All Saints Altar Guild Manual

Transcription

1 All Saints Altar Guild Manual March 2014

2 Contents Introduction... 4 Begin with Prayer Regular Weekly Duties 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 The Narthex...10 The Chapel...10 Liquid Candles Setup Between Services After The Last Service The Seasons & Feast Days Advent Season...13 Christmas Season The Season of Epiphany Ash Wednesday and the Season of Lent The Passion of Our Lord or Palm Sunday...15 Maundy Thursday...15 The Easter Season...16 The Day of Pentecost...17 All Saints Sunday January 2014

3 Occasional Services Baptisms...18 Renewal of Baptismal Vows...18 Confirmation...18 Ordination Burial of The Dead...19 Weddings...20 Chapel Services...22 Outdoor Services...22 Yearly Cleaning Cleaning Liquid Candles Care of Needlepoint Kneelers...23 The Care of Linens The Corporals The Purificators...25 The Lavabo and Baptismal Towels...25 The Palls...25 The Fair Linens, and Credence Covers...25 Additional Resources Glossary Appendix 1 - Notes For Visiting Clergy Appendix 2 - Current Members January

4 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

5 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

6 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

7 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

8 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 leaned upright against the wall. 8 10:30am Service January 2014

9 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: 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

10 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

11 Liquid Candles Setup It is the responsibility of the Altar Guild to ensure that the candlesticks are filled adequately and will burn throughout any service. The wicks should never be trimmed and should always be kept at a length of 1/8 to achieve the correct flame height of 5/8. To adjust the wick height: Insert a T pin into the wick loop at the top of the wick holder. Unscrew the candle top and remove it. Pull gently on the wick from below the candle-top until the wick is tight around the pin at the top of the wick holder. This ensures the correct 1 8 height for the wick. The candles should produce a clean, steady flame that is about 5 8 high. DO NOT attempt to enlarge the flame by increasing the length of the wick: it will cause soot and dramatically increase the rate at which the candle consumes liquid. All oil candles should be refilled once weekly during each team s work session. There is no need to refill at all on Sundays. To refill candles: Use the refilling bench stored under the altar. It includes a flashlight mounted on a pole also under the altar. Place each candelabra onto the bench with both hands using a rag or gloves so as not to leave fingerprints on the brass. Unscrew each follower and fill to a level about 3 4 from the top of the candle. If you overfill you can take some oil back out using the eyedropper. Screw the follower back on till it stops turning but do not tighten. Wipe off any drips from the outside of the candles and the candelabra. In time, heat will fuse the fibers in the wick and they will become less efficient at drawing liquid from the candle. To replace the wicks: Unscrew the candle top and pull the old wick from below the wick holder. Thread copper wire (stored in box on refilling bench) through the top loop of the wick. Push the wire ends into the wick holder from the underside of the candle-top. When wire ends appear at the top of the wick holder, pull on them until the wick loop appears. Remove and save the wire. Insert the T pin into the wick loop and pull gently on the wick from below the candle-top until the wick is tight around the pin at the top of the wick holder. This insures the correct height for the wick and flame. For more information see January

