Mission:

Acolytes serve at the altar and assist the priest and other ministers during the service. They carry the cross, torches, Gospel book, thurible, and boat. They also help with the offering and prepare the altar at the celebration of the Eucharist. By their example, acolytes lead the congregation as they direct it to stand, sit, or kneel.
Opportunities to assist and support the Ministry: The acolyte master and vicar train acolytes twice a year. They serve not only on Sundays, but also at special services such as Christmas Eve, the Easter Vigil, etc.

The following basic questions and answers about Acolytes are taken from the web page for the  National Episcopal Acolyte Team.

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What is an acolyte?

 An acolyte is also known as an altar server or in more conservative parishes, an altarboy. In fact, the origin of the work "acolyte" is from the Greek for "server."

 
What does an acolyte do during the Sunday Service?
It varies from parish to parish. In some parishes they may only carry the processional cross in and out for Morning or Evening Prayer. In other parishes, they carry the cross, torches, incense, and Banners. They may assist with setting the table for communion, and holding the flagons of wine for the Lay Eucharistic Ministers. In more progressive parishes, they assist the Altar Guild with sorting communion elements.
 
Who can be an acolyte? 
That depends on the preferences of your rector, the weight of your processional cross and the feelings of your parish. A general rule of thumb? Any responsible boy or girl in at least 6th grade or 11years old. But each child should be interviewed individually. Acolyting is not for every teen.
 
What do they wear?
An alb, generally, but you can use some imagination when picking out a robe. Some advice? Don't get thin cloth as bright patterns will show through. Make sure you get some sample robes and have the kids try them on so you have an accurate size representation. The measurements in the catalogues are rarely accurate. Rope belts can look nice, but they can become toys to be swung around if you have younger acolytes. A nice cross around the neck can be used to designate the number of years of service. You can either purchase special ribbons from a sporting good store (medal ribbons) or just buy a few yards at your local craft store. Consider linking the ribbons with the liturgical seasons. Blue, being the season of Advent, or waiting, could represent your newest acolytes, while white, the highest color for Easter and Christmas, could represent your veterans with many years of service.