Baskets of food at Thanksgiving for the farm workers ministry

PREPARING A PLACE TO WORSHIP GOD: that’s the privilege of members of the Altar Guild who operate quietly behind the scenes, but who are an essential component in Saint Dunstan’s worship services. Members of the Guild serve God and our priest at all worship services, including weddings, baptisms and funerals. They prepare the chancel (altar area) for the services by setting the table (altar) with the linens, vessels, candles and fresh flowers.   In addition, they meet to launder and repair the altar linens and clerical vestments, polish the silver and brass, and buy the bread, wine and candles. It is members of this faithful group who, with memorial donations, create the beautiful flower arrangements at the front and rear of the church.  On special occasions they decorate with flowers the tall aisle candelabras and provide special decorations such as huge palm branches on Palm Sunday, and Redwood garlands and wreaths on Christmas. Teams of two or more prepare for Sunday services usually two Saturday mornings a month and clean up on Sunday.  Some members only arrange flowers and some only prepare the altar. Hands on training by the priest and a mentor makes for an easy introduction to this spiritual ministry for men, women and young people.