Altar Party (Acolyte) Customary Altar Party (Acolyte) Customary As of 7/8/2016 Acolyte is a term that applies to all persons who serve in the altar party. They include Lay Eucharistic Ministers, Servers, Torchbearers, Gospel Bearers, and Crucifers. Acolytes may be asked to serve or they may volunteer. They serve with the approval of the rector General Guidelines Around the tenth of the month, the Acolyte Master will send an email requesting availability dates for the upcoming month. Respond as soon as possible to facilitate scheduling. On the twentieth of the month, the Acolyte Master will distribute the schedule for the succeeding month. It is the acolyte’s responsibility to obtain a substitute if unable to serve at the appointed time. Acolytes are expected to participate fully in the liturgy, singing hymns, listening attentively to the sermon, etc. Before the service, LEMs and Servers should retrieve hymnals from their respective seats in the sanctuary so that they may participate in the opening processional hymn. After the service, they should return the hymnals. Reverencing the cross can be done by bowing from the waist, by bowing the head. Less traditionally at Epiphany, genuflecting is a way of reverencing the cross. If an acolyte is carrying a cross, torch, the Gospel book, or candle lighter/snuffer, a simple pause suffices. In portions of the service when the Priest is seated, Acolytes wait for the Priest to sit first. This shows respect for the clergy and willingness to follow their example. Acolytes should always stand up straight. Torches and processional crosses should always be upright, even when not in procession. When sitting, Acolytes sit up straight in their chairs, knees together, feet together. Hands should be folded or lie flat on one’s knees palm down. Page 1 Altar Party (Acolyte) Customary Acolyte Master The Acolyte Master is responsible for scheduling and training all acolytes. In addition, the Acolyte Master insures that all acolytes needed for a service are in place and vested at least 15 minutes prior to the service. The Acolyte Master serves a term of three years, with the option available for a one year extension. During the last year, the Acolyte Master should have a successor identified who can serve as an understudy and, if necessary, as substitute on occasion. Lay Eucharistic Ministers (LEMs) Description and qualifications LEMs are responsible for the distribution of Holy Communion in the form of wine. There may be rare circumstances when a LEM is asked to distribute Holy Communion in the form of bread. The rector will request that the Diocese of Alabama grant a license to the individual to distribute Holy Communion. Normally, under diocesan policies, the license has a three year term, with the option of a second three year term. After two such terms, the LEM will be removed from service for at least one year. License records are maintained by the church and the acolyte master. Only confirmed members in good standing may be LEMs. Vesting Each LEM is expected to vest in an alb, a cincture, and a pectoral cross. These are available in the closet in the vesting room (parlor). Before serving for the first time, the LEM should identify albs from the closet that fit appropriately. Each alb is numbered and a chart is kept on the closet door listing the albs that are good fits for each acolyte. The Acolyte Master is responsible for seeing that the alb fits and for maintaining the chart. The cincture is tied around the waist leaving the knot on the left side. The cinctures are hung on the wall of the vestment closet. See How to Tie a Cincture or How to Tie a Cincture (Video) for instructions for tying the cincture. The pectoral crosses are hung on the wall of the vestment closet. An acolyte may use a personal cross, provided that it is tasteful and does not distract from the liturgy. Page 2 Altar Party (Acolyte) Customary All acolytes are expected to be in the vesting room and vested, fifteen (15) minutes prior to the start of the service. Procession LEMs follow the choir in both the opening and closing processions. During the opening procession, the two LEMs leave about three pew lengths between the choir and themselves. They should walk slowly and reverently. When they arrive at the communion rail gate, they should reverence the cross, then proceed to the two chairs immediately to the left of the altar cross (as one faces the altar), pick up a hymnal from the chair (if they haven’t carried one in procession), and join the rest of the congregation in the opening hymn. Procedures The LEM is expected to maintain a reverent attitude during the service, participating fully in the service. Before the service, the LEM should wash both hands thoroughly. At the time for communion, the Priest will distribute the bread and wine to all acolytes. The Priest then prepares both chalices for the remaining distribution. When the Priest moves to the communion rail to begin distributing the bread, each LEM will take one chalice and one purificator. Each LEM will take a position to the side of the altar. The one on the side nearest the aumbry will cover the rail from the center gate to the end of the rail. The LEM on the other side will cover the rail from the end to the center gate. The LEM administers the wine with the words, “The blood of Christ, the cup of salvation.” The LEM should always maintain control of the chalice. If the communicant wishes to guide the chalice, always make sure to keep one hand on the stem. Tip the chalice so that the communicant can receive a hospitable sip as desired. The communicant wishing to receive by intinction may hand the LEM the host. The LEM dips the host in the wine and places it on the communicant’s tongue. Alternatively, the communicant may wish to dip the host in the wine; the LEM should insure that only the bread (no fingers) is dipped into the wine. Page 3 Altar Party (Acolyte) Customary The communicant may choose to receive communion in one form only with arms crossed over the chest. It is appropriate to stand before the communicant and repeat the words of administration. Use a clean portion of the purificator to wipe the lip of the chalice between communicants. [NOTE: The Altar Guild is most appreciative when Eucharistic Ministers take care not to wipe the chalice directly with embroidered embellishments on the purificators.] Then, give the chalice a quarter turn. The LEM should make sure the chalice stays at least halfway full. The Server will make sure that there is sufficient reserve wine to refill both chalices. The LEM should indicate to the Server (usually after completing a “pass” along the rail) that a refill is required. To avoid drops of wine staining the fair linen, the LEM holds the chalice over the corporal and uses the purificator to wipe any drop that remains on the lip of the cruet. Then the LEM returns to the communion rail and continues with distribution. Please note: the chalice should never be placed on the fair linen. The LEM should always place the chalice on the corporal when refilling the chalice or when returning the chalice to the priest for the ablutions. If wine spills, the LEM uses the purificator to wipe it up. If the purificator becomes soaked or soiled, the LEM should obtain another one from the burse on the altar. The LEM should be alert at the end of distribution at the communion rail. The ushers will indicate to the LEM or to the Priest whether there are communicants in the nave who are unable to approach the communion rail on their own. If that is the case, once they have opened the gate, the Priest and one LEM will take communion to the person in the pew. After everyone has received communion, the LEMs should return their chalices and purificators to the corporal so that the Priest can perform the final ablutions (cleaning) of the vessels. The LEMs may be asked to assist in consuming the remaining wine. It is appropriate to take a “long sip” – one swallow – in order to assist in this process. To consume any more is not gracious and calls unnecessary attention to the process. At the closing procession, the LEMs should time their movements so as to be able to go to the communion rail gate, reverence the cross, and then fall into procession behind the choir without leaving too large a gap. Again, three pews is appropriate spacing Page 4 Altar Party (Acolyte) Customary between procession members. Timing is important to avoid having to hurry down the aisle in order to regain that spacing. Page 5 Altar Party (Acolyte) Customary Server Description and qualifications The Server assists the clergy person in preparing for communion, assists by handing the clergy person implements requested, and helps at the end of service by taking the implements of worship from the Priest and placing them on the credence table. The Server is also responsible for lighting the Eucharistic and (when present) Paschal candles. Vesting The Server is expected to vest in an alb, a cincture, and a pectoral cross. These are available in the closet in the vesting room (parlor). Before serving for the first time, the Server should identify albs from the closet that fit appropriately. Each alb is numbered and a chart is kept on the closet door listing the albs that are good fits for each acolyte.