The Ministry of Greeting

Lou Hightower

There are many volunteers within our parish who serve as greeters for Sunday liturgical services at 9:00 a.m., 11:15 a.m., and 5:15 p.m. Our greeters literally spearhead the ministry of hospitality. They are the first parishioners to meet newcomers to the Chapel of the Cross and they regularly establish the convivial
atmosphere of the service through their warm handshakes and greeting of "good morning" to all parishioners. In addition, they reinforce that atmosphere by assisting newcomers following the service. These volunteers are unique in that they are the only parishioners on Sunday who are identified by name tags.

Greeters are posted at the tower entrance to the church 15 minutes before the service, following the service, and at the newcomers' table in the dining room. Each location has a different set of one or two greeters. (For the current quarter, due to a lack of volunteers, greeters are serving only at the newcomers table after the service. The ushers are assisting parishioners at the tower entrance. This will last only through February.)

The schedule for greeters is detailed in the quarterly liturgical calendar along with specific duties to be performed at each location. As with other ministries, greeters submit preferred dates for serving by filling out absence postcards sent out by the parish administrative
assistant.

All greeters, upon arrival at the church, retrieve their name tags from the designated box in the dining room bookcase. The duties of greeters vary between the two locations.

At the tower entrance, greeters control the outer doors and assist parishioners in ascending the steps. They staff the entrance until the processional hymn begins then close the doors and go to their pews. Following the service, they position themselves near the tower and main doors to assist the clergy as needed in directing newcomers to the dining room. That concludes their tower duties.

At the newcomers table before the service, greeters position the newcomers banner and set the table with the box of supplies located in the bookcase. Following the service, greeters go directly to the table, put out the assorted literature and applications and are alert to receive and assist newcomers. Also, whenever possible, greeters will introduce newcomers to other parishioners and clergy. Afterward, greeters return supplies to the bookcase and leave completed applications in parish office. That concludes table duties.

Any parishioner is welcome to serve as a greeter and can specify at which service(s) he or she desires to serve. Greeters are oriented by the scheduler and generally alternate at both the tower and the table.

Serving as a greeter provides a truly rewarding experience. It offers a unique opportunity to establish and to maintain friendships and to share our many blessings.

If you are interested in serving as a greeter, please contact the parish office at 919-929-2193.

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