Ushers
Ushers are the first church members someone sees upon entering the doors of the church. Ushering at St. James provides an excellent opportunity to help visitors, special guests and regular members have a warm feeling for having attended our church. Currently there are about 30 people, men and women, on the roster for duty as usher at St. James. Each usher serves on the average one Sunday every five or six weeks, more often during special times such as Christmas and Easter when services are more numerous. The primary function of ushering at St. James is to assist the clergy, serve the needs of the congregation and make the service flow as smoothly as possible. Ushers distribute service sheets to incoming worshippers, take up the offering, assist during the Eucharist and collect the service sheets after the service, among various other duties. Generally speaking, the ushers’ role is to help the service run like clockwork. Currently there is no organization and no structure to the service of ushering, but one will be formed this year. Training sessions are provided usually during the summer, so as not to conflict with Church School, or anytime during the year as requested. Ushering is open to men and women of the church, preferably those age 16 and over who are knowledgeable with the Episcopal service.