Good Samaritan Episcopal Church

Altar Guild

The Altar Guild assists the clergy, especially the rector, who is the head of the guild. 

We are called to be dependable, tactful, composed, and tolerant.  Our service is one of love.  Prayer is always the preface for our Altar Guild work.  We strive to do our tasks with reverence and our duties are meant to be inconspicuous and accomplished with full mindfulness of the meaning of the rites and ceremonies of our worship.

Our practical duties center around the altar, which is the center of the church.  We make sure it is vested with care.  We keep all the articles of worship clean and in good repair so that what we have, simple or grand, may be made worthy by our labor.  With devotion, our service to the congregation includes working in teams to set up for, and clean up after, the Holy Eucharist.  This includes setting the books the priest uses in worship.  We keep all linens, candles, vestments, and vessels in good condition.  We oversee the consecrated elements and safeguard their storage.  We assist the priest in whatever manner is required. 

We prepare for baptisms and serve the community by the stripping of the altar on Maundy Thursday in preparation for Good Friday.  All the elements, the water, and the oils are attended to by the guild. 

We also pray for one another’s needs and concerns and we enjoy socializing at our meetings and occasional outside events.  We’ve been known to gather in the sacristy to work together and converse about things personal, sacred, spiritual, and secular.

At Good Samaritan, we operate as a committee with quarterly meetings.  All guild members have an equal voice in decision making.  All interested persons are welcomed to our guild.   Male and female, young and old, are honored and accepted.  The guild is a consecrated ministry. If you are interested in joining us, please contact the Chair of the Altar Guild (via email) or any member of the altar guild.

Wedding Guild

 Since the celebration of a Christian Marriage is one of the most significant sacraments in the church and is a solemn, public covenant between the loving couple, we believe at Good Samaritan that we have a responsibility to help with the preparations for these joyous occasions when our church is used. 

We guide and assist in following the customs, practices and guidelines of the Episcopal Church and of this parish.  Many of these are listed in the Wedding Guild Manual.  We meet with the bridal couple to discover their needs and acquaint them with the articles the church can provide to enhance their ceremony.  Theses include the unity candle, candelabras, bridal kneeler, pew bows, music, bridal frontal, and Eucharistic Elements, if desired.

We attend the rehearsal and both assist and follow the directives of the priest in charge.  We make sure the readers, attendants, ushers, and other bridal party members know their duties.  We tell the photographers, florist, videographer, and outside wedding consultants about our church protocol.  This requires tact, diplomacy, and flexibility while still encouraging respect for the sanctity of the church setting.

The Wedding Guild makes drinking water and a small snack available as well as stocking the bridal room kit with items sometimes necessary for last minute needs.  We arrive early to set everything up in readiness for the ceremony and stay after the event to clean up and put things away.  We assist with flower and boutonnière pinning as required and make sure a place is made available for the guest book.  We also coordinate timing with the musicians or organist to ensure a smooth flow of music, the seating of the wedding party, and the entrance of the wedding procession.  We must also make sure that the license is signed following the ceremony.

The Wedding Guild is an outreach ministry to the community that extends Good Samaritan’s hospitality, support, and reverence for our worship practices while honoring the needs and wishes of those using our facilities.  We act as guardians of both the integrity of our church and the inclusive embrace of the Good Samaritan parish.

If you are interested in joining the Wedding Guild, please contact the Chair of the Wedding Guild (via email).