All Saints' Altar Guild Manual

30 Pages·2014·4.7 MB·English

All Saints’
Altar Guild Manual
March 2014
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
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
The Easter Season . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16
The Day of Pentecost . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
All Saints Sunday . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
2 January 2014
Occasional Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Baptisms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Renewal of Baptismal Vows . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Confirmation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
Ordination . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Burial of The Dead . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Weddings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Chapel 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
January 2014 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 January 2014
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 .
January 2014 5
Regular Weekly Duties
Each team’s weekly work session may be scheduled according to each team’s preference . Currently we have 5 teams so you will have the duty
only once every 5 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, ECW Eucharist,
etc, to make sure the Altar Guild has it covered .
• If the number of small linens is getting low, notify the person responsible for laundering and ironing those . (see Appendix 2)
• Notify the Altar Guild Director(s) should you notice that any supplies 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, and disposing of water that has been blessed for
Baptism or Communion, and disposing of any consecrated bread crumbs and consecrated wine that will not be preserved in the aumbry
or consumed .
• Dishtowels and cleaning rags should be taken home for washing and returned to the sacristy promptly .
• Occasionally, wax gets dripped 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 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 .
• 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 .
• In 2007, our brass was sent away to be cleaned and re-lacquered . Therefore, use only soap and water if needed . 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 as appropriate .
6 January 2014
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 and then place it on the shelf under the altar .
• Be sure that the fair linen on the altar is clean and presentable; if not, consult with the team leader and change it if necessary . Also, notify
the person appointed to clean the 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 fair linen needs to hang down the same length on each side .
• Be sure that the hangings are the proper color according to the calendar posted in the sacristy .
• 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 .
• The two Eucharistic candles are placed on the altar, one on each
side, approximately 8”-9” from the side and front of the altar,
for all services of Holy Eucharist .
• Place the missal (also called the Service Book) on the brass missal
stand and place it according to the celebrant’s preference, usually
to the left of the celebrant as they face the congregation .
• For the 10:30 service place the Gospel book on the left side of
the altar, as viewed by the congregation from the nave . (It goes
in the narthex for the 8:00)
• Place an empty silver bowl on the shelf under the altar covered
with a pall . This is where the celebrant will place left over consecrated wafers .
January 2014 7
The Chalice
Assemble in the sacristy and then move to the sanctuary shortly before
the beginning of a service .
• Use the chalice with the octagon-shaped base .
• Drape a folded purificator over the chalice with each end falling
on either side of the chalice .
• 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 then fold the back one-third of
the veil over the top toward the front . The burse should contain
two extra purificators and a corporal . The burse is placed on top
so that the opening will be facing the celebrant . When the chalice
is placed on the altar it should be centered on the corporal and
aligned with the cross on the retable .
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 .
• One chalice, covered with a purificator and a pall is placed on the
credence table, left rear .
• At the early service, the ciborium containing the wafers is placed
next to the extra chalice . See the bulletin board in the sacristy for
current number of wafers . The ciborium is placed in the narthex 8:00am Service
for the 10:30 service .
• The lavabo bowl covered with a lavabo towel is placed right front .
• A cruet with wine filled to the bottom of the etched cross is placed
right rear with handle facing the wall . A cruet containing the water
is placed to the left of the wine cruet with handle facing the wall .
The cross-shaped stoppers face forward .
• The credence table to the left of the altar holds the receiving basin
10:30am Service
leaned upright against the wall .
8 January 2014
Hymn Boards
• The cardboard numbers and letters are stored under the pulpit . The headings for the season or feast day, as indicated on the bulletin, are
kept in the sacristy . All numbers should be displayed in the order in which they appear in the service bulletin . Service music is indicated
by placing an “S” in front of a hymn number . If necessary, display two sets of numbers on the same line . Always slide them in from either
side so as not to bend or damage the cardboard .
• Place two or three service bulletins (depending upon the number scheduled to serve) on the book rests at both acolyte pews . Place them
sideways so they don’t hang over the edge .
• Hymn numbers should be placed on the boards even if the hymn words are printed out in the program bulletin .
The Lectionary and Gospel Books
In the sacristy are envelopes containing “illuminations” or introductions to the readings for the upcoming service . Paper clip the illumination
for each reading to the proper place in the Lectionary and Gospel Books and mark the page with the red ribbons . If the illuminations are not
found in the sacristy then refer to service bulletin to mark with the ribbons .
For more information about the Revised Common Lectionary see: http://lectionary.library.vanderbilt.edu/faq2.php
The Retable
The seven light candelabras are used in the sanctuary on the retable except during Advent and Lent when we use the three light candelabras .
• The candelabras should be placed under the side windows .
• Be sure the candelabras are placed in the same spot on each side and pulled as far away from the wall as possible .
• Remove any dead or fallen leaves or flower petals that may have dropped .
• Flower arrangements should never equal or exceed the height of the cross on the retable . There are boxes suitable for use to raise the
cross if this should be necessary .
Double Check
Stand back in the center isle of the nave and double check the following symmetry and alignment:
• The veiled chalice should be in the center of the altar and align with the brass cross on the retable which should also align with the red
cross in the bottom of the stained glass window .
• The fair linen should hang down the same length on each side .
• The Eucharistic candles should be equal distance from the sides of the altar .
• The flower vases and candelabras should be placed the same on both sides .
• The credence cloths should both be the same length and hang the same length on each side .
• The hymn boards should be the same on each side . Also double check the numbers .
January 2014 9
The Narthex
• The alms basins are placed on the sideboard in the narthex before both the
early and late services . They are kept in the large, left-hand drawer when not
being used . The alms basins are taken from the altar after each service by the
Vestry Person Responsible (VPR) . However, if you notice that offerings are still
there when you are ready to move the basins to the narthex, remove the money
and place it in the brown zippered bank bag kept in the sacristy .
• For the 8:00 service place the Gospel Book on the sideboard . (It goes on the altar for the 10:30 service .)
• At the 10:30am service and any service where presenters have been scheduled (check the bulletin), the covered ciborium with wafers in
it and a glass cruet of wine, filled to the bottom of the etched cross, are placed on a linen cloth on the sideboard in the narthex . See the
bulletin board in the sacristy for current number of wafers .
• If no linen is on the sideboard, get a fresh one from the sacristy . Be sure that enough communion wafers are available in the narthex
sideboard center drawer to accommodate the anticipated number of worshipers . There are 100 in each unopened tube of wafers .
• The ushers count the number of people in the congregation during the opening hymn . A member of the Altar Guild then adjusts the
number of wafers in the ciborium to match the count .
The Chapel
• Be sure that the fair linen on the altar is clean and presentable; if not, consult with
the team leader and change it if necessary .
• The credence table to the right of the altar should be covered with a linen cloth .
• Usually, the three light candelabras are used in the chapel and may be placed
either on the retable or on the altar depending upon the flower arrangements .
• To the left of the altar hangs the presence candle which indicates, when lighted,
that the Blessed Sacrament (already consecrated elements of bread and wine) are
in reserve inside the aumbry . There is a candle insert set inside the red glass globe .
Each insert will burn for at least seven days . The candle inserts are stored in the
sacristy . When necessary wash the red glass globe to remove accumulated soot .
• Remove the dust cover from the altar and place it under the main altar .
• At the 10:30 a .m . service, the ceremonial oil stock and a purificator should be placed
on the credence table in the chapel to be used by the Healing Ministry team members
for administering unction . This is kept on a shelf in the sacristy vesting area .
10 January 2014