12 BETWEEN SERVICES Between the 8:00am and 10:30am services, rinse all chalices used during the previous service in the piscina, then wash them in the regular sink. Re-vest and place on the altar. If there are consecrated elements remaining from the early service they will be under the altar. Leave them there to be consumed at the later service. If there is wine left under the altar get another cruet from the sacristy and fill with wine to the bottom of the etched cross and place it on the credence table. There should always be wine on the credence table. Reset the credence table for the 10:30am service as outlined on page 8. Place a wine cruet, ciborium, and the empty collection plates on the sideboard in the narthex. Used small linens should be first rinsed in the piscina, then in the regular sink, a mild detergent can be used to remove spots of wine and lipstick then let soak in the plastic bowl of water with a small amount of Oxy Clean. The corporal should be carefully shaken out over the piscina and can be returned to the altar as long as it is still crisp and clean. Otherwise replace it. Straighten all the needlepoint kneelers and make sure there are not any wine spills. (See Care of Needlepoint Kneelers page 23) AFTER THE LAST SERVICE Rinse the silver in the piscina, then wash it in the regular sink, dry and put away in the storage bags in the cabinets. Used small linens should be first rinsed in the piscina, then in the regular sink, a mild detergent can be used to remove spots of wine and lipstick then let soak in the plastic bowl of water with a small amount of Oxy Clean. Cruets should be rinsed in the piscina then washed in the other sink and turned upside down on the wooden holders. Consecrated elements will have been placed on the shelf under the altar. They should now be placed in the small cruet of wine and small ceramic bread box found in the aumbry. If the aumbry cruet of wine is full, pour some or all of it down the piscina which drains straight into the ground. Replace it with the newly consecrated wine. Never pour consecrated wine into the city sewer system or back into the storage bottle for unconsecrated wine. Unconsecrated wine found on the credence table should be returned to the storage bottle. Place the missal stand with the closed missal and the Eucharistic candles on the credence table to the right of the altar. Place the dust cover over the altar. Throw away any bulletins left in the sanctuary. Place the large alms basin (receiving basin) upright, on the credence table to the left of the altar and the other alms basins back into the left hand drawer of the sideboard in the narthex. Straighten all the needlepoint kneelers and make sure there are not any wine spills. (See Care of Needlepoint Kneelers page 23) 12 January 2014

13 The Seasons & Feast Days Refer to the calendar on the sacristy wall to determine the color of the hangings. There are three lectern and pulpit hangings. The smallest one goes in the chapel. Of the larger two it does not matter which one goes on the pulpit or the lectern. The long broad bible markers always go on the lecterns. Be sure the bible markers belong to the same set as the hanging you are placing them on. With two people it is ok to carefully lay the fair linen on the altar rail to then put it back on the altar after you change the frontal as long as it is still clean. It is also a good time to use an iron to remove wrinkles. There is a muslin covered board in the sacristy for this purpose. Advent Season The hangings are PURPLE representing royalty in preparation for a king. The first Sunday of Advent begins the church year and is always four Sundays before Christmas Day. The paschal candle is removed to the sacristy and the stand is used for the brass advent wreath and placed to the left of the altar. The Advent wreath has three purple candles and one pink candle surrounding the Christ candle, a large white candle in the center. There is an adapter that holds the Christ candle in the sacristy. We do not have flowers on either retable; only greenery is used. The three light candelabras are used on the retable in the main sanctuary, and the seven light candelabras are stored in the sacristy. Single light candlesticks may be used on the chapel retable. (These are not the Eucharist Candles.) Christmas Season The hangings are WHITE, the color of festivity and joy. This season begins with the first service on Christmas Eve, December 24th, and continues through the twelve days of Christmas until January 6, the Feast of the Epiphany. Use the lace fair linen. The Advent wreath candelabra should be removed after Christmas Day; the stand holding the Christ candle remains until Epiphany and is displayed to the left of the altar. Decorations are the responsibility of the Flower Guild, however, all Altar Guild members are encouraged to assist the Altar Guild team responsible for the week in getting the altar appointments where they belong and assisting the Flower Guild in any way possible. The single light candle sticks from the chapel are returned to the sacristy for storage. The three-light candelabras are returned to the chapel. The seven light candelabras are returned to the main altar retable. It is our custom to use the sanctus chimes for the Christmas Eve service. Check with the celebrant for preference. If used, they should be placed to the left of the altar on the floor near the retable. Clean them first if needed. January

