The church recognizes many ministries.  Some are highly visible and public while others, no less vital, are carried out quietly and out of the public eye.  The Altar Guild is one of those quiet but important ministries in every congregation.

We read in the scriptures "...let us offer to God an unending sacrifice of praise..."   Those words call to mind the ministry of the Altar Guild.  The atmosphere of reverence and beauty, whether in a majestic cathedral or in a tiny mission, so often reflects the work of loving hands and devoted servants of the Lord. - Bishop Ronald H. Haines.

Who we are and what we do. . . .

The primary task for the Altar Guild at Grace Church is to prepare the altar and nave at both locations of Grace Church.  This includes Sunday morning services at Grace Central and Grace West; Sunday evening service, and Thursday noon services at Grace Central; High Holy Days, Festival Eucharists, Advent and Lenten services, weddings, funerals, memorials, baptisms, confirmations, ordinations and other special days as requested by the Rector.

Grace Central

Grace West

We're a busy group and if we do our job correctly, you hardly ever notice us.  We not only set the Lord's Table, we also "do" His dishes and table linens.  We consider the ministry of "Holy Housework" as a privilege and an honor to serve God.  A primary task is to give special loving care of the many gifts and memorials given by the congregation.

We do our work in a holy place called the sacristy.  The word, sacristy, is derived from the Latin word sacra, meaning holy things. The holy things kept in the sacristy are the sacred vessels and the vestments for the priests and the altar.  Grace Church has two dedicated sacristies which serve as working areas and places to keep these blessed, and sometimes fragile, holy things.  Working in teams in the sacristy is a privilege and an opportunity to be a part of the worship service, as well as an opportunity to serve God on a regular basis. 

Grace Central

Grace West

How to become a member...

The Altar Guild is composed of women and men who prepare all the things necessary for the celebration of the Eucharist or any of the other sacraments and offices of the church.

Our four Altar Guild Teams are looking for people who:

• have a sincere devotion and a desire to make their work an acceptable offering to our Lord.
• view their ministry as a sacred trust.
• are ever mindful of the high privilege of serving God in his sanctuary.
• are trust-worthy and absolutely dependable.
• are self-motivated and are team players.
• are willing to prepare the altar a minimum of one Sunday a month.
• are willing to devote 12 Saturday mornings per year to prepare the altar for Sunday.
• are willing to service a minimum of one day per month at a noon weekday service at Grace Central if needed by their team.
• will give loving care to the Memorials given by the congregation and friends of Grace church.

Altar Guild work is a vocation.  We consider our work as a sacred duty which begins with God's calling to this service.  You may find the Altar Guild to be a place where you can serve God and grow spiritually. Membership is open to men and women of all ages.  For more information contact the Rector or Katherine West, Altar Guild Directress at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

About the altar flowers...

"We thank Thee, Lord, for sacred places burnished by silent wings of holiness; for shrines, consecrated by prayer, and lives suffused with Thy quiet peace.  Bless all who tend these sanctuaries, cleaning and adorning, that the offering of each one may reflect Thy love and purity and Thy people rejoice in Christ Jesus lively in our midst.  Amen" - The Very Rev. Francis B. Sayre, National Cathedral Prayer.