Lay Readers Guide

Usually one lay reader is scheduled for the early service and two for the late service. When one lay reader is present, that reader handles all the duties. When two are present, one serves as lector, the other serves as leader for the prayers of the people.

Scheduling
The schedule is published at three-month intervals; the first name listed for a given service is the lector, the second the prayer leader. If you know that you will not be available on certain dates before the next three-month schedule is created, notify the head lay reader (who makes the schedule.) This will save you from trading or finding a substitute. It is the responsibility of the individual lay reader to make arrangements for Sundays for which the reader will not be able to serve. Please notify the church office by telephone or e-mail as soon as possible when a trade or substitution is done, so that mailings are sent to the right person and the bulletin is accurate. (You can leave a message on the machine if the office is not open). If you are unable to make arrangements in your absence, please notify the head lay reader.

We recognize that we are all individuals, so some deviations to these guidelines are understandable. Knowing the process will help you when you have to make arrangements.

Having your own BCP, Book of Common Prayer is an advantage. Inside it you can write notes and reminders to yourself. It is essential that you are familiar with the service as you set the example the congregation follows for kneeling, standing and sitting. They will rely on you for the prompts. There are usually two copies of the Book of Common Prayer /Hymnal in the sacristy or in the bookcase in the narthex for the lay readers and additional celebrants to use during the service.

There may be times when you are in the congregation and notice only one reader is vested for a large congregation. Please feel free to fill in on those occasions (vesting or not, whichever is least disruptive) to step in and serve as a second chalice bearer after checking with the priest.

Sunday Eucharist
The week before the Sunday you are assigned, you will receive the bulletin insert with the introductions and readings in the mail. If you do not receive a copy of the lessons, you can find them on the Lectionary Page. You can also phone or stop by the church office to obtain a copy. When two readers are assigned for a service, both readers will receive mailings to insure someone remembers them on Sunday.

Lector
The bulletin insert, from the Revised Common Lectionary, contains the lessons you are to read, generally an Old Testament and New Testament lesson. Please do not use your own version of the Bible when you read, as many in the congregation follow as you read. The Psalm is also in the insert or can be found in the BCP. Please use only the introductions provided. Do not use other material unless you are on very firm ground. It is the lector's responsibility to prepare and read the lessons. It is important to pronounce each word properly and as distinctly as possible. Pronunciation of unfamiliar words should be checked ahead of time by using a concordance or Bible dictionary.

PLEASE PRACTICE. Read the lessons to yourself or to anyone who will listen. As you are reading them to yourself, you can imagine yourself standing in front of the congregation. For more reading techniques, you can refer to the Effective Lay Reader Techniques section of this guide.

Decide ahead of time how the psalm is to be read. For information, consult the BCP pp. 582-584. Please make your selection appropriate to the psalm and simple enough to explain. There are three general approaches:

The second and third approaches are most frequently done with the lector reading one part and the congregation the other. However, it can also be done with men and women alternating verses. Another option could be the congregation (and the lay reader) reading one part, and the choir the other. Be aware that the terms can be confusing to the congregation, and that it may be best to describe the pattern without using the term. For example:

Many of the Psalms have parallel construction (the same thought repeated or echoed in different words), the beauty of which can be accented by using the third approach. When the psalm does not use this parallelism, it is best to use a different approach. In any case, observe the punctuation in such a way that the meaning of the psalm is apparent.

Prayers of the People
Choose the form that you wish to use (BCP pp 383-393). Your choice will depend on what you find comfortable and what you think is appropriate. The prayer list where the congregation writes in their petitions will be found on the "Visitors Sign In" podium in the narthex. Peruse it before the service so that you are able to pronounce all the names, and leave it available for last minute additions.

The prayer list does not have to be the last part of the prayers, but it can be "woven" into the form you choose. You may also add any appropriate prayers to the form, but take care not to make them overly long or to deviate in such a manner that you lose the congregation. During prayers, it helps to invite the congregation to offer intercessions, (i.e., "Please add your own intercessions.") A brief pause is not enough. Remember that you are praying to God out loud on behalf of everyone, not just reading.

This does not call for anything dramatic, but it is more prayerful when you keep this in mind.

During a healing service, you will use the prayers provided in the bulletin insert in lieu of any prayer book forms.

1. Prayer Form
Before the service begins, let the celebrant know which prayer form you are using so the priest can plan an appropriate ending or confession. The confession is included in Form VI. After silence just prior to the confession, you may want to use words like, "Saying together", to start the congregation with you as you begin a phrase.

2. Arrival Time
On the Sunday assigned, arrive fifteen to twenty minutes before the service. Services always begin on time. Arriving late does not give you time to "center" yourself and often means that a substitution may have been found for you.

