washington national cathedral Acolyte Program 2021–2022 application guide Dear prospective acolyte,

I invite you to consider becoming an acolyte at Washington National Cathedral for the 2021–2022 season. Each year, the Cathedral selects young people to enter this important ministry. Perhaps this year you may find yourself drawn to this service.

Serving as an acolyte is an opportunity to contribute to worship in an important way and a special way to serve God and the people of God. Acolytes help the congregation prepare their hearts and minds for worship and support clergy There are different and lay leaders in offering services that reflect the history and kinds of gifts, but mission of the Cathedral. This is an awesome responsibility, and acolytes are expected to approach worship with joy and the same Spirit reverence knowing that it is God they are serving. distributes them.

Thank you for your interest. I hope that you find this booklet a There are different helpful resource to learn more about the Cathedral’s program. kinds of service, but the same Lord. There Yours faithfully, are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work. The Reverend Canon Rosemarie Logan Duncan —1 Corinthians 12:4-6 Canon for Worship Washington National Cathedral

1 WHAT IS AN ACOLYTE?

The ministry of the acolyte is an ancient one within the Church. The term comes from the Greek word “akolouthos,” meaning “follower,” “attendant” or “helper” and today acolytes assist the clergy and congregation in the Holy Eucharist and other services. Since the Cathedral’s first services, young men and women have served in these important roles.

CATHEDRAL ACOLYTES

The Washington National Cathedral acolyte program is While the primary duty of acolytes is service on one of the few of its kind in the world. It is comprised of Sunday mornings, they are also afforded the honor of a team of students attending National Cathedral School participating in services of national importance such and St. Albans School who have accepted a call of as presidential funerals, inauguration services, and leadership and service to the Cathedral and their school commemorative events. As such, participation in the communities. acolyte program is a combination of weekly worship and special occasions. Acolytes serve year-round at the Cathedral’s principal 11:15 am Sunday service, Sunday Choral Evensong, and Being an acolyte is appropriately reserved for those who special day liturgies that include Ash Wednesday, Palm desire to deepen their faith and grow in their personal Sunday, Maundy Thursday, the Great Vigil of Easter, tradition. Cathedral acolytes work under the guidance Easter Sunday, Christmas Eve, and Christmas Day. and direction of the Cathedral clergy and staff.

It is a joy for me to work with our acolytes. They are indispensable and their energy, expertise, and professionalism adds so much to our Cathedral services. They are a pleasure to be with and we have fun serving together. — the very rev. randolph “randy” marshall hollerith, dean, washington national cathedral

2 LIFE AS AN ACOLYTE Like good stewards of the manifold grace of God, serve Participation in the acolyte program requires a significant one another with whatever commitment of time. Those interested are asked to consider gift each of you has received. program expectations for service and participation. The term of service for an acolyte is a 12-month commitment beginning in — 1 Peter 4:10 June of each year with reappointment the following June for the next program year.

Academic Year Acolytes typically serve every Sunday (seven to twelve hours per month).

Summer Months Acolytes are required to serve a minimum of seven Sundays in a typical fourteen-week summer break (seven hours per month).

Scheduling of summer acolyte calls is done based on individual availability. Prior to the start of summer recess, acolytes submit a schedule of extra-curricular activities and family commitments. The Cathedral then completes a call schedule that balances personal obligations with the on‑going needs of Sunday worship.

Training and Scheduling Acolyte training is scheduled during the spring and summer for both new and experienced acolytes.

Other training sessions are called from time to time and are generally scheduled to allow for best attendance. These sessions deal with movement training, rehearsing, and instruction.

OTHER CONSIDERATIONS

All acolytes serve at services on: The Cathedral relies on acolytes to report as scheduled ♦ Palm Sunday (Sunday before Easter Sunday) so that worship services may start on time and be conducted without difficulty. Attendance at all ♦ Great Vigil of Easter (Saturday before Easter) scheduled and special liturgy calls is required and is an ♦ Easter Sunday essential component of participation in the program. ♦ Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Acolytes routinely handle alcohol in the course of These special services require full team participation. their duties preparing Holy Communion. This aspect Accordingly, holiday commitments must be scheduled of service is conducted reverently and under the to accommodate the acolyte’s participation in these supervision of Cathedral clergy and staff. services.

