I will probably regret this later if I see garbage used at the service of Holy Communion in traditional Anglican churches. However, I offer this series of articles as an inducement for Anglican vicars and vestrymen to brainstorm about what resources are available in outfitting the church.

It is common in the Continuing Anglican churches for clergy to work secular as well as ecclesiastical jobs. Often, priests or deacons set out by themselves–but with the support of their bishops–to plant new parishes. Because of limited funds, it is often difficult to provide for some of the typical resources for the new mission. Paying $900 for a set of brass candlesticks, cross, and vases is usually beyond the reach of those who are in this situation. Missions start off small, sometimes with only the cleric’s family members, but will hopefully grow as the pastor reaches out to the community with the truth and love of Christ. After all, small beginnings in the way of accoutrements is only a minor concern if the deacon or vicar is doing the real work of spiritual ministry.

We wish not, however, to neglect the service of the church in providing suitable furnishings and instruments for such sacred purposes. But with limited resources, it may not be possible to be as discriminating as one would like when selecting the implements used in a new mission. This does not mean, of course, that the vicar should be careless or sloppy in selecting the items for worship. Instead, he should be intentional in choosing items that, though they may be modest, are useful, practical, not gaudy, and otherwise suitable for their purposes.

With this in mind, I propose to demonstrate to any interested deacon, priest, or vestryman how he may compile a suitable set of service items for use in a new mission. The “Poor Vicar’s Sacristy in a Box” is composed of items found in the typical surroundings of any American cleric and all of which may be purchased for not more than $100.

The Poor Vicar’s Sacristy in a Box includes the following items:

• Chalice
• Paten
• Host box
• Cruet set
• Lavabo bowl
• Lavabo pitcher
• Baptismal font
• Baptismal shell
• Ash bowl
• Candlesticks
• Candles
• Sanctuary candle
• Vases
• Alms basin

There will be additional add-on components that may be secured at minimal cost.

I will also feature in the future the “Poor Parson’s Sacristy in a Box”. This is designed for the mission or parish that has become established financially such that it can procure more suitable items for worship services than those in the Poor Vicar’s kit. These are still intended for those clerics and churches that have very limited funds, but who are able to allocate more than the meager amount necessary for the Poor Vicar’s kit cost of $100.

Please offer your suggestions and they may be incorporated into the articles. If you have found some inexpensive items that served your purposes well, please share your suggestions so that others may benefit. Keep in mind that our purpose is to outfit the church with tools for worship and to do so in a cost-conscious way but in a manner that does not denigrate the dignity of the sacraments.

The first item in the Poor Vicar’s Sacristy in a Box is a cruet set.

I purchased these cruets at the local Wal-Mart for $3.88 ($1.94 each). They are of plain clear glass; the stoppers are fitted with molded plastic to keep them tight in the necks of the bottles. Based on my testing, the cruets will each hold approximately 10 ounces of water or wine. This should suffice for the poor vicar’s mission congregation.

The tray came from the local Dollar Tree at a cost of $1.00. It has a silver finish, though you might find one with a gold finish in another store.

This simple cruet set will serve its function well at a fraction of the cost of those available from church supply retailers. The pair of plain glass cruets should match nicely with the host box that will soon be sitting on the poor vicar’s credence.

Poor Vicar’s Sacristy in a Box cost to date: $4.88

The next item included in the Poor Vicar’s Sacristy in a Box is a host box.

I purchased this item (which is actually a sugar bowl with lid) at the local Wal-Mart for $2.73. It is a plain bowl made of clear glass and includes a matching top. While the poor vicar might appreciate a brass, gold-plated, sterling silver, or gold host box, this one will fit his budget and reverently perform the job. However plain the box may be, it will not detract from the beauty of Anglican worship as it sits on the credence.

Based on my testing, the box will hold approximately 100 wafers. This should suffice for the poor vicar’s mission congregation.

Poor Vicar’s Sacristy in a Box cost to date: $7.61

The next item included in the Poor Vicar’s Sacristy in a Box is a lavabo set.

These items came from Wal-Mart for a total of $5.44 The bowl is a plain glass bowl that is available for individual purchase for $1.00. The pitcher is a small milk pitcher (apparently designed for a coffee or tea set) that costs $4.44. This set matches well with the host box and cruet set already in the Poor Vicar’s Sacristy in a Box. While the poor vicar might rather have something more elaborate, this small set works just fine. The glass is clear and has no qualities that would detract from the reverence of Anglican worship.

Based on my testing, the pitcher will hold about 8 ounces of water, much more than necessary for washing the vicar’s hands.

Poor Vicar’s Sacristy in a Box cost to date: $13.05

The next item included in the Poor Vicar’s Sacristy in a Box is a pair of vases.

These small vases are available at Dollar Tree for $1.00 each, for a total of $2.00. They are made of clear glass with a twisting decorative pattern around the sides. These vases are 8″ tall. Wal-Mart sells vases of the same type but 12″ tall for $1.97 each, or $3.94 for a pair. These small vases are good for placing on the gradine with small bunches of fresh flowers. The vases will not detract from the appearance of the altar in any way.

Based on my testing, the box will hold approximately 100 wafers. This should suffice for the poor vicar’s mission congregation.

Poor Vicar’s Sacristy in a Box cost to date: $15.05