History of Altar Guild

14 Pages·2015·0.38 MB·English

St. Alban’s Altar Guild Manual

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ST. ALBAN’S EPISCOPAL CHURCH
ALTAR GUILD MANUAL

St. Alban’s Episcopal Church, 6800 Columbia Pike, Annandale, VA 22003

Revised October 2013

St. Alban’s Altar Guild Manual

Table of Contents

I. History of the Altar Guild, Ministry of the Altar Guild, Prayers and Members
II. Preparation for Services – Guidance and Pictures
A. Preparation for Sunday Services
B. Set-up for Sunday 8:15AM Service
C. Setup for Sunday 10:15AM Service
D. Setup for Midweek Service
E. Sleepy Hollow Nursing Home Eucharist
F. Home Communion Kit Preparation

III. Special Liturgies, Celebrations and Pictures
A. Baptisms
B. Funerals and Memorials
C. Wedding Services
D. Advent and Christmas
E. The Feast of the Epiphany
F. Baptism of Jesus
G. Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple
H. Lent
I. Ash Wednesday
J. Rose Sunday
K. Palm Sunday
L. Tenebrae
M. Maundy Thursday
N. Maundy Thursday Vigil
O. Good Friday
P. The Great Vigil of Easter – Holy Saturday
Q. Easter Sunday
R. Ascension Day
S. Pentecost
T. Trinity Sunday
U. All Souls Day
V. All Stains Day
W. Celebration of New Ministry
X. Bishop’s visit with Holy Eucharist, Baptism, Confirmation and Reception

IV. Care of Linens and Candles
V. Liturgical Colors
VI. Glossary
VII. Attendance List for Holy Eucharist
VIII. Historical Material
A. Needlepoint Stitches
B. 1968 Altar Guild Teams
St. Alban’s Altar Guild Manual
St. Alban’s Altar Guild Manual

SECTION I

THE HISTORY OF THE ALTAR GUILDS

THE MINISTRY OF SAINT ALBAN’S ALTAR GUILD

ALTAR GUILD PRAYERS

ST. ALBANS’ ALTAR GUILD MEMBERS

St. Alban’s Altar Guild Manual

History of the Altar Guilds

Altar Guilds, as known to the Episcopal Church, did not become a formalized body until the
nineteenth century. The history of its development goes back to the time of the apostles. In the
early days of the Church, followers of Christ gathered in private homes to break bread together
and to share their memories of Him. Presumably, the head of the household provided whatever
was required for the meal. As the Christian population increased substantially, larger buildings in
which to meet were required. Certain people were given the ministry of caring for these places,
the worshipers themselves providing the food for the meal. Food was also being set aside to take
to those in more remote areas and circumstances which did not allow them to be part of
corporate worship, for example the shut ins and the poor. By the fourth century, parish ministry
had been generally established, and for hundreds of years to follow the ordained clergy referred
to as sacristans were responsible for maintaining all the paraphernalia of worship, for preparing
for the services, and for doing the Church housekeeping as well.

In the Church of England, beginning in the sixteenth century, altar care was also the task of
ordained clergy such as the sacristan and the verger, who was not ordained, in the cathedral and
the cleric in the parish. Years later, laymen became the sacristans and eventually, in the
nineteenth century, women were included in this ministry as assistants to sacristans. By the turn
of the twentieth century, women were beginning to organize into Altar Guilds, and in most parts
of the United States they assumed the sacristan’s duties themselves. Until the 1970s this channel
was the only one through which they could serve God at the altar. Now, however, men are taking
part in increasing numbers, as once again the decoration of the Church and preparation for
worship is becoming a joint ministry of all the baptized.
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Reference: “The Altar Guild Handbook – The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd,” Venice, Florida

October 2013 Section I Page 1 of 1
St. Alban’s Altar Guild Manual

October 2013 Section I Page 1 of 1
St. Alban’s Altar Guild Manual

The Ministry of St. Alban’s Altar Guild

The Altar Guild serves the Church under the direction of the Rector. They serve an important
ministry in the community worship life in the Anglican Tradition. As an Altar Guild member it
is an honor to be in the sanctuary and prepare the Altar for the Lord’s Table.
The members of the Altar Guild are part of an unbroken tradition reaching back to the faithful
women who provided for Jesus during his lifetime. (Mark 15: 40-41; Matthew 27:55).
The ministry of Saint Alban’s Altar Guild is to:

 Prepare for the worship services of the parish as directed by the Clergy
 Provide for suitable furnishings for the Altar and other liturgical appointments and to
take due and reverent care of them
 Care for the vestments of the clergy and other ministers
 Keep the area around the Altar swept
 Protect and reverently provide for the consecrated elements of the Eucharist
 Check silver for fingerprints and polish when needed
 Check pew visitor cards
 Dust pews and put books in order.

Your training will consist of hands-on instruction from experienced Altar Guild members, plus
some background reading.
You will be a member of a regularly rotating group responsible for the complete set up and take
down of the Altar for your assigned service. We typically staff two (2) people per service,
EXCEPT for special occasions, i.e., Easter, Christmas, etc. when many hands are needed. You
will be assigned to one of four teams. Each team will serve for one week at a time.
Laundry: Please take home soiled linens and prepare these for the next service. If you won't be
attending the next service, you will need to return them to the church before the next week’s
service.
Being on the Altar Guild is a labor of love and an important commitment; one that gives you the
opportunity to be an integral part of the worship at St Alban’s Church.

October 2013 Section I Page 1 of 1
St. Alban’s Altar Guild Manual

October 2013 Section I Page 1 of 1