Posts of News and Announcements

23rd VGEC Annual Conference held in Cleveland, Ohio

2011-10-30T03:42:43.903Z

October 2, 2011 by Melanie Neal, VGEC News Correspondent news@vergers.org

The 23rd Annual Conference of the Vergers’ Guild of the Episcopal Church (VGEC) was held Thursday September 29 to October 2, 2011 at Trinity Cathedral in Cleveland, Ohio. Over eighty vergers and guests attended from around the country including Canada. Ed Metz, Trinity’s Verger Emeritus and his wife Pat were conference hosts for the weekend and were supported by a large number of Trinity volunteers.

The conference began Thursday evening with a choral evensong presented in the Nave by the Cathedral Choir under the direction of Todd Wilson, Director of Music and Worship. Duke DuTeil, Head Verger from Washington National Cathedral, followed with a brief presentation about the damage from the earthquake weeks prior and the evening concluded with a dinner in Cathedral Hall.

Holy Eucharist was led Friday morning by the Rev. Canon Will Mebane and the conference continued with several workshops, group discussions, tours, and meetings throughout the day. Session topics included Verger 101 for new vergers, planning and coordinating special services such as the Feast of St. Francis with blessing of the animals, recruiting and training lay ministry volunteers, technology and the ministry of the verger, and the verger’s role in helping provide hospitality in the church. A reception hosted by the Very Reverend Tracey Lind, Dean of the Cathedral, concluded the evening’s festivities. Many vergers convened back at the hotel in the Guild Hospitality Suite provided by Guild Shop Manager, Bill Gleason.

Saturday began with Morning Prayer led by the Rev. Matthew T. L. Corkern, Rector of Calvary Episcopal Church of Summit, New Jersey and the newly appointed Chaplain for the VGEC. The business meeting of the VGEC board and general membership followed during which Pat Allen, head verger from Christ Cathedral in Lexington, Kentucky was elected to serve a second three year term as vice president.

The highlight of Saturday night was the Medieval Feast which began in Cathedral Hall and culminated in a multi course festival dinner in the nave of the Cathedral. Many of the vergers came in costume, there was a roasted pig presented to VGEC president Margaret McLarty, and an evening filled with music, dancing, and celebration. Margaret concluded the evening with the presentation of many new lifetime membership certificates as well as the certificates and virges presented to several vergers who completed the training course this year.

Sunday morning concluded the conference first with a special Dean’s Forum entitled “On being a Verger” (click HERE to listen to the podcast) followed by “The Vergers’ Parade” (click HERE to watch on VergerTV) with all vested visiting vergers following a bag-piper through the courtyard and into the nave for a special 11:15am Festival Choral Eucharist. Following the Eucharist, the vergers assembled in the Piazza for the official conference photograph.

The 2011 event was a great time for old friends to see each other and for new vergers to meet. The next conference will be in Lakeland, Florida and is hosted by All Saints Episcopal Church from Thursday October 11 until Sunday October 14, 2012. The 25th Anniversary Annual Conference of the VGEC in 2013 will be held where it all started back in 1989 in Nashville, Tennessee. We hope that you will be able to join us for both of these events. More information about all VGEC conferences can be found at vergers.org/conference.

Photos of the 2011 VGEC Annual Conference are located HERE.

Contact news@vergers.org for more information.

VGEC Appoints the Rev. Matthew T. L. Corkern Chaplain

2011-10-30T04:12:51.176Z

October 29, 2011 - At the annual conference of the Vergers’ Guild of the Episcopal Church (VGEC) held at Trinity Cathedral in Cleveland, Ohio, the Reverend Matthew T. L. Corkern was named chaplain by Guild president Margaret McLarty. Fr. Corkern was also recently called to serve as the 13th rector of Calvary Episcopal Church in Summit, New Jersey.

According to McLarty, “The Guild chaplaincy is a very important part of our organization and we could not be more pleased with this appointment. Matthew has a history of actively supporting the ministry of the verger as he has served in various parishes. When we gather at our national conference, it is fulfilling to have such a dedicated chaplain offer support for this unique ministry.”

