Russell C. "Russ" Fox, a long-time member and friend of the Vergers' Guild of the Episcopal Church died on Monday February 22, 2010 at his home in Wheaton, IL following a brief battle with lung cancer. He was 91. Russ has been a member of the Guild since 1999 and has attended many Guild conferences and meetings over the years.

According to the family, he was diagnosed with lung cancer in July of this year and his last activities as a verger were in September before he went into treatment.

A memorial service celebrating his life is planned for Saturday March 20, 2010 at 10:30 a.m. at Trinity Episcopal Church, 130 N. West Street, Wheaton, IL 60187. Interment will be in Trinity's columbarium. Contributions in his memory may be made to Trinity Episcopal Church with the notation "Russ Fox Memorial Fund."

May he rest in peace from his labors.

The 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 22^nd 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!.

In an effort to provide support and assistance to our brothers and sisters in Haiti, the Board of the Vergers' Guild of the Episcopal Church has approved a contribution $500 to the Episcopal Relief and Development's Haiti Relief Fund.

John Borland, a Verger at Gethsemane Cathedral in Fargo, North Dakota and member of the Vergers' Guild of the Episcopal Church, died on January 9, 2010. He had became ill suddenly and died while undergoing emergency surgery.

For additional information, please contact:

Chris Golding, Head Verger
Gethsemane Cathedral
3600 25th Street South

The Vergers' Guild of the Episcopal Church celebrated the start of the second decade of the twenty-first century with the launch of their brand new web site at www.vergers.org.

According to Scott Smith, Guild Web Master, "This is a significant step forward for the Guild's communication abilities from where we have been in the past. Along with our new V-Happenings e-mail news distribution service, the new site will keep our membership and interested parties up to date about Guild activities in a timely, informative, and fun way." The new site has a new "Guild Shoppe Online Store" that features many products and services from the Guild that were previously unavailable for purchase online.

Guild President Margaret McLarty added, "The new web site brings a fresh face to the Vergers' Guild as we enter the new year. We have added some pretty innovative features to the site like V-Happenings and our new VergerTV video service on YouTube. Also, we have added a 2010 online membership map that shows our growing numbers as our total membership approaches 1,000 members."

In addition, all site content has been updated and re-edited for accuracy to be aligned with the current nature of the Vergers' Guild.

The Guild joins their sister organization The Church of England Guild of Vergers who last fall launched their new site as well at www.cofegv.org.uk.

The Vergers' Guild of the Episcopal Church held their 21st annual conference at St. Paul's Cathedral in San Diego, California on October 22, 2009 through October 25, 2009.