Setting the Perfect Table
Romi Gottfrid
Parishioner
I love a beautiful table setting, whether it is for
a simple dinner or for a more formal and festive
meal. I love the thoughtful process of how every
plate, cup, utensil, and napkin has its place on the
table. I take pleasure in selecting beautiful flowers
and table linens for different occasions. Setting the
“perfect” table for every meal is an important part
of our family ritual, one that my three daughters
and I all enjoy doing together. So for me, setting
the ultimate and holiest table for Eucharist as a
member of the St. James’ Altar
Guild is one of the highest
honors.
I admit that when
I was first invited to
be a member of the
Altar Guild, I had
my reservations.
I had always
assumed
that
the Altar Guild
consisted of older
women fussing over
the proper ways to polish
silver and wash linens — in
my defense, I grew up in the
Catholic church where nothing like this exists.
Honestly, I was not interested in any part of that, but
when I begrudgingly attended a training session, I
was deeply humbled. The Guild consists of men
and women of all ages, taking meticulous care of
most everything used in a service, from preparing
the priests’ vestments to setting the most beautiful
“table” for communion for the whole congregation.
I quickly realized that the process of “taking off”
and “putting on” after a Eucharist is a holy service
in itself. I would arrive in the Sacristy right after the
9:10 a.m. service in my most holy and perfect sta