The Altar Guild of the Episcopal Church
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. The primary purpose of the Altar Guild is to
prepare and maintain the altar and all Eucharistic vessels, as well
as chancel, and worship space for all usual and special services including
weddings, memorials, ordinations, baptisms, confirmations, and funerals.
Additional responsibilities include placement of altar flowers and candles.
Persons desiring to sponsor flowers and/or the sanctuary candles are
encouraged to do so, and their gifts are greatly appreciated. A sign up
calendar and contribution envelopes can be found in the narthex of the
church, adjacent to the front door. Altar flower and candle dedication
notes will be published each week in the service bulletins.
Who is involved with the Altar Guild at St. John's? What do they do?
Members of St John’s Altar Guild are men and women who work in the
sacristy to prepare the elements to be used in the Eucharistic service
(bread, wine/grape juice, water, napkins, chalice, etc.). They attend
to the candles, replacing them as needed; make sure the consecrated
elements are in place in the tabernacle when needed; fill the Eucharist
kits for the Eucharistic Ministers. They prayerfully and properly
clean all Eucharistic vessels, paying special attention to how items
are handled, cleaned, and remains of consecrated elements are disposed
of. All of the work of the Altar Guild is done in a spirit of reverence
and prayerfulness.
Would you like to participate in this ministry?
The Altar Guild welcomes those who feel called to participate in this
important aspect of worship ministry. If you'd like to talk with someone
about becoming involved in the Altar Guild please call the church office
at (870)741-5638 or email the church at
stjohns2@windstream.net, or you
may ask our clergy to connect you with a current member of the guild.
For further information on the Altar Guild you may read:
- The Altar Guild Handbook,
Marion J. Hatchett and Anne K. LeCroy. Harper & Row, Publishers, 1986.
- The New Altar Guild Book,
Barbara Gent and Betty Sturges. Morehouse Publishing Co., 1996.
- The Complete Training Course for Altar Guilds,
B. Don Taylor. Morehouse Publishing Co.,1993.
- An Altar Guild Manual,
Edith Weir Perry. Morehouse Publishing Co., 3rd Ed., 1963.
- Manual for Altar Guilds,
Dorothy C. Diggs. Morehouse Publishing Co., 1990, 3rd Ed., 1990.