As NAGA president I have attended several Diocesan Altar Guild meetings, spoken by phone and e-mail with NAGA members and nonmembers. I have received requests for letters of commendation for people who have served on altar guilds for over 70 years, some within the same parish. It is obvious that across this country there are many dedicated women and men who enjoy serving their church community by working behind the scene with the altar guild. Some churches are blessed with many dedicated Altar Guild members, while other churches struggle with only two or three. I have been continually impressed with the people who belong to this dedicated group.

At the first Executive Board meeting of my presidency, held in late October 2006, we decided to honor Barbara Gent for her many years of faithful service to the National Altar Guild Association. With this in mind, we established the Helen Loring Award, to be given to a NAGA member who has not served as President but has worked tirelessly to further the work of this organization. We presented this award to Barbara in February 2007.

I represented NAGA at the investiture of Katherine Jefferts Schori as the Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church at the National Cathedral in November 2006. The service was beautiful and inspiring, and it was a pleasure to represent NAGA.

The National Altar Guild Association holds its convention in conjunction with the General Convention of the Episcopal Church. We come together to learn, rekindle old friendships, make new friends and have a good time. Oh yes, and work. We give two great gifts to General Convention: We organize the Ecclesiastical Art Exhibit and, at the Convention’s pleasure, we serve as altar guild for the daily worship services. This year, we delivered both gifts superbly.

The board met prior to registration and the opening dinner on Thursday, July 9th. The board voted to raise the membership dues to $35.00 for individual members and parishes, and $65.00 for diocesan membership. The dues increase will allow a small salary increase for our Epistle layout specialist.

At our business meeting, officers and board members presented reports. New officers were elected: President, Jane Ames; First Vice President, Katrina Packard; Second Vice President, John York; Secretary, Connie Castillo; Treasurer, Lynn Hendricks; and Nominating Chairperson, Dolores Miller. These new NAGA officers were installed by Bishop High, Suffragan Bishop of the Diocese of Texas, at St. John’s Pro Cathedral in downtown Los Angeles.

Also, during our business meeting, a motion to make an Endowment Fund donation in honor of Barbara Gent from the National Altar Guild Association passed unanimously. The meeting then adjourned.

You will read many articles in this issue of Epistle of the happenings at convention. In addition, I want to thank everyone who had a hand in making the Altar Guild Convention in Anaheim, CA a huge success.

What a privilege and honor it has been to serve as president of the National Altar Guild Association these past three years.