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 and recessional 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.
5) What could improve this ministry?
Improvement would be in the areas of finding substitutes, notifying Denise Meredith in the office as far in advance as possible if s/he knows of an upcoming absence from church, and being on time for the scheduled function (e.g., early enough to be vested and ready to light candles on time as an acolyte.) This ministry must recognize the need to solicit adults as well as young members of the congregation so they are aware of the opportunity to serve as acolytes. In addition, it should be made clear that young boys and girls are invited to this ministry once they reach a minimum height and age where they can handle the physical requirements of candle lighting and bearing a torch during processions. Scheduling challenges are currently being addressed and are expected to help match service party teams that include acolytes with appropriate levels of experience.
6) Who is the contact person (or persons)?
Todd Sneller, 483-6442.