The Altar Guild Prayer

O, loving Savior, we pray to You to send Your blessing upon this Altar Guild and upon the work of all its members; give us your Grace that we may be loyal to Your holy church, and faithful in our care of holy things. Grant that we adorn and make ready Your altar, that we may learn greater love and reverence for all that belongs to Your service, and through all outward symbols come to a clearer vision of inward and spiritual truth taught by them. We ask this for Your sake, O Blessed Lord and Master. AMEN.

In this issue:

National Altar Guild Prayer 1

DAG Officers and Board 2

Stop and Smell the Flowers 4

CSI: Greenwood 4

Special points of interest: Announcing Saturday, April 20, 2013 Annual meeting at Church of the Mediator-Meridian Highlights from Saturday, April 28, 2012 Annual meeting at Nativity-Greenwood.

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O C T O B E R 2 0 1 2 V o l u m e 1 , I s s u e 1 O C T O B E R 2 0 1 2 V o l u m e 1 , I s s u e 1

The Diocesan Altar Guild

DAG is an organization serving all the altar guilds of all the churches within the Diocese of Mississippi. Its purpose is to instruct, assist, and promote the fellowship among altar guild members.

Membership dues are $20.00 per year for a parish and $10.00 per year for a mission. The DAG's annual meeting in April of each year always includes a short business meeting, a

program of interest to altar guild members, Eucharist, and lunch.

Our work begins with supporting the Bishop and providing for Diocesan Eucharists. The DAG will assist parishes and missions in the diocese with

the purchase of supplies and/or improvements to its sacristy; developing ways to enhance your worship; finding sources to order new vestments or paraments for your sanctuary; finding resources to purchase altar linens, such as purificators, corporals, fair linens, etc.; locating fabrics and patterns to make any of these special pieces yourself; assisting with a workshop in your church or sacristy by sending representatives from the

DAG to host a program from care of linens to proper candle care or basic altar guild tech-niques;

finding new homes for sacristy items or providing information on how to restore or refinish others;

practical suggestions for laundry and ironing of linens, and for polishing brass and silver as well as well as other topics of interest.

CONVOCATION REPRESENTATIVES Central: Laurie George 105 Pine View Drive Raymond, MS 39154 601-624-2402 Cell laree713@gmail.com Coast: Anne Heidelberg

607 Parkwood Dr. Long beach, MS 39560 228-864-3389 Home; 678-357-6635 Cell Aheidelberg29@bellsouth.net

Delta: Rebecca Lamb 407 Lincoln Avenue Greenwood, MS 38930 662-453-3864 rlamb2153@yahoo.com Northern: George Abbott 4744 W E Ross parkway #42-104 Southaven, MS 38671 662-403-0313 Cell geoabb@gmail.com Old River: The Rev. Margaret Ayers St. James Episcopal Church PO Box 494 Port Gibson, MS 39159-0494 601-437-4244 ayersma@aol.com Sowashee: Anne Milstead 3826 King Road Meridian, MS 39305 601-485-8613 Home; 601-479-7477 Cell eamlstd@yahoo.com Tombigbee: Rachel George 815 4th Ave. South Columbus, MS 39701 662-329-4836 Home; 662-435-0726 bygeorge01@msn.com

OFFICERS Mary Alice Bailey, President 361 Each Beach Blvd. Gulfport, MS 39507 228-863-4223 Home 228-263-2741 Cell grdngazebo@cableone.net Anne Heidelberg, Vice President 607 Parkwood Dr. Long Beach, MS 39560 228-864-3389 Home 678-357-6635 Cell Aheidelberg29@bellsouth.net Polly Marshall, Secretary 6509 Grandview Cove Raymond, MS. 39154 601-953-2980 Cell pmarshall3@yahoo.com Judy Johnson, Treasurer 1092 Johnson Rd. Osyka, MS 39657 601-542-5601 Home 601341-5859 Cell johnsonjlc@yahoo.com Judy Ketchens, Membership 1703 Beverly Dr. Clinton, MS 39056 601-981-5332--ext 1314 Work jketchens@sbli.com Alice Lancaster, Flower Guild 517 5th Street South Columbus, MS 39701 601-327-4209 Home 601-425-4026 Cell aslancaster@hotmail.com aslancaster49@gmail.com, pictures only Mary Jackson, Supply Closet 5919 Westmore Dr. Jackson, MS 39206 601-362-8573 MEJACK8340@aol.com Lollie Everett, Stole Project 100 W. Easthaven Circle Brandon, MS 39042 601-506-4126 lolieeverett@comcast.net thimblequeen@yahoo.com Kitty MacCullagh, Historian 289 N. Burke Long Beach, MS 39560 kittymaccullagh@cableone.net Laurie George, DAG Newsletter Editor and Webmaster 105 Pine View Drive Raymond, MS 39154 601-624-2402 laree713@gmail.com ms.dag.newsletter@gmail.com Cassandra Price, Ex Officio Linda Tolliver, Ex Officio

