Cathy asked to hear more about being Vestryperson of the Day* (or, as we call it, the "Vee-Pod.")
In my denomination, the governing board is called the Vestry. There are 9 members who meet regularly to conduct the business of the church, and at my particular parish church, each of us takes a turn being Vestryperson of the Day once every nine weeks. The VPOD is intended to be the point person for that Sunday. I think the VPOD duties may vary greatly from church to church, and I'd be interested to hear from others of you on what your practices are. (Clearly, some of the things I have listed below are my own additions...or specific to this past Sunday.)
On my VPOD Sunday, I generally arrive by 6:30 a.m., before the first service at 7:15. This gives me a little time to pray for the day's worship ahead and the people who will be there. I unlock all the doors of church buildings that are to be used, make sure A/C or heaters are set, turn on lights, make coffee, set out service bulletins that have been readied by our fabulous Parish Administrator; check in with the verger and other servers; greet and act as a fill-in usher if needed (it was needed at all three services this week), go get donut holes for all three services (very, very important!) and then watch the service in progress to provide any needed assistance from the rear of the church. Secure the offertory funds until the end of the church day.
Service is over: reset & ready facilities for 8:30 service. Repeat as needed and make sure folks have what they need. Help to greet newcomers; make sure there is plenty of coffee and TP. Watch service. Secure offertory funds.
Service is over: reset & ready facilities for 11:00 service. We had a Bishop coming for confirmation, so I looked for the parking space sign that said "This Space Reserved for Bishop" but could not find it. Fortunately, that Bishop is well able to take care of himself; still, it would've been a nice touch.
Usually there is Sunday school between these two services, but not during the summer (which we've begun). Enjoy talking with loose children of all ages. Fill in at the nursery when the nursery attendant disappears briefly; begin room set-up for post-Confirmation reception.
11:00 AM: Watch and participate in this service; sing offertory anthem with Choir; take Communion; secure offertory funds. Attend reception; assist with clean-up; lock buildings, turn off lights, reset AC's, praying in each room as I leave it for Vacation Bible School activities which will take place there this week. Deposit offertory funds at bank night depository. It's about 1:30 when I am done.
It's work that I truly do love doing. And of course, the saving grace of being the VPOD (and being real new to the Vestry) is that at any time I can look up and find at least a few people who have done this work before and can answer any questions, help me find things or haul tables or locate a VCR or whatever. And with joy, they do it. I really do feel so blessed to be a part of it.
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* Funnily, I am at the right age/part of the country/who knows what, that the phrase that sounds easier in my head is "Vestryman of the Day." But guess what (whispering), our vestry is more than half women! Mwa ha ha! Maybe we should be called the "Vestrywomen of the Day," right? Because everyone would know that meant women AND men, right? ;)
