This past Saturday, our vergers, whose ministry is centered around hospitality and worship preparation, trained several young people to be crucifers. It is very important to us that our young people find their place within our worship leadership. Our Book of Common Prayer states that all baptized are full members of the Church and we honor that by involving our young people in as many roles as possible at St. Andrew’s.
Crucifers carry the cross and lead the procession into the church (symbolizing the awareness of Christ’s presence among us), carry the gospel book (symbolizing the proclamation of the good news of Christ among the people), bring the offering to the altar for blessing (symbolizing everyone’s offering of their whole self to God), help set the table (symbolizing the holy preparation of the Great Thanksgiving as being of and for the people of God) assist at the altar (ring the sanctus bells, symbolizing the especially holy moments of the Eucharist), fill the second chalice (symbolizing the distribution of the holy elements to the people), and carry the cross in the retiring processional (symbolizing our taking the cross of Christ into the world).
As you can see, crucifers do important and holy work!