DAG Officers & Board

http://dag.dioms.org/

2012 Annual Diocesan Altar Guild Meeting Nativity Church — Greenwood, MS

Saturday, April 28

Alice Lancaster and Rebecca Lamb

The Very Rev. Julia

Cheryl Welch

Fr. Matt Rowe & Laurie Noble

Rebecca Lamb

11:00 a.m. WORKSHOPS

“All Things Beautiful Among the Altar” Flower Arranging Demonstration by Cheryl Welch

Chapel of the Cross—Madison

“CSI: Greenwood” (Church Screen Investigation) Significance of historical “footprints and traditions bones” revealed by

detectives Fr. Matt Rowe, Nativity and Altar Lady, Laurie Noble, St. Stephens

“We’ve Been Robbed ! ! ! ” Reflections on Sacristy Robbery at Nativity by Rebecca Lamb

12:00 Noon Celebration of Eucharist with Bishop Duncan Gray

1:00 p.m. Luncheon catered by Elizabeth Heiskell

Lead Culinary Instructor at Viking Cooking School

10:00 a.m. Keynote Speaker

The Very Rev. Julia Moore “A Meditation on

Mary and Martha”

Bishop Duncan M Gray, III and Father Matt Rowe

Laurie George and Polly Marshall

George Abbot

Lollie Everett

Rachel George

Mary Alice Bailey

Anne Heidelburg

Advent — violet/ blue

Christmas — white

Epiphany — white/green

Lent — violet or

unbleached

cotton and linen,

or burlap

Easter — white

pentEcost — red

Seasons of the

Church year

CSI: GREENWOOD

CHURCH SCENE INVESTIGATION

On April 28, 2012 at the Diocesan Altar Guild Annual meeting in Greenwood, Detective Fr. Matt Rowe and Investigator Laurie Noble led a group of rookie investigators on a quest for the true meaning and purpose of the church structure. What we learned was that the church structure is to house the ALTAR or HOLY TABLE and that most Episcopal churches are constructed in a CRUCIFORM church plan or in the shape of the cross. We physically enter the church through the NARTHEX (the bottom of the cross) and continue in the NAVE. The TRANSEPT (the two sides of the cross) separates the people and the pulpit and the lecterns with the ROOD (a step up), then up to the CHANCEL where the choir resides, and finally to the SANCTUARY where the ALTAR (top of the cross) resides. Imagine stepping in to the Narthex like we enter our life into Christianity and moving forward to the ALTAR for Holy Baptism and Holy Eucharist. Everyone partakes in these sacraments. We learned that there are five minor sacraments that could be partaken of: Holy Confirmation, Holy Matrimony, Holy Unction, Holy Orders, and Penance or

Private Confession. Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true, And with thanksgiving, I’ll be a living sanctuary for you.