14 Incense may also be used. Check with the celebrant to determine which services will include incense. If incense is to be used, leave the incense, thurible, boat, charcoal, and the charcoal lighter on the counter in the sacristy. Clean them if needed with Magic Wadding and clean them again before putting them away. For the late night service fill three cruets of wine up to the crossbar on the etched cross. Two will be placed on the Credence Table and one will be placed in the narthex for the presenters along with the covered Ciborium containing 100 wafers. Depending upon the number of persons in the altar party, additional seating may be required. Check the service bulletin and consult with the celebrant to determine what will be necessary. There may be flags, banners, and kites included in the procession. If necessary place extra chairs in front of the acolyte book rests and any necessary banner stands where needed. The church sexton will install the pew torches and the Altar Guild will need to put the candles in them. 150 handheld candles for the 10:30pm service need to be put in baskets and placed in the narthex to be given out by the ushers. The Season of Epiphany The hangings are WHITE for the day of Epiphany and for the First Sunday of the Epiphany, the Baptism of Our Lord. Then the hangings and vestments change to GREEN the color of growth. Use the older olive green set. The Feast of the Baptism of Our Lord is one of the four days especially appropriate for Holy Baptism so be sure to check to see if your team needs to set up for a baptism. (Other baptism days are the Easter Vigil, Pentecost, All Saints Day and the annual visitation of the bishop of the diocese. See page 18.) Following any Epiphany Eve or Day service, the Christ candle is removed and stored in the sacristy. The floor candlestick is moved to its place to the right of the baptismal font and the paschal candle is placed on it. Ash Wednesday and the Season of Lent The hangings are PURPLE. The season is one of repentance and preparation for the renewal of our baptismal vows. Beginning on Ash Wednesday and lasting through the Maundy Thursday service, we use pottery vessels in place of the silver. There is a complete set in the sacristy. The set up for each service remains the same. There are no flowers during Lent. 14 January 2014

15 The seven light candelabras on the main altar retable are removed to the sacristy for storage and the three light candelabras from the Chapel are moved to the main altar retable. The single candlesticks are used on the chapel retable. (Not the Eucharist candles.) Cover the altar cross, the cross on the baptismal font, and the processional crosses with purple veils. These crosses will remain covered through mid-day on Maundy Thursday. The purple veils are stored in the sacristy in the small lower drawers of the small linen repository. Remove the flags and banners from the sanctuary as well as the paschal candle and store them in the sacristy vesting room. There are usually three services on Ash Wednesday with Holy Eucharist being celebrated at each. The credence table should be set for each as it is for an 8:00am Sunday service. Set out one of the small silver bowls in the sacristy to hold ashes. Place the bowl of ashes on the altar in front of the veil on the congregation side. If there are two priests serving, set out two bowls. Place a damp wash cloth with a dish of lemon slices on the shelf under the altar to be used by clergy for cleaning ashes from hands. (The washcloths are stored in plastic bags and marked for Ash Wednesday in the sacristy). If there are two clergy participating in the service, put two washcloths under the altar. The Passion of Our Lord or Palm Sunday The hangings are RED including the veils, the color of blood and symbol of martyrdom. This is the beginning of Holy Week, the final week of Lent. Well in advance of Palm Sunday, the Altar Guild director(s) verify with the office staff that the palm branches and palm leaf crosses have been ordered. Assist the ushers in handing out the palm leaf crosses to the congregation to be carried into the church in procession. The Altar Guild should place the palm crosses in a basin or on a tray with straight pins. These should be positioned on a table on the front lawn (weather permitting) to be blessed at the early service. Consult the celebrant as to the exact placement of the palms table. Maundy Thursday The hangings change after mid-day on Maundy Thursday to WHITE. This holy day reminds us of Our Lord s commandment to love (mandatum) and it is marked by foot-washing, a symbolic act of loving service, and by the stripping of the altar by the Altar Guild and clergy following the service. On Maundy Thursday we remember that Jesus celebrated his Last Supper with his disciples and at that supper, instituted the Holy Eucharist. Set up as for a 10:30am Sunday service. Check with the celebrant to see if there will be a foot washing ceremony. If so, use the pottery pitchers and bowls found stored in the upper cabinets in the sacristy. The number of clergy participating in the foot washing will determine the number of pitchers and bowls. The Altar Guild will provide a sufficient supply of bath towels. These are also in the overhead cabinets in the sacristy. Towels will need to be laundered after the service and returned to storage. January

