Memo from Father Tom on Acolytes at the 9:00 Service

October 18, 2007

M E M O R A N D U M

TO: Trinity Church Worship Leaders and Ministers
Acolyte Leaders Altar Guild
Clergy Music Director
Vestry Worship Committee

FROM: Tom Cook

RE: Acolytes and the 9:00 service of Holy Eucharist – The Procession is Coming!

To all of you who help with, look out for, participate in, and enjoy the 9:00 service with Trinity Church, I wanted to let you know of some changes on the horizon that I trust will continue to enhance our shared experience of worship while involving more of our young people in the liturgy and service at the altar.

On All Saints’ Sunday, November 4, we will initiate a Procession at the beginning of the 9:00 service in order to build firmer parameters around the beginning of our time of worship, while including more youth of the parish in the leadership of worship. The Procession will initially include acolytes, youth choir, lay ministers, and clergy, but may expand to include children and other participants who want to help make worship more festive.

So here’s a look at the service:

8:55 a.m. Acolytes ready to go in the Shero Room – Somebody light the candles by 8:55, please!
9:00 a.m. The Procession enters to music from the Shero Room into the nave, marches up the side aisle and down the center ala 11:00 service style.

Gospel Procession: When the gradual hymn begins, torch bearers move to either side of the altar and stand reverently, facing the congregation. The Gospel reader will eventually come to the altar; when that person lifts the book from the altar, torch bearers process to the center of the nave with the Gospel reader following. Return as usual after the reading.



End of the service: After the final hymn, blessing, and dismissal acolytes and youth choir will depart the chancel in an orderly fashion through the small door near the high altar. After a minute or two, an acolyte will return through the same door and extinguish the candles on the altar reverently but without ceremony while the congregation is departing.


A couple of additional points:
At the offertory,(unlike the 11:00 service,) don't close the altar rail after you receive the plates from the family of the week. The rail will need to be open for communion to take place around the altar.
You can help to invite people to come up and stand close to the altar, and even behind the altar.
Read the leaflet to stay on top of what is happening. The 9:00 service moves pretty fast -- pay attention!

Do it right: How to sit up straight and look awake

Sometimes you feel tired on Sunday morning.




Sometimes, you might be a little (just a little) bored.



But no matter what, sit up straight and stay alert! Keep your vestments straight, and your hands out of your pockets.





(Thanks to our demonstrators, who always try to "do it right.")

November Schedule

November 4 (9 AM)	C1	Nick
	T1	Alex
	T2	Thomas
November 4 (11 AM)	C1	Michael W
	C2	Kipa
	T1	Nathaniel
	T2	Isabel
November 11 (9 AM)	C1	Caitlin
	T1	Michael S
	T2	Jack
November 11 (11 AM)	C1	Greg
	C2	Jon
	T1	Jordan
	T2	Natasha
November 18 (9 AM)	C1	Johanna
	T1	Jack
	T2	Alex
November 18 (11 AM)	C1	Ian
	C2	Christian
	T1	Isabel
	T2	Kipa
November 25 (9 AM)	C1	Nick
	T1	Thomas
	T2	William
November 25 (11 AM)	C1	Julia
	C2	Michael W
	T1	Laura
	T2	Elena