Liturgy, Sacristy, and Paraments-Oh My!
When I attend church on Sundays, I settle into the pew, slowing my breath and my mind. I take in the atmosphere of the Sanctuary and look around. I admire the flowers and maybe take note of anything extra on the altar…a hint of what’s to come. The ushers and greeters welcome people in, the organist begins playing the prelude, and we flow from prayers, readings, the sermon, hymns, the offering, and benediction in reassuring order. I don’t think at all about what it takes to plan and implement a worship service because it seems to work seamlessly week after week. But of course, none of it happens without a lot of planning and effort behind the scenes.
Recently, I had a chance to learn about the work of the Worship Committee. Sandy Lipscomb has chaired the committee for six years, quietly and efficiently working to ensure everything is ready and in place for each week’s service. Now, she is ready to step away from this role, and the church is seeking a new Worship Chairperson. A few days ago, over a cup of tea, she shared details about her job as Worship Chair and some of the essential tasks the Worship Committee attends to each week. She noted that she now has a dedicated committee of wonderful volunteers from our church to take on various responsibilities.
Sandy said the committee supports the worship experience for Sunday services and special worship events. Committee volunteers handle the many separate tasks that may contribute to each service, such as:
· Recruiting and scheduling Lay Readers, Greeters, and Communion Stewards
· Baking Communion Bread
· Changing the paraments
· Ordering and collecting the altar flowers
· Tidying up pews
· Cleaning the Sacristy (the small room adjacent to the chancel choir that houses communion equipment, linens, and vestments)
In a way, the chairperson is like the stage manager at a theatrical production, helping ensure everything is in place for each week’s worship. The chair meets with the pastor to discuss the next month’s services. The chairperson also coordinates and organizes the work of the volunteers and recruits additional volunteers as needed. They may also send the weekly Bible passages to the Lay Readers and organize altar flowers for each service. The chairperson also serves as a resource for church attendees' questions about the church or liturgy.
I asked Sandy about the best parts of her job. She smiled and said that it’s about people, learning, and community. Although it’s a behind-the-scenes role, it involves interaction with a wide range of people. Sandy enjoys working with people, getting to know them, and feeling part of a community. She’s enjoyed learning about the parts of a worship service and what “props” are needed for a worship service: for example, when and why the paraments (cloths on the pulpit, lectern, and altar) change color through the liturgical calendar. Meeting with Pastor Gene and Deacon Deb to review the upcoming services and learn how each should be customized is a big bonus. It’s an opportunity to get to know the pastors and how they view the liturgy (the public ritual of worship).
After six years, Sandy has decided to step down from her Worship Chair role to pursue other avenues of service. The committee is in great shape but will need a new chairperson. The person needs to be well-organized and flexible. Like many positions within the church, it becomes what you make it. But there’s something unique about being the Worship Committee Chairperson. It’s another means by which you explore and expand your faith through the ritual of worship. Somehow, the act of physically putting the elements of worship in place makes it all the more meaningful.
If you are interested in the Worship Committee Chairperson role, please reach out to Pastor Gene, Deacon Deb, or Sandy Lipscomb.
- Leslie Lahue