Questions or concerns can be directed to Pennie Grover at ( ). It is not fair to assume that someone will fill in if you don t show up. Our greatest challenge with this area is making sure someone gets a substitute if you cannot be there. temporary envelopes in the literature racks). Greeters need to be familiar with the layout of the building (restrooms, where the parish office is located, etc.) and where certain things can be found (e.g. Please pay attention to any special needs and call upon the ushers to help seat people. Please use these, rather than propping open the doors, if someone in a wheelchair needs the door opened. NB: We have automatic door openers at each entrance. Ordinarily both sets of doors should remain closed to conserve air and heat and reduce insects. If you are here early, sometimes these worship aids need some sorting through, throwing out those that have gotten very soiled or even some that are older and no longer are being used. Waiting till then allows you to greet some of the late-comers and give them a worship aid.

4 After the opening hymn, please take your place in the church. We are not trying to force it on anyone, and a certain number refuse to take one, no matter what. It should be offered to each person (except to children too young to read or who will just use it as a coloring book!), not just one per couple or one per family, but pay attention to reactions. 3 We always have a worship aid prepared for the liturgy. Greeters have to be good at reading people s reactions so that you don t force people into an uncomfortable encounter, yet don t miss an opportunity to be actively welcoming. Whatever invites a warmth and hospitable friendliness is the key. 2ģ 2 Greet the person(s) before jumping in with a worship aid. GREETING PEOPLE 1 Greeters: after signing in, go to one of the entranceways and begin greeting all who enter, warmly and actively. It seems to work best if you reserve, or have another person reserve, a seat for you at the end of a row. You may sit, of course, anywhere in the church.

Greeters are encouraged to reserve a seat within the Church so that they can continue greeting through the opening hymn as late-comers arrive. If you are subbing for someone specific, sign-in your name and then list the initials of the person you are subbing for in the column on the right titled Subbing For. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early and sign-in. Greeters check-in by the sacristy of the Church in the room that doubles as the Reconciliation Room. If you wear 'Sunday attire,' you will be a great example to the community as a whole. Although there are not specific rules of dress for greeters, please keep in mind that you represent the parish to everyone who enters the doorway. It is an expectation, as well, that you will be a registered member of the parish. As a public witness to the Eucharist, our behavior and dress should reflect a real respect for the role we perform. You are the face of the parish to every visitor or guest who arrives and who is seated.Ģ SPECIFIC GUIDELINES FOR GREETERS DRESS AND DECORUM 1. You are one of the first and key ways that people see present the full, conscious and active participation toward which the Second Vatican Council asks all Catholics to strive. It is important that this service not become merely routine but continually challenge us to grow in our own faith, our trust in God, and our appreciation for the Eucharist. The Eucharist is the heart of our worship and you are one of the public witnesses to its meaning. It is important to review each year the expectations and procedures for those who are ushers and greeters. That is why the guidelines for these two ministries are brought together in one booklet. Although greeters do not double as ushers, at times ushers do act as greeters. The Church s liturgical books call for communities to develop these ministries in order to have a welcoming presence for all who come to worship, especially guests and visitors. 1 Guidelines for Ushers and Greeters (August 2013) Thank you for agreeing to serve the parish as either an usher or a greeter or both.

Episcopal church usher manual