Weekly Objectives Before Liturgy
While the people will be different week to week, the work of the greeter remains the same. Below is a general guide or 'job description' that can be modified as needed in local parishes.
Preparation
Greeters should 'dress for church' with dresses or coats/ties since they create the first impression visitors will have of the parish. They should be 'at their post' in the main entrance area at least 20 minutes before liturgy begins and have the material that they will give visitors with them. Any talk with friends should be 'interruptible' when a visitor appears.
First Contact
Visitors should be greeted in the narthex/entry after they have come in an glanced around (walk up to them casually, not like a hawk on its prey). A good greeting is 'I don't think we have met before, I am "", a member of the parish." This allows for greeting those you don't know but who might have visited when another greeter was working. After finding out if this is their first visit (and whether they are familiar with the Orthodox worship service) tell them a little about the liturgy (including why there is so much standing), the name of the priest, where the bathrooms are located and invite them to the fellowship time after liturgy.
If available, hand the visitors a brief introductory brochure * (see resources). It is also good to give them and an information card and pen (avoid calling this a 'registration' card) while telling them you have some more material you would like to send them later in the week that explains more about the church and Orthodoxy. Mention tactfully that communion is reserved only for those Orthodox Christians who have prepared themselves according to church teaching, so while they will not be able to participate they are invited to come up with everyone for a piece of blessed bread at the end of liturgy. If there is a place to set and 'see better' you might suggest that as you walk with them to the entrance. Before it is forgotten, write down the names of the visitors and distinguishing features (young couple, mother and child, etc.) to help you remember them. This avoids the embarrassment of having to ask their names again or worse, being corrected when you say their names wrong!
Weekly Objectives After Liturgy
While the people will be different week to week, the work of the greeter remains the same. Below is a general guide or 'job description' that can be modified as needed in local parishes.
Preparation
Greeters should 'dress for church' with dresses or coats/ties since they create the first impression visitors will have of the parish. They should be 'at their post' in the main entrance area at least 20 minutes before liturgy begins and have the material that they will give visitors with them. Any talk with friends should be 'interruptible' when a visitor appears.
First Contact
Visitors should be greeted in the narthex/entry after they have come in an glanced around (walk up to them casually, not like a hawk on its prey). A good greeting is 'I don't think we have met before, I am "", a member of the parish." This allows for greeting those you don't know but who might have visited when another greeter was working. After finding out if this is their first visit (and whether they are familiar with the Orthodox worship service) tell them a little about the liturgy (including why there is so much standing), the name of the priest, where the bathrooms are located and invite them to the fellowship time after liturgy.
If available, hand the visitors a brief introductory brochure * (see resources). It is also good to give them and an information card and pen (avoid calling this a 'registration' card) while telling them you have some more material you would like to send them later in the week that explains more about the church and Orthodoxy. Mention tactfully that communion is reserved only for those Orthodox Christians who have prepared themselves according to church teaching, so while they will not be able to participate they are invited to come up with everyone for a piece of blessed bread at the end of liturgy. If there is a place to set and 'see better' you might suggest that as you walk with them to the entrance. Before it is forgotten, write down the names of the visitors and distinguishing features (young couple, mother and child, etc.) to help you remember them. This avoids the embarrassment of having to ask their names again or worse, being corrected when you say their names wrong!
Weekly Objectives After Liturgy
