Church Officer

Reports to: the Minister
Key Purpose
Responsible for the preparation of the church for worship, and to be in attendance for all acts of worship in the church building, all other Sunday activities, weddings, funerals, and special services, as directed by the Minister.
Day-to-day responsibility will be to the Minister of the Charge and will accept instructions from the Parish Assistant, Session Clerk, Director of Youth and Families Ministry or Church & Halls Manager; but refer to and defer to the Minister where any instruction appears to be contrary or in doubt.
Liaise and co-operate as necessary with the Church Caretaker, Church & Halls Manager and Caretaker.
Report fabric defects and potential safety hazards to the Church Office.
Key Tasks
Preparation for Worship
Responsibilities include
o presentation of the premises in respect of heating and lighting which will be provided as economically as possible, consistent with comfort and safety
o furniture placement and other tasks as detailed in the Church Officer duties schedule
o presenting the Church and Halls ready in all respects 30 minutes prior to each act of worship
o Ensure the accurate regulation of all clocks and that the church, paths and walkways are safe,
clean and tidy prior to all usage
o taking guidance from the Communion Elder to ensure that the Church is fully prepared in
advance of any act of worship to include communion
Worship
Before Morning Worship, the Church Officer will be appropriately dressed.
o Responsibilities include
o escorting Young Church into church from the halls ahead of the Choir and the Minister
escorting Minister from vestry to choir
o carrying the bible to pulpit and leading the Minister into church
o remaining in church during service and being prepared to use initiative to attend to any
eventuality
After Worship
Responsibilities include
o removing bible from pulpit at the end of the service
o ensuring everything is tidied away and made ready for next act of worship
o assisting Communion Elder as directed if Communion has been celebrated

For all other acts of worship the Church Officer will attend and assist as directed by the Minister or Associate Minister
Security, Fire Warden and Evacuation
The Church Officer will be responsible for security, will act with the Duty Team as a Fire Warden and will assist with any evacuation as a result of an emergency on Sundays and at additional services, including weddings and funerals, and concerts as from time to time will be held in the Church.
Responsibilities include
o the opening and closing of the church and halls complex on Sundays.
o ensuring the church and halls complex is locked after Sunday morning activities are completed, although the alarm should not be set until 5 pm except when there is a late night function when flexibility will be required
o ensuring the security and good order of the premises when on duty and to liaise with authorised users regarding same
General
Qualities
o The Church Officer will
o act and behave at all times in a way which promotes the values and ethos of Helensburgh Parish Church
o demonstrate an understanding of and sympathy with the nature and purposes of the Church of Scotland
o perform all duties in a dignified manner
Core Competencies
o Interpersonal skills
o Reliability
o Punctuality
o Taking the initiative

Church Officer Duties
Church Sunday

Keys and Opening Up
1. Open both front doors
2. Open South side door
3. Open North side door (Key under cushion in
wheel chair space)
4. Open back door (south side)
5. Ensure tables are set in large hall ahead of
tea/coffee fellowship following worship
6. Ensure creche area is set up in Gathering Space

Lights
Entrance
1. Vestibule (switch by cupboard)
2. Switch on all lights (panel between halls and church)

Pulpit Falls
1. Pulpit Falls to be changed according to
liturgical season

Bell
1. On switch behind curtain south side entrance
Switch on 10.40
2. Switch off 10.57

Water
1. Bottled water & Glasses/Paper cups (one on communion table, one at the Lectern)
2. Check that the water at the front door has been refreshed (decanter with two glasses)

Baptism
1. Lift top off font
2. Add small amount of warm water to bowl
3. Dry after use

Bible
1. Wait with choir during prayer
2. When choir is in position carry bible to pulpit
3. Wait to one side in front while minister passes
4. Return to seat

Service end
1. At last line of last hymn step forward to middle and face communion table
2. When Amen has been sung collect bible and take back to choir room
3. Return the bible to the vestry
4, Clear tables and chairs in large hall at completion
of tea/coffee fellowship
5. Clear away creche materials.

Sunday at Seven Events
1. Church to be opened and closed