16 About 5 minutes prior to the start of the service, fill the pitchers with warm to hot water keeping in mind that the water will stand about 15 minutes before it is used; ideally, the water will have cooled to room temperature by then. Place the filled pitchers in the catch bowls and place one on either side of the communion rail gate between the lecturn and the pulpit. A suitable chair should also be placed behind the bowl and pitchers. During the Exchange of the Peace, take the towels, pitchers and bowls to the sacristy. The Maundy Thursday service will conclude with the stripping of the chancel area (including the chapel). With the assistance of any Altar Guild members present in the congregation, the acolytes and the clergy. The Altar Guild assigned for the week will coordinate storage of all chancel area appointments. This includes altar hangings, linens, torches, processional crosses, candelabras, candle sticks, the missal stand, service book and Gospel Book. The veiled crosses on the retable and the baptismal font will not be removed to the sacristy. The presence candle will not be extinguished because the elements in reserve will not be totally consumed at this service. After the congregation has left, place black veils on the retable crosses and the cross on the baptismal font (these veils will not be tied in place, only draped). The veils are stored in the sacristy in the drawer that is labeled for them. Prior to leaving the church, ensure that the sacristy is in order and that the foot washing vessels have been washed, dried, and returned to storage in the sacristy. The Easter Season The hangings are WHITE, the color of resurrection, celebration and joy. Easter Season lasts 50 days (The Great Fifty Days). Use the lace fair linen. Preparations for Easter Vigil and Easter Day services take place on Holy Saturday. Decorations are the responsibility of the Flower Guild, however, all Altar Guild members are encouraged to assist the Altar Guild team responsible for the week in getting the altar appointments where they belong and assisting the Flower Guild in any way possible. Check to see if there will be baptisms. If so see page 18. The flags are returned to their normal position with the American Flag always displayed to the left of the altar. The single light candle sticks from the chapel are returned to the sacristy for storage. The three-light candelabras are returned to the chapel. The seven light candelabras are returned to the main altar retable. If there are no baptisms, place the paschal candle in the floor candlestick to the left of the altar. It will remain there until Pentecost. If there are baptisms at the Vigil, leave the paschal candle next to the font and move it to its place close to the altar prior to Easter morning. It is our custom to use the sanctus chimes for Easter services. Check with the celebrant for preference. If used, they should be placed to the left of the altar on the floor near the retable. Clean them first if needed. 16 January 2014

17 Incense may also be used. Check with the celebrant to determine which services will include incense. If incense is to be used, leave the incense, thurible, boat, charcoal, and the charcoal lighter on the counter in the sacristy. Clean them if needed with Magic Wadding and clean them again before putting them away. Depending upon the number of persons in the altar party, additional seating may be required. Check the service bulletin and consult with the celebrant to determine what will be necessary. There may be flags, banners, and kites included in the procession. If necessary place extra chairs in front of the acolyte book rests and any necessary banner stands where needed. The Day of Pentecost The hangings are RED, the color of the fire of the Holy Spirit. The hangings then change to GREEN for all the Sundays following Pentecost. Use the newer bright green set. Pentecost is one of the four days especially appropriate for Holy Baptism so be sure to check to see if your team needs to set up for a baptism. (See page 18.) After the Day of Pentecost the paschal candle will be moved next to the baptismal font and lit for baptisms and funerals throughout the year. All Saints Sunday The hangings are WHITE, a symbol of celebration and joy. Depending upon the number of persons in the altar party, additional seating may be required. Check the service bulletin and consult with the celebrant to determine what will be necessary. There may be flags, banners, and kites included in the procession. If necessary place extra chairs in front of the acolyte book rests and any necessary banner stands where needed. All Saints Sunday is one of the four days especially appropriate for Holy Baptism so be sure to check to see if your team needs to set up for a baptism. (Other baptism days are the Epiphany, the Baptism of Our Lord, Easter Vigil, Pentecost and the annual visitation of the bishop of the diocese. See pg 18.) It is our custom to use the sanctus bell (not the chimes) for the reading of the names of the departed at the All Saints Service. Check with the celebrant for preference. If used, it should be placed to the right of the Altar on the floor near the retable. Clean it first with Magic Wadding if needed. Incense may also be used. Check with the celebrant to determine which services will include incense. If incense is to be used, leave the incense, thurible, boat, charcoal, and the charcoal lighter on the counter in the sacristy. Clean them if needed with Magic Wadding and clean them again before putting them away. January

