Illinois Heartland Emmaus Community

ILLINOIS HEARTLAND EMMAUS COMMUNITY

CLOSING

Preliminary Duties  The Community Lay Director shall oversee the Closing arrangements.  There should be at least one person in the Chapel a half an hour before the closing to coordinate with the team and to direct the sitting of the congregation.  The Musicians should connect to and check the sound system prior to the start of the Closing.  The Walk to Emmaus banner should be placed behind the altar to the left of the pastor’s chair.  The Emmaus Cross should be placed on the altar.  The Candles shall be lit and the communion elements placed on the altar by the Agape team.  Turn on the Lights.  The Lay Director, Spiritual Director and Pilgrims should sit in the set of 4 pews just inside the door. They will hold 24 Pilgrims comfortably. If we have more than 24, we can add 4 chairs between the pews and the wall. Also, the Lay Director and Spiritual Director could sit in chairs on the podium if space is at a premium. The Team, except for the Musicians, should sit in the group of pews facing the Pilgrims. The Musicians will be across from the Pilgrims in the designated area  Place Song Books in the pews for the Pilgrims and the Team.  The rest of the congregation should be directed to the remaining pews.  Select four (4) volunteers to assist with the offering. Baskets from the kitchen may be used for offering plates.

Worship Service  The Worship Service should be performed by the Spiritual Director following the outline in the Song Book with the following exceptions: 1. The Homily may be skipped completely or it shall be kept to a minimum of five (5) minutes MAXIMUM! 2. There will not be a formal Passing of the Peace. The Community will have plenty of time to greet the Pilgrims and friends at the close of the service.  An Offering will be taken. However, do not take up a collection from the Team or Pilgrims.

 Communion should be served at the right and left corner of the raised floor in front of the altar. Serve the Pilgrims and Musicians first. Then all other participants shall use the center aisle to approach the celebrants and return by the side aisle.

 The ushers should help sort the money after the collection is taken up and the money shall be given to the treasurer, if present, or to the Board Advisor or someone designated by the Board.

 One or more of the ushers should collect the Song Books after the Closing. The Chapel should also be checked to make sure that no books have been left in the pews.

The Community Lay Director shall make sure that the Song Books and Communion Set are given to the people in charge of the next Heartland event where these items will be used.

BC-Closing Notes Page 1 of 1 Jan 09