Fr. Corkern is a graduate of Yale Divinity School with concentrations in Anglican liturgy and spirituality from the Institute of Sacred Music. He has served as Rector of Trinity Episcopal Church, in Mobile, Alabama; Canon Residentiary at Christ Church Cathedral, in Nashville, Tennessee; and Associate Rector at St. John’s Church, in McLean, Virginia. He is the father of the Guild’s youngest verger member, Preston Coke-Corkern.

“I am honored to have been named Chaplain of the VGEC and I look forward to working with the board and membership providing spiritual leadership and support. I foresee my duties to help proclaim the Guild’s message of service and hospitality throughout the Episcopal Church,” said Fr. Corkern.

In addition to fulfilling the typical roles of chaplain for over one thousand members of the VGEC, he will be teaming up with David Jette, Head Verger of Trinity Parish in New York City, to plan a 25th Anniversary pilgrimage to Great Britain in 2013. Over the past ten years, Fr. Corkern has led twenty-three pilgrimages to the British Isles and Western Europe. The vergers’ pilgrimage in June 2013 will be a spiritual and cultural journey across northern England beginning with a retreat on Lindisfarne and continuing with visits to the cathedral communities of Durham, York, and Lincoln.

Additional information on the VGEC 2013 Pilgrimage will be available soon at vergers.org.

For additional information, please contact Scott Smith, Communication and Technology Officer of the Vergers’ Guild of the Episcopal Church at scott@vergers.org.

New Guild Shop Site Launched with Six Liturgical Golf Shirts

2011-09-22T03:03:24.954Z

September 22, 2011 - The Vergers' Guild of the Episcopal Church announced today a new online store for the Vergers' Guild Shop. This new site has more products and better photos than ever before.

Guild Shop Manager Bill Gleason reported that a new set of six liturgically-colored VGEC golf shirts is available at a reduced price. "To celebrate the launch of the new site, we're offering the new liturgically-colored set of six golf shirts for $150 through the end of 2011 which is $25 off the normal price. These shirts are great for working behind the scenes at your parish or showing your support for the VGEC anywhere you go," said Gleason. The golf shirts are also available individually for $35 each.

The new site was built on the Amazon Web Store e-commerce platform that allows the VGEC to organize and display verger-related products in a much more professional and pleasing way. The store is organized with a new department structure that includes Conference Registrations, Accessories, Clothing, Jewelry, the Training Course, and a new Verger Regalia department focusing on beginner verger-related items.

According to VGEC President Margaret McLarty, "We are very pleased to have launched this new site as part of our overall web presence for the guild. Our ability to offer VGEC-branded items, conference and course registrations, and entry-level verger regalia items is very exciting for our membership. With the new site, everyone can see and explore the breadth of items that we offer much better than before."

The new site also includes the ability for purchasers to write reviews of products that they have ordered, allowing all VGEC members to learn more about the products before making purchases.

Visit the site today at vergers.org/shop.

A Verger's Update From National Cathedral

2011-09-04T14:51:01.494Z

Sunday, September 4, 2011 by Claude "Duke" DuTeil

Earthquake... Hurricane... If we see locusts and frogs anytime soon the cathedral may be looking for a new head verger!

The Washington National Cathedral took a big hit on Aug 23, 2011 when the massive earthquake in Virginia shook the east coast. The Earthquake did millions of dollars damage to the Cathedral - pinnacles have fallen, others are turned, the central tower is severely damaged (engineers will not allow ringing of the tower bells), buttresses are cracked, stones have fallen (one punched a hole in the roof), and mortar is loose and falling. Engineers, architects, and stone masons are still inspecting so the full extent of the damage is still unknown. Fortunately hurricane Irene merely skirted DC and did not aggravate the damage to the cathedral.

A spirit of interfaith cooperation sprang to life as the cathedral has closed its Nave until at least September 9th.

The Roman Catholic Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception opened its arms and welcomed the Cathedral to move its huge service as part of the MLK Memorial Dedication to their nave.
St. Sophia’s Greek Orthodox Cathedral has opened up their parking lot for cathedral employees for parking.
St. Alban’s Parish has opened up to allow weddings scheduled for the cathedral High Altar to take place in their nave.
The senior Rabbi at Washington Hebrew Congregation called the day after the earthquake hit and offered their sanctuary for the cathedral to hold Sunday services until we are able to reopen.