18 Occasional Services Baptisms Make sure that the brass baptismal bowl in the font is empty and clean and that the cover is removed to the sacristy. The silver shell is placed on the baptismal credence table on top of a linen cover with one baptismal towel for each person being baptized. The large silver ewer is to be placed on the counter in the sacristy during set up. Before the service, fill the ewer with hot water, keeping in mind that it will be as much as half an hour before the water is used and it should have cooled to room temperature by that time. Place the filled ewer on the baptismal credence table. Place the chrism oil on the baptismal credence table. The paschal candle is placed near the baptismal font and will be lit for the service. Check to see that the acolytes have done this. Following the service, water from the baptismal font is to be poured into the piscina. Renewal of Baptismal Vows On Sundays designated for baptism, there may be no one receiving baptism. It is appropriate that on this Sunday, the congregation renews its baptismal promises. The celebrant may ask you to place a glass bowl with water and a branch of boxwood on the left credence table for use as the celebrant sprinkles the congregation with water (asperges) as a reminder of baptism. Confirmation Altar hangings are RED unless there is a baptism in which case the hangings will be WHITE. Be sure that the bishop s chair is clean. Ordination Altar hangings are normally RED; however, upon occasion the celebrant may wish to use WHITE. Coordinate with celebrant. These services can vary greatly as to what is required of the Altar Guild. The bishop s chair must be dusted and placed in the center front of the altar and on the same level as the altar. If sanctus chimes will be used, they should be placed to the left of the altar on the floor near the retable. Clean them first if needed. Check with the celebrant to determine if incense will be used. If so, leave the incense, thurible, boat, charcoal, and the charcoal lighter on the counter in the sacristy. Clean them if needed with Magic Wadding and clean them again before putting them away. 18 January 2014

19 Burial of The Dead The hangings are WHITE. Flowers should be white but this is not mandatory. If Holy Eucharist is to be celebrated, set up is the same as for an 8:00am Sunday service. Verify with the celebrant the number of wafers and quantity of wine to be made available. Remove headings from the hymn boards and place numbers according to the service booklet. Store the Lectionary Book in the sacristy. Place the blue book of Occasional Services on the lectern and mark the appropriate readings with the ribbons according to the service program. In the case of cremation, the urn stand is placed in front of the left side of the altar well before anyone arrives for the service. A corporal should then be draped over the urn stand. The large stiff white linen pall is placed over the urn and then the cremation pall should be draped carefully over it. The cremation pall with cross embroidered in the center is stored in the drawer with the white burse and veil. Do not confuse it with the white chalice veil. The paschal candle should be placed to the left of the casket or to the left of the urn. The large pall to cover a casket hangs in the closet behind the sacristy door. In preparation for arrival of the casket, the pall should be placed across the rear pew. At least two Altar Guild members should meet the casket as it comes to the outside entrance door and cover it with the pall in the narthex. The casket will enter feet first, so position the pall accordingly so that the top of the cross is toward the head. No flowers should be placed on the pall. The pall should be removed at the entrance door before the casket leaves the church. The pall never goes to the funeral home or to the cemetery unless directed so by the celebrant. When returning the large pall to storage, be careful to fold it so that the cross in the center is not creased. It is acceptable to lay the pall on the carpeted floor at the front of the church in order to fold it properly. Care should be taken not to soil it. If the celebrant and acolyte accompany the casket to the cemetery, the Altar Guild members should extinguish the candles and ready the church for the next scheduled service. If the Altar Guild members conclude their business prior to return of the celebrant, an Altar Guild member should lock the church upon leaving. Without Eucharist: Remove the Eucharist candlesticks and store them in the sacristy. Place the Gospel book on the missal stand, which remains on the credence table. Place the three light candelabras from the chapel on the altar. January

