 Join us for the 22nd National Eucharist and Conference of the Vergers' Guild of the Episcopal ChurchThe Vergers' Guild of the Episcopal Church will gather for the 2010 annual conference and Eucharist on Thursday October 7th through Sunday October 10th at National Cathedral in Washington, DC.This will be the 22nd year that the Guild will come together for fellowship, training, business, and worship and we will be hosted and coordinated this year by Cathedral Head Verger Duke DuTeil and his wonderful staff and volunteers. This year's event will coincide with the National Acolyte Festival held annually at the Cathedral. This is a wonderful and festive celebration and re-dedication of Acolytes from around the country. This certainly will be a Vergers' Guild weekend not to be missed! We expect to have over 200 vergers in attendance this year so it is important that reservations and arrangements be made early for this event. This page is the central location for all information related to the 2010 conference. We will also be periodically sending out V-Happenings updates about the conference so be sure to join the V-Happenings e-mail distribution today if you have not already done so. Use the menu below of quick links to jump to various sections of this document. If you have any questions, please email conference chair Duke DuTeil at duke@vergers.org.
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Basic Conference InformationDates Columbus Day Holiday weekend in the US. Host ChurchWashington National CathedralThe Cathedral Church of Saints Peter and Paul Massachusetts and Wisconsin Avenues, NW Washington, DC 20016-5098 Mailing Address3101 Wisconsin Ave. NWWashington, DC 20016-5098 (202) 537-6200 Event ChairClaude F. "Duke" DuTeil, Head Verger
Washington National Cathedral duke@vergers.org Preliminary Conference ScheduleThursday October 7, 2010RegistrationEvensong Reception Friday October 8, 2010Morning PrayerWorkshops Noon Eucharist Business Meetings Banquet and Training Course Certificate presentations Saturday October 9, 2010National Acolyte Festival (morning)Free Time (afternoon) Moonlight Washington Monuments Tour (evening) Sunday October 10, 2010Vesting (All vergers vest for the processional but we do not use hats or virges)
Conference photo
11:15 AM Eucharist with processionConference RegistrationConference registration is available online through the Washington National Cathedral ticket office using Visa or MasterCard. Online registration is the easiest method of registration for the conference.You may also register the old fashioned way by calling the ticketing office at (202) 537-2228.
Early registration before September 1, 2010 is discounted to $200.00. After September 1st registration will be $225.00. After registering on-line you will receive a confirmation email and a follow-up email asking for additional conference information such as your church, diocese, and other pertinent information. Because of the many incidental expenses associated with a conference such as this, we cannot price individual parts of the conference. These expenses include transportation to and from the hotel, room rentals, meals and refreshments, flowers, tips, etc. Our hope is that all guests would register as a guest of the conference and attend as many of the conference functions as they desire. TransportationAirThere are three airports that service the Washington DC Area.
AutomobileAutomobiles are highly discouraged. Parking is scarce and costly in the Washington DC and surrounding areas. Hotel parking is $24 per day and parking in the Cathedral garage is $4 for three hours or $16 per day. Surface street parking is available but, depending on the time of day and other events, it can be quite scarce.Transportation Options while at the ConferenceThe Conference Hotel is located on the Metro Rail system at the Friendship Heights station (red line) which is a great way to move throughout the Washington metropolitan area.
There will be bus transportation between the conference hotel and the Cathedral at the beginning and end of the conference day.
At other times there is plenty of public transportation along the route between the hotel and the Cathedral. Any 30 numbered bus (30, 31, 32, etc) runs along the route. There should be either a north bound or south bound bus every few minutes at either location.
There are also a constant barrage of taxis along Wisconsin Avenue.
HoofWalking is a Verger's best mode of transport in all circumstances (unless there is a better way to get there). The distance from the hotel to the Cathedral is approximately 2.2 miles. This Google map shows the relative locations of the conference hotel and the Cathedral complex. You can use this map to locate other points of interest and service options nearby.
 HotelThere are a number of hotel options in the Washington DC area. If you choose to make accommodations other than the Conference hotel, it is advisable that you check to see if the hotel is accessible by the Metro system. Travel in and around DC can be difficult by automobile and parking is difficult to find and can be expensive.Conference Hotel InformationEmbassy Suites at the Chevy Chase Pavilion4300 Military Rd. NW Washington DC 20015 (202) 362-9300 Fax: (202) 686-3405 Metro Station: Friendship Heights There will be bus transportation between the conference hotel and the Cathedral at the beginning and end of the conference day
Reservations  The conference block of rooms is available at the rate of $199 for King-bedded suites and $219.00 for Double-bedded suites, per night, not including tax (currently at a rate of 14.5%). This rate includes spacious two-room suites, complimentary cooked-to-order breakfast and evening reception. Parking is available at a nightly charge of $24.00 per vehicle, per night (pricing subject to change). Reservations will be accepted up to September 10, 2010. After this date, any unconfirmed rooms will be released back to the hotel for general sale and will no longer be available at the group rate.
The contract booking dates with the Conference Hotel are Oct 7, 8, 9, 2010. An arrangement has been made to allow for making reservations at the conference rate for up to 2 days after the contract dates (Note: Wednesday October 6 is already sold out at the hotel due to another conference). This will allow you to stay through the remainder of the Columbus day holiday weekend. Reservations may be confirmed by calling the Hotel directly at 202-362-9300, or 888-324-2728. Please ask for the Verger's Guild of the Episcopal Church block to secure the group rate. You may also make reservations online at www.embassysuitesdc.com. Select the "Book a Room" link on the website, enter your dates and the Group/Convention Code VGU (note: this is an updated code as of 02/14/2010). All reservations must be accompanied by a first night room deposit or guaranteed with a major credit card. Individual reservations must be cancelled not later than 72 hours prior to intended arrival in order to avoid cancellation charges. Please advise your guests to obtain a cancellation number from a reservations agent or the hotel cannot guarantee a credit will be issued. You may obtain reservation information and rooming lists by contacting the Group Coordinator, Connie Townsend, at 202-349-2019 or 888-324-2728.
Rooms are available for check-in after 3:00pm and checkout time is 12:00 noon. If for any reason, rooms are not available when your guests arrive, the hotel will store luggage for you. They will also store luggage for those who may require a delayed departure. All suites include King or two double beds in bed room, and a Queen foldout bed in the front room. Please limit registrations at the hotel to people attending the Vergers' Guild conference. If you are bringing a group of acolytes, they are welcome to use the same hotel but please do not register them using the Vergers' Guild Conference group code. If you are staying at a different hotel with your acolytes, please arrange for alternate supervision so you are free to attend the Vergers' Guild conference activities. National Acolyte FestivalThe Vergers' Guild conference this year is being held in conjunction with the National Acolyte Festival. The National Acolyte Festival is held at the Washington National Cathedral every year on the Saturday of Columbus Day weekend. If you have never had the opportunity to attend the Festival you will find it to be a wonderful experience. This might just be the year to attend the VGEC Conference and bring you Acolytes to the Festival!Useful Documents and LinksGeneral Area Google Map - Good for searching for surrounding services and alternate accommodationsWashington National Cathedral Ticket Office - Conference registrations
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2010 Washington, DC October 7-10 |