As my Chapter travel around the parishes I have noted not only a lack of servers in many Parishes but also almost a total lack of young servers. Has anyone else noticed this or does it just affect my area? 

REPLIES

17/4/03 from Michael Cridland

I have noticed that the parishes our chapter
visits that the local servers are not encouraged
to attend our meetings (we meet once a month) have
other chapters experienced this? 

Michael Cridland 

18/4/03 from Michael

Hello.

To some degree, I think this is reflective of many congregations.  Certainly I am the youngest active server at my church, and that at the age of 19, although the children of our new deputy Organist are quite keen on joining us, and their training shall commence soon under my guidance.

It can be somewhat disheartening.  Because of the make-up of our congregation, the upset is caused more by the lack of numbers than spread of ages, but still it is an issue.  We have one in his 70's, one in his 30's, one in his 20's, and myself.  We have no female servers as yet (save for one of the children who shall be joining us soon) and not all of us can make it to Mass regularly.  Being one of the two who can, I know the strain that this can cause.

The parishes in which you have noticed this, do they have a lot of younger people in the congregation?  If not, then I think there is a need for said churches to re-assess why this is the case.  If there are, then for goodness' sake, it isn't that difficult to get them serving.  It's amazing how much children especially, feel more included by doing something like serving at the altar; and all without the cheesy attempts to make children feel included that one often sees in many of our churches.

I hope this rectifies itself.

Michael,
Sacristan.  S John Chrysostom, Greater Manchester.

17/5/03 from Richard Ogier

In the autumn of 2001 we increased our serving forces at All Hallows, Gelding, Nottingham from 6 servers to 14 servers. The 'new recruits' ranged from 11 years old to 60+ and I am glad to say that only just now have we had a server leaving, because she is moving to another part of the country.

I agree that young people appear to respond to the 'challenge' of serving as well as they do to any other means of getting them involved in the activities of the church. It is however up to the more mature servers to encourage them by example and enthusiasm, to point out where they might improve their serving but always to value their ministry - nobody is the perfect server but good practice should always be commended.

Richard Ogier
All Hallows, Gedling
Chapter of Our Lady & St Eadburgh, Nottingham

24/6/03 from Michelle Houldershaw

Hi, My daughter, Lindsey has just started as an alter server for our group. At 14 years old she is the youngest member attending and participating at our Church.

Young members should be encouraged, they are the Churches future. Some older members, not in our Parish but another one we attended, did not like the younger generation getting involved. No wonder the Church has declining numbers!

Michelle Houldershaw 
Brothertoft Group of Churches 

17/7/03 from Craig Aburn

It is sad to say it, but in this day and age church activities and general commitment in supporting clubs, societies or whatever someone has joined seem to be of the lowest priority. 

There are several younger (school-age) servers at my church who are generally pretty committed on a Sunday, but a evening feast day is another thing - you're lucky to see them for dust. Unfortunately in this day and age, youngsters who come to church on their own can't do evenings because of no transport or because it's not safe to be out late. If not, it's the burden of homework.

My Chapter is the same, as I have one school-age member who very rarely attends meetings. It's always one thing or another - too much homework, music practice or whatever. I'd be interested to hear from Chapters who have a mix of youngsters and older members and how they balance their meetings to appeal to all. We have discussed holding some meetings on Saturdays, but there are still problems with this as people are used to GSS meetings in the evenings and do other things on a Saturday!

In my days as a Cub Scout Leader it was much the same - a glorified baby-sitting service with the children coming when they had nothing better to do. If they wanted to play football with their friends or there was a live football match on the TV you wouldn't see them.

It's very disheartening for Chapter Officers when they have spent time arranging meetings to get a poor turnout - and it's not always just the kids who show a lack of commitment...

Craig Aburn Councillor LG5&6 / Chapter Secretary LG5/85 

16/7/04 from Brain Goodyear

We have two young people serving at S Andrew's, Shilton, Coventry ( 8 & 15 years) Plus a 55 & 66 men.
My grandson, Daniel has just started serving under the guidance of our chairman, David Hopkins at S John Baptist, Wolvey, Leics.
Brian Goodyear

30/11/04 from Ben Heffer

At my church, St Mary the Virgin, Kidlington, we have just trained six new young servers. We do this each year targeting those aged 9 years or over. We have found that recruiting children of this age gets them interested before they become self-conscious and some of them then continue to serve into their teens.

The congregation really appreciate seeing young people exercising a ministry in the liturgy and the youngster enjoy serving.

I have to say, however, that whilst I publicise GSS meetings to non-member servers in our local churches, few have found our meetings to their taste and our chapter numbers continue to decline.

Ben Heffer, St Birinus, Oxford 

15/12/04 from Paul Mottershead

At Christ Church, Harrogate, where I am MC/Head Server, we have approximately 16 on the serving team ranging in age from 10 to 60+. Whilst I expect all servers, including myself, to do any of the duties required at our church (Acolyte, Crucifer, MC, Thurifer (only occasionally)) the 
Acolytes are normally between 10-16, Crucifer 15-adult, MC, adults. Given the thriving Junior Church at our Parish I have a regular flow of volunteers, once confirmed, looking for the additional commitments expected of a Server.
As for the GSS, we have tried to affiliate all our servers to two local chapters but without success, this is very unfortunate as I would like all the servers at our church to have the benefits of belonging to a National organisation and access to the materials produced. Membership and 
qualification to wear the GSS emblem for youngsters is the lifeblood for the future and I believe should be given greater emphasis if the Guild is to look for a healthy and meaningful future.

Yours in Christ

Paul Mottershead, Christ Church, Harrogate

11/3/06 from Kevin Owen

At, Our Church (St Andrews, Crewe, Cheshire) we have 6 young servers, our youngest being 7, we also have Junior Acolytes (Torch Bearers?) every first Sunday which are mainly from our uniformed organisations. 

Our total serving team consists of 20 covering 4 Sunday Services, doing various duties from MC to Acolytes and Lay Administration

Whilst I accept that there are not many youngsters in Church the ones that do come we encourage to become Servers usually on the first Sunday to start with, as this is a family service.

Usual congregation on Sundays is 15 (8am), 60 (9.30am), 6 (11.15am) 15 (6.30pm)

Most of our servers are members of our local Chapter (PG21/21) which has meeting bi monthly (see web)

Kevin Owen, Assistant Sacristan, PG21/21 Member 

15/5/06 from Peter

At my church, St. George’s, Altrincham, where I have been head server now for 12 years, young people from eleven onwards have always been actively sought, encouraged, and trained as servers. I now have a good group of fifteen/sixteen year olds who are already experienced and reliable servers, with younger ones coming along nicely.

Peter

29/5/06 from Andrew Mays

Peter from Altrincham, good to see you look at the Guild Website. Have you considered contacting the local chapter of the GSS, both you and your younger servers be made very welcome. Your local chapter is based AROUND Stockport and NEEDS younger members. If you need more local info e mail Andrew Mays and I will help you as much as I can.
Andrew