20 Weddings Altar Guild members are in charge of wedding arrangements for the church, carrying out the rector s instructions. Episcopal priests do not work with wedding consultants, so if you are asked, there is no exception to this rule. A wedding is a religious service, a sacrament of the Church. The hangings are WHITE. There will be no weddings during Advent or Lent. Two Altar Guild members must attend the rehearsal because it will be their responsibility to direct the seating and the procession. At the request of the bride and groom, the rehearsal may include Holy Eucharist. If so, set up the credence table and altar as for an 8:00am Sunday service. Verify with the celebrant what quantities of wine and wafers should be made available for the service. Flowers in the sanctuary are suggested to be held to arrangements using the altar vases or at the base of the cross on the retable. They should never equal the height of the cross nor cover the cross. It is this church s policy to use only fresh flowers, however, the rector is the final authority. Generally speaking, the rector will review with the couple what can and cannot be done in the way of flowers and decorating. Photographers are generally not permitted to take pictures in the church while the ceremony is taking place. These are matters for the rector to decide. What many couples do is reenact key parts of the ceremony immediately afterwards for the photographer. The bride s family should be informed so that the photographers might be instructed when hired. Wedding kneelers are placed on the altar platform inside the sanctuary within the sight lines of the altar gate. In the sacristy there is a colorful round metal box, which contains items that may be useful to assist the wedding party in last minute preparations. It contains needle and thread, buttons, safety pins, etc. Without Nuptial Eucharist: The Eucharist candles are removed to the sacristy, as is the service book. The three light candelabras are moved from the chapel retable to the main altar. The Gospel book is placed on the missal stand, which remains centered on the credence table. Remove all numbers and letters from the hymn boards. If the wedding is expected to be large enough to require seating in the chapel, single candlesticks (not the Eucharist candles) may be used on the chapel altar or retable. With Nuptial Eucharist: If Holy Eucharist is to be celebrated as part of the wedding ceremony, preparation of the credence table and altar will be the same as a 10:30am Sunday service. It is likely that the bride and groom will be the presenters. Verify with the Celebrant the quantity of wine and wafers to be made available. 20 January 2014

21 The Procession and Ceremony: Two Alter Guild members should be present at the back of the church to direct the seating and procession as it was rehearsed. The entire procedure is printed here, including also what happens up in the front, so that the wedding party has someone who can answer their questions beforehand. Acolytes should light the candles and the music should begin 20 minutes before the ceremony. A moment or two before the ceremony, tell the two designated ushers to escort the mothers into the church. The bridal party waits in the rear of the church until the mothers are seated. The groom s mother goes first, holding the usher s right arm. She sits in the front pew on the right side of the aisle. Any other members of the groom s family, including his father (unless he attends the groom as best man), should already be seated there. The usher returns to the back using the side isle. The bride s mother follows, on the usher s left arm. She sits in the front pew on the left. Her family also should be previously seated. The same usher may seat both mothers, if necessary, returning to the rear for the bride s mother after seating the groom s. Immediately upon the ushers return, give the signal to the organist for the wedding music to begin then see that the procession moves forward properly. As soon as the wedding music begins, the ushers start down the aisle either singly, or two by two if there are a number of them. (Decide this at the rehearsal.) As soon as the ushers start, the groom and best man come in from a side entrance and take their places, on the right, at the foot of the chancel steps. The celebrant comes in from the sacristy with his attendant, if any, and stands at the top of the chancel steps. The ushers are followed by the bridesmaids, walking alone, five or six pews apart. If there are a number of bridesmaids, as many as eight or ten, they walk in pairs, the width of the church aisle permitting. If there is a flower girl, or a small boy bearing the ring, she or he should precede the maid of honor either one at a time or side by side. The maid, or matron, of honor follows just preceding the bride. The bride comes last, with her father, or whoever gives her away. She holds his left arm. Upon reaching the chancel steps, the ushers line up to the right of the groom and best man. The bridesmaids go to the left side of the chancel steps. After the betrothals are read, the priest turns and goes up to the altar. The bridal couple follows and stands in front of the wedding kneelers facing the altar. When they are in place, the maid of honor and the best man follow. The ceremony proceeds, the bride and groom turning towards each other to make their vows, and then kneeling when told. Upon the completion of the ceremony the music guides them and the couple march out together. The maid of honor follows with the best man, the flower girl and ring bearer, and the bridesmaids and ushers, two by two. Immediately after the bridal party has left the church, the ushers return to escort the mothers out. They are followed by the members of their families, after which the wedding guests may leave. As soon as the bridal party has left the church the candles should be extinguished. January

