ALTAR GUILD

The altar guild sets God’s table for all Eucharist services and, along with the flower committee, helps to dress the church for holidays and feast days. We operate behind the scenes, creating a beautiful and holy environment in which our liturgy and music can thrive. Routine tasks include preparing the bread and wine, cleaning and polishing chalices and patens, filling the oil candlesticks, washing and ironing fair linen, and changing the altar hangings for each church season. During the church year, the altar guild polishes and cleans all of the altar silver, candlesticks, torches, and other brass accouterments on a regular basis, and oversees any long-term maintenance required of our hangings, vestments, linens, and metalware.

The Celtic service, while currently in a period of discernment, has a separate altar guild team.
In 2021 the altar guild continued this work: changing hangings according to the season, filling candles,
and preparing bread and wine as needed for online and in person services. Thanks to the generosity of the congregation in supporting the Gifts for Gods House campaign, the altar guild was able to install two
new votive stands in the sanctuary. The campaign also enabled the altar guild to commission new altar
hangings for Advent (with matching vestments). These were received by the parish in time to be used for
Advent 2021.

The Altar Guild is led by Sue LeClaire and Rebecca Mathews. Current Altar Guild members are Susan Cleaver, Elinor Horner, and Janelle Mills. Two long term, highly valued members retired this year: Candy Peterson and Doreen Vittori. Although their knowledge, experience, and collegiality cannot be replaced, new members are very much needed and welcomed. If you are interested in joining this ministry please contact either Sue LeClaire or Rebecca Mathews.

Contact: Sue LeClaire or Rebecca Matthews