Description of Altar Guild Program and Activity:

• Assisting clergy as requested.
  
• Caring for vessels, linens, vestments, and furnishings as required for regular services or special occasions.
  
• Total number of members: 15
  
• We have 2 member teams and each team has Altar Duty every 6th Week.
  
• The Director fills in on any of the teams when needed. We have 2 members that have agreed to substitute. It would be better if we had at least 3 substitutes. Two members are currently on the inactive list and hope to soon be moved to the substitute list.
  

Budget: Altar Guild needs are primarily met by the generous contributions of parishioners for flowers and memorials. Additionally, St. Francis Church Vestry includes our Guild in the "Vestments and Worship Material" line of the general budget when contributions do not cover expenses.

Source of Income: Sale of Ordo Kalendars to members of the Parish. Memorials through the year and especially at Easter and Christmas pay for flowers. If members wish to recognize anniversaries, birthdays or any other special day in their lives we gladly accept money for the flower fund. Checks should be given to the flower committee members, Angie McCown or Nancy Critchfield-Jones.


2008 Highlights/Thanks/Recognition:

• C.J. Wright continues her dedicated service as Secretary of the Altar Guild and updating the Altar Guild Handbook.
  
• Nancy Critchfield-Jones is the Treasurer for the Altar Guild and we all submit our receipts for reimbursement to her. Nancy also orders the Ordo Kalendars for the church and keeps track of the sales. This is in addition to her regular Altar Guild duties.


• Special thanks to Elaine Williams. Elaine keeps track of the communion wafer supply and purchases them as needed.
  " Angie and Steve McCown take care of the setup arrangements in the church for all baptismal services.
  
• Thanks to Chris Denslow for assisting in purchase and delivery of the Christmas poinsettias and Easter lilies this past year.
  
• This year we unfortunately required our communion chalice be repaired. I took it to Benold's Jewelry Store on Anderson Lane and Mr. David Runnels not only assisted us in getting it repaired but he also did not charge us for the service. Usually this type of repair cost about $150. The actual repair was done by a Benold's artisan whose name is Moses. May God Bless David, Moses and Benold's Jewelry Store.
  
• Special thanks and recognition to all the unofficial members of the Altar Guild - the husbands of our members. We appreciate their help in lifting some of the heavy objects.
  

Plans/Goals/Needs/Anticipated Changes for 2009:

• Updating of the Altar Guild Manual due to some changes in some of the preparation procedures.
  
• To continue replacement of worn linens.
  
• Purchase of veils, and lectern hangings that are worn. The replacements will match the new Altar Frontals that were purchased in 2007.
  

Leadership Names and contact information:
Shirley G. Ellis