Do you ever wonder who keeps the sanctuary in good order? Is someone really responsible to make sure the hymnals and Bibles are all organized and facing the same way? It’s true. Someone takes the time each week to prepare the sanctuary for worship. The group who is in charge of this is called “The Sacristy Guild.” The work of the Sacristy Guild is to ensure that our sanctuary reflects the holiness and the joy that we all create together in worship.
In preparing for each service the guild members need to change paraments (Ecclesiastical vestments or hangings—they are hanging from each pulpit along with the covering of the altar/table in front of the sanctuary), set out communion ware, make sure the cross is in place, set out the Paschal candle if needed, mark liturgical readings in the pulpit and lectern Bibles, and organize pew hymnals and Bibles.
The Sacristy Guild also helps with placing artwork throughout the church, as well as cleaning the linens after a communion service, polishing the silver communion ware when needed, taking the wax out of the votive candle holders, and helping to prepare and then clean the homebound communion kits. We work with the Worship, Prayer and Spirituality Ministry; our pastors, Gordon and Jill; Amy Sall sends us instructions each week as to what needs to be done; our resident artists, Kari Miller-Fenwood and Rachelle Oppenhuizen; and Ric Beltran, our custodian/caretaker. With all of us working together, we prepare the sanctuary for our regular services, weddings, funerals, baptisms, concerts, and special events.
The members of the Sacristy Guild are Linda Tiemstra Cook, Judy Werkman, Michelle Gerig, Nancy Rock and Joyce Teusink. We would like to thank Rose Mary Cantor for her time of service with us. We wish her well in her retirement. If you have any questions regarding Sacristy Guild, or would like to help in any way, please contact Joyce Teusink, chairperson of Hope Church Sacristy Guild. In closing, the word “sacristy” stems from the Latin “sacer,” or “sacred.” It is our humble privilege to be a part of the preparation of the sanctuary, trying to maintain a sacred and holy place for worship. To God be the glory—Shalom from the Sacristy Guild.
~Joyce Teusink, Sacristy Guild chair