Congregation User Guide

Get started as a congregation user

This guide is for newly added publishers, captains, and congregation users. It shows where to find the schedule, how to review shifts and the calendar, how to update your profile, and what to expect when you begin using Public Witness Scheduler.

1. Start at the home page

After you sign in, the home page gives you a simple starting point. You can review current reminders, confirm which tenant you are working in, and move into shifts, calendar, congregations, or locations from the main navigation.

  1. Check the top navigation bar for the main sections of the app.
  2. Review the reminder cards before heading into the schedule.
  3. If you serve in more than one tenant, confirm the tenant selector is set correctly.
Public Witness Scheduler home page showing reminders, navigation, and tenant selector
The home page is your starting point for reminders, navigation, and tenant-aware scheduling.

2. Check available and assigned shifts

The Shifts page shows what you are already scheduled for and what is still open in your tenant. If there are no open or scheduled shifts yet, this page will say so clearly.

  1. Open Shifts from the main navigation.
  2. Look first at Your shifts to review your current assignments.
  3. Then review Available shifts to find openings you can claim.
  4. Select a shift when you want more detail or when you are ready to sign up.
Scheduled shifts page showing assigned shifts and available shifts sections
The Shifts page separates your assignments from open opportunities so you can tell quickly what needs attention.

3. Use the calendar to scan the schedule

The calendar gives you a broader view of coverage across the month. It is the best place to scan for open days, partially filled shifts, and full shifts before choosing where you can help.

  1. Open Calendar from the main navigation.
  2. Use the month, week, or day controls depending on how much detail you need.
  3. Watch the color legend to understand whether a shift is open, partially filled, or full.
  4. Select an event from the calendar when you want to move into that shift record.
Shift calendar showing monthly view and coverage legend
The calendar helps you scan the month and understand coverage at a glance.

4. Update your profile

Your profile is where you keep your contact information and personal settings current. This helps other volunteers and congregation leaders stay coordinated, and it lets you choose the display theme you prefer.

  1. Open Profile from the upper-right corner.
  2. Review your name, email, phone number, and address.
  3. Add a profile picture if you want one shown around the app.
  4. Set your theme preference, then save your changes.
User profile page showing personal details and theme preference form
The profile page is where you maintain your personal details, profile picture, and theme preference.

5. Understand congregations and locations

The Congregations and Locations menus help you stay oriented. Congregations shows the congregations available to you in the current workspace. Locations shows the witnessing locations you may be serving.

  • Use Congregations to open congregation detail pages you have access to.
  • Use Locations to review location details, assignments, maps, and upcoming activity.
  • If something expected is missing, first confirm that you are in the correct tenant.
Tip: If your congregation helps another tenant, the tenant selector may change which shifts, locations, and congregation details you see.

6. Use messages and admin links when available

Some users will see additional tools based on their role. For example, admins and captains may see Admin Tools, while standard congregation users will mainly work in the main scheduling pages.

  • Use Messages to review communication available in the app.
  • If you are an admin or captain, you may also see admin-only tools in the navigation.
  • If you do not see a feature someone else has, it is usually because your role is different.

7. Recommended first-day checklist

  1. Sign in and make sure you can reach the home page.
  2. Confirm the correct tenant is selected.
  3. Read the current reminders.
  4. Open the Shifts page and check for assignments or openings.
  5. Open the Calendar page so you understand the scheduling layout.
  6. Update your profile and save your contact details.
  7. Ask your congregation admin if you expect to see locations, shifts, or menus that are missing.