All Saints Church, Datchworth

“The duties of sidespeople are to promote the cause of true religion in the parish and to assist the churchwardens in the discharge of their duties in maintaining order and decency in the church and churchyard and especially during the time of the service.” (The Handbook for Churchwardens and Parochial Church Councillors)

All Services

· Please be in church at least 15 minutes before the service so that service sheets, hymn books and pew notices are ready to distribute.

· Welcome and guide visitors to a seat if they are hesitant.

· Ensure that gift aid envelopes are evenly distributed throughout the pews

· Ensure collection plates are at the back of the church.

· Count the loose cash on the offering plate and enter the amount in the register.

· Put this with any envelopes into the large envelope provided, please date the envelope before putting it in the safe.

Holy Communion

• Using hymn books reserve the first 2 rows in front of the pulpit for Sunday Club.
• Liaise with Sunday Club so that they are in for the distribution of Communion and Blessing
• Count the congregation, estimating the number who will receive communion, and tell the server when the bread and wine are brought to the altar.
• The bread and wine are to be brought to the altar as the offertory hymn is announced and then the collection taken.
• Take the collection to the altar and hand to the server, please stay until the end of the hymn and the offertory prayer has finished.
• During the distribution of communion please guide/encourage people to come to the altar. Regular communicants know the order people move but visitors do not. This is particularly important at Baptism services, Christmas, Harvest, Easter and Remembrance Day.

End of Service

• Please pay the organist £10 and make a note of this on the collection envelope for the financial records.

• Collect hymn books and service sheets.
• Check that the church is tidy.
• Direct visitors to the hall for coffee.

I cannot stress strongly enough how important the role of sidesperson is. You are the first point of contact for both regular members of the congregation and visitors. The welcome a person receives reflects the light and love of Christ in your life and in the life of All Saints, Datchworth. (April 2005)