3 Serving as an acolyte has been one of the most invaluable experiences from my time here on the Close. Through our service to the Cathedral, we have been witness to and partake in many moments of great significance to both our BENEFITS nation and the world. Spiritually reassuring and deeply impactful, Since its founding, the Cathedral has placed a significant role in the lives of students and families at the Cathedral schools. acolyting is an incredibly Acolytes have the unique opportunity to discover what it fulfilling ministry. means to have faith and to develop a sense of respect for and — current acolyte responsibility to each other and the world around them, adding valuable perspective and meaning to their intellectual and physical endeavors.

Tuition Stipend In recognition of the time commitment required of the students, the Cathedral offers an annual tuition stipend of $3,000. Additionally, acolytes are eligible for extra income for participation in special events, and that amount is paid directly to the acolyte.

Life Experience Cathedral acolytes carry their experiences with them beyond their lives at the Cathedral. The development of time management, leadership, and cooperative skills are timeless and cannot be learned as a course of study. Likewise, acolytes form lasting relationships with fellow acolytes through their unique shared experience.

Leadership and Fellowship Cathedral acolytes are student leaders who represent the very best of their school communities. Camaraderie and fellowship have long been hallmarks of the acolyte program. Acolytes participate in a particular community marked by shared service and worship. Once commissioned, acolytes develop an appreciation of the Cathedral as a house of prayer for all people and carry this unique perspective with them for a lifetime.

4 BECOMING AN ACOLYTE

During the spring academic term, the Cathedral worship department recruits acolytes for the upcoming program year.

Eligibility Interested students from both St. Albans School and National Cathedral School may apply. Applicants must be eligible to work within the District of Columbia; the acolyte program is an employment-based program and is subject to local and federal employment laws.

Orientation and Application Orientation sessions at each school outline the program commitment and expectations, schedules and attendance, and general program policies.

Interested students and their parents are then asked to prayerfully consider their ability to support the program. If a student wishes to further pursue an open position, the student contacts his/her school chaplain Application Timeline to continue the discernment process. Orientation Sessions Week of February 1 Discussions with the interested students, their current teachers, and administrators determine the applicant’s Application Due Monday, March 1 ability to balance their academic requirements and extracurricular activities with the demands and Apply online at commitment of the Cathedral acolyte program. cathedral.org/acolyteprogram

Students approved by their school chaplains are asked to submit a one-page essay as it relates to their Interviews Weeks of March 1 & 8 desire to be called as a Cathedral acolyte. The essay should include what student leadership and a ministry Installation & Sunday, May 30 of servanthood means to the student and what gifts Valediction the student can bring to this ministry. Ceremony

The worship department concludes the recruitment process by conducting interviews with candidates and then selecting qualified students based on the number of current openings.

5 PROGRAM CONTACTS

The Reverend Canon Rosemarie Logan Duncan Canon for Worship washington national cathedral [email protected]

Dr. Torrence N. Thomas Head Verger and Acolyte Master washington national cathedral [email protected]

PROGRAM ADVISORS

The Reverend Eva Kopp Cavaleri Senior Chaplain National Cathedral School 202-537-5619 [email protected]

The Reverend Brooks F. Hundley senior Chaplain St. Albans School 202-537-5795 [email protected] I’m incredibly grateful that I am able to cherish the Cathedral in this unique LEARN MORE way before I leave the Close. — current acolyte For additional information, visit us online at cathedral.org/acolyteprogram

Please contact Dr. Torrence Thomas at 202-537-5772 or at [email protected].

6 3101 wisconsin ave., nw • washington, dc 20016-5098 • 202.537.6200 www.cathedral.org • @wncathedral

photos: danielle thomas