This has all been a lesson in cooperation from which people on the other hill in DC might well learn.

Currently there is a fence around the cathedral that will probably be in place for a year or more as work begins to repair the towers. An inch by inch inspection is being done on the ceiling of the nave. The plan is to string mesh safety nets at the clerestory level in the nave and transepts. Once the inspection is completed and the nets are in place we likely be cleared to open the nave for services. The hope is that this will be accomplished in time for the 9/11 memorial weekend events and services to be held at the cathedral.

For additional information, pictures, and to help in the restoration of this national treasure, please see dcquake.nationalcathedral.org.

Parishes Struggle in Wake of Hurricane Irene

2011-08-30T22:26:39.642Z

From North Carolina to Maine, Episcopalians joined their neighbors to clean up in the aftermath of Hurricane Irene. The Episcopal News Service reported that parishes along the storm path suffered various levels of damage and many Episcopal Church congregations in dioceses along the east coast canceled their Sunday services on Aug. 28 because of predictions that Irene would hit that day.

According to David Jette, Head Verger at the Parish of Trinity Church in Lower Manhattan, "We shut our doors and canceled all Sunday services for perhaps the first time in our 314 year history. I can say with absolute verity that this has never happened in my 26 years at Trinity." The rector and vicar of Trinity chose to close both Trinity and Saint Paul’s Chapel at 6:00pm on Saturday with no re-opening until Monday at 7:00am. Jette added, "Trinity was spared the worst of the winds but with the heavy rain, August 2011 has turned out to the be the wettest month ever in New York City."

A report came in through the V-List from Richard Lamlin of St. John's Episcopal Church in Essex, CT that power outages were common throughout the region. He posted on Monday, August 29th, "My town of East Haddam was clobbered by Hurricane Irene. I don't expect power before the weekend. I managed to get out to a friend's home with power and hot water and coffee! The church in Essex escaped harm, but still has no power. Keep us in your thoughts!"

Feel free to post any additional information that you might have about this event on facebook.com/vergerguild.

VGEC Yearbook and Conference Deadlines Approaching

2011-08-25T03:20:46.353Z

The new 2011 Vergers' Guild Yearbook will be closing for publication on Saturday September 10, 2011. If you have not already done so, please go to membership.vergers.org and login to upload your photo for the yearbook. To see samples of the hundreds of photos already uploaded for the VGEC Yearbook, click HERE.

As of today, there are 36 days left until the National Eucharist and Conference of the VGEC at Trinity Cathedral in Cleveland, Ohio. Early registration for the conference also ends on Saturday September, 10, 2011 so please register today. The cost of registration is now $200 but will increase to $225 after September 10th.

The deadline for applying for a scholarship to help defray the cost of the conference is September 1, 2011. For more information, click HERE or contact VGEC President Margaret McLarty.

Reservations at the conference hotel are available through September 15, 2011.

National Cathedral Damaged in Earthquake

2011-08-23T20:51:36.231Z

For a complete report from National Cathedral, click HERE.

According to Richard Weinberg, a spokesman for the cathedral, the Washington National Cathedral sustained damage to its central tower. Stones fell from three of the tower's four pinnacles.

Other reports indicated that three pinnacles on the 30-story-high central tower had broken off and were lying in the grass. "A fourth is leaning," said Weinberg. "There was other minor structural damage to buttresses and smaller pinnacles."

Weinberg added that the building was immediately evacuated and there were no injuries, he said.

Cathedral Head Verger Duke DuTeil reported via text message at 2:52pm EDT that he was OK.

David Deutsch reported the he was "...in the Washington National Cathedral when a minor earthquake occurred. The whole stone edifice was rocking. Nothing fell down, off, or in though. But pretty wild. The tourists fled outdoors. This was roughly 2:45pm."

Click HERE for a first hand account from the grounds of the Cathedral.

