![]() ![]() Unfortunately, this is not always done for the homeless. My church does the same thing.Īs a youth usher, I was taught that all who enter the doors of a church are to be treated with a smile, with respect, and with the hospitality that Jesus would show. Fellow ushers around the country with whom I talk at our yearly regional and national gatherings, say that their churches do not have good protocols in place, and simply deal with it on a case-by-case basis. In many instances, it is my sense that ushers and nurses are not quite sure how to handle the proliferation of the homeless. My guess is this is now a common occurrence for ushers and nurses guilds in most churches. Some reek of alcohol, and some are mentally disturbed. Often, homeless people arrive and they clearly have not recently bathed. All show up carrying their belongings in many, many bags of all kinds-paper bags, plastic bags, garbage bags, cloth bags, and backpacks, large and small. Mainly men show up but, every now and then, homeless women and children do too. I have seen homeless people show up in much larger numbers in my church since the economy spiraled downward around the end of 2008. More and more over the past few years on Sundays, ushers seat and serve the homeless. Part One: The Contemporary Contexts of the Interpreter Biblical Interpretation for Preaching and Worship: Psalm 84:10-12 Additional videos of ushers and nurses guilds are contained in today’s Cultural Resource unit and elsewhere on the Lectionary website. Today’s video features ushers and nurses marching together. Finally, although most nurses in hospitals in the United States no longer wear hats, many in African American churches still do. Youth were even trained to be nurses guild members and were recognized in churches by candy striper outfits similar to those of days gone by that were worn in hospitals by young volunteers.Īlthough many nurses guild members may not have medical training or be nurses, it is now common for church nurses to be certified in CPR. A member of the guild was ready on the spot usually with smelling salt (we all called it smelling sauce). They were responsible for first-aid stations in churches and called upon if persons became ill and if they fainted. Also, over time, nurses began to do more than just assist clergy in the pulpit. Over time, as more churches gained more than one or two nurses, the phrase nurses guild gained common usage. Occasionally these were former nurses who had retired from working in hospitals. Historically, by and large, it appears that they have always operated under the auspices of usher boards and primarily assisted clergy in the pulpit. At the national level, in denominations and related groups, nurses typically also fall within the usher’s department.Īs far as I have been able to determine, nurses guilds have been in black churches for about 70 years. Nurses guilds typically fall under the auspices of usher boards. We are all familiar with ushers, and many of us have seen women in white and occasionally men who primarily serve those in the pulpit and/or tend to those who fall ill in services-these persons are nurses guild members. What a difference a smile makes, a warm handshake, a “God be with you,” a “We are so glad you came,” a “Good to see you again,” or an inquiry about your health: “Do you need aide in any way?” These willing workers are often the first to offer a hand of hospitality and spiritual refreshment as people enter and abide in the house of God. Once again, we salute ushers, and for the first time their well-known but rarely lauded partner, the nurses guild. 12) O Lord of hosts, happy is everyone who trusts in you. No good thing does the Lord withhold from those who walk uprightly. 11) For the Lord God is a sun and shield he bestows favour and honour. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God 10) For a day in your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. Lection – Psalm 84:10-12 (New Revised Standard Version) Melissa Evers, Guest Lectionary Commentator Mount Calvary Holy Church of America Inc., Washington, D.C. Annual International Ushers and Nurses Guild Convention Grand March, April 3, 2009, ![]()
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