Holy Ghost Orthodox Church Altar Society
The Altar Society has been in existence almost as long as Holy Ghost Church. It began as a group of ladies interested in maintaining the Church Altar, including the cloths and vestments, and tending to other Church details for the Priest. In 1985 the name was changed to the Altar Society. The Society supports the goals of the Orthodox Christian faith, contributes to the beautification of Holy Ghost Church, and supports a wide range of parish activities.
The Altar Society continues to maintain the Altar, contributing to the purchase and care of Altar cloths, liturgical vestments, dalmatics and donating new items or refurbishments as needed. The Society has been a major contributor to many Church events and special projects, donating the stained glass Door of St. Gregory, supporting the past Church Van, Day Care, Air Conditioning and Church Painting Funds and assisting with food preparation for Festivals and other Church events.
Among the many ongoing donations are information packets about the Church and Orthodoxy, flowers for the Church when needed, contributions towards the fees for the annual Altar Boy Retreat, icons for new Church members and gifts for Sunday school students. The Society contributes to the Orthodox Christian Mission Fund and the Distinguished Diocesan Donor program and to certain local charities. Recently, the Society organized a knitting group that meets monthly to make blankets and clothing for orphans in Russia and the Ukraine.