How often will I do this?

A: As a Welcomer you will be in one of 2 Welcoming teams which are on a week on week off basis.

How much of the service will I miss?

A: As a Welcomer your main duties are to welcome everyone who walks in the door and talk to people in the welcome lounge after the service. Therefore it works out that you only miss half of worship as everyone walks into the service and possibly the last two minutes of the message to go to the welcome lounge.

Will I still hear the message?

A: Yes, as by the time the message starts almost all the attending people have arrived and you are only required to get to the welcome lounge as the message is finishing.

What happens if I can’t do a rostered weekend?

A: If you are unable to make it to a service you are rostered on to, all you have to do is let us know by the Friday before the service and we will look after the rest.

Do I wear a T-Shirt or a nametag?

A: As a welcomer you are not required to wear a volunteer T-shirt, but there will be name tags for you to wear so people know you are on a service team.

Will I get any training before I start?

A: Before you start as a welcomer you will be given all the information and instruction you need to feel comfortable and sure in what you need to do.

Am I required to minister to people spiritually?

A: As a welcomer you are constantly engaging in conversation with people, asking questions to get to know them. If a situation occurs where some personal issues or problems come up in conversation just be a listening ear, because sometimes someone just needs someone to talk to. If you feel that this person would benefit more from talking with a pastor, so the pastor can give guidance, just simply introduce them to a pastor.

What do I need to do when I arrive before a service?

A: Find the head welcomer to find out what duty you are allocated to.

What do I need to do if I am allocated to a door duty?

A: The main role of a welcomer is to smile and welcome. Greet every person who walks in the door, regardless of age. Also, offer everyone a copy of the pulse, don’t just assume they have one.

Is there anyone that I should be especially watching out for?

A: Yes, while ushering you should give extra assistance to any who are disabled, aged or any who are emotionally distressed while they find a seat. Also, keep a look out for mothers with prams or babies and single mothers so that you can offer assistance by directing them to the pram section of the church and pointing out the mothers rooms and kids church facilities.

Do welcomers help with the Communion? If so how do I go about that?

A: Yes, as there are not enough ushers in some teams to do communion welcomers are required to assist. There are two people assigned to one section and starting from the front pass the emblems to alternating rows as the work their way to the back. An important factor to note it that the bread is always passed first so it is easier to pick up both emblems.

What is the welcome lounge and what do I need to do when I am there at the end of a service?

A: The welcome lounge, situated at the back of the church, is where new people come to meet nexus members and find out more about the church. Before the service make sure you invite any new people you meet to the lounge after the service. Then on arrival to the lounge, after the service, begin to serve any guests tea, coffee and biscuits; start conversation by asking the guests questions about themselves and be prepared to answer questions about the church and what we do. The focus should be on the guest so keep your own stories to a minimum. Look out for information cues about what they may need to know; for example, youth if they have teenagers, Friendz if elderly etc. And plug them into the appropriate ministry by finding the leaders.

Also get the guests to fill out a connect card so we can keep in contact with them. And if they need pastoral support grab the on-call pastor to talk with them.

Finally, if a Nexus member brings a fiend to the lounge encourage them to stay and host, we are not a drop off centre.

What do I do in any form of emergency?

A: In all forms of emergencies the most important thing is to remain calm. Different steps are required in different situations:

Disturbance – Ask the party/parties involved to stop as they are disturbing other guests. If they persist promptly call the head usher.

Illness/Medical – Take the person to the connect desk, if they are unable to move promptly consult the head usher.

Evacuation – In the event of an evacuation, ushers must go to the outside of the appropriate dor and direct everyone to go straight to the oval.