{"id":5152,"date":"2024-09-09T16:24:51","date_gmt":"2024-09-09T20:24:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/nationalaltarguildassociation.org\/?p=5152"},"modified":"2024-09-09T17:20:31","modified_gmt":"2024-09-09T21:20:31","slug":"convention-report","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/nationalaltarguildassociation.org\/?p=5152","title":{"rendered":"Convention Report"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

81st<\/sup> General Convention and NAGA Triennial<\/mark><\/h1>\n\n\n\n
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Louisville, Kentucky<\/strong> \u2014 June 22 to 28, 2024<\/strong><\/mark><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Jay Walters, Lynn Hendricks and Tom Canby preparing gifts for the Bishops<\/mark><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

NAGA board members and spouses began to gather in Louisville, Kentucky, on June 20 to begin the process of unpacking and setting up the Sacristy at the Convention Center and for the NAGA Triennial meeting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Saturday, June 22<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

NAGA Triennial meeting registration began on Saturday, June 22, at the Galt House Hotel on the banks of the Ohio River in downtown Louisville. While some board members were busy unpacking and setting up the NAGA display at the Exhibit Hall, located at the Louisville Convention Center, other members of the board were busy manning the registration table, greeting attendees, and distributing registration packages. <\/p>\n\n\n

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Bishop Curry delivering his message of love (with Spanish interpreter Dinora Padro)<\/mark><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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Commissioning prayer for Bishop Curry<\/mark><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The Convention began with Presiding Bishop Michael Curry’s Revival at the YUM Center, a short walk from the Galt House Hotel. With lots of excitement and joy, Bishop Curry’s message of Love set the stage for the Convention. A welcome to the event and the opening prayer “For the Revival of The Episcopal Church” were offered by House of Deputies President Julia Ayala Harris and the Rev. Isaiah Shaneequa Brokenleg. The opening music included \u201cJoyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee\u201d and \u201cLord, You Give The Great Commission.\u201d The Most Rev. Michael Curry, Presiding Bishop, presented the sermon, with consecutive Spanish interpretation by Dinorah Padro. Following the sermon, all those present were invited to proceed to a nearby station for prayer \u2014 an Invitation to Embrace the Way of Love \u2014 and anointing with oil, while everyone sang “Balm in Gilead.” The Revival concluded with music, alternating between English and Spanish, and a Commissioning Prayer Over Bishop Curry. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sunday, June 23<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The day began with the first of three Eucharist services at the Convention Center. NAGA played an essential part in the Eucharists \u2014 preparing the pitchers of wine and wafer baskets to be delivered to the Altar for blessing. <\/p>\n\n\n

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Kate Canby preparing intinction chalices for Eucharist stations<\/mark><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n
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David Hawley-Lowry, Dianne Walters, TaMara Oertel, Sarah Chesebro, and Fran Schroder delivering items to the Eucharist Station<\/mark><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

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The NAGA board met before the start of the Triennial meeting, ensuring that board members knew the plan for serving at the Sacristy and the Exhibit Hall, as well as allowing time to attend the scheduled NAGA workshops. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Liturgical Threads workshop was presented by Alice Scarbrough. Episcopal Church Women (ECW) celebrated their 150th<\/sup> Anniversary with a party that many NAGA members attended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Monday, June 24<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Monday began with a continental breakfast provided by CM Almy, followed by a workshop provided by CM Almy representatives, Bill St. John and Rachel Tyrrell, and FG Ziegler representative Barbara Statuto. Attendees were reminded that linens may be machine washed, but that bleach must never<\/strong> be used, and linens should not be dried in a dryer. Wine Away (available at CM Almy) and club soda are effective for removing wine from linens. They also advised that filling the oil attachment on the snuffer with an eye dropper is very effective. Regarding metalware, they said it’s imperative to use gloves when handling metal products, that chalices must never<\/strong> be immersed in water, that wine must never<\/strong> be left to sit in the chalice for long periods, and that polish must never<\/strong> be used on products that have been lacquered. They advised that Kerry oil is the best brand of oil to use in candles. Metalware can be refurbished at Almy’s facility in Pittsville, Maine. Almy recommends that frontals, chasubles, stoles, etc. be dry cleaned every 18 months. If you have a burse that needs to be cleaned, it can be sent to Almy for cleaning and you can have them replace the cardboard with plexiglass; this will be sent to their facility in Maine. When asked if representatives would be willing to travel to Diocesan Altar Guild meetings to present a program about their products, they said “yes.” <\/p>\n\n\n

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Keynote speaker, The Rev Anne Schnaare<\/mark><\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Keynote speaker for the NAGA Triennial meeting was the Rev. Anne Schnaare, Grace Episcopal Church, East Grand Rapids, Michigan (mother.ann@gracechurch.org<\/a>). She reminded us of what an honor it is to be a member of the altar guild and that it’s our job to “prepare the way” of the service. She urged us to meet with the clergy prior to big events like Holy Week to be sure everyone is on the same page. She referred to Maundy Thursday as the Barefoot Service! She also advised that clergy should never be reluctant to point out when something is not set to their taste, and that altar guild members should not be offended. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The NAGA General Membership meeting included the election of officers and approval of changes to the NAGA By-laws. Officers for the next three years are:<\/p>\n\n\n\n