Introduction
The sideperson’s duties are related to the worship of the church, and they also act as assistants to the church wardens as they carry out their duties in relation to services.
Rota
Sideperson’s will be allocated duties according to a rota, if for any reason you are unable to fulfil your duty, please arrange cover with another sideperson, and also let the Churchwardens know about the change.
Fire Procedures
It is important that the sideperson’s are aware of the procedure to be used in case of fire or emergency.
Welcoming and Seating Congregation
First and foremost the sideperson’s are the people that anyone walking into a service will encounter first. It is expected that the duty sideperson’s are in church at least 20 minutes before the service so that can ensure everything is ready to greet people as they enter church.
For special services, it would be expected that they arrive at least 45 minutes before the service, and that they check with the duty warden if there is anything specific they need to be aware of.
When you do enter church Please sit where you can see the door i.e. at the back, so that you can immediately help any latecomers – often strangers who need extra support and assistance. Please don’t leave them looking lost!
As you are usually the first people that a person meets, it is often by his/her welcoming attitude that the church will be judged. Unless it is a special occasion and dignitaries are expected, there are no reserved seats in the nave.
It is also possible that the duty warden will ask you to take the count of how many people are in church, this should be split between under 16’s and overs (where you are not sure make your best guess!) and make a note so that this information can be added to the Service Register by the duty warden.
Giving out Books \ other information
It is the responsibility of the duty sideperson’s to hand out the books to the congregation as they enter. If you encounter someone who may be new to the service, do take the time to ask them if they need any assistance in explaining what you have given them.
Tidying Church after Worship \ Collecting the Books
After the service, please spend five minutes checking that orders of service have not been left on the pews, and any that are find tidy them away. Please also check that the gift aid envelopes are tidy and alert the duty warden if the need replenishment.
Where are books and seasonal service booklets are used, if you are on duty on one of these occasions, then please ensure that you are ready to receive the books that are returned, and that everything is put away neat and tidily ready for the next service.
The Collection
The duty sideperson’s are responsible for taking the collection at the services. As the elements are taken to the altar follow immediately after and begin the collection. At the beginning of the final verse of the hymn please bring the collection up to the altar. After the collection has been received by the server, wait until it has been blessed before returning to your seats.
Collecting Junior Church to return to the Service
The duty warden may call upon the sideperson’s to call the junior church back into the service at the peace. This should be done during the prayers so that by the time the congregation are sharing the peace, the children can also take part.
Holy Communion
The duty sideperson’s may be called upon by the duty warden to facilitate the flow of people going to the altar to receive communion. This may also include inviting those who are unsure of what the are expected to do.
At the End of the Service
After the duty sideperson’s have collected the hymn book \ service booklets, it is important to check that nothing has been left in the pews and to tidy away anything that is required.
It is also possible that the sideperson’s may be called upon to assist with the counting of the collection and logging the relevant information into the logs (there will be local variations to this duty)
In General
As mentioned earlier, the duty sideperson’s are usually the first person that people who enter church will meet, and they may approach you to ask questions. Please help where you can, or ask for the assistance of the Churchwarden where appropriate.
Finally always stay alert to what is going on around you so that you can be on hand to help if any emergency situation arises, or to assist anyone who looks like they have a need.