altarrguild

Although the work of any Altar Guild is mainly "behind the scenes", it is an important
ministry to God and to Christ Church. We prepare the altar for the services each week
and we assist at any special services such as weddings and funerals.

Our Altar Guild at Christ Church is divided into four teams, each of which serves for one
week each month. Because we function as teams, and we are doing God's work, we find
our job easy and pleasant.

When we talk of Stewardship, we talk about giving of our treasure, our time, and our
talent. If you have time you would be willing to give to Christ Church, we would be
pleased to have you become a member of the Altar Guild. We require very little in the way
of talent, just a willingness to serve. We hope you will feel called to join us in this
ministry; if so, please contact Charlotte Hoare, Fr. John, or Fr. Doug.

The Altar Guild of Christ Church was first organized on November 13, 1911, from members of the Miss Wharton's Young Missionary Society. In the
early years, dues were collected from members in the amount of $1.00 per year. In some years, Active members were exempt and only Honorary
members had to pay. Dues were finally abolished in 1953.

Altar Guild Corporate Communion breakfasts were held in the 1930s and early 1940s, usually on Trinity Sunday. In 1948 a Silver Tea was hosted
by the Altar Guild as a fund-raiser. Linens and silver and hangings were on display and the use of them was explained by the priest. 500 formal
invitations were printed and sent to members of the church. The tea was deemed a great success, with receipts of $91.90 and a net of $85.00.
Also in 1948 the Altar Guild sold Christmas cards to raise money. The cards were based on a pin & ink sketch of the church. They sold 1305 cards
the first year. Another fund raiser was provided by a member who knitted baby socks and sold them with the proceeds in the amount of $53.00
going to the Altar Guild.

In 1952, the Altar Guild sold notepaper with pictures of the church for a fund raiser. Today the Altar Guild is fortunate to have been the recipient
of some memorial money which means we no longer have to hold fund-raising events.

In 1953 the church was being worked on and the Guild requested that the Sacristy be renovated at the same time. We are very fortunate to have
a good-sized space for our Altar Guild teams to work in. In 1954, as part of the restoration work in the church, each church group was asked to
present one of the new lights in the church at a cost of $135 each. More work was done on the church in the 1990's, and in 1990 the
Altar Guild gave $1,000 towards the restoration of the Ascension window. Services were held in the auditorium while work was going on in the
church. In 1997, the church was being painted and other work was being done and the Altar Guild voted to give $5,000 toward these renovations.
Again, services were held in the auditorium.

In 1974 it was suggested that church members be given the opportunity to donate money for flowers at Christmas and Easter to use in decorating
the Church, a practice that continues today. Church members also sponsor the flowers on the altar on a weekly basis.

Our Altar Guild is a vital part of the ministries of Christ Church, and we invite new members to join us and become part of our history.