3. Vestments
Vest in the hall outside the restrooms. The albs are in the closet on the wall opposite the ladies restroom. The alb should be long enough to come close to your shoes. If you notice an alb that needs work such as cleaning, please bring it to the attention of the head lay reader. The rope that goes around your waist is called a cincture. Instructions on how to tie the cincture can be viewed in the PDf file on the right.

4. Gathering
Wait with the choir and acolytes in the narthex until the procession starts with the opening hymn. Prayer leader should pick up the "Prayer List" from the narthex podium.

5. Processional
Process singing joyously (if possible and appropriate). The order is usually (but not always):

You can process abreast or in single file, whichever is most natural and appropriate. Take your place on the pew with the celebrant (if there are only two or three vested lay readers and clergy) or in the pew immediately beside it. When no choir is present, process behind the altar, reverently pause for a moment then go directly to your seat.

6. Lector During the Service
After the Collect for the Day, the BCP says, "The people sit." You can tell the congregation, "Please be seated." to alert them that you are next in the service. Move to the area behind the altar or to the left of the altar between the altar and the rail, whatever is the more comfortable for you to do readings.

If there is not an illumination for the lessons, introduce the lesson in accordance with the BCP directions by saying, "A reading from (name of the book)." At the conclusion of the lesson the lector will say, "The Word of the Lord".

After the first lesson, announce that the psalm will be found in the bulletin insert and how the psalm is to be read, i.e. "Please stand for the reading of Psalm ___ found in your bulletin insert. I will read up to the asterisk and the congregation will complete the verse."

Although the majority of the congregation knows when to stand (before the psalm) and when to sit (after the Gloria Patri), they often seem to wait for your instruction. Play it by ear; if they are already doing it, do not prod. If they seem to be waiting, ask them to stand or sit. When there are new people or visitors such as baptisms and holidays, your instructions will help them feel included.

7. Gloria Patri
After reading the psalm, lead the Gloria Patri by saying, "Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end. Amen".

For the second lesson, again use the illuminations to introduce the lesson. Not all Epistles were written by St. Paul. Sts. James, Peter, John and Jude also wrote Epistles. The author of Hebrews is unknown. Acts and Revelation are considered to be books.

Alternate forms are fine, for example, "A reading from Paul's Epistle to the church at Corinth." Or, "A reading from Revelation." If in doubt, ask.

8. Following the Second Reading
At the conclusion of the reading, return to your pew and remain standing for the sequence hymn.

9. During the Gospel
Remain standing for the Gospel and face the person reading.

12. Leading Prayers
Announce the prayers with something like, "The prayers of the people will be form ___ found on page ___ of the Prayer book." While people are turning to the page in their BCP, move to the altar rail to the right of the altar, leaving room for other lay readers and priests. As with reading lessons, it is important to project your voice. By not bowing to the extreme, you will allow your voice to carry better. At appropriate parts you may announce, "Prayers may be offered at this time." Pause and allow time for prayers to come from the congregation before finishing. If you are not using form VI, the priest will add a closing prayer or lead the congregation in the confession. If you use form VI, you begin the confession with, "Saying together…"

During a healing service you will use the prayers on the bulletin insert rather than a BCP prayer form.

13. Passing the Peace
Passing the Peace is a very old custom in the church. At ECA, feel free to move about and greet people in your particular way, but be careful to hug ONLY the "huggers". Some people need more space than others. Be sensitive to individual comfort levels. If you are in the choir and are joining them for the anthem, make your way to the choir loft during the passing of the peace and go directly to the altar rail at the conclusion of the anthem. At this time, place the prayer list on the altar so it can be included with the offering plates during the Offertory.

During "choir season" the choir will sing the anthem while the offering is gathered and the elements prepared. At this time you will sit. At other times a hymn is often sung by the congregation; remain standing for the hymn.

15. The Great Thanksgiving
The great thanksgiving most often used at ECA is form A. However, you should refer to the bulletin to be sure, as this may change in different seasons. If there is no acolyte at the service, you may assume the duties of presenting the elements to the priest as illustrated in the downloadable PDF file on the right.

At the end of the offertory you should move to your position at the right altar rail in preparation for receiving communion. Remain standing for the Sanctus (which ends, "Hosanna in the highest") then kneel for the Eucharistic prayer. Leave room at the end of the altar for the organist to join you. Receive communion kneeling if you can, otherwise receive standing.

16. Chalice Bearer
After you have received, if you are to administer the chalice, come forward to the altar. Otherwise, return to your pew. If there are three potential chalice bearers (for example another priest or seminarian), the lector will only bear the chalice. This can be reversed if there are other circumstances, but these issues should be determined before the start of the service by the priest.

There are different combinations of priests and lay readers to distribute communion as a team. When there are two priests and two lay readers, each lay reader will attach to a priest and follow that priest around in a clockwise direction. When there are two priests and one lay reader (rare), one of the priests will bear a chalice.