VGEC 2011 Conference Brochures in the Mail

2011-08-05T18:10:48.822Z

Watch your postal mailbox for a VGEC brochure with complete information about the Vergers' Guild 2011 Conference and Eucharist scheduled for the weekend of September 29 through October 2, 2011 in Cleveland, Ohio. This brochure has been produced in conjunction with the vergers.org web site and facebook.com/vergerguild page to keep everyone informed about the upcoming conference.

According to Ed Metz, Verger Emeritus at the host parish of Trinity Cathedral in Cleveland, Ohio, "This is going to be a great opportunity for Vergers from all parishes to come together for fellowship, learning, and getting to know fellow vergers from around the country and the World."

The conference organizers this year have worked hard to produce a large number of verger-related workshops and sessions that should be of interest to many. More information about the conference is available at vergers.org/conference/2011.

In addition to being mailed to over 1,000 active members of the VGEC, the brochure was also sent to over 7,000 active rectors, Deans, and Bishops throughout the Episcopal Church. Margaret McLarty, president of the VGEC added, "This is part of our ongoing effort to spread the good news about the activity and growth within the ministry of the verger to all who might be interested within the national church."

More information is available vergers.org on facebook.com/vergerguild.

Vergers' Guild Celebrates 1,000th Member

2011-07-31T19:45:24.909Z

The Vergers' Guild of the Episcopal Church, the leading source of information, resources, and fellowship for those who serve in the ministry of the Verger, is celebrating its 1,000th active member who joined the VGEC this year.

Bill Stowell, Verger at St. George's Church in Middlebury, CT was notified by VGEC President, Margaret McLarty, that he was the Guilds' 1,000th member. "I am thrilled not only to be a new member of the VGEC, but also that I've somehow made the active membership pass the 1,000 mark," said Mr. Stowell. "Our parish recently started our Verger ministry so this is all very new and exciting for all of us."

St. George's, a parish with about 150 active members, was founded in 1958. Bill's family was among the original church members and he was the first person confirmed in the church. He was an active acolyte during his school years and after serving 24 years in the Navy he returned to Middlebury in 1988 and once again became an active member at St. George's. In addition to being an usher, lector, and LEM, he has served as Vestry member, clerk, treasurer, and Sr. Warden.

The Rector Dr. William Hardwick worked with the vestry recently to authorize a the establishment of the new ministry of Verger at St. George's to assist the clergy with liturgical planning and execution and volunteer coordination. When Dr. Hardwick approached Bill about serving as the first verger for the parish, Bill said that he would be honored to serve and that he, "...looked forward to assisting Fr. Bill in making sure the services run smoothly each week."

The Vergers' Guild of the Episcopal Church congratulates Bill and the parish as they embark on this new ministry of service through the ministry of the Verger.

For more information about the Vergers' Guild of the Episcopal Church, see vergers.org or follow us on FaceBook at facebook.com/vergerguild.

Summer 2011 Trip Planned by The Mace Chapter

2011-01-03T02:27:51.561Z

The Walter Mace Memorial Chapter of the Vergers' Guild of the Episcopal Church has invited Vergers from the United States for a special event from June 8th until June 15, 2011 to tour one of the more historical areas of England.

The week-long event has been described as an "...unhurried tour of historic churches with lectures from local experts."

The trip begins at Hereford Cathedral located on the banks of the River Wye. The Cathedral is said to contain some of the finest examples of architectural excellence from Norman times including a shrine to St. Thomas of Hereford and an early English Lady Chapel.

Cost for the tour will be $1400 not including transportation from the U.S. to Hereford.

For further information contact:

Richard V. Evans, President
Walter Mace Memorial Chapter, VGEC
309 Fannin Drive
Hewitt, TX 76643
254.640.9602
evans.62@gmail.com

Verger Installation in Essex, CT January 30, 2011

2010-12-20T20:40:25.613Z

Richard F. Lammlin was installed as Verger of St. John's Church in Essex, CT on Sunday January, 30, 2011 at the Holy Eucharist beginning at 10:45am.

A reception immediately followed the service. Vergers were invited to attend and vest to take part in the processional. Please contact Richard at 860.759.4436 or rflam45@comcast.net for more information.

