Acolyte Handbook !

Congratulations!

You have chosen to become a worship leader. You begin the worship service. You end the time of worship, and lead us out into the world to be the light of Christ.

There are many things you can learn and many ways for you to grow as a Christian as you serve as an acolyte. It is our prayer that you are blessed richly by being an important part of our worship team. Please remember it is your responsibility to get a replacement if you cannot serve as scheduled. After you find a replacement, contact the Acolyte Coordinator and church office to let them know who will be serving on your assigned Sunday.

This Handbook will provide references for you as you begin your journey as an acolyte. If you have any questions, please contact:

Emily Swistak, Acolyte Coordinator 630-673-8327 [email protected]

Beth Hagemeyer, Director of Children’s Education 630-355-1483 [email protected]

Dawn Roth, Coordinator of Children’s Education 630-355-1483 [email protected]

Training sessions will be held in the Fall for rising 2nd graders and those who wish to become an acolyte. Refresher classes will be held in the Winter or early Spring as needed.

Many acolytes become very independent and responsible, however, having adult supervision helps them build confidence and understanding of what they are doing. We encourage parents to be actively involved and read through the handbook with their acolyte(s).

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History and Worship

Acolyte (noun, from the Greek akólouthos) - an attendant of the Lord’s Table; an attendant, assistant, or helper in worship.

An acolyte plays a very important role in worship, a tradition that is more than 1700 years old! Since ancient times, light and fire have reminded people that God is here with us.

An important part of your job as an acolyte is to begin the worship service. In our traditional worship service at 8:30, we will have two acolytes.

Worship officially begins when our acolytes bring the light of Christ into the sanctuary. This is a symbol of Christ’s presence with us at worship. The candles remind us that Christ was human and divine. You are reminding the congregation of God’s presence with us, and the words of Jesus: “I am the light of the world.”

Modern-day acolytes are best known for lighting candles on the communion table or altar. This practice started around 800 AD when large candlesticks were carried by the acolytes and placed on or near the communion table. Soon the candlesticks began to be placed on the communion table itself, and a candlelighter was needed to reach the top of the candles. The candlelighter provided a safe and decorative container for the light carried in the processional.

Worship ends with a Benediction, or Sending Forth. The flame is then carried out of the church, and the people follow. This symbolizes our being sent out as lights for Christ in the world, and that God is with us in all places at all times. ! !

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What Do Acolytes Wear? ! The acolytes, like the pastors and choir, wear special robes or the vestments. Acolytes at our church wear an alb which is a long white robe that is tied around the waist with a rope called a cincture. Albs were everyday clothing in the time of early Christians, and they remind us of all the other Christian who have worshiped through the ages.

Even though most of your clothing is covered by your robes, what you are wearing does matter. For your safety on the stairs, we ask that you do not wear flip flops. Also be aware that tops with a high neck will show, and you may be too warm. ! !

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Candles

A candlelighter is used to light and extinguish (put out) the candles. Inside of it is a long wick called a taper which can be pushed out of the end of the lighter as it burns down. Care of the candlelighter is very important. If the wax tapers are not inserted correctly, they can jam inside the barrel. Check your taper every time to make sure it works. It should be at least 4” long for the service.

Whenever you carry the flame, the bell of the lighter is on top. The picture below shows you how to hold the lighter. ! Holding the Candlelighter

• Your right hand is near the slide.

• Your left hand is near the bottom of the lighter.

• Your elbows are close to your body.

• The lighter is pointed away from you at a 45° angle. !

After worship, replace the candlelighter on the metal hook.

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A Walking Lesson

Did you know that the way you walk helps the congregation get ready to worship?

As an acolyte, you begin the worship service by walking down the aisle. Here are some important pointers:

• Know when you are to enter and leave before the service begins. Ask an usher if you are unsure.

• Take small steps and walk slowly. Walk down the aisle in a dignified, unhurried fashion. That helps set the tone for worship, and helps your taper stay lit. Walk too fast and it might go out!

• If your light does go out, relight it from your teammate’s candlelighter before proceeding.

• Watch your acolyte teammate (out of the corner of your eye) and walk together. !

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Lighting Candles

Paying attention to the taper is very important. If you always make sure that there is enough taper, you won’t have to worry about the flame going out. There is a slide on the lighter that is easy to reach. You need not move it more than a little bit each time you need more wick.

If you are acolyting alone, light the candle on the right first and then the candle on the left of the altar.

After lighting the candles, draw the lighter toward you so that it is not over the altar, pull the taper into its metal stem, and the push it back out again. Do NOT blow it out unless the candlelighter isn’t working properly. ! ! The Offering

At CUMC, our acolytes help with our offering. After the offering has been taken, the Doxology will be played. During the Doxology, the acolytes rise, go to the middle aisle, and take the plates from the ushers.

You should rise and take your places to be ready for the ushers to come down the aisle to you. After receiving the plates from the ushers, move to the altar. Place the plates on the altar. Turn around to face the congregation. After the Doxology is finished, return to your seats. !

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Extinguishing Candles

The candles are usually put out during the last hymn. Be sure to double check in the bulletin. It is usually written “Acolytes take the light of Christ into the world.” Depending upon the hymn you may have more or less time for each verse. As a rule (with hymns of 4 or more verses) you should not rise to extinguish the candles until the next to the last verse of the hymn. Think ahead. Ask if you are not sure.

First, light the taper from the candle.

Second, use the bell to put out the flame. Turn the bell down for this. Turn it back on top when the flames are out.

Do not push the bell down onto the follower (the brass ring at the top of the candles). This will push the wick down. Cover the flame with the bell and count: One Mississippi, Two Mississippi

The candles should be out.

If you are acolyting alone, start by lighting your taper with the candle on the right side. Extinguish the candle on the right side of the Altar, then the candle on the left side of the Altar.

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Worship Morning Check List

Some things to do before, during, and after the service:

• Arrive 15 minutes before the service. Make sure your bathroom needs are taken care of. Do not bring food, drink, or gum with you to worship.

• Robe sizing charts and information are hanging next to the rack. If you have to pick a different alb, make sure it’s not too long. We don’t want any problems on the steps!

• Check on the taper to make sure you have enough wick.

• Check that a copy of the bulletin is on your seat. Read through it to make sure you are clear when your responsibilities are.

• Check in with the Head Usher in the back of the Sanctuary. Make sure that you know what to do especially if something is different in the service. The Usher will light your candlelighter for you.

• Pay attention during the service so that you know when to get up for the offertory (without someone having to get your attention). If you are restless, talking, or just messing around during the service, people will notice and be distracted.

• After the service, put out the flame on the taper in the proper way: wick in to put it out, and then back out again for storage.

• Put away the candlelighter and your alb properly. Please use the hangers for your albs and snap them so that they will not be wrinkled or fall off the hanger. Hang the cincture on the hanging rack as well. If the alb got dirty, please contact the Acolyte Coordinator.

• Never be afraid to ask the Head Usher, Acolyte Coordinator, or Pastor a question.

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