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The rotas are also available in the Parish News and at the back of the church. A paper copy will also be available for those that need it.
Please remember that if you have to change a duty, it is your responsibility to find a deputy and record the change on the rota sheet at the back of church.
Information for sidespersons and others on the rotas are below.
Role of sidespeople
Duties of sidesperson one
Duties of sidesperson two
Duties of sidesperson three
Duties of sidesperson four
In case of fire
From Everybody’s Welcome
Letter from Churchwardens to those on the rotas
As always we would like to thank everyone for all that you give in support of our Worship here at St. Chads. It is very much appreciated. As indeed is our appreciation of Elaine and Peter’s work in compiling the rotas for the year.
The arrangement for people to view rotas is either via the Church web-site or the Parish News. It has come to our notice that some people may not have ready access to the web-site. For that reason we have returned to provision of an electronic copy by email or “hard copy”, on request to Iain, to ensure that everyone has sight of the full listing.
As ever if you need to arrange “swops” please could you make your own arrangements and record them on the “master sheet” on the notice board at the back of the Church. This is simply so that we know who is helping with our worship that day. A new telephone directory has been produced by Karen on listings that we have provided. If we have (inadvertently) missed your name please let Iain know and we can update the directory.
Lastly, a document on the role of sidespeople/persons is included with this letter. Old hands will be very familiar with the content, it is intended to help new sidespeople but it is worth sharing it with everyone. Aspects of the role do change from time to time. For that reason the PCC intends to revisit this document every two years but we would very much like you to offer the suggestions for changes and improvements, new ideas and so forth. The key details listed will also be reprinted on the familiar laminated sheets.
Many thanks
Ken Scott & Iain Coleman
Sidespersons
Canon (Church) Law E 2 Of sidesmen or assistants to the churchwardens
1. The sidesmen of the parish shall be appointed by the annual parochial church meeting or,
if need arises between annual parochial church meetings, by the parochial church council.
2. No person whose name is not on the church electoral roll is eligible as a sidesman, but all
persons whose names are on the roll are so eligible.
3. It shall be the duty of the sidesmen 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, especially during the time of divine service.
www.cofe.anglican.org/about/churchlawlegis/canons/complete.pdf
The role of sidespeople
Sidespeople are often the first people you meet as you come in. Although part of their role is to welcome people to the service their main function seems to be to give out the right books and papers!
In practice sidespeople do much more than give out books. They are responsible under the direction of the Churchwardens for making sure that all the practical jobs in preparation for worship are done and that everything goes smoothly during the service.
They take the collection and deal with it after the service. They also count carefully so that we know exactly how many people under and over 16 are in each service. The Church of England loves statistics and so do we. It is very helpful to look back in the service register where numbers of those attending and receiving communion are recorded and see how many people we might expect on any given Sunday. This is especially important at festival times, not only the major times of the church’s year such as Easter and Christmas but at times when we have our own major events and services.
Sidespeople are the smiling, helpful and welcoming face of the church. They are among the first to arrive for a service so that they can prepare the church to greet you and they are generally among the last to leave, after making sure that everything is correctly put away and the building is left tidily and safely for the next people to come in. Although they may have their own favourite service, we rather hope that they’ll be willing to take a turn at any of the services from time to time as needed.
SPECIFIC TO ST CHAD’S
ST CHAD’S SOUND SYSTEM
Information for Sidespersons
BEORE THE SERVICE.
Usually it is just the lectern microphone to set up. The microphones and cables are kept in the verger’s cupboard as before (the short cable is adequate for normal use). The microphone stand/s are kept in the choir vestry. Plug the cable into the wall socket and into the microphone; place the microphone in the stand and turn on the switch on the microphone. The stand should be placed to the archway side of the lectern – there is no need to have the microphone right in the face of the reader – the microphones are very good at picking up the reader’s voice. Finally switch on the system, the power plug is in the choir vestry, just inside the door on the left hand side next to the sound control cabinet. Additional microphone sockets are located in the pulpit and the priest’s stall. Maureen looks after her radio microphone herself.
AFTER THE SERVICE
Turn the microphone switch off, then the system power, then unplug the microphones (using release buttons) and put them and the stand(s) away.
SIDESPERSON NUMBER ONE
(when there are four on duty)
ACT AS “SENIOR SIDESPERSON” ENSURING THAT ALL DUTIES ARE COVERED AND CARRIED OUT SATISFACTORILY
Before the service
Put our small tables from the choir vestry, service books, hymn books & readings sheet.
Meet and greet the congregation, encouraging sidespersons to ensure a warm welcome and handing out hymn books, service books and readings sheet.
Check that the lesson reader/intercessor/chalice assistants are present within the congregation – if not advise Wardens
If necessary co-opt additional help to take the collection
During the service
Take the collection
As choir take communion guide the congregation to go up to the altar
After the service
With the No. 2 sidesperson take the collection into the Priest’s vestry, put the collection into the correctly marked bag then into the safe.
Check all duties completed, everything put away and tidy.
IN CASE OF FIRE:
Contact fire brigade and liaise with fire officer.
