Be ready with a few sets of - hymn book, liturgy and service sheet - together for handing out to people as they arrive (sometimes people come in a wave in the last few minutes, so it is best to be ready).

The steward should remind people who are coming in, if they forget and are speaking loudly, to speak softly to maintain quiet in the church before the service.

Be sure to keep the entry doors closed (they can stick open if pushed too far when someone enters), so that the worship space is kept quiet and, in the winter, the heat is kept in.

 

During the Service:

Please stay in the entranceway by the greeter tables until after the opening hymn.

Keep an eye out, especially in the first 15 minutes after the service starts if someone comes in late and sits down without having a hymn book, liturgy and service sheet, so you can bring that to them.  This is especially important for someone who is new, to help them be oriented for the service and feel welcome from the start.

During the offertory hymn the steward will take the offertory bag and move through the congregation from the Epistle side (left) to the back and then from the back of the church on the Gospel side (right) to the front.  As soon as the offering is collected, the Steward brings the offertory to the centre of the sanctuary steps and bows.  Then the steward waits to give the offering to the priest and they bow to each other when it is exchanged.  The Steward waits until the priest offers the offering with a prayer and turns around again to the Steward and they bow to each other.  Make sure that the extra kneeler cushion on the right is now placed in the centre.  Then return to your seat.

Be ready to guide people to Holy Communion - it is good if there is always a small line up of people waiting in the aisle, while others are still kneeling to receive.

At the end of the administration of Holy Communion, you are the last person to receive the Sacrament.  Before returning to your seat, place the middle kneeler cushion on top of the right hand cushion, so the priest and server can easily exit the sanctuary in the final hymn.

The steward counts how many people (adults and children) are in attendance.  Remember to always include the organist, the priest, the server(s) and yourself.

 

After the Service:

The steward counts the offering immediately after the service and always with a second person as witness.  The offering is put into an envelope and the amount is noted in the service register and on the envelope.  Both the Steward and the witness initial beside the amount written in the service register.

The Steward also puts the total number of people in attendance in the service register.

After coffee time, the Steward could put back the objects on the greeter tables into the cupboard in the vestry and return the tables to their place.