by Kenneth A. Holloway, St. Richards Episcopal Church, Round Rock, Texas ke[email protected]

Cheryl Cantrall, our VGEC Membership Secretary, says that sixty people have signed up so far to attend the 24th Annual VGEC Conference, beginning on October 11th 2012 at All Saints Episcopal Church in Lakeland Florida. This is where we share experiences and ideas, learn from each other, and celebrate our role as “Liturgical Logisticians” serving our rectors and congregations.

At this stage in the planning for the conference this is a great number of registrations. They are hoping to have over one hundred total conference attendees this year. Cheryl and Sid Glynn are putting on a “really great show” for us in October. Read on!!!

Thursday night, be prepared, if you dare, to try “gator wrestling” under the supervision of Tim Williams from Gatorland. It’s a simple strategy, grab the gator by the tail, pull it into the sand pit in the middle of the moat, straddle it like a horse (long pants advised), catch its mouth while shut and hold it there, then roll it over and lullaby it to sleep. Come on. You can do it! Worry not, the hospital is just a few blocks away. Upon your return from visiting the medics, the hospitality suite and Vergers Guild Shop will be open at the Terrace Hotel.

Friday, after Margaret McLarty’s President’s Report to the guild, there’s a workshop for you, from Verger 101, to baking your own Eucharistic bread, planning for parish security, developing a Liturgical Committee plan, or how one might meet a new priest who is unsure about the verger’s role in the parish liturgy.

At lunch we’ll welcome the Rt. Rev. Greg Brewer for our Keynote address. Later, we’ll travel by bus for award-winning Spanish/Cuban cuisine, at the Columbia Restaurant in Ybor City, Tampa featuring their famous flamenco dance floor show.

Saturday, after learning about The Order of St. Luke and our annual business meeting, stroll through the city using the Lakeland Walking Map and later, make your way out to the Lone Palm Golf & Country Club for the awards banquet, tropical style.

Sunday morning, after vesting, the official conference group photograph will be made. Then we’ll get organized for the Procession of Vergers at the Choral Eucharist. After the service, farewell and best God’s Speed home to prepare for our Nashville Conference next year.

A few administrative details:

• Those needing special diet should notify Cheryl Cantrall or Syd Glenn.
• No coconut bras on guys at the Saturday banquet, otherwise best tropical atire.
• Whether you are flying to Tampa or Orlando, the travel to Lakeland will take around 90 minutes whether by Super Shuttle or rental car. Tampa, generally has lighter traffic.
• Great deal at the conference hotel, $89 per night!!!
• Shout out to Bill Gleason and Scott Smith for overhaul of the Vergers Guild Shop. More on that later.

Conference details: vergers.org/conference/2012 

The Terrace Hotel, 329 East Main Street, Lakeland, FL  33801, 863.688.0800, terracehotel.com

Conference Chair - Cheryl Cantrall,  [email protected] , 863.644.9806

Co-Chair and Registration Coordinator - Sid Glynn, [email protected] , 863.644.5170