Diocesan Altar Guild meets, and folds

The last annual Diocesan Altar Guild meeting was held on Sept. 14 at St. Clare’s Anglican Church in North Dundas, with more than 50 members of altar guilds from around the diocese attending.

After enjoying some social time, everyone gathered for worship with Bishop Shane Parker celebrating the Holy Eucharist, assisted by Archdeacon Peter Crosby, the interim Incumbent of the Parish of North Dundas. Susan Rutters provided music for the service.

“The Altar Guild is a lay ministry that serves God in His house by preparing the sanctuary for worship, maintaining and caring for the sacred vessels, altar linens and vestments and serving the clergy and the parish,” said Debbie Tweedle, a member of the Diocesan Altar Guild (DAG) executive.

Henry Reinders from the Canadian Foodgrains Bank (CFB) was the guest speaker, providing an interesting presentation on the important work done by this Christian organization to help alleviate hunger around the world. St. Clare’s Anglican continues to provide land adjacent to the church for growing and harvesting grains, with the proceeds from sales provided to the CFB.

A short business meeting followed the worship service. At last year’s meeting, Debbie Tweedle and Sandra Clark indicated that this year’s meeting would be their last, as they would be stepping down after 10 years as the DAG executive. No volunteers stepped forward to take over the executive roles, and so as decided at last year’s meeting, the DAG will fold and remaining funds in the bank account will be distributed evenly between five charitable organizations (Canadian Foodgrains Bank, Children’s Treatment Centre Cornwall, The Well, Hollyer House and the Council of the North) as voted on by attending members, Tweedle said in a post-event email.

She noted that the Facebook group will be “monitored for another year and that Jim McLean is still providing altar supplies.” Tweedle mentioned churches who have priestly items for sacred surplus should contact the Rev. Canon Doug Richards by email

[email protected] or by phone (613) 236-9149 ext. 19. She noted that items to be donated need to be described, clean and in good condition. She requested that churches with surplus altar supplies post them on the Facebook Group “with a photo and details of the item, including who to contact, in the Altar Supplies Album, under Media.”