~Laurie George~

S t op and Sme l l t h e F l owe rs our communion service. Did any of you notice a guild member removing the flowers from our communion service so that the altar could be adorned for a wedding celebration Saturday evening and who remembered to pick up the wine to order the wafers? I bet it was one of us. Lastly our board, what a great group of personalities. We are very different people with common goals, we want our guilds and our churches to grow and excel. We want to develop better lines of communication throughout the state and with the national altar guild board. We want to represent our convocations. Many of us are still learning, but our mentors are amazing. Bless the Bishop for making informed choices and for encouraging our efforts. Looking forward to seeing you all in Meridian next year. ~Rachel George~  

Over the years I have learned to savor the unexpected, those stop and smell the flowers moments that add joy to one’s life. This year’s Annual Altar Guild meeting was one of those moments. It is an honor to spend time in the company of people who glorify their God through their work with the services and objects of our worship. Altar guild people are often unselfish and unnoticed; we consider it our privilege to set services, arrange flowers and care for the vessels and our sacristies. I even heard a group of women discussing how they enjoyed pressing the linens; one of the ladies said it was a small thing and sometimes all she had time to contribute, but that it made her feel an integral part of her church and it was her gift to God. The conversation made me smile. Many thanks to the hands who made our meeting special. The church in Greenwood sparkled, the speakers were entertaining and informative - I have always been a Martha but sometimes I whine - and the food was delicious. Again the quiet, behind the scenes planning made all the difference. I wonder who saw to it we had candles and that glorious music for

Report from the Board At the Spring 2012 Board meeting of the Diocesan Altar Guild, on of the topics brought up for discussion was the overall condition of the pottery chalice and paten bowls used at Annual Council each year and at other Diocesan related Eucharistic Services when multiple sets of communion vessels are used. Many of the pottery pieces are chipped and cracked and have become unsightly and in some cases too fragile for continued use. It was agreed by the Board that replacements would be in order and considering the fragility of pottery, the board decided to pursue the option of purchasing metal sets. George Abbott, Board representative from the Northern Convocation, volunteered to handle this project and would report to the Board at their Oct. 2012 meeting on his investigative efforts. He has found a silver plated chalice and pat-en bowl sold as a set. The Board purchased one set which it will review and examine at the Oct 2012 meeting. If the Board ap-proves this sample set, then the Board will proceed to purchase another 23 sets and present them to the 2013 Annual Diocesan Council for consecration by the Bishop and will be used for their inaugural use at the closing Council wide Eucharist. The base of the chalice has a carved depiction of the Last Supper. The chalice and paten bowl are silver plated on the exterior and gold plated on their interiors. This gift from the Diocesan Altar Guild has been generously funded by them at a cost of approximately $2100.00. A photo of the set is attached for all to see. When Bishop Gray visited St. Timothy's, Southaven, in early Sept, George re-viewd the project with him and was able to show him the sample set. He was pleased and acknowledged that the pottery sets were looking a little worse for the wear and the metal sets would be a huge and lasting improvement. George has also engaged the ser-vices and carpentry skills of a fellow communicant and fellow vestry person from St. Timothy's, Southaven, Jerry Cassidy, who is constructing storage/transport cases for the sets.

~George Abbott~

ALTAR GUILD EMERGENCY KIT These are items and tools that should be used for emergency repair or cleaning:

needle and thread small scissors safety pins straight pins comb and brush hair spray nail file EMERY BOARDS clear nail polish toothbrush mouthwash deodorant spot remover lint brush shoeshine brush clear tape tissues

~Reprinted from the Diocesan Altar Guild Manual 2002~

SUPPLY ITEMS These are cleaning items and tools that should be kept on hand in the Sacristy:

MURPHY’S OIL SOAP hair dryer VASELINE EASY WASH sodium perborate CLOROX sharp knife chlorine free dish washing detergent (ALL) BYPASS (hardware store) cotton athletic socks paper towels silver polish brass polish pumice powder olive oil cigar ash whiting linseed oil turpentine chamois cloth

Calling all Marthas and Marys (Peters and Pauls, too) You are cordially invited to attend the

2013 Annual Diocesan Altar Guild Meeting

Saturday, April 20, 2013

Bookshe l f , Summer 2012 An Embroiderer’s Lament

The fringe on my frontal looks

frightful, The bulge on the burse is

much worse, The tunicle’s less than

delightful And the vicar’s becoming quite terse.

He tripped on the verge of the vest-

ment And strangled himself with the

stole And, somehow, the size of his

chest meant My bold cope had no

hope at all.

The alb and the orphrey are awful, My motif misfires on the morse,

The tassels are tatty – a drawerful

Had tarnished and looked very

coarse.

