A server wearing an alb |
A server wearing a cotta
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The crucifer and acolytes
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Servers are required each Sunday at the 08.00 Holy Communion and at
the 09.30 Parish and All-age Communion services. This duty is undertaken
on a rota basis by a small band of people from the congregation. They
play an important role in the life of the church by assisting the priest
and are responsible for the smooth running of
Holy
Communion in a variety of ways, making sure that ceremonies are
carried out in a respectful, orderly and devout manner. They facilitate
the worship in such a way that the congregation can focus on the celebration
of the Eucharist and truly feel themselves to be a worshipping community.
Three servers work together for Parish and All-age Communion services,
each with their specially defined duties. The server who carries the
processional cross, at the beginning and end of the service, is called
a crucifer. The term crucifer comes from the Latin
crux
(cross) and
ferre (to bear, carry)
and so literally means 'cross-bearer'. The servers who light and carry
the candles at the same time are called acolytes. Some servers (duly
robed) receive the offertory and administer the wine at the communion
services if they have been licensed by the bishop to do this.
A server carries out a variety of duties, including preparing the
sanctuary
and altar table for the
service,
ensuring there are enough communion wafers available and checking that
the cruets hold sufficient water and wine.
Preparing the altar
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They open the lectern Bible at the appropriate readings and check that
the sound system is working. A server is sometimes called on to read
a lesson. After the service they dismantle the altar and wash the chalices
and paten so that they are ready for further use.
At St. James's servers wear a long white tunic (alb), a stiff decorated
collar attached to a rectangular piece of white linen (amice) and a
white cord round the waist (girdle). See the picture above left.
Sometimes servers may wear a cotta which is a continental version of
the fuller English surplice and is worn over a cassock. A cotta may
also be worn by members of the clergy or the choir. It is shorter than
a surplice with a square yoke, and it is pleated, often with box pleats.
The cotta is worn over the top of a black cassock as shown in the picture
on the right.
An amice
is worn under the alb to cover other clothes. This is a white cloth
with two long ribbon-like attachments to fasten around the shoulders.
