With Gratitude for Our Acolytes

“O worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness; let the whole earth stand in awe of him.” (Ps. 96:9)

This elegant line comes from The Venite in Morning Prayer, and it inspires us to ensure our worship services are conducted with an eye towards beauty and holiness. One of the reasons I became an Episcopalian is because of the liturgy, and here at St. Andrew’s, the gorgeous windows, artwork, architecture, flowers, colors, candles, furniture, etc. really make me feel like I’m standing on sacred ground every time I enter the church.

I am sure it comes as no surprise that there are many people involved in making sure our church and our services are bathed in beauty and holiness. There are ushers, greeters, readers, chalice bearers, choir members, the altar guild, and, of course, the clergy. They all play different but crucial roles in guiding our mind, body, and spirit towards the worship of God, and I am extremely grateful for all the work they do.

One group, in particular, has become very special to me: the acolytes, the non-ordained volunteers, almost entirely in their teens, who assist in leading beautiful and holy worship. You’ll see them on Sundays, dressed in white albs, and serving in a variety of ways:

• Crucifer – the acolyte who carries the cross and leads the entrance and exit processions

• Gospel bearer – the acolyte who carries the Gospel book and holds it while the deacon reads

• Torch bearers – the acolytes who carry the large lighted candles to illuminate the Gospel book and symbolize the light of Christ in the world

• Altar servers – the acolytes who help set up and clean up the altar at Communion

Taken together, you can see how integral they are to cultivating an atmosphere of beauty and holiness. Thus, I greatly appreciate everyone on our acolyte team. I am impressed with their dedication to serving, reverent attitudes, and joyful spirits, and I love that they sit up front in the prayer desks during the service. It shows how important they really are.

So, I offer a sincere thank you to all our acolytes, and especially to the 25+ who attended the training this past Sunday. Thank you also to the parents who ensure our acolytes make it to church each week and to Deacon Sue, Stephanie, Beverly, JC, and Kimberly who pour their hearts into this wonderful ministry!