All Saints’ Altar Guild Manual 2018 Contents Introduction . 4 Begin with Prayer . 5 Regular Weekly Duties . 6 Housekeeping . 6 Set Up for Holy Eucharist . 7 The Altar . 7 The Chalice . 8 The Credence Tables . 8 Hymn Boards . 9 The Lectionary and Gospel Books . 9 The Retable . 9 Drinking Water . 9 Double Check . 9 The Narthex . 10 The Chapel . 10 Liquid Candles Setup . 11 Between Services . 12 After The Last Service . 12 The Seasons & Feast Days . 13. Advent Season . 13 Christmas Season . 13 The Season of Epiphany . 14 Ash Wednesday and the Season of Lent . 14 The Passion of Our Lord or Palm Sunday . 15 Maundy Thursday . 15 Good Friday . 16 The Easter Season . 16 The Day of Pentecost . 16 All Saints Sunday . 17 2 April 2018 Occasional Services . 18 Baptisms . 18 Renewal of Baptismal Vows . 18 Confirmation . 18 Ordination . 18 Burial of The Dead . 19 Weddings . 20 Chapel Eucharist Services . 22 Outdoor Services . 22 Yearly Cleaning . 23 Cleaning Liquid Candles . 23 Care of Needlepoint Kneelers . 23 The Care of Linens . 24. The Corporals . 24 The Purificators . 25 The Lavabo and Baptismal Towels . 25 The Palls . 25 The Fair Linens, and Credence Covers . 25 Additional Resources . 26 Glossary . 27 Appendix 1 - Notes For Visiting Clergy . 30 Appendix 2 - Current Members . 31 April 2018 3 Introduction This manual is prepared specifically for All Saints’ Episcopal Church, Morristown, TN . Many of our procedures are used in other places, but each church will vary according to local traditions, architecture, available altar vessels, furniture and clergy preferences . Altar Guild work is a ministry —your gift of time and talent . What you are doing is making preparation for Christ’s presence among the people through the bread and wine . Just as we carefully prepare our homes for an important visitor, so we are diligent and careful in preparing for the presence of Christ at the altar . As a member of the Altar Guild, you will be performing one of the most important functions of the church . Without your efforts, the services on Sunday and during the week could not take place, at least not as people are accustomed to seeing them . At the same time, your work is so unobtrusive that it may go unnoticed . 4 April 2018 Begin with Prayer Below are some written prayers or you may prefer to say your own silent prayers . Your team may decide to gather as a group and pray together or, if members of your team serve on separate days, you may decide to make this an individual effort . Whatever you decide, surround all that you do with prayer . The National Altar Guild Association Prayer by The Rt. Rev. E. Don Taylor, Vicar Bishop of New York City Most gracious Father Who has called me Your child to serve in the preparation of Your Altar so that it may be a suitable place for the offering of Your Body and Blood; Sanctify my life and consecrate my hands so that I may worthily handle those Sacred Gifts which are being offered to You . As I handle holy things, grant that my whole life may be illuminated and blessed by You, in whose honor I prepare them, and grant that the people who shall be blessed by their use, may find their lives drawn closer to Him Whose Body and Blood is our hope and our strength, Jesus Christ our Lord . AMEN . By John Baillie, published in the “New Altar Guild Book” by Barbara Gent and Betty Sturges Give me an open mind, O God, a mind ready to receive and to welcome such new light of knowledge as it is thy will to reveal to me . Let not the past ever be so dear to me as to set a limit to the future . Give me courage to change my mind, when that is needed . Let me be tolerant to the thoughts of others and hospitable to such light as may come to me through them . AMEN . From the “Altar Guild Manual” by Edith Weir Perry O Lord Jesus Christ, who didst accept the ministry of faithful people during your earthly life; We pray you to accept and bless the work that this altar guild undertakes in the care of your sanctuary . Grant us a spirit of reverence for your house and worship, your Word and Sacraments, and preserve in purity and holiness our own souls and bodies as living temples of your presence . AMEN . April 2018 5 Regular Weekly Duties Each team’s work session may be scheduled according to each team’s preference . Currently we have 4 teams so you will have the duty only once every 4 weeks starting on Monday and ending on Sunday . Team leaders: • Check with the Rector to learn of any special service to be held during your week of