Acolytes

1) What this ministry is…

This ministry supplies acolytes for St. Mark’s services. It includes training new acolytes and acquainting people with acolyte experience at other parishes with St. Mark’s customs. Acolytes assist the priest and deacons during communion and the processional andrecessional portions of services. Requirements of the service party increase during High Holy Days due to additions of a banner bearer and thurifer. Acolytes are responsible for lighting and extinguishing candles, bearing torches during processional and recessional marches, attending the communion rail gate, dispensing and collecting the offering plates, administering the lavabo bowl as necessary, and providing other assistance that may be required during a service.

2) Are meetings held? How much time is involved?

We hold one-on-one training meetings with individuals. Meetings of acolytes are held on an as-needed basis, generally about three times per year. Meetings are held in the vestment room or in the chapel. Individual acolytes serve at services on Sunday and at weddings and funerals as needed. Time requirements include on-going training for new acolytes. This training occurs during several sessions of approximately 20-30 minutes during the first year of training. Acolytes are generally assigned two services per month, plus special services on occasion. Total time commitment per month for most acolytes is approximately five hours.

3) Are any special talents or qualifications needed?

No special qualifications are needed, just willingness to learn and to perform as well as possible. Age, mobility, and height have a bearing from a practical standpoint as proper decorum and ability to handle the processional cross and torches and reach altar candles are part of the performance standard. Training is available for anyone wishing to become an acolyte.

4) How does someone get involved?

Contact Todd Sneller to discuss this ministry or to schedule training and orientation.