Welcome
Honoring Sacred Ways in Changing Times
Often we do something so long in the same way that it becomes sacred. In our home, work, church, family….the list goes on and on. At a recent meeting of the altar guild in the Diocese of Texas, many shared some of those “sacred” habits. Items placed on the credence table that were not used in the service, but had been there for as long as the altar guild could remember. “Sacred” ways of stripping the altar on Maundy Thursday. What “sacred” ways do you have in your church?
We are living in changing times. The unknown is all around us, and most often pushes us to adapt, to be flexible. Like stretching our muscles, stretching our minds will help us move in new ways, even as understanding sacred traditions may also help us adapt and allow the Spirit to work in us.
Highlights from Epistle
Silent Preaching
In the Episcopal Church, aesthetics matter. The surroundings in which worship takes place have their own meaning. In fact, we believe God intends these elements as what I often call “a visible sermon”…
Just a few weeks before the beginning of General Convention, NAGA was asked to help with Eucharist services for the House of Bishops and House of Deputies. NAGA went into scramble mode to obtain items needed for the Eucharist stations…
Emergency Communion Kits
On December 10, 2021, I received several emails from my NAGA board colleagues inquiring about my safety…Within minutes I remembered my Sacristy Shop hat and our Emergency Communion Kits…
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Connect with NAGA
COVID Resources: We have compiled a selection of articles and resources about worship and communion during this difficult time. If you have any ideas to share, we would love to hear your suggestions and solutions. Please email Marcia Himes. Click here to read more.
Seeking NAGA Representative for Province IX (Central & South America). For more information, contact Marcia Himes.
Contribute to a History of NAGA: In 2006 Barbara Gent researched and wrote a book spanning 73 years of NAGA’s history. Now, a second volume of NAGA history and the future of altar guild is in its infancy. We welcome any suggestions for inclusion in this work. Click here to read more.
Disaster Communion Kits. Should fire, flood, hurricane, tornado, earthquake or epidemic leave your parish unable to host Eucharist, NAGA will provide a free Disaster Communion Kit. If you need a kit, please contact Joan Konecny (or 936-870-5781). Click here for a video on how to assemble them.
Order your Epistle in living color. Members can receive their Epistle by email. Just send your e-mail address to The Rev. Larry Byrne.
Share your insights with others. We are happy to share your altar guild newsletter on our website. Please send a PDF of the current issue to our webmaster Betty Hinchman.
Who’s Who? Who are your current Provincial and Diocesan Altar Guild Directors? Please send current contact information to The Rev. Larry Byrne or Marcia Himes.