Greeter's Tasks

Thank you for volunteering to be one of our greeters on Sunday. You are doing an important job, which makes a real difference in our church community.
Please arrive at 9.30 am so that everything is ready for the service to start at 10.00am. If you do not possess a key to the church find out who can open the church for you.

You’re most important task is to welcome members and visitors.
Please welcome everyone with a smile and a “Good to see you today. I’m glad you came” (or equivalent). Pass them a songbook with an Order of Service. Find the nametags for members, or ask them to find theirs.
If visitors are Unitarians or Unitarian Universalists, ask for their name so that you can let the minister or service leader know they are here. Write out a temporary adhesive nametag for them, or if they prefer, give them a blank one for them to fill in.
As people arrive, encourage them to enter the sanctuary to avoid a “traffic jam” in the entrance. Ask them to sit down before the service starts at 10.00am.

If they are a visitor:
Before the service:
• Give them a temporary adhesive name tag.
• Be sure that they write their name, address and phone number legibly in the Visitor’s Book.
• Give them a visitor’s card and tell them “We’d like to send you three copies of our newsletter so you can know more about us”. (If they do not want to fill out a card let them know that this is okay, but we hope that they would visit again.
• Invite them to stay for tea after the service.
• Make them feel welcome and introduce them to a member who can sit with them during the service and who they would feel comfortable with – especially age wise.

After the service:
• Introduce them to the minister or service leader.
• Try to greet them again and tell them you hope they enjoyed the service (and ask for their completed visitor’s card)
• Ask why they came today, and try to find out some of their interests; introduce them to a member whom you think they have things in common with.
• If they are heading out the door as fast as they can, offer them your hand and say “It was nice to meet you. Do come again.”

CHECKLIST OF GREETERS TASKS

BEFORE THE SERVICE
• Switch on heaters, power , and lights
• Action the Sandwich board
• Set up the Chalice Table
• Set up Nametag board
• Set out songbooks
• Put song numbers on Song board
• Make sure library door is locked
DURING THE SERVICE
• Sit near the back of the church
• Assist latecomers
• Collect offertory
• Count attendance
AFTER THE SERVICE
As people leave:
• Collect nametags
• Collect yellow visitors cards
Lastly
• Return sound system
• Clear chalice table
• Collect songbooks
• Bring sandwich board inside
• Re-arrange chairs
• Switch off heaters and lights

TASKS IN DETAIL
BEFORE THE SERVICE

Lights and Heaters – Switch on all the lights at the switchboard to the left as you enter the sanctuary and the two behind the pulpit (by the door to the Newland room) In winter, plug in and turn on the wall heaters. Push the button on the switch board to activate them on arrival and again just before the service starts so that the power does not cut out during the service.
Sandwich Board – Find it behind the curtain in the foyer, clean it with kitchen cleaner. Write the sermon topic on it with whiteboard pen and place it outside in front of the church.
Sound System –In the brown cupboard to the left of the pulpit. The code to open the locks is kept in the key cupboard in the library. The button on the switchboard must be pressed to activate it (see above) Further instructions are on the inside of the cupboard door. Please read these carefully and note not to touch any of the switches on the equipment.
Chalice Table – From the sound system cupboard, set out the cloth, matches, snuffer, chalice candle and six other candles, matches and snuffer. Place two offertory bags on the table. Name Tags – Place nametag board, visitor’s book, pen, temporary nametags and a marker pen on the table opposite the switchboard. These are all kept in the library except for the nametag board, which is kept behind the curtain at the entrance.
Songbooks – Place enough songbooks on the table underneath the switchboard and insert an Order of Service in each. Pass one to the organist. Remove any previous Order’s of Service still remaining.
Chairs – Arrange approx 40 chairs neatly in curved rows with enough room at the sides of the room so that people can approach the seats from both sides. Stack any extras at the back.
Song Board – Change the numbers on the board. Numbers are kept in a rack in the alcove near the Newland Office behind the curtain. The service leader or organist can advise the song numbers if there is no Order of Service.
Overall Impression – Make sure the doors behind the pulpit are closed, the curtain of the alcove under the organ pipes is closed, and everything on the chalice table is neatly presented.
Library Door: Make sure this is locked during the service.

DURING THE SERVICE

Sit near the back of the church to assist latecomers.
Collect the offertory. Each greeter takes an offertory bag for the chalice table, passes it through people on one side of the sanctuary, and returns it to the chalice table.
If you have not already done so, make a careful count of the number of people present. (Include number of children, visitors, organist and childcare person) and leave details on the desk of the Office Administrator

AFTER THE SERVICE

AS PEOPLE LEAVE
Nametags – Collect and sort them alphabetically by surname on the board and return board behind the curtain in the foyer.
Songbooks, Visitor’s Book etc. – Collect and return to the library.
Yellow Visitors Cards – Collect and leave on the Office Administrators desk.

LASTLY
Sound System – Return all equipment to the cupboard and turn the switch off at the wall.
Chalice Table – Put candles, candleholders, matches and cloths in the cupboard and lock it.
Plants – Water the plants in the sanctuary and downstairs when necessary. You need to take the plants at the windows into the kitchen as otherwise water will stain the woodwork.
Sandwich Board – Bring inside and store behind the curtain in the foyer.
Chairs – Rearrange the chairs in neat rows.
Heaters and Lights – Unplug and switch off the heaters and turn off the lights (both behind the pulpit and at the switchboard.

Please be security conscious, property does go missing if not locked away.

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