ST. GREGORY'S ALTAR GUILD

Now as they went on their way, Jesus entered a village. And a woman named Martha welcomed him into her house. ~ Luke 10:38

Preparing the food, cleaning the house, polishing the silver, setting the table, lighting the candles -- things many of us have done in welcoming guests into our homes. Here at St. Gregory's a dedicated group of people -- our Altar Guild -- does the same things, week after week, COVID or no COVID, in preparing our space for worship, making our church home ready to welcome all comers and especially our Lord.

The Rev. Charlotte Collins Reed from the Diocese of Ohio articulated the work of the Altar Guild beautifully: "The work is the sacred work of preparing the altar to greet the risen Lord as our guest and making the church ready for those who will be Jesus' guests."

The members of our Altar Guild work quietly behind the scenes, preparing a welcoming space for all of us as we come, seeking communion with God and one another. However, it is not simply a ministry of service, but one of deep spiritual connection.

One Altar Guild member (also from the Diocese of Ohio) expressed it this way: "Altar Guild has been a ministry so near and dear to my heart because the quiet, reverent time spent in the care of the Lord's house and things have been some of my most spiritually connected moments...and I have been so grateful for the fellowship and support that other AG members have extended to me over the years." Many of our St. Gregory's members have voiced similar sentiments. At the heart of it, Altar Guild is a ministry of hospitality that truly makes a difference in our communal life.

(Our Altar Guild always welcomes new members. If you are interested in finding out more about serving with our Altar Guild, please contact our Director, Priscilla Miller at prismiller@bellsouth.net.)