Last month when I was in Nashville, TN I attended Lee Chapel AME on Communion Sunday and observed something I rarely see in FL, children serving as acolytes during the 11:00 service. My church has not used children in this role since at least I began attending in 1994. It would appear this would provide children with something meaningful to do during the service other than serving as usher or singing on the 4th Sunday (typically the Youth Sunday). Does your church utlilize children as acolytes? QED

-- Anonymous, June 12, 2003

Answers

Brother Bill:

Yes. A number of churches in Philadelphia use acolytes.

-- Anonymous, June 12, 2003

Yes there are some churches in Florida that use Acolytes. We did at our church until the world came in and took over.

-- Anonymous, June 12, 2003

Bro. Dickens

Allen Chapel A.M.E. Indianapolis, IN still uses acolytes

-- Anonymous, June 12, 2003

Most of the churches here in Michigan use acolytes. I know we here at Bethel, Ann Arbor use them. The young people are very proud of their positions. I was very impressed with the two acolytes serving with Rev. Walter W. Reid at the Opening Service during our Michigan Conference Lay Convention in Lansing last week.

-- Anonymous, June 12, 2003

Dear and esteemed Brother

Please help me. I do not know the term acolytes. The role may be the same under a different name for me. Could you be so kind as to educate me please.

Thank You Prof.QED

-- Anonymous, June 12, 2003

Churches in the Little Rock and North Little Rock Districts of the Twelth Episcopal District still use acolytes:)))) The late Mrs.Daisy Bates the NAACP President who led the Little Rock Nine into Central High School in 1957 was a member of the Little Rock District during her activist years and retirement. Dr. Rufus King Young was the pastor of Bethel A.M.E. Church, Little Rock, during those years as well. Dr. Young has always maintained the order and discipline of the church and upheld the positive and holy attributes of worship. He taught and encouraged the same among all of his students, formal and informal, during his tenure as a pastor, educator and theological dean. He is now retired and is 92 years old. Even today, Dr. Young can lead the entire Decalogue verbatim without using the hymnal. We love Dr. Young for encouraging us to do all that we can to uphold the sacredness of God's work in the church.

Sincerely,

-- Anonymous, June 12, 2003

Bro. Bill, our congregation uses acolytes and I believe that all the AME churches in Columbus use them. "Way, way back" when I was a kid, I think the Stewardesses performed this function...and still do when no acolytes are present.

To Bro. Nalton, another term with which you may be familiar is "altar boys". The term "acolyte", which I suppose was always an acceptable non-gender term, began to be used more as altar girls joined the ranks of the altar boys, esp. in the roman Catholic Church.

-- Anonymous, June 13, 2003

BRO. BILL,

In the Kansas-Nebraska Conference, My church Trinity A.M.E. Church in the Kansas City, Kansas area uses the acolyte. I have not seen any district in this area using them.

-- Anonymous, June 13, 2003

First A.M.E. Los Angeles still uses them.

-- Anonymous, June 13, 2003

We have acolytes at Big Bethel in Atlanta.

-- Anonymous, June 14, 2003

Macedonia - Kaufman Texas still uses them.

-- Anonymous, June 14, 2003

My church, Cain Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Churhurch, Bakersfield, California (5th District) uses young male and female acolytes every Sunday.

-- Anonymous, June 16, 2003

My church, Cain Memorial African Methodist Episcopal Church Bakersfield, California (5th District) uses young male and female acolytes every Sunday. *Oops, I made a typo on the first submission!

-- Anonymous, June 16, 2003

Yes, First AME Pasadena uses acolytes at every service. My daughter was an acolyte until her junior year of high school..She really enjoyed serving her church and the Lord in that capacity.

-- Anonymous, September 20, 2003

My church, Friendship AME Church, Mt. Pleasant, SC uses male and female acolytes every Sunday.

-- Anonymous, September 23, 2003

Unfortunately we don't use them at my church in Cincinnati because we have electrical candles now. That is a great way to get children back into the service. I will suggest that to my pastor.

-- Anonymous, September 24, 2003