SIDESPERSON NUMBER TWO
(when there are four on duty)
MAIN RESPONSIBILITY – COLLECTION
Before the service
Collect wooden-handled alms bags from the priest’s vestry
Place a small/soft alms bag each side of the choir stalls
Ensure an adequate supply of green gift envelopes and pens throughout the Church
Meet and greet the congregation, hand out service books, hymn books and readings sheet.
During the service
Take the collection
On completion of the collection place alms bags on a wooden alms plate, proceed to the altar (collecting choir alms on the way). After the blessing of the offertory lead the others back from the altar
After the service
With the No. 1 sidesperson take the collection into the Priest’s vestry, put the collection into the correctly marked bag then into the safe. Place brass alms plate and wooden-handled alms bags in vestry cupboard and return wooden plate and other bags to the rear of the church.
IN CASE OF FIRE:
Assist in the evacuation of the building – giving particular assistance to those in wheelchairs or prams
SIDESPERSON NUMBER THREE
(when there are four on duty)
MAIN RESPONSIBILITY – CONGREGATION COUNT
Before the service
Count the congregation and record the numbers in columns A,B and D accurately on the weekly sheet PRIOR TO THE SERVICE. Remember to include the choir. It is suggested that at the main morning service this is much easier if done as the congregation enter the Church i.e. you do not need to get involved in other duties but just handle the count
Ask two people to take up the bread and wine
Give the number of likely communicants to the nominated people who will be taking up the bread and wine
During the service
Take the collection
After the service
Help and put away service books
Complete the congregation statistics by filling in columns C, E and F (the priest and/or verger can possibly give confirmation of numbers here.
IN CASE OF FIRE:
Go to the assembly point at the rear of the Village Hall – take weekly sheet and use it to account for all persons present
SIDESPERSON NUMBER FOUR
(when there are four on duty)
MAIN RESPONSIBILITY – SEATING THE CONGREGATION
Before the service
Install the reader’s lectern and switch on the sound system
Check at special services whether any pews need reserving
Meet and greet the congregation – showing persons to reserved pews if necessary. Hand out service books, hymn books and readings sheet
During the service
Remain near the south door, be aware of, welcome and seat latecomers
Take the collection
Receive communion last and ensure altar rail is opened and the central kneeler placed to one side before returning
After the service
Help and put away service books
Put away microphones and switch off sound system
For evening services where two sidespersons are present it is suggested that one person acts to cover the roles of sidespersons 1 & 2 and the other covers the roles of sidespersons 3 & 4.
IN CASE OF FIRE:
Assist in the evacuation of the building – with particular attention to the Loft, toilets, kitchen and vestries
Fire Exits
North Door this is signed and lit
South Door – not lit (and potentially West Door – emergency light above door) neither of these are currently signed.
Be aware
| Of location of fire extinguishers | ||
| Location | Type | |
| 1 | Back of Church, bottom end of main aisle just inside rear pew | Foam Spray |
| 2 | Inside Lady Chapel. To the immediate left on entering. | Carbon Dioxide |
| 3 | Top of the main aisle, through the arch located on the floor beneath the bank of light switches | Foam Spray |
| 4 | Inside kitchen located on the wall above the counter and to the right hand side of the serving hatch | Carbon Dioxide |
| 5 | The loft, located on left hand side (facing circular window) halfway down the room on shelf | Water |
| 6 | The loft, located on left hand side (facing circular window) halfway down the room on shelf | Carbon Dioxide |
| 7 | Tower – inside the ringers’ chamber on the right hand side of the door | Carbon Dioxide |
Fire Alarms
1. To the left of the kitchen door
2. To the left of the North Door at the foot of the stairs to the loft
Accidents
In the event of an accident occurring on church property, please ensure that the Accident Book is properly completed and brought to the attention of the Vicar or Wardens.
Location of accident book – behind the South Door (Main Entrance) on the rack beneath the notice board.
Location of toilets
1. Through the door at the top end of the North Aisle and just around the corner from the kitchen.
2. Through the door at the top end of the North Aisle, through the door immediately opposite and up the stairs to the “Loft”. Toilet directly ahead.
Location of kitchen
Thought he door at the top end of the North Aisle, kitchen is on immediate left.
Location of the First Aid Box – Kitchen
From “Everybody welcome”
Additional notes B: sidespersons
An important but underestimated role in Churches is that of the sidesperson. Among their practical duties, they are one of the first people a newcomer will meet and so will make a lasting impression. Good practice includes considering some of the following points:
a. Look where sidespersons are positioned. They need to be near enough to the entrance so newcomers are not left floundering but not so near that the entrance is too congested.
b. B. If you have a large church with regular visitors, either have a large enough welcome team so that individuals can take people to seats etc., or develop a separate “Welcome Team”.
Tips for the welcomers
c. Be there early enough to get the books and papers ready so that when people arrive you can give them confidently rather than fumbling trying to put everything together.
d. Eye contact and a smile are important. The newcomer should not feel you have interrupted your conversation with your fellow sidesman in order to speak to them.
e. Treat everyone equally rather than engaging in a long conversation with someone and virtually ignoring everyone else.
f. Be especially on the lookout for the newcomer, welcoming them and making sure they know where to go, and either take them yourself or hand them on to someone else.
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