I will go unto the altar of God, even unto the God of my joy and gladness. - Ps. 43:4

The Acolyte Guild of the Church of the Advent serves God in the Church and in this parish by preparing for, assisting in, and leading the celebration of the public worship of the church on Sundays and Holy Days, and by helping the parish, through example, attain a greater sense of reverence of service and commitment both at the altar and in the community.

Qualifications for Membership
Any member of the parish from 9 years old up whose baptism is on record in the parish office and attends Mass regularly may apply for membership in the Guild.

Performance Expectations and Norms for Servers
Service at the altar requires the ability to worship while performing the duty of the assigned position. This means that, at the altar, servers may not be able to participate in the private devotions and acts of reverence that they may exercise when sitting with the congregation. Liturgical leadership means deferring one's private worship to corporate participation in common prayer.

Servers are also members of the Altar Guild and will be assigned either regular duties, such as mass setup or cassock laundering, or special projects, such as thurible cleaning or polishing which are done in preparation for the Christmas and Holy Week celebrations. These duties will be assigned after consultation with the Warden and Sacristan.

While each server brings his or her own gifts to public worship, anonymity at the altar – in both appearance and conduct – is the standard for everyone. Servers are requested to wear white shirts, black shoes and hose, and no visible jewelry other than wedding rings or wristwatches (religious medals may be worn over the cassock but under the cotta). The parish will normally provide cassock and cotta; however, if the server has a special need, or would prefer his or her own cassock, this may be purchased at the server's own expense in consultation with the Rector.

Service at the altar requires extraordinary teamwork and coordination; consequently a general rehearsal is held each fall to prepare servers, and special rehearsals are held before Holy Week and other special masses as the need arises. Attendance at these rehearsals is mandatory for all servers.