Stories from the First Cathedral 47

I believe in every sacristy and kitchen in an Episcopal church there is a little plaque that says . . . "Priests come and go, but the Guild lasts forever."

"Though the Guild of the Good Shepherd never owned the Guild House outright, it was built at the instigation of the women of the Parish and specifically to provide a place for their work. Women had been active in the life of the Parish since its beginning, though in the first years there apparently was no formal organization to coordinate their efforts. In 1864, a "Sisterhood" was begun, but its exact purpose is unclear. The earliest mention of women's project comes from that exact same year. "The ladies of the Church of the Good Shepherd will open for the public an 'Ice-Cream Retreat', the proceeds to be used for an organ for the Bishop's Church."' (The First Cathedral by Venerable Ben Scott and Mr. Robert Neslund 1987 pg. 194).

The Women's Guild at the First Cathedral has always been the backbone of the Cathedral to enhance the social life of the church and the instrument for women of all ages to feel important and worthwhile.

The current Women's Guild in most Episcopal Churches usually makes up two guilds. There is the Women's Guild, which inspires church activities and usually raises money for non-budgeted items. Then there is the Altar Guild, which is in charge of liturgical events, maintains the sacristy, provides altar flowers, and many other tasks that make the services special for the congregation.

I found out as a Dean, Rector, Priest-in-charge and vicar to always respect the ladies of both the Women's and Altar Guilds. The Guilds were the lifeline of the First Cathedral. Today the First Cathedral has both active guilds. The altar Guild has a list of twenty-four  women who rotate monthly and take charge of the altar. The Women's Guild already has a very busy schedule for August 2021. The next few weeks I will focus on the Guilds for tales from the past.