responsibility, e g. weddings, funerals, to make sure the Altar Guild has it covered . • Notify the Altar Guild Director should you notice that any supplies or linens need to be replenished . If you cannot serve as scheduled be sure to notify your Team Leader and/or find a replacement . (see Appendix 2) HOUSEKEEPING • Use the piscina (sink on the right) only for rinsing Communion vessels and small linens, disposing of water that has been blessed for Baptism or Communion, and any consecrated bread crumbs and consecrated wine that will not be preserved in the aumbry or consumed . The drain from the piscina goes to the earth, not the sewer . • Use the left sink for washing with detergent . It’s drain goes to the sewer . • Dishtowels and cleaning rags should be taken home for washing and returned to the sacristy promptly . • Occasionally wax drips on the carpet . Place a brown paper bag over the wax spot and iron with the old iron . • Clean the inside of the “bell” of the candle lighters with hot water to prevent soot from dripping on the carpet or linens . Insure that the wax wicks are long enough to complete the candle lighting activities for any service . • Clean the followers and plastic drip covers used on the processional torches . Heat in hot water to melt wax . DO NOT pour waxy water down any drain; take it outside and pour it on the ground . When cleaning brass appointments, never use sharp instruments . Carve off any drips from the side of the candles . Replace the candles if they are less than 6” . Place the used candles in the recycle box in the candle cabinet . Use brass extenders when using smaller candle pieces as shown in this photo . • The Eucharistic Visiting Kits should be kept clean but NOT filled with wafers or wine . Filling them is the responsibility of the Eucharistic Ministers to ensure the consecrated elements are fresh . Consecrated elements should only be stored in the aumbry . • Silver should be polished only if hot soapy water will not restore its’ shine . Use soft cloth . • Use only soap and water if needed to clean brass . Most of our brass requires only rubbing with a soft cloth with the exception of the staff parts of the torches which we have no choice but to polish . • When you leave after a work session, be sure to turn off the lights and lock up . 6 April 2018 SET UP FOR HOLY EUCHARIST The Altar • Fold the dust cover on the altar by first folding the front and then the sides toward the center, then in halves in such a way as to make it easy to unfold . Place under the altar when not used . • Be sure that the hangings are the proper color according to the calendar posted in the sacristy . • Be sure that the fair linen on the altar is clean and presentable and hangs down the same length on each side . Change when needed, and notify the person appointed to clean large linens . (See Appendix 2) Do not use the lace fair linen during Advent or Lent . Touch up ironing can be done at the altar if needed . • The two Eucharistic candles are placed on the altar, one on each side, approximately 6”-8” from the side and front of the altar . • Place the missal (also called the Service Book) on the brass missal stand and place it to the left of the celebrant as they face the congregation . • The sanctus bell is to be kept next to the altar as shown . • The chasuble is to be hung over the altar rail with the back on top and head opening on kneeler side as shown . April 2018 7 The Chalice • Open and spread a corporal in the middle of the altar on top of the piece of plastic so that the embroidery is closest to you . (As you face the nave) The folds should be concave to catch any crumbs . • Use the chalice with the octagon-shaped base and place in the center of the corporal . • Drape a folded purificator over the chalice as shown in photo . • Seat the paten securely on top of the purificator . • Place the large priest’s wafer on the paten . • Place the pall (thick, stiff, linen covered square) on top of the paten . • Drape the chalice veil over the pall pulling the corners out to the side . The burse should contain two extra purificators . The burse is placed on top so that the opening will be facing the celebrant . • At the 10:30 service place a small chalice behind the covered chalice for those who are unable to drink from the main chalice . The Credence Tables • Both credence tables should be covered with a linen cloth of equal length and centered . • The breadbox should contain extra wafers and is placed front left .