A Working Manual for
Altar
Guilds
Third Edition
by Dorothy C. Diggs
Copyright © 1957, 1968, 1988 by Morehouse Publishing
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the written permission of the publisher.
Morehouse Publishing, 4775 Linglestown Road, Harrisburg, PA 17112
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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Diggs, Dorothy C.
A working manual for altar guilds / by Dorothy C. Diggs—3rd ed.
p.cm.
ISBN 978-0-8192-1455-3
1. Altar guilds—Episcopal Church—Handbooks, manuals, etc.
2. Episcopal Church—Liturgy—Handbooks, manuals, etc.
3. Anglican Communion—Liturgy—Handbooks, manuals, etc. I. Title BX5948.D54 1988 247—dc19 87-31248 CIP
Library of Congress Catalog Card Number 57-6108
Printed in the United States of America
To
THE REVEREND JOHN HEUSS, D.D.
Late Rector of the Parish of Trinity ChurchNew York City
FOREWORD
*****
Ministry manifests itself in many different ways within the life of the Church. The ministry of the Altar Guild is one which is sometimes forgotten because of the dedication of its membership. It is assumed that either the members need no nurturing or no new members are needed. But this ministry, like all other ministries of the Body of Christ, needs to be nurtured and empowered.
This book provides the Church with a means by which persons called to a ministry of service as members of the Altar Guild might be nurtured in and empowered for this ministry. For both the seasoned veteran and the neophyte, these detailed descriptions will provide the approach for strengthening their ministry within the life of the congregation.
I hope that members of the Altar Guilds will also nurture their spiritual lives as they serve the Church. This book provides many “how to's,” but the ministry must be grounded in faith and in our baptisms.
Edmond L. BrowningPresiding Bishop
Prayer for Fidelity
Teach us, Good Lord, to serve Thee as Thou deservest—
To give and not to count the cost,
To fight and not to heed the wounds,
To toil and not to seek for rest,
To labor and not to ask for any reward save that of knowing that we do
Thy will, Through Jesus Christ, our Lord.
Amen.
PREFACE
to the
Revised Edition
In the early days of the Church the duty of caring for the altar and sanctuary was the concern of the priests and attendants. Nuns do this work now in certain parts of the world, but, for some years, in most churches, these duties have been performed by a specially chosen group of women known as the Altar Guild or Chapter.
It is not known just when the transition from priests and helpers took place. As Altar Guild work is a housekeeping service, it probably developed when the clergy became too busy spreading the Good News to continue it. As a precedent, we are told that in our Lord's time “faithful women ministered to Him.” It is certain that He elevated the position of women to a dignity they had not known before.
There are legends as to the patron saint of Altar Guilds. St. Monica, for the simplicity of her life and her dedication to Christianity, St. Agatha of Sicily, martyred for her faith, St. Martha of Bethany, for her practical life of active service, and St. Anne, mother of the Blessed Virgin Mary, are among those mentioned.
Women aspiring to become members of an Altar Guild should be well-informed communicants. The work can be done with more dedication and intelligence if those engaged in it are thoroughly familiar with the Book of Common Prayer, the changing seasons of the Church year, the names of the sections of the church building, and can identify everything used in the sanctuary and sacristy.
Since the revision of the Book of Common Prayer in 1979, there has been increased congregational participation in the worship of the Church. Women are also discovering new roles within our liturgical practices as they are being incorporated into the total life of the Church.
For Altar Guilds, the changing styles of architecture in the churches, built without chancels and with freestanding altars, should be of particular interest. The duties of the Altar Guild, however, remain the same. Because of varying degrees of ceremonial in the parishes and missions of the Episcopal Church the service may range from very simple to very elaborate. But in every case, the objective is care, beauty, and traditional correctness attendant upon the worship of Almighty God.
From our missions where facilities may be limited, to the churches of our cities having the best vesture, the impression created must be of handiwork done with loving care and offered to God's glory as the best effort of his handmaidens and housekeepers.
There are excellent books obtainable on the making of vestments, the symbolism of our matchless liturgy, the special care of vestments and vessels and the best materials and metals to be used. These things will not be covered here except when relevant. We will try to set forth a pattern of preparation which may be used in any Episcopal Church. Churches having less than the stipulated equipment may simplify it to their need. Churches having a more elaborate ceremonial may wish to add to it. In the latter case the officiating clergy will know the setting they want and can instruct the members of the Altar Guild in its preparation.
The author owes a great debt to the late Rev. Dr. John Heuss whose inspired leadership was responsible for many years of rewarding service.
Grateful thanks are due to the Rt. Rev. Wallace E. Conkling, to the Rev. Canon Royden Keith