The combination of one priest and two lay readers often occurs and is handled in the manner described below (a diagram is available as a downloadable PDF file on the right):

One lay reader starts immediately following the priest. The other lay reader stands in front of the altar and waits for the priest, as he carries the paten, to serve those on the end of the kneeler. Since serving the chalice takes longer, the priest will "turn the corner" before the first lay reader. That is when the second lay reader, waiting patiently and meditatively, begins to serve the left end of the center kneeler, depending on how close behind the priest the first lay reader is. The second lay reader should start with the end kneeler, as that allows the smoothest movement of people from each side of the church. Serving continues in a clockwise direction. You never double back except at the end when the last communicants have all received bread. You may have to wait occasionally, but this works better than crisscrossing.

By fervent request of the altar guild, please avoid getting wine or lipstick on the embroidery of the purificator.

It is expected that such substances will end up on the purificator but not the embroidery. You need to be alert with children to know who receives and who does not. Some children are not consistent about crossing their arms as a sign that they do not receive, but you cannot always depend on that. Try to watch if the priest serves them.

Be aware how much wine remains in your chalice as you pass behind the altar. If there is not enough wine in the chalice for you to serve a complete circle, pour more into the chalice while you are there, using the purificator to catch drips.

Do not rush people as you serve, but keep an even pace. We have both "sippers" and "dunkers" (intinctors), so be ready for either. Generally at ECA, the communicants intinct for themselves, but there are those who prefer the chalice bearer to do it. Just watch for clues. If a communicant offers the host, pick it up, intinct it and place it on their tongue.

After all have been served, hand the chalice and purificator back to the priest and return to your position at the rail, kneeling for the final prayer and thanksgiving.

17. Recessional
You will take part in the Recessional, falling in the same order as for the processional sans choir. Simply wait for the acolytes to pass you and move in behind them.

Generally, the lector (or seminarian) assists the priest, and the "prayer lay reader" offers the baptismal prayers. This is not a hard and fast rule; if you decide to switch, decide this before the service begins.

The prayer leader remains at the pew and leads the prayer on page 305. Please note the name of the candidates and insert them at the indicated place for the first petition. Use "him", "her" or "them" as appropriate thereafter. If your mind goes blank, use pronouns in the appropriate places.

The lector proceeds to the altar with the priest and assists by handing the priest whatever is next needed during the Baptism. When the priest is ready to take the baby, be ready to take the priest's prayer book and hold it. As the priest administers water to the candidate, have the purificator ready for the priest. When the priest is ready for the chrism, have it opened and where the priest can reach it. Also, it is the lay reader's special responsibility to remind the priest of the candle, which certain rectors have been known to consistently forget. If the priest starts to dismiss the family back to their pews, hand him (her) the candle.

Many of the ideas stated here came from Dr. Farley Moatt who taught Elocution for many years at San Jose State University. He was a dedicated Episcopalian who shared his talents by visiting every church in the diocese once a year. He would hold a workshop and expose the parish priest and the lay readers to these ideas.

He would have everyone pick out any part of the Bible they wanted to read. Each person would step to the pulpit and begin reading aloud. He would then critique their reading, model good reading techniques for them and suggest ways in which the reader could become a more effective communicator. This diocese is deeply indebted to him for the time and effort he made to promote better quality of lay reading. The contribution of his energy and dedication created a higher standard of lay reading for every church in our diocese. I want to share some of these ideas with you.

I would also like to thank Jill Mortenson for her invaluable notes on public speaking that are incorporated herein. As a high school student she won many honors in speech and debate and rose to a state level in speech competitions. She continues to train students in this area.

Dennis Moran, 1997

A word fitly spoken
Is like apples of gold
In pictures of silver.
Proverbs 25:11

If you have never lay read before, get out a Bible and practice reading in front of a mirror, try reading to your family or even your dog. This is also a good way to practice some of the techniques listed below.

To get an idea of how your voice sounds to others, stand facing a corner, put both hands in front of your ears with your little fingers touching your sideburns and your hands held 90 degrees from the side of your head. Speak into the corner. Your voice will sound different from what you are used to hearing because part of the sound you normally hear is vibration that comes through your jawbone.

The listings for the propers are found in the Book of Common Prayer, on page 888. If you do not receive a copy in the mail, arrive at church early enough so you can review the readings and the psalm. Decide how the congregation will read the psalm, either in unison or one of the responsive modes.

If you make a mistake or mispronounce a name, don't get rattled. If it changes the meaning of the text, correct it. If it doesn't, gloss over it and keep going. Probably no one will notice it anyway.

Establish your own personal ritual to use before you start to read. Walk confidently to the place where you will do the readings, traditionally on the left side of the altar facing the congregation. Pause, take a deep breath, and slowly exhale, knowing you are in control. Look around at the congregation.

