Acolytes 2026-2027
Children and youth in 5th through 8th grade are eligible to lead worship as acolytes for the 2026-2027 year! Training is mandatory to participate. Acolyte training is scheduled for August 11th and 12th—participants who cannot attend may schedule another time to complete the training. Contact Kim English, Children’s Ministry Director, for more information and to sign up.
But what is an acolyte? “I always tell the acolytes that they are a sermon without words every week,” Kim English describes, “Acolytes symbolically bring the Light of Christ into our worship, light the altar candles reminding us that Christ is with us when we gather, and at the end of worship, remind us that we are to take the Light of Christ with us out into the world when we leave.” Additionally, acolytes receive the offering and assist with the sacraments of communion, baptism, and confirmation, and other tasks as needed.
Acolyte Parker Smith says that “one of [her] favorite parts of being an acolyte is helping out with baptisms.” She explains that baptism “is an important part of someone’s life,” so she considers it “an honor” to participate in that special moment.
Even an experienced acolyte goes through training every single August. There are many small details they must learn and fears they must conquer to serve as an acolyte. “Almost all of them are certain they will be the one who burns down the church,” English says with a smile. As the church still stands, the training must work well. It takes between one and one and a half hours and ensures the acolytes have confidence in their abilities.
John McLarty, former Senior Pastor, describes the importance of acolytes: “The ministry of the acolyte at our church is one that communicates that we take our children’s discipleship seriously. Acolytes have the privilege of helping in worship in a very real and visible way. And because our acolytes are pre-teens, it is a way of involving children with a significant leadership role.”
The benefits to serving as an acolyte include giving youth insight into the details of what makes worship happen, allowing them to know many adult leaders in the church, and filling them with confidence that they can take into their lives outside of these walls. The poise acolytes acquire helps them to see themselves as role models. For example, Henry Pierce Meloan-Sexton says that he chooses to serve as an acolyte to “set an example for younger children who would want to later serve in the church.”
Our staff and volunteers love working with the acolytes. Associate Pastor Georgia Harrison enthuses, “We have such a great group of acolytes, and I am so grateful to be able to lead worship with them!” Similarly, usher Lisa Hill has nothing but good things to say about the acolytes: “They do their job so well and don’t mess around. They’re just in sync. We definitely miss them when they are not there in the Summer.”
John McLarty recalls that one of the first ways he learned to serve a church was as an acolyte. “Some of the children who serve as acolytes might take a greater interest in other ways to serve the church, perhaps even exploring what it might look like to serve the church vocationally as a pastor or a member of the church staff. Regardless of what career these kids choose, serving as an acolyte helps develop a child’s sense of responsibility, maturity, and confidence. These qualities will serve them for the rest of their lives.”
We are thankful and proud of our youth for their service and leadership during worship. FUMC’s 2026-2027 Acolyte Class will be commissioned in late August during worship.