisle, paired up, in parallel at a moderate and steady pace as a group.  One usher will pick up the offering plates off the altar then distribute the plates to all the ushers. Two ushers will handle the plates in the center aisle and two will handle the plates in the outside aisles. The same procedure will take place when returning the collection to the altar.  Please do not race and please stay together.

 

6.    Take Attendance - Attendance should be taken after the youth leave for Church School.  Count heads 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.

 

7.   Help clean up 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.

 

 

Other points of interest: 

 

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 (“head usher”) will solicit volunteers and develop a schedule.  

 

Please wear proper Dress – men are requested to wear shirts, ties and jackets.  For women, dresses, skirts, slacks are appropriate. No jeans or sneakers, please.

 

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.   

 

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. 

 

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. 

 

** 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.  The ministers occasionally ask for a cup of water.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Late Service -   We do not assign ushers to the late service. Late service ushers volunteer ad hoc at the service.   Should you usher at a late service, the most important thing is to assist with the collection.  After the conclusion of the sermon, the minister will announce the offering the ushers pick up the plates from the altar, perform the collection then return the plates to the altar at the appropriate time.