Service Helpers, including Duty Warden

Duty Warden

1. Please be available before, during and after the service to help with any issues that might arise.
2. Unlock - arrive at about 9.20 am to unlock (1) the main door, (2) the vestry and choir vestry, (3) the west end doors (as a fire exit) (4) the outside Toilet - see[1]. You are responsible for locking all doors after the service - see[2]
3. Turn on / turn out all lights, including choir vestry and choir lobby.
4. Parking - ensure parking cones and disabled flags are in place in the “top lay-by” (if not put there at 8am service). Ensure these are collected and returned to the brick bunker after the service.
5. Rota duties - it can be stressful for you if someone on the service rota is absent. It is therefore vital to check, as soon as you can, that all those named are present AND that they are expecting to perform - see[3].
6. Welcomers – are they present? Are the service sheets available? Do they have the collection bowls? Do they need help if a welcomer is missing?
7. Sound system – the key is in the Vestry key cabinet, and should be returned there and NOT left in the top section by the ‘desk’. It is too easy to lock it in! Please monitor this at the beginning of the service and make sure that it is working effectively during the service or adjust as necessary. Afterwards, please turn it all off (walking stick provided) and lock upper and lower cupboards.
8. Furniture & effects – check that the following items are in place:

• Churchwardens’ staves in main aisle.
• Large collection plate to credence table.
• Ciborium and glass flask are on table at back of church, if a Eucharist.
• Children’s table and small chairs are placed in vestry on 3rd/4th Sundays for children’s work.
• Collection bowls are with welcomers at welcome table beside South door.
• Candles are on the altar and lit.  Only one set of plain candle sticks during lent. 
• 1st Sunday - Side table and candles are beside the pulpit for birthday candles; and bag of children’s instruments are placed on pulpit steps.

1. Count and complete attendance log with total attending the service, number of communicants and number of children under 16 years and soon after the beginning of the service, and TELL those taking up the Ciborium and wine at the beginning of the offertory hymn.  There is a RED folder at the back of the church in which this information should be recorded for Diocese parish figures.  These figures should also be inserted into the Service book, by you or the Rector, with the total collection amount.
2. Worth asking the organist beforehand if he’d like a coffee brought over afterwards, as it is sometimes hard to get away from the organ stool! Ask someone to do it, or do it yourself!
3. Count monies, complete collection slip and enter total into Service book. Place in bank-bag inside the Safe. (If no safe key is available, place in top drawer of vestment press). One of the sides-people should accompany you in this task, for compliance reasons.
4. Before locking up, check that the whole church is left tidy, especially the Welcome area by the South Door.

Welcomers

• When possible, there should be two welcomers at the west door to ensure that there is always someone present to talk to those coming to the services and greet those who may arrive late.
• Welcomers to also be at the table at the end of the service to suggest that the congregation take their service sheets home and help with any queries. 
• Welcomers are responsible for the collection and should arrange for extra help when needed and at Festivals when numbers are higher than normal.   
• Those helping with collection to be responsible for assisting at the step during communion. 
• Arrive at about 9.30am.

Readers

• Readers should go up to front during the last part of the Gloria (during Lent and Advent, just before the Collect). 
• There is a chair to the side of the eagle for the reader to sit and wait, during the psalm, for the second reading.
• There is no need to give the bible reference as it is printed in the service booklet e.g. ‘A reading from the book of Isaiah’ is sufficient.  At the end please say ‘This is the Word of the Lord’ as in the service booklet.
• Readings will be sent out on the Friday preceding the Sunday of your duty. Please email balcombe.stmarys@gmail.com if you would like to have an earlier copy.

Intercessors

• There is a sample book of intercessions available in the vestry.
• Please be aware that the response is as printed in the service sheet. 
• Please note that intercessions are not prayers, they are pointers for prayer rather than a prayer in themselves. 
• Service booklets will be sent out on the Friday preceding the Sunday.  Please email balcombe.stmarys@gmail.com if you would like to have an earlier copy to help with preparation.
• Common Worship guide for intercessions covers: Church, World, Sick, Departed.
   

[1]The West doors as this is a vital Fire Exit if more than a few people are in the church.

[2] Although the Rector/Churchwardens may have keys, it is best for you to ensure this is done, for the security of the church. If you need to rush away, please ask a Churchwarden to do this for you. Don’t forget to lock the toilet too!

[3] “Are you expecting to do a Reading / Intercessions / Chalice / Offertory / Server / Coffee” is a question well worth asking! If they are not, it gives you time to find out who might have made a swop and not entered it on the rota, or to arrange cover quickly….