![]() A bad first impression, they say, can quickly turn people off. The ushers take their jobs seriously because, they say, they are often the first connection people have with a church. ![]() On Saturday, they practiced proper procedures for signs and signals service and prayer positions ushering in the aisles how to collect the offering and duties and responsibilities of positions like the “doorkeeper” and “usher-in-charge.” ![]() There are about 400 people in Maryland and 15,000 in the nation who have been trained and certified by the National United Church Ushers Association. She was among several dozen ushers from African-American churches across Maryland who came early Saturday morning to the Huber Community Life Center on Loch Raven Boulevard in Northeast Baltimore to practice their skills. “We’re the ones who control the atmosphere of the church,” said Sandy Arnette. The 20-some gestures are painstakingly learned and practiced by ushers to communicate without causing distractions during services. The signals are used to communicate with one another as they quietly and discreetly direct crowds from the doors and into the pews. The group - the women all wearing white dresses, the men in black blazers, all of them wearing white gloves - was practicing the standardized signals ushers use at church services. The session was part of the Interdenominational Church Ushers Association of Maryland’s 67th annual convention being held this weekend. “Can I get a signal for ushers to take their stations?” McCorvey asked, prompting the group to make another gesture - brushing their faces with their right hands. Ladies, you have to pretend you have a tie,” she said, as members of the group clutched their right hands at the neck. “When you’re getting attention, grab the knot of your tie. In addition to her, his brother and niece, he is survived by his stepson, Stephen Sauls of Aurora, and three grandchildren.Colette McCorvey called out commands as she led a group of church ushers through their paces. He moved to Denver with his family in 1949. 28, 1931, and graduated from high school there. James Elbert Anderson was born in Ellis, Kan., on Aug. He was on the board of directors for the Northeast Denver Housing Center and on a district housing task force established by the city. “He always wanted to be learning, and he wanted everyone else in the family to learn too.”Īfter selling the gas station in 1987, Anderson sold real estate and worked in property management. “He’d read an article and then call a niece or nephew over, have you read it and ask your feelings about the subject,” Ward said. Television viewing was almost exclusively PBS, Channel 6. “He could be long-winded sometimes,” she said.Īnderson was a constant reader, whether it was the several newspapers he read each day, magazines or books. Ward said her uncle was a good debater in high school and considered being a minister. CPR was administered, but the man died several days later. ![]() “Once a minister got sick and fell out of the pulpit,” Ward said. “They’re always on the alert,” said Ward, who also has been an usher. He belonged to state and national ushers’ associations and continued training for the volunteer work for years. He wasn’t overbearing.”īut James Anderson was particular about everything he did. “He was the kind of guy you liked at first meeting. “He always remembered everyone,” said his brother, Gus Anderson of Denver. “He knew people from all over town - City Council members, legislators and attorneys,” Ward said. The station was torn down several years ago, and the space is now used for the Park Hill Golf Club parking lot. 23 at age 78, dressed every Sunday in black suit and tie, white shirt and black shoes so polished “you could see your face in them,” said his niece, Helene Ward.Īnderson was known throughout Park Hill and elsewhere because for 25 years he owned Park Hill Standard service station, at East 26th Avenue and York Street. James Anderson didn’t just go to church on Sundays - he opened the place, got people seated, helped remove the sick or boisterous and cleaned up afterward.Īnderson, who died Dec. Digital Replica Edition Home Page Close Menu
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
Details
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |