Welcome
As we enter Lent, we encourage everyone to intentionally take some time to gather just to be with each other. So often we come together for work (and that is good) but we neglect fellowship. We prepare hundreds of meals (the Eucharist) each year for our congregations, yet we must also remember to find time to sit and be and break bread with each other.
Winter is membership renewal season — Members will shortly receive the membership renewal letter. Please fill in out and return it. You can also renew — or join — online. As always if your NAGA Board can be of help, please reach out to us.
We would also like to remind our parishes that NAGA will provide an Emergency Communion Kits for any parish in need. These kits are designed for parishes which have suffered significant damage to their physical infrastructure and are not able to celebrate the Eucharist for their members. See below for more information, including a video.
Highlights from Epistle
Bishop’s Chair — TED Talk
In a classic TED Talk — Want to be happy? Be grateful — Benedictine monk David Steindl-Rast explains that it’s not that happiness makes us grateful, it’s that gratitude makes us happy…
The Favor
It was a beautiful Sunday morning as I entered the small church for the first time holding hands with my 7- and 4-year-old daughters…
A Sacred Journey: The Life of a Postulant and Seminarian
Being a postulant and seminarian at Virginia Theological Seminary is an incredible journey that integrates study, formation, and practical experience, shaping my understanding of ordained ministry as an embodiment of the sacraments…
Worship Planning Tool
We wondered why we had the same discussions every year as we would try to recall the details of seasonal Sunday liturgies and special worship services and determined it would be helpful to have a spreadsheet by season…
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Connect with NAGA
Seeking NAGA Representative for Province IX (Central & South America). For more information, contact David Hawley-Lowry.
Contribute to a History of NAGA: In 2006 Barbara Gent researched and wrote a book spanning 73 years of NAGA’s history. Now, a second volume of NAGA history and the future of altar guild is in its infancy. We welcome any suggestions for inclusion in this work. Click here to read more.
Emergency Communion Kits. Should fire, flood, hurricane, tornado, earthquake or epidemic leave your parish unable to host Eucharist, NAGA will provide a free Emergency Communion Kit. If you need a kit, please contact Joan Konecny (or 936-870-5781). Click here for a video on how to assemble them.
Order your Epistle in living color. Members can receive their Epistle by email. Just send your e-mail address to Martha Noble.
Share your insights with others. We are happy to share your altar guild newsletter on our website. Please send a PDF of the current issue to our webmaster Betty Hinchman.
Who’s Who? Who are your current Provincial and Diocesan Altar Guild Directors? Please send current contact information to Martha Noble or David Hawley-Lowry.