“You’re always really busy on a Sunday, what do you actually do?”
I was asked this last Sunday… before it got really busy as usual.
I’m Angela – if you don’t know me, look for the colour yellow or listen for someone talking about their tortoise, and you’ll find me.
Pre-service:
I’m always first in, unlocking doors and ensuring the church building is fully prepared for worship.
I check several operational duties on my list such as checking heating and lighting are sufficient, reserving accessible parking spaces, and making sure the place looks as welcoming as possible. There’s also the weekly pigeon waltz where I clean up the front steps. When they’re not flying around the hall, they’re mistaking our steps for the loos.
During the service:
I prepare post-service refreshments and whilst the coffee is perking I set out the biccies and cakes with any available Service team.
I generally monitor all is OK for everyone e.g. I check with the service team all’s well, the creche is still cosy, the loos are still clean and tidy, and the folk I encounter are welcomed.
As well as being a First Aider, I’m also an Evacuation Officer which means I work with the Service team to ensure all people are safely evacuated in the case of an emergency.
In 1 Corinthians 12:27 we are Christ’s body, and as I am here to support and help care for the congregation within the church building, I can be connective tissue behind the scenes as part of the operational work, to help those who help run the service i.e. the pastors, worship team, sound guys, group leaders, the service teams and everyone in God’s hoose.
It’s a very unusual job pace-wise. It starts very quietly when I open up by myself, then various teams arrive to set up then woooosh it’s suddenly packed as folk come to worship, some needing direction to relevant people, or items needing to be found. Sometimes, extra tasks are added such as prep for baptism, making sure the tank is filled and warmed to suit.
Post-service:
Service teams assist with refreshments and it’s kept busy whilst folk chat everywhere in the building whilst I liaise as needed, supporting who needs what, whether it’s a coffee or a chat.
Afterwards when folk are leaving I stay to finalise closing up, cleaning up and locking up. I’m always last out, and it’s quiet again.
I’m usually on duty as a solo church officer but I always feel part of a very supportive team so although I’m on my own I’m not by myself, and enjoy the lively atmosphere as well as the stillness before and after.
A Day in the Life of a Church Officer
