While it is often presumed that worship is led by ordained clergy, lay members of the faith community can have many leadership roles, among those the office of acolyte. The name acolyte comes from the Greek akolouthos meaning companion, attendant or helper. The acolyte's function has its biblical roots in the activities of Samuel, who is seen assisting Eli, and Elisha who is seen assisting Elijah.
In the Methodist tradition the acolytes carry in the processional cross (as a crucifer), light and extinguish the altar candles, assist with baptisms and Communion, and ring the church bells. Although in Protestant practice the acolyte is generally an older child or teenager, adults may serve as well. As participants in worship leadership, acolytes may vest by wearing an alb and cincture, or a cassock and surplice(cotta). Vestments worn by acolytes may include:
Alb: A plain, lightweight tunic with long sleeves usually undyed or white (albus means white). Ancient in origin, it is said by some to be the garment worn by Christ to the crucifixion for which the soldiers cast lots. Anyone who has a leadership role in worship may wear an alb, belted with a cincture.
Cassock: Usually black (although choirs could wear any color), the cassock is not actually a vestment; it is an archaic form of street clothing worn alone or beneath the surplice. A cassock can be worn by anyone who leads worship, including laity.
Cincture: a belt for an alb or cassock, in white, black, or seasonal liturgical colors. Often the ends are knotted with a monk's knot which has three loops symbolizing the Trinity.
Surplice(cotta): a short vestment with flowing sleeves which is worn over a cassock.
The functions of the acolyte are both practical and highly symbolic: it is the acolyte who brings the Cross and the Light from the world into the gathered community of faith at the beginning of worship, and it is the acolyte who leaders the community into the world as followers of the Cross and the Light. The functions of the acolyte are quite practical, too, since the acolyte could assist the worship leader by holding or moving books or other utensils used in worship and baptisms, and by assisting in Communion by directing traffic or by replenishing from the table the elements administered by the servers. Far from a duty, the office of acolyte offers an opportunity for service to anyone within the community of faith.
Sources:
The Catholic Encyclopedia. Vol. 1. New York: Robert Appleton Company, 1907. 17 Jan. 2010
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Collins, Ken. “Vestments and Clericals,” Rev. Ken Collins Web Site, 1995-2009. 17 JAN 2010
Benedict, Daniel, “Acolyte Training Resources,” Worship, General Board of Discipleship of the United Methodist Church, 10 AUG 2001,
