Our altar guild and ministry

Members of the Altar Guild at Christ Church Woodburn include (left to right) Frances Patrick, Jill Johnstone, Marilyn Pottruff, Lois Gurzanski, Bev Morrison, Judy Gurman and Debbie Kent. Photo: Judy Gurman
By 
 on May 7, 2019

Marilyn Pottruff

It has been said that the best kept secret in Niagara Diocese is Christ Church Woodburn. 

We are a little country church on Woodburn Road in the Hamilton East mountain area. We are a busy congregation of between 50 and 60 families and growing. 

Our Altar Guild group is small, volunteering with our time, abilities and dedication to provide a beautiful and appropriate setting for worshipping God. 

We work in pairs each week to prepare the altar by cleaning and polishing the vessels, checking the calendar for proper colours and arranging all the items in the correct place on the altar and credence table. 

We decorate the church for special services: Palm Sunday, Easter, Pentecost (all red), Harvest Thanksgiving and Advent through to Christmas; including weddings and funerals. We receive donations for memorial flowers at Christmas and Easter.

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Members of the Altar Guild at Christ Church Woodburn include (left to right) Frances Patrick, Jill Johnstone, Marilyn Pottruff, Lois Gurzanski, Bev Morrison, Judy Gurman and Debbie Kent. Photo: Judy Gurman

Why join the Altar Guild? 

It is a wonderful and rewarding experience to do ministry to the church and the glory of God. 

Our church has outreach programs – we have the community food bank with volunteer help and support, St. Matthew’s House, P.W.R.D.F. each month, a very active A.C.W. who support any fund raisers and church suppers during the year. 

In 2018, Christ Church celebrated its 180th anniversary with different functions throughout the year. 

The celebration began with a visit from Bishop Michael in April. Many items of memorabilia were on display. Bishop Michael was impressed when he picked up the Order of Service for his Ordination and Consecration from September 2007. 

We also held a British Tea, an outdoor BBQ with games and a garage sale on a beautiful summer day. 

Our finale was a supper with a special evening service with former priests and parishioners invited.

Marilyn Pottruff is a member of the Altar Guild and Organist at Christ Church Woodburn.

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