The maniple lining is sagging,

The veil for the chalice too small, The dalmatic’s dramatic but drag-

ging And I don’t like the kneelers at

all.

I cannot be ready by Advent

It’s all such a terrible strain,

But unclerical things that were said meant (Thank God!) they’ll not ask

me again. ~Frances Adams.~

From The Altar Guild Resource for the Diocese of Rhode Island

Mississippi Diocesan Altar Guild Newsle er 

Email: ms.dag.newsle er@gmail.com 

We’re on the Web! 

h p://dag.dioms.org/. 

Those of you who know of the ministry of the Rt. Rev. Steven Charleston will be pleased to learn of his spiritual diary Hope as Old as Fire, a compilation of meditations first posted for a year on Facebook before being published in this lovely volume (cover art by Suzanne Charleston).

Mary Lu Jarvis, former president of the National Altar Guild, sent this book to me while I was still in disbelief over the death of my daughter. I immediately turned to the entry that was written on one of those awful days when Dana lay in intensive care hooked up to life support:

I live a borrowed life on loan from God…The One who loaned me this life will not forget. God will come to claim it, calling me by name, a borrowed life returned, redeemed by endless love.

Through my tears, I searched for her birthday entry: I do not live the saintly life, far removed from mundane matters, but dwell down here with the

dirty dishes…monthly bills, sneezing kids….I need help in my chore-filled life, grace my routine to renew, a God who always stays late, to help on the clean-up crew.

Obviously, this book had been written for my own particular comfort, so I immediately searched out all the entries for dates of my other loved ones: my mother, two ex-husbands, my son, my brothers. Grandchildren who were near me had to read their entries aloud; others away got my phone calls and had to listen as I read to them, or received e-mails with significant entries copied.

I didn’t stop there, but hurried on to my friends and their significant entries. I laughed aloud at the entry of the May 1 ordination date, so many years ago, of my former bishop the Rt. Rev. Duncan M. Gray, Jr. (and former chaplain to the National Altar Guild Board); a date I had just learned:

I speak a word of respect to those who strive for justice, who still believe in what is right and true and good and work to make it happen….Thank you for confronting power to witness to what makes us free (this entry coming on the heels of the publication of a second book on Bishop Gray’s work during the Civil Rights movement).

Thus I gobbled my way through Bishop Charleston’s very fine book, barely stopping for breath, so grateful for another instance of God’s grace and comfort.

Only later, did I turn to the first page to begin reading and found that he awakes every morning at 4:00 a.m. for meditation and prayer. That he would not be surprised at the readers who read through his book as I did, grasping--no, gasping--for entries most significant to where the reader was at that moment, and that we would finally settle down to quiet reading and contemplation of each meditation, helped by the index in the back that gives further meaning to why it was written.

No one handles the language as beautifully as Bishop Charleston. He is a pleasure to read; a pleasure to hear, as all can attest who heard his keynote address to the National Altar Guild, during the 2006 General Convention in Columbus, Ohio.

He said then that we as altar guild workers “prepare for the Eucharist in the crossfire of the church….We have to stand firm in the chaos of race, injustice, war, sex, poverty; we have to be in the crossfire and not build forts around ourselves, not seek boxes of safety with people of our own kind. We have to keep arguing….to build understanding….”

There is something rich in knowing that we are prayed for collectively each morning by this bishop. He knows who we are. We would do well to pray one of his prayers with him each morning, as well:

God bless the church; our traveling tribe, out motley crew, caravan of the conflicted and courageous, stumbling toward paradise, the hurt and the hopeful, wounded healers, singing along the way….your quarreling brood, your stubborn flock, your love living for love, your dream of what might be.

Buy this book. Find a blessing on every page. ~Polly Marshall~

Reprinted by permission of the National Altar Guild

Preparing for the Annual Meeting The Annual Meeting of the Diocesan Altar Guild shall be held in the Spring. A date and place shall be set by the Board and approved by the Bishop. The DAG will publicize the Annual Meeting in three places: At the Annual Council Meeting by providing flyers at the Annual Altar Guild Booth.

Although registration forms will be at the booth, it is hoped that everyone has registered by this late January-early February meeting. Board members will also be on hand to answer questions.

