by Don Palmer
In the early days of the Church, believers gathered in private homes to celebrate their communion, to break bread together and share their memories and thoughts of the Christ and his sacrifice. The head of the household, as host of the gathering, provided the meeting place and the meal. The Church grew rapidly and larger places were needed. People within the groups were given the responsibility of arranging for the meetings, for the care of the meeting place, and even the vessels of the holy meal. Commonly the worshipers themselves provided the bread and the wine. A family or group within each “congregation” assumed leadership. This was the state of the church by the 4th century.
During the following centuries certain leaders, called clerics, and, later, sacristans, were given these responsibilities. They were actually lesser orders of the ministry. The sacristan supervised the sacristy, the room in which Communion vessels and vestments were kept..
Years later, laymen became sacristans and in the late 19th century women were asked (or did they initiate the request?) to assist the sacristans. Very soon they became sacristans. During the 20th century this ministry organized into what were known as altar guilds. They have provided the quiet, beautiful, reliable leadership in this special ministry now for many years. Indeed, until about 1970 this was the only opportunity women had for serving in the sanctuary.
In increasing numbers men are becoming members of altar guilds. Often husband and wife (or, better, wife and husband) couples are members.
We non-members of the altar guild have a rather superficial appreciation of their duties. When we come to the altar, everything is in order, sacred, beautiful. It may not occur to us to wonder how things got that way! With some variations among the parishes, altar guilds have these duties: The care of Communion vessels, care of the candles and candelabra, care of the vases and, often, provision and arrangement of the flowers on the altar. They may participate in the care of vestments. Often altar guilds make altar hangings. Supplies of bread and wine are their responsibility. Careful washing (and stain removal!) of the fair linen and purificators used in the services.
The Communion vessels are placed on the altar prior to each service—just so. The acolyte invariably finds everything in its perfect place. The dramatic stripping of the altar on Maundy Thursday, in preparation for Good Friday, is a holy task shared with the priests. Add to these regular services the special ones, including weddings, baptisms, funerals, and other special occasions.
The Altar Guild is a ministry, a calling. Quietly, devotedly, reverently, reliably the members prepare the sanctuary for us, as we worship the Risen Christ.
An Altar Guild prayer eloquently expresses their commitment: “Almighty God, grant we beseech thee, that we may handle holy things with reverence, and perform our work with such faithfulness and devotion that it may rise with acceptance before thee and obtain thy blessing; through Christ our Lord. Amen.
