Human Flower Project

Sunday, November 20, 2005

Flower Rota—Get with It

In places of worship across the world, flower guilds keep the social and spiritual “doors” open.

St. Paul’s Church

being decorated for Easter

Bedford, England

Photo: Robert Leggat

In the U.K. they’re called flower rota, in the U.S. flower guilds—the loose groups of mostly women who decorate their churches with greenery and blooms. The All Saints Church Ham explains this custom well: “We are anxious to add new names to the flower rota, as several people are no longer able to do the church flowers.  You do not need to be an expert in flower arranging – simply able to give a little of your time to make the church look welcoming and pretty. If you think you can do this, please contact Mary Gray (668204) or Melanie Melsom (668389).”

These small groups seem to require minimal organization—just someone to make a weekly phone call, perhaps, and remind Mrs. Thickett and Mrs. Barnfeather that their Sunday is coming up. Or Ms. Moss. That would be supermodel Kate Moss, who after public scandal and drug rehab has bought a house in the Cotswold and joined the flower rota of a local parish.

Flower Altar Guild, Holy Rosary

Toronto, Canada

Photo: Holy Rosary

Among social groups, these tiny service societies present perhaps the lowest barriers to entry (though we did have one irascible relative who purportedly was “fired” from the altar guild in her Lexington, Kentucky, church.) In the centuries when women were banned from the pulpit and even the deaconate, flower guilds were the only roles—other than bowed heads—for women. Alleluia, some things have changed though the problem of social isolation is still with us, whether incurred through celebrity, disgrace, or, in the case of our relative, eccentricity (R.I.P.).

For many years my mother was a member of the altar guild at her church. When her turn came to decorate, she would drive down to the old Haymarket (now a parking lot), buy inexpensive flowers, and then arrange them in oasis foam. For major holidays, like Christmas and Easter, all hands would be called in, to hang greenery or bunch white lilies around the crucifix.

Here is an especially fine account of a flower rota’s activities, written by Thirza Swindells from the Parish of Llandeilo Fawr in Wales. We cite it in full.

“Our small group of flower arrangers continued to ensure that there were fresh flowers in place for Sundays and festivals throughout the year (apart from the penitential seasons of Lent and Advent). On Sundays, there are flowers at the altar, pulpit and Lady Chapel with a small posy in the foyer. For the Festivals – Easter, Harvest and Christmas – we gather as a group and have additional arrangements in the windows. Last Easter, generous donations enabled us to make a lovely arrangement of lilies at the altar. With Christmas falling on a Wednesday we were able to decorate the church on the previous Saturday, enabling the congregation to enjoy the flowers during the Service of Lessons and Carols on the Sunday. For our Harvest Festival we were delighted that the Youth Group (GIG) decorated one window in a very original style!

Harvest Altar, United Reform Church, Wiltshire, England

Photo: Jim Downes

“It was with some apprehension that we contemplated another flower festival in July. However with the help and guidance of Gloria Davies, who chose the theme of Flowers of the Bible and made many beautiful and striking arrangements, and the generous sponsorship of members of Llandeilo Chamber of Trade, we enjoyed another very successful week. The Church ladies were responsible for the seven arrangements across the centre panels in the colours of the rainbow, God’s covenant with man after the flood. They also arranged the flowers in the porch and foyer which, together with the Llandyfeisant window, were in the Bardic colours (white, blue and green) to commemorate Lord Rhys as founder of the National Eisteddfod. A Gardening Club member made the lovely garlands for the gates.

“There is a flower rota in the porch on which we invite people to enter names. There are always gaps and, as a group we would like to encourage more people to join us. The more experienced of us are always prepared to assist beginners. If you cannot arrange the flowers yourself then donations towards the cost of flowers are always welcomed – perhaps for a special date you would like remembered? Church flower arranging can bring blessing to the arranger by providing a quiet, peaceful interlude and to the congregation by surrounding their worship with the beauty of God’s creation. If you would like to join us, please contact me on 01558 822494.”