Through the Diocesan Altar Guild Newsletter. The newsletter editor will devote an issue to the meeting and will need time in which to assemble articles, biographies, pictures, and information of all kinds . Please get the information to her in plenty of time for her to have the newsletter completed by the first of January (by December 15, if possible).

Through a lengthy article in the Episcopalian, written by the Diocesan Altar Guild’s publicity chair. She will need to know the names of the persons conducting the workshops because the article(s) will have to be received by the last of December in order to make the February issue.

If your parish hosts this meeting, you will need several committees:

Publicity Hospitality/Registration/Name Tags Friday Night Reception Breakfast Luncheon Eucharist Hostess/Greeters/“Go-fers” Program Posters and Signs Decorations Workshop Presenters and Set-Up Crew “Shopping Mall” (if you allow of the churches or persons to sell their wares; people love to

buy things that they cannot finds at home.) One over-all Chair person to whom all other chairs report For each committee:

Chair/Co-chair Estimated expenses Source of funding How many person needed to get this done Menu, if applicable Sources needed

DAG: Looking Back and Looking Ahead Presiding Bishop John Maury Allin and Mississippi Bishop Duncan Montgomery Gray, Jr., both sponsored the

creation of the Mississippi Diocesan Altar in 1981. Founding lay members were Mrs. J.W. Karpf (St. Francis of Assisi, Philadelphia); Mrs. Jerald Nations (Redeemer, Brookhaven); Mrs. R. H. Wells (St. Columb’s, Jackson); and convoca-tion representatives, Mrs. Marvin Cutler (All Saints, Grenada); Mrs. C.N. Cannon, St. Francis of Assisi, Philadelphia); Mrs. W.W. Ramsey (Holy Trinity, Vicksburg); Mrs. George Lingle (St. John’s, Ocean Springs); and Mrs. E. S. Van Cleve (St. Stephen’s, Indianola). Bishop Gray, Jr. had called these women from all over the Diocese and they answered. With Bishop Gray’s approval of all they had planned, they rapidly adopted by-laws and elected officers. With this framework in place, they proceeded to adopt the Chapel of Gray Center as their first responsibility. Over a weekend at that location, these energetic women transformed a somewhat neglected sacristy and sanctuary into a model of perfection. All linens, silver, brass, and silks were washed, polished and stored for future use. This ministry continues today.

Over time, the Diocesan Altar Guild would flourish, bringing women, and, yes, altar guild men, into gather-ings all over the diocese to share the work of God’s ministry. The DAG ladies would supply stoles for the newly or-dained deacons; they crafted banners for each convocation; they supplied speakers for meetings; printed their own altar guild handbook with materials supplied by altar guilds in the diocese; and during the aftermath of Katrina, they worked closely to supply altar guild items needed by the coastal community parishes.

They would form a newsletter whereby more established parishes could be of use to young churches and mis-sions. One such newsletter, edited by Jan Smith (Chapel of the Cross, Madison) during her term as president of the DAG, would win an award from the National Altar Guild as the best of its kind, and Jan would become president of the Province IV Altar Guild as well.

Other presidents of DAG also received national attention: In 1982, Donna Lydick (St. James, Jackson) was on the General Convention agenda; In 2000, Polly Marshall (Church of the Creator, Clinton) began her training to become managing editor of the National Altar Guild newsletter Epistle, a position she held until she became 1st Vice-president of that organization. She still serves as proof editor of Epistle and writes the book column.

Judy McLarty (Chapel of the Cross, Madison) began a three-year term as president of the National Altar Guild and during her term the history of the National Altar Guild would be written. Bishop Duncan Gray, Jr. served the Na-tional Altar Guild as Chaplain during Judy’s term, and he and Mrs. Gray attended all Executive Board meetings, giving their support and spiritual leadership. One meeting was held at Sewanee, much to the delight of the Board members, many of whom had never been on that campus. The Grays entertained them in their mountain home as well, creating bonds in that special way they have. They also attended the National Altar Guild meeting held during General Conven-tion in Minneapolis, thus adding to the much held belief that the Diocese of Mississippi is “Family.”

