You are cordially invited to join your fellow National Altar Guild Association (NAGA) members at our Triennial Meeting in July, 2027, which will take place in Phoenix, AZ. Because the summer heat in Phoenix can be oppressive, we are planning indoor activities exclusively.
As usual, our Triennial will be a time of worship, fellowship, learning, meeting and election of officers, sharing, and having fun with fellow altar guild ministers from across the country.
While there, you will also have the opportunity to participate in the 82nd General Convention of the Episcopal Church by assisting in altar guild duties for the three Eucharists that will be held for all attendees. It is always a thrill to be a part of serving communion to thousands in under 20 minutes.
David Hawley-Lowry and I have recently returned from a visit to Phoenix where we met with the Standing Committee on Planning & Arrangements. We visited sites of possible activities for our members, toured the convention center to locate the worship space and sacristy, and helped in selecting NAGA’s meeting room, which will also be in the convention center.
For those of you who have experienced Eucharists at General Convention (GC), you will be pleased to know that the layout for the 2027 convention puts the sacristy directly behind the altar area — such a blessing! We won’t be walking blocks and navigating escalators and elevators with carts full of chalices, flagons, and communion bread. In addition, each of the three hotels that GC will use is a very short walk to the convention center doors. Once inside, you can navigate the vast center and access NAGA’s meeting rooms in total air-conditioned comfort. Food service will be available on-site, so there will be no need to step outside for lunch, unless you wish.
In addition to workshops, presentations and meetings, we will tour two of the top must-see venues in Phoenix — the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) and the Heard Museum. On our recent site visit to Phoenix, I spoke with Bishop Jennifer Reddall of Arizona and she strongly concurred with our decision to visit both of these sites and gave us some pointers on the most interesting aspects of each.
• Musical Instrument Museum— MIM is the largest global instrument museum in the world. We have requested a guided tour, with a focus on instruments of the Bible. MIM fosters appreciation of the world’s diverse cultures by showing how we innovate, adapt, and learn from each other to create music — the language of the soul, and such an important part of our worship experience.
• Heard Museum— At the Heard Museum we will gain an appreciation and deeper understanding of the indigenous people of this land. Native people in the Southwest exhibit will take us on an unforgettable journey through the American Indian Southwest and the vibrant arts and cultures of Native people, from the distant past to today. Quotes, poems, and interviews with artists and Native community members are interwoven throughout the exhibition, reflecting on the importance of family, community, land and languages through first person voice. We will also view a powerful exhibition about the American Indian boarding schools, learn of the Episcopal Church’s involvement with these schools and the healing work that the Church is now doing in this area.
I am particularly excited and looking forward to this Triennial because we will be celebrating 100 years of the National Altar Guild Association! What a joy it will be to reminisce about all of those who have gone before us, share stories, and make plans to honor our heritage in the future. We are planning a gala event, one you do not want to miss!
Be sure to look for the articles in this edition, as well as in future editions, regarding nominations of NAGA officers for 2027-2030 and scholarship opportunities for the 2027 NAGA Triennial in Phoenix. Also, stay tuned for additional information about workshops and presentations. Make plans now to attend the NAGA Triennial and 100th Anniversary celebration!
Debbie Mead, First Vice President, NAGA