Welcome to St George's Anglican Church

Usher Ministry at St George’s:

Jeremy Belarmino – Usher Director

A church usher's primary responsibilities include welcoming people as they arrive, assisting with seating, managing the flow of traffic within the sanctuary, providing assistance to those with special needs, collecting offerings, and generally ensuring a smooth and respectful worship experience for all attendees. 

Key responsibilities of a church usher:

• Greeting and welcoming attendees:

Smiling warmly, making eye contact, and offering a friendly greeting to everyone entering the church. 

• Seating guests:

Directing people to available seats, assisting with seating arrangements, and ensuring proper spacing. 

• Managing traffic flow:

Guiding people to their seats efficiently, especially during busy services. 

• Special needs assistance:

Providing support to individuals with disabilities, including helping them with mobility or access to specific seating areas. 

• Offering collection:

Collecting tithes and offerings during designated times, ensuring proper handling and security. 

• Maintaining order:

Addressing any disruptive behavior and ensuring the worship service runs smoothly. 

• Answering questions:

Providing information about the church, service schedule, or directions to different areas. 

• Pre-service preparation:

Checking the sanctuary for cleanliness and readiness before the service starts. 

• Post-service clean-up:

Assisting with tidying up the sanctuary after the service. 

Important qualities for a church usher:

• Friendly and approachable demeanor: Creating a welcoming atmosphere for all visitors. 

• Servant heart: Willingness to assist others and prioritize the needs of the congregation. 

• Attention to detail: Ensuring proper seating arrangements and maintaining order. 

• Discretion: Handling sensitive situations with tact and confidentiality. 

• Punctuality: Arriving on time for services and fulfilling assigned duties. 

Contact person is Fr. Hines frgordonhines@stgeorgeanglican.org

Lectors at St George’s

A lector in a church is primarily responsible for proclaiming the scripture readings during Mass, including the first and second readings, from the ambo, ensuring that the congregation hears God's word clearly and reverently; this involves thorough preparation, thoughtful delivery, and a deep respect for the sacred text. 

Key responsibilities of a lector include:

• Reading scripture with clarity and projection:

• Delivering the readings with a voice that can be heard by the entire congregation, adjusting tone and pace to match the text's context. 

• Studying the readings beforehand:

• Taking time to understand the meaning and context of the scripture passages they will be reading. 

Practicing delivery:

Rehearsing the readings aloud to ensure smooth and confident delivery. 

Arriving on time and prepared:

Being present at the church well before Mass to review the readings and prepare mentally. 

Maintaining reverence:

Presenting the Word of God with respect and solemnity. 

Following liturgical guidelines:

Adhering to the church's prescribed format for reading scripture, including appropriate gestures and posture. 

Important qualities for a lector:

* Strong vocal skills: Clear pronunciation and ability to project their voice. 

* Spiritual commitment: A deep reverence for the scriptures and a desire to share them with others. 

* Good communication skills: Ability to effectively convey the meaning of the text. 

* Time management: Being reliable and prepared to fulfill their schedule.

For information, 

please contact Fr. Hines at frgordonhines@stgeorgeanglican.org

 Acolytes at St George’s

In a church setting, an acolyte's primary responsibility is to assist the priest and deacon during the liturgical service, primarily by preparing the altar, carrying processional items like the cross and candles, and sometimes distributing communion when needed, essentially serving as a minister at the altar by attending to the details of the worship service. 

Key responsibilities of an acolyte may include:

• Processional duties:

• Carrying the processional cross during the entrance procession. 

• Holding lighted candles during the procession. 

• Leading the way for the priest and deacon. 

• Altar preparation:

• Placing the corporal, purificator, chalice, and other liturgical items on the altar. 

• Ensuring the altar is properly set up for the Eucharistic celebration. 

• Assisting with Communion:

• Presenting the paten and chalice to the priest during communion. 

• Distributing communion to the congregation in the absence of a deacon, if authorized. 

• Cleaning and purifying vessels:

• Helping the priest or deacon clean and purify the sacred vessels after communion. 

• Other tasks:

• Lighting candles at the beginning of the service and extinguishing them at the end. 

• Presenting the Gospel book to the lector. 

• Managing the incense boat (if applicable). 

• Assisting with the collection of offerings 

Important points to remember about being an acolyte:

• Reverence and decorum:

Acolytes should always maintain a respectful demeanor during the service, moving quietly and with purpose. 

• Liturgical knowledge:

Understanding the order of the liturgy and the proper placement of liturgical items is crucial. 

• Training and guidance:

Most churches provide training for new acolytes to ensure they perform their duties correctly. 

For information, 

please contact Fr. Hines at frgordonhines@stgeorgeanglican.org