“Gracious Lord,
You have called us to work with the things of beauty which enhance our worship. Assist us by your Holy Spirit, that we shall always treasure this service, rejoicing in this calling and joyfully doing those tasks which this vocation may include. This we ask in the holy name of Jesus Christ, our Savior.
Amen”
Charles L. Wood Altar Guild Prayers, Forward Publishers
Since 1934 the Diocesan Altar Guild (DAG) supports our Bishops’ ministry to all parishes, missions, camps retreat centers and Diocesan House events. Our members are all volunteers. Most members come to DAG for 2-4 hours; some choose to take work home to complete before returning. Several levels of sewing are usually in progress: laying patterns, machine seams, embroidery or couching, hand hemming, etc. Please feel free to bring in or call about your church project for consultation. Other volunteer opportunities include recording, filing, bookkeeping, sorting trims, tagging, polishing, pricing ironing, etc.
We share a brief noon-day service on Tuesdays and a short prayer service on Wednesdays. Visitors are always welcome – bring a brown bag lunch to join us if your schedule fits. We can conduct short tours of Diocesan House as well.
Our great delight is to visit parish and mission altar guilds. We can bring vestments; teach a session on Eucharist, linens, or vestment history; consult on repairs or décor; conduct a question and answer time. A session can be from one to three hours. Our travel display includes: AG pins, wax remover, WOW polish samples, manuals, bags for vessels, Diocesan Seals, how-to sheets, quizzes, and library books (upon request). Do call us!
The Diocesan Altar Guild (DAG) supports our Bishops’ ministry to all parishes, missions, camps retreat centers and Diocesan House events. We also act as a clearing house/advisory for all the altar guilds in our diocese. We attend to linens, vestments, and supplies for the House Chapel.
In our workroom at Diocesan House, we design and make new vestments and linens, assist with ordering goods, provide a supply of various catalogs and resources for ordering and help search for fabrics and trims.
In our resource center we have a small, varied library of altar guild (AG) related books and magazines; several styles of funeral palls for loan; AG manuals and pins; Eucharist kits/parts to borrow or purchase; extra vessels; and an array of previously used hangings (paraments), vestments and linens are available to borrow or purchase.
We have become a worldwide outreach to other Diocese with needs. We have made or donated linens and vestments for Bishops and congregations on almost every continent.
Office hours are 10am – 6pm both Tuesday and Wednesday (one may come after 5pm by appointment. Special visits on other days are by appointment as our space is multi-use.
Sherry K. Garman
Altar Guild Director
(206) 325-4200 x2011
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