Sacred space—
set aside for the worship of God,
where our hearts can be open
to know His presence and His Love.

Yet such space is not confined
to church buildings,
for God is everywhere and seeks His children
in all places and times.

We are called to consecrate our homes,
our daily work, through prayer,
offered intentionally day by day;
making time and place for God,
sacred spaces where we can meet
with Him.

Then comes the challenge of letting God in
to the fabric of our lives;
so that His Love may fill us
and work through us;
so that our hearts become sacred space
wherein God dwells.

~Suzette L. Cayless

March 2007:

I am so humbled, to be chosen as your next Altar Guild Directress. I pray that during the next three years, with God's help, and your friendship, it will be an exciting time. I will be forever indebted to my predecessor, Barbara Parks, of Chiefland, who has made the Diocesan Altar Guild a viable entity for the Diocese of Florida. Please do not hesitate to call on any one of the D.A.G. officers, if we can be of any assistance to you. And join with me in celebrating our theme for the next 3 years:

"Seeking Solace in a Sacred Space".

For His Sake,
Janet Robinson

Directress
Janet L. Robinson
St. Margaret's – Hibernia
2150 Spencer Rd. – 10 F
Orange Park FL 21073
904 607-7010
margaretsetonf@yahoo.com

Vice President

Secretary
Jean Steagall
Trinity - Melrose
P.O. Box 43 - or - 127 South St.
Melrose FL 32666
352-475-1232
jwstegall@altel.net

Treasurer
Irene Crocker
St. George's – Jacksonville
17280 River Isle Circle
Jacksonville FL 32226
904-751-4030

Statement of Purpose

1. To unite all altar guilds in the Diocese of Florida.
2. To encourage and deepen the spiritual life of all members so that public worship to Almighty God in His church may be offered in the beauty of holiness for the extension of His kingdom.
3. To communicate with altar guilds of all parishes and missions in the Diocese of Florida.
4. To sponsor educational workshops throughout the Diocese of Florida.
5. To encourage and assist in the organizing or strengthening of altar guilds in the Diocese of Florida.
6. To meet annually in the spring.
   (Adopted – January 13, 2005)

The Steering Committee adopted the following (May 6, 2004):

a. Said organization is organized exclusively for charitable, religious, educational, and scientific purposes, including, for such purposes, the making of distributions to organizations that qualify as exempt organizations under section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of an future federal tax code.

b. No part of the net earnings of the organization shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons, except that the organization shall be authorized and empowered to pay reasonable compensation for services rendered and to make payments and distributions in furtherance of the purposes set forth in the purpose clause hereof. No substantial part of the activities of the organization shall be the carrying on of propaganda, or otherwise attempting to influence legislation, and the organization shall not participate in, or intervene in (including the publishing or distribution of statements) any political campaign on behalf of any candidate for public office. Notwithstanding any other provision of this document, the organization shall not carry on any other activities not permitted to be carried on (a) by an organization exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or (b) by an organization, contributions to which are deductible under section 170(c)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code.

c. Upon the dissolution of the organization, assets shall be distributed for one or more exempt purposes within the meaning of section 501 (c) (3) of the Internal Revenue Code, or corresponding section of any future federal tax code, or shall be distributed to the federal government, or to a state or local government, for a public purpose. Any such assets not disposed of shall be disposed of by the Court of Common Pleas of the county in which the principal office of the organization is then located, exclusively for such purposes or to such organization or organizations, as said Court shall determine, which are organized and operated exclusively for such purposes.

The following may be of interest to you:
http://www.episcopalchurch.org
The web site of the national church.

http://www.episcopalchurch.org/altarguild.htm
The home page of the National Altar Guild Association (NAGA).This can also be found off of the National Church's home page

http://www.io.com.~kellywp/index.html
This page is the gateway to finding the daily Lectionary readings.

http://orthodoxanglican.net/downloads/altar/PDF (note: no "www")
If you want a cheap altar guild manual (free for the printing), check this out. It is a 19 page manual, adapted from the booklet "Altar Guild Notes" by Constance Murray Ribble, 1952.

http://www.brutonparish.org/acolyte_manual.htm
Another free resource, if you're starting from nowhere.

http://www.vergers.org
The web site for the Episcopal Verger's group.Also very informative.

http://www.kingofpeace.org
My very favorite Episcopal web site. Even though it's not in our Diocese, King of Peace is just over the boarder, in Kingsland, Georgia. This is an awesome web site. Check out their information about walking their Labyrinth, their resources for other churches(including weaving palm crosses), and their online coloring book, for children!

Prayer of the Chalice

Father, to thee I raise my whole being
a vessel emptied of self. Accept
Lord, this my emptiness, and so fill
me with Thyself – Thy light, Thy
love, Thy life – that these Thy
precious gifts may radiate
through me and overflow the
chalice of my heart into the
hearts of all with whom I
come in contact this day
revealing unto them
the beauty of
Thy joy
and
wholeness
and
the
serenity
of Thy peace
which nothing can destroy