Welcome
It is a joy to experience the different traditions of various parishes and see how they prepare through Lent culminating at the Eater vigil or Easter morning. There are so many variations from removing items, changing to simple wooden crosses, removing brass ware, to just simple veiling or in some cases using just simple colored paraments. All these changes and services are significant, all are meaningful but different, and all are ways of preparing for Jesus’ death on the cross and the resurrection.
Through all this we sacristans are very busy being our Martha selves with flurries of change and care setting the stage, cleaning, ironing, polishing, repairing, all in preparation for Jesus’s resurrection! Then Holy Saturday comes, a day we mostly miss as we are completing the above tasks, and then the flowers come and add another level of beauty, pleasing to both the eyes and nose. It’s important to take time and “smell the roses”. Look back at all the accomplishments you have made. We have so much rich tradition and history as well as new ideas to experience and learn from to move forward. Please share this craft of altar guild service and joy with newcomers, young and old alike. We have so much to share and pass on.
Highlights from Epistle
Sisterhood of the Holy Nativity, Altar Guilds, and the Liturgical Arts
Of the sisterhoods founded during the Oxford Movement in the Episcopal Church, the Sisterhood of the Holy Nativity considered its mission unique…
Do this in Remembrance of Me
Since I have learned so much from altar guild members over the years, I thought I’d share some of their thoughts about serving on the altar guild with you…
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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.