Beadle Manual

Beadles are those of the parish whose primary responsibility is helping people feel welcomed and part of the congregation. The cultivation of this feeling, however, belongs to the entire parish. In addition, no matter how wonderful the Pub Lunch is or how good the music, what happens upon arrival and departure makes a lasting impression on the stranger who visits the church. That is why the role of the beadle is so vital to the St. Mark's community.

Before the Service:

• Report in to the Head Beadle and/or the MC at least 30 minutes before the service is to start. Remember that most visitors to a church arrive early. They should not be left to wander about on their own until just before the service!
• If possible, introduce yourself to people you do not know, even if you know they are regular parishioners.
• If you cannot distinguish members from non-members, greet everyone as though they belong and the problem is solved.
• Weather permitting, stand outside so you can give worshippers their bulletins and open the doors for them.
• Stay at your assigned post at least through the entrance hymn. After that, sit nearby so that you can assist late-comers with bulletins and finding seats.
• Be ready to open a door, give directions, or provide assistance to worshipers in whatever way possible, especially if they are new to St. Mark's.
• Be aware of where the verger is in case you need assistance with anything. He is usually standing where he can be visible to the celebrant.

During the Service:

• Again, sitting near your post and being alert during the service will allow you to be of assistance to latecomers and others as needed.
• Just before the Offertory, line up in pairs in the central aisle in front of the font. When the server comes to the front of the altar with the alms basins, walk up to the altar and stand four across.
• One beadle should take the collection from each of these sections, beginning with the front row:
1. Southeast section of the nave and left side of the choir
2. Southwest section of the nave and right side of the choir
3. Northeast and East sections of the nave
4. Northwest and West sections of the nave
• When  you have finished with your sections, return to the font area, secure the offering in its red velvet bag, and line up as above take the offering up.
• When the server comes to the front of the altar with large alms basic, walk up as above.
• Either place your collection bag in the alms basin or let the server take it.
• Once all the offering is in, return to your seat.
• Beadles are responsible for recording the attendance at each service. The Head Beadle will identify which sections each beadle should count then record the total attendance on a card that is placed on the Parish Register in the Sacristy after the service. Remember to count everyone in the Parish Hall and the Undercroft.

After the Service:

• Return to your post to speak to people as they leave the nave.

Beadle Don't's:

1. Don't be late. Again, visitors are usually early and often need to know where the restrooms are, where the nursery is, etc. It's also useful to introduce visitors to people as you direct them to where they need to go.
2. Don't bunch up! Stay at your post, not with the other beadles!
3. Don't ask "Where would you like to sit?" Tell people who need help, "There are seats in the third row on the left, and the fourth row on the right. Which would you like?"
4. Don't interrupt the service (or let others interrupt it).
1. People should not be seated during the readings, the singing of an anthem, or during prayers. The ideal time for latecomers to be seated is during the singing of a hymn when the congregation is already standing and preoccupied.
2. People expect beadles to help them, so they're not offended when the beadles says, "Wait with me a moment...then I'll help you find a seat." Then seat them as unobtrusively as possible. (Difficult when worship is in the round!)
3. Be positive with directions; don't make jokes about arriving late, etc.
5. Don't distract others by pointing or talking loudly with latecomers.
6. Don't be exclusive. Welcome newcomers, and recruit many types of people to be beadles. The more diversity shown among beadles the more welcoming St. Mark's becomes.

Beadle Dos:

1. Do get training, when available, so you become the most effective beadle you can be!
2. Do be helpful in giving directions. If at all possible, show a newcomer where something is rather than giving them even fairly simple directions. If you have to leave your post for a minute, other beadles can keep an eye out for you.
3. Do encourage people to fill up seats toward the middle of rows so that latecomers can be seated with minimal disruption.
4. Do fill in the ranks. If you won't be able to serve when expected, finding a replacement is very helpful to the Head Beadle.
5. Do learn your part in receiving the offering, keeping in mind two things:
1. The offering is an act of worship, and by your own attitude you help the whole congregation experience it as such.
2. Walk in a manner that is orderly, natural, and inconspicuous.
6. Do be prepared for emergencies, e.g., a need to evacuate the church in a hurry
1. You should also be prepared to deal with an emergency illness by knowing (a) the location of physicians, nurses, or other emergency personnel in attendance who may be of assistance, and (b) the location of the first aid equipment (in the sacristy on the shelf under the hymnals), and being prepared to call for an ambulance, if necessary.

Remember, the whole goal of hospitality as embodied by the beadles is that visitors are able to say, "I was a stranger and you welcomed me" (Mt. 25:35).