Enhancements to Our Worship, Part 2

A sacristy is a room set aside to hold our sacred vessels, fabrics, and other liturgical objects. It is the domain of the Altar Guild and Flower Guild. St. Bart’s sacristy was built when the sanctuary was built—45 years ago! Due to a gift in honor of a donor’s parents, St. Bart’s sacristy has been remodeled!

The footprint remains the same, but structurally it can hold more, and our guilds can now keep everything in one place. Every surface, fixture, and cupboard has been replaced—it’s a beautiful and welcoming space! The centerpiece is the new piscina (see photo), whose purpose is to return the excess consecrated wine to the ground (not the sewer).

This is a working space, but it is also very reverent and spiritual. There is a beauty in orderliness, and in the connection to the traditions of our spiritual ancestors—all the way back to the ancient Israelites. Altar Guild members report that cleaning the vessels and putting them away in spaces made just for them is a joyful task. “When I was recently working in there,” said Cyndi McClelland, our Altar Guild president, “I was alone and it was quiet. I felt the presence of the Holy Spirit.” Both the Altar Guild and Flower Guild feel honored to have a space custom built for them to do their work. May it be there for another 45 years!

We can look forward to a sacristy open house on a Sunday during Eastertide. In the meantime, if you would like to learn more about the Altar Guild or Flower Guild, contact Altar Guild Co-director Cyndi McClelland or Flower Guild Co-director Bobbie Davis.



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