The purpose of this is to help you get centered. If you are uncomfortable making direct eye contact with the audience, a useful technique is to look around, but gaze directly above their heads.

Hold your book a bit away from your body, almost chest high so your voice isn't directed downward, but rather toward the audience. Hold the book with one hand and use the other as a guide to mark your place as you read.

When approaching how you will read the text aloud, try to establish the habit of reading meanings rather than words. There is no magic formula, but using these techniques will help you improve your skills.

There are six tools you can use to make your reading more interesting and varied: volume, speed, tone, emphasis, eye contact and enthusiasm. When you read, try to read as if you are normally talking to someone and telling a story. Use a "talking" voice rather than a "reading" voice. Relax and let the words flow like a verbal ballet.

Make some parts a narrative, some parts intense, and accent some parts with a dramatic silence.

1. Volume
Your voice should be loud enough to carry to the back of the room. A good technique is to pick out a person in the back of the room and pretend you are reading to them. You can start loud, but later tone your volume down. As you are reading, put a little more emphasis on verbs and words that show action.

2. Speed
A common mistake is to read too fast because of nervousness. Read at a moderate speed, fast enough to move along, but slow enough so your audience can understand you. A good technique is to sometimes slow down just a bit to emphasize a particular part of a sentence, especially an ending. Paul Harvey uses this technique well in his radio broadcasts. You can also slow down if you want to enunciate a word so the audience will understand what you are saying.

If you are reading a narrative with a quotation, or another person starts to speak, pause for a moment, change the pitch of your voice and your tone before reading the quotation. Pause at the end of the quotation to let the audience know the quotation is finished. Then return to your normal narrative pitch and tone.

3. Tone
Tone gives your voice melody, and can be like the spice in a good dinner. Tone is a combination of pitch, quality, and strength. You want just enough to make the taste interesting, but not overly strong. Vary your pitch enough so that you don't read in a monotone. You can also change pitch and volume slightly when two people are talking during the narrative so the audience can distinguish between the two.

4. Emphasis
For more effective reading emphasize verbs and nouns. De-emphasize articles, especially "a" and "the". You can use emphasis by inflection, by force, by change in voice quality, by means of pitch, and by means of pause.

5. Eye Contact
Hold the book with one hand and use a finger on the other hand to mark your place in the text as you read. Periodically, as you are approaching the end of a statement, read far enough ahead so that while you are finishing orating the sentence, you can look up and make eye contact with the audience. Once you have perfected this technique, while reading, you can occasionally direct your gaze to the left, right and center audience, and make direct eye contact with them or look just above their heads. You can also read ahead if you are coming to the bottom of a page and the reading continues on the other side. If you read ahead, you can turn the page and continue the verbal reading without a pause while you are turning the page.

6. Enthusiasm
Have enthusiasm for what you are reading! Get excited about the message you are reading or the story you are telling. Enjoy the process of reading it. This enthusiasm and enjoyment will reflect in your voice and pass on to the audience.

Practicing these techniques and incorporating them into your reading will help you become a more effective reader. To summarize, follow the rules of good public speaking:

Dale Carnegie, who taught speech and wrote How to Win Friends and Influence People, said that the greatest fear held by most people, is to get up and speak in front of a group of people. Winston Churchill stuttered and had a speech impediment. He overcame this and became one of the greatest orators of his time.

You have the same opportunity to overcome any discomfort you might have and share your gifts with others. I hope this gives you some anchors that will help you in this process. Welcome to this ministry and may God be with you grow in His grace in this ministry.

Glossary of Terms
Alb	Robe worn by lay readers.
Ciborium	Small covered dish that about the size of a butter dish for holding communion wafers.
Cincture	Cord that ties around the lay reader’s waist outside the robe.
Cruet	A pitcher used to hold wine or water.
Emphasis	Prominence given to the important thoughts in order to lift them above the level of less important thoughts. This can be done using variation of voice quality in pitch, force, inflection, volume, and pauses.
Force	The intensity or energy with which you speak.
Inflection	Sliding the pitch up or down the utterance of a sound or syllable.
Lavabo	A small bowl that is placed under the priest’s hands. It will be used to collect water that is poured over the priest’s hands prior to communion.
Melody	The movement of the voice up or down the musical scale.
Paten	Dish used to hold communion wafers.
Pause	The significant silence between thoughts that can be effectively used to punctuate speech.
Pitch	The height or depth of tone on the musical scale.
Projection	The act of projecting the voice to a specific target.
Purificator	Napkin used to dry hands or wipe the edge of the chalice.
Rhythm	The re-blending of recurrent accents to a continuous melody. (In poetry this is called meter).
Time	How fast you talk, the rate of speech; the pauses, how often and how long you talk, i.e., the duration of utterance.
Tone	A combination of pitch, quality, and strength, also the modulation of a voice expressing a particular feeling or mood.