One presiding bishop, three bishops, nine DAG presidents and four co-chairs later, the Diocesan Altar Guild is still going strong, not quite the “silent ministry” as we used to be, and now taking our own names as our professional ones, we still seek to support one another and to glorify God in our altar guild work.

In the fall of 2011, the DAG celebrated its 30th birthday, more than just a milestone, at the Annual Meeting in Gulfport at St. Peter’s by the Sea. We have a new president, Mary Alice Bailey, who completes for us this cycle of DAG duty, as she was installed by our current bishop, Duncan Gray III, the son of our dear bishop who set this organization in motion so many years ago.

Thanks to all who have joined us over these thirty years, and special thanks to our past presidents and to their hardworking boards:

Donna Lydick (St. James’, Jackson); Co-chairs: Carolyn Ramsey, deceased (Holy Trinity, Vicksburg); Butchie Nations, deceased (Redeemer,

Brookhaven); Margaret Webb Guerriero, deceased (Christ Church, Vicksburg); Libber Ewing (St. James, Anguilla); Carmen Montgomery ( St. Paul’s, Columbus); Mary Ann Jones (Trinity, Natchez); Judy McLarty (Chapel of the Cross, Madison); Polly Marshall (Church of the Creator, Clinton); Jan Smith (Chapel of the Cross, Madison); Co-chairs: Cassandra Price (St. Albans, Bovina); Linda Tolliver (St. Mary’s, Vicksburg); Current president: Mary Alice Bailey (St. Peter’s by the Sea, Gulfport).

~Donna Lydick -St. James, Jackson~

Nat i o n a l A l t a r G u i l d A s s o c i a t i o n National Altar Guild Prayer

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 Sa-

cred Gifts which are being of-

fered to You.

As I handle holy things, grant

that my whole life may be illu-

minated 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.

Mississippi Diocesan Altar Guild Newsle er 

Email: msdagnewsle er@gmail.com 

We’re on the Web! 

www.dioms.org 

Send your ar cles and new to the Altar Guild Mississippi 

Diocesan Altar Guild Newsle er Email: 

ms.dag.newsle er@gmail.com 

We’re on the Web! 

h p://dag.dioms.org/. 

The purpose of the National Altar Guild Association, in accordance with its bylaws, is: 1. To unite all altar guilds, encouraging and deepening the spiritual life of the members

so that worship to Almighty God in His church may be offered in the beauty of holiness.

2. To represent the altar guild ministry at all levels (national, provincial, diocesan, parish, etc.) to The Presiding Bishop, and, in turn, interpret his wishes regard altar guild function and activities to all altar guild members.

3. To assist in the continuing organization of diocesan altar guilds and provincial altar guilds.

4. To assist all altar guilds through information, resources, and communication including a newsletter.

5. To support and assist the national church in meeting the ecclesiastical and mission needs to which it is committed, within the scope of the altar guild ministry.

The National Altar Guild Association has a diverse ministry because our members represent both sexes, all ethnic groups, all ages able and willing to assume the responsibility involved, and people in all walks of life. We encompass all degrees of ceremonial worship and interpretations of theology within the Church. We offer to the Church many individual gifts and talents such as needle art, flower arranging, writing, speaking, and teaching. The National Altar Guild Association has a unified ministry, even in its diversity, because our altar guilds and individual members everywhere share the common task of caring and providing for the altars, sanctuaries, and other worship centers of their churches. The Association is ministry-centered not issue-centered, so it does not speak out on any issue as representing the voice of the altar guilds. The ongoing projects of the National Altar Guild Association include: 1. Publishing a quarterly newsletter, The Epistle, which is mailed to all members and

many individual subscribers. 2. Making stoles for chaplains who serve under the Bishop of the Armed Forces. 3. Keeping an extensive collection of books and subjects related to altar guild interest

(needle art, flower arranging, liturgical history, and practice, etc.) housed at Nashotah House and available to any one through inter-library loan.

4. Planning the program for our triennial meeting during General Convention and soliciting times of ecclesiastical art to be displayed in our art exhibit.

5. Making available to members for sale items designed specially for the Association such as aprons, tote bags, cincture starters and purificators stamps.

6. When invited, providing speakers about the Association and its ministry for diocesan groups and other.

~Reprinted with permission of the National Altar Guild Board~