Polishing Brasses and Silver

Ridley and Diane Kessler

When we first volunteered to polish the church altar brass some 18 years ago, we looked on it as an opportunity to do something for the Altar Guild and the church. Little did we realize just what we were letting ourselves in for! We have polished brass for weddings and for funerals, as well as for regular Altar Guild rotations. Our primary responsibility is the church candlesticks, but we also have polished the altar cross, the processional cross, flower containers, and the candleholder for the Paschal candle.

In the midst of all this polishing we have received much more than we have ever given. Working with the Altar Guild is an experience that is both public and private, both significant and mundane. Most of the duties and activities are out of the limelight and shared only with other Altar Guild members and God. We have joined in fellowship with a group of dedicated men and women who take great joy in maintaining our common worship space.

In addition to the brasses polished regularly by the Kesslers, Altar Guild team members keep chalices, patents, flagons, ciboria, alms basins, and baptismal ewers clean and polished for each service (810 in 2003.)

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The deadline is the first Thursday of the preceeding month.

© 2004 The Chapel of the Cross