22 Chapel Services Set up the credence table and altar in the chapel as for an 8:00am Sunday service except for the extra chalice and tall ciborium which will not be necessary. Verify with the celebrant what quantities of wine and wafers should be made available for the service. Move the altar away from the wall. Place the two Eucharistic candles on the chapel altar. Place the missal and it s stand on the chapel altar.* Place the Lectionary Book on the lecturn marked with the red ribbons for the appointed readings. Place the Gospel Book on the Gospel side of the altar. * This photo shows the missal and stand on the Gospel side, however, it will normally need to be placed on the Epistle side. Outdoor Services The Altar Guild is responsible for packing, moving and returning all items used in worship for this service. On this day, the 8:00am service happens as usual in the church. Between services there will be enough time to transport and set up an altar at the outdoor site. Use the pottery vessels and candle holders with glass chimneys. The small altar currently in the copy room of the church office, is to be moved to the location of the picnic by the Junior Warden. Contact them to confirm that this will be done. Once at the site, cover the altar with the small fair linen. (Labeled in the large bottom drawer in the sacristy) Place a corporal on the fair linen. Chapel Flowers may be taken out of the brass vases and plastic liners, put into portable containers and moved to the service site. Wicker baskets are to be used as offering plates. Put 70 wafers in the pottery ciborium. Bring extras in case needed in the small bread box. There are no presenters, so the Altar Guild representative must take a note giving the attendance count to the celebrant during the announcements. As usual, the ushers are responsible for counting the congregation. 22 January 2014

23 Y early Cleaning Yearly cleaning is usually scheduled on Saturday, the day before Palm Sunday. Cleaning Liquid Candles All the liquid candles and followers should be cleaned once a year. Remove the candles from their candlesticks or candelabra and carry to the sacristy using the wooden carrier. Unscrew the candle tops and pour any liquid in the candles into a container so that it can be reused. Remove wicks by pulling from the underside of the candle tops. Set aside to be reinstalled or discard. This is an ideal time to replace old wicks with new if needed. (see instructions on page 11) Wash nylon candle parts with warm water and cleansing liquid. Stubborn stains can be removed by rubbing nylon sections with a fine Scotchbrite scouring pad or sponge. Polish brass candle parts with brass polish. When candle parts are completely dry, replace wicks following the instructions on page 11. Care of Needlepoint Kneelers Vacuum the bottom and all sides as well as the top surface using a brush attachment covered with nylon from a pair of hose. Use a rubberband to secure it around the vacuum hose. It is best to remove wax as soon as possible. You will need an iron and a plain white paper towel. With the heat of the iron the wax will absorb into the paper towel, continue to move the towel around until all the wax is absorbed. Club soda will remove wine from wool. Use cotton balls or Q-Tips and make sure to not get the canvas too wet, you can do this in stages if necessary. You don t want a lot of moisture to collect inside of the kneeler, this could cause mold to grow between the back of the canvas and the filling. January

24 The Care of Linens All linens must be kept spotlessly clean and crisp. The corporal, purificator, and lavabo towel must have a thorough rinsing in water which goes into the piscina, as no trace of the consecrated elements may go anywhere except to the earth. Half the job of laundering the linens, especially the purificators, is in the care given immediately after a service. A mild detergent can be used to remove spots of wine and lipstick (use the other sink not the piscina) then let soak in the plastic bowl of water with a small amount of Oxy Clean. Usually this eliminates the need for further hand washing at home. A thorough rinsing is all that is needed. Altar linens can be machine washed on the gentle cycle with warm water. A mesh bag to protect the embroidery can be used. After washing never place in dryer. Wrap in terrycloth towels to remove excess water, and iron while very damp. It is necessary to flip the linen over several times while ironing so as to make sure it is completely dry even in the hems before folding. Always iron the embroidery on the wrong side with extra padding underneath. If you begin at the embroidery the area around it will press out smoother. Ironing in the folds wears the linen, so immediately after ironing the item flat and dry, while the linen is still hot, carefully use your fingers to fold. Any linen scorched beyond hope, ruined by mildew, or torn beyond mending should be burned and the ashes scattered on the earth or washed down the piscina. Or it may be deconcecrated for other use. The Corporals After ironing the corporal, finger-fold it right side inside, in nine equal squares. The top third folded first with the embroidered third folded second makes it easy to quickly find the cross for proper placement on the altar. embroidery ends up on the outside Corporal Folding. Shaded areas indicate wrong side of linen. 24 January 2014