Vergers Celebrate Mikrut Installation at Philadelphia Cathedral

2010-12-03T00:41:46.153Z

Robert Mikrut was installed as Cathedral Verger and as Diocesan Verger for the Diocese of Pennsylvania on Sunday November 14, 2010. The installation was part of the Solemn Choral Evensong lead by the Youth Chamber/Tour Choir of St. David’s Episcopal Church in Wayne, PA.

Vergers from the VGEC in attendance included Sandy Burrell, Bart Evans, Patrick Mulhall, Kate Pendzuk, Eric Petersen, Scott Smith, John Townsend, and Richard Walther.

According to the Very Rev. Judith A. Sullivan, Dean of the Cathedral, “Bob’s ministry among us is a great blessing. We are so fortunate and thankful that God has led him to this service at the Cathedral.”

St. John’s, Robertsdale Installs New Verger

2010-11-10T18:24:02.081Z

ROBERTSDALE, Alabama

On Sunday, October 24, John Loeffler was installed as Verger at St. John the Evangelist, Robertsdale.

George Campbell,who retired as Verger last year, passed the Verge to John in a special ceramony during the church service.

See the article at The Episcopal Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast web site.

Three Vergers Installed at Saint Paul et Les Martyrs d'Haiti Episcopal Church, Miami, Florida

2010-10-29T22:41:28.674Z

Saint Paul et Les Martyrs d'Haiti Episcopal Church, Miami FL, in the Diocese of Southeast Florida celebrated the birth of their verger's ministry on October 24, 2010, with the installation of three vergers. The new vergers are Oslyne Gaston, Gregory Seme, and Armide Bastien.

An online photo album of the service of installation is located here.

Other vergers in attendance were Paul Dexter, Trinity Cathedral Verger; Harold Meadows, Verger Instructor, Raleigh K. Rollason Convocation of Vergers, Diocese of Southeast Florida and verger at St. Agnes, Miami; and Char Vinik, President, Raleigh K. Rollason Convocation of Vergers, Diocese of Southeast Florida and Head Verger, St. Gregory's, Boca Raton.

The Vergers' Guild of the Episcopal Church celebrates the new ministry of these three vergers in the Diocese of Southeast Florida.

2010 National Eucharist and Conference held in Washington, DC

2010-10-29T22:27:38.411Z

The Vergers' Guild of the Episcopal Church gathered for the 2010 annual conference and Eucharist on Thursday October 7th through Sunday October 10th at National Cathedral in Washington, DC. This was the 23rd annual meeting of the Guild since its founding in 1989.

Over 150 people attended the conference and it was held in conjunction with the National Acolyte Festival also being hosted by the National Cathedral during the same weekend.

Complete information is available online at www.vergers.org/conference/2010 including links to photos, conference videos, and several presentations and other conference materials.

Summer 2010 Verger's Voice is hot off the press

2010-09-03T13:40:04.236Z

The summer edition of the Verger's Voice newsletter is now available. Over two thousand copies were mailed to VGEC members, bishops, and rectors across the USA and around the world.

Contents include:

Join us for the 2010 Conference of the Vergers’ Guild of the Episcopal Church
Message from the Guild President
The VGEC Board Meeting in April in Washington, DC
Results of the Spring VGEC Online Survey
New on www.vergers.org
Board Elections and Appointments at the Annual Conference
VGEC Membership Update
Chapter Report
From the Verger’s Voice Archives
From the Training Registrar
CEGV – Vergers in the Church of England

If you would like to receive copies of the Verger's Voice in the mail, please join the Vergers' Guild of the Episcopal Church today.

An online copy is also available at www.vergers.org/resources/newsletters.

Bill Swinford Honored in Lexington, Kentucky

2010-07-12T14:36:52.173Z

C. W. "Bill" Swinford, retired from his ministry as a Verger on Sunday, July 4, 2010. Bill had served Christ Church Cathedral in Lexington, Kentucky for ten years. For the past six years, he has been responsible for recruiting, training, and scheduling lectors and intercessors.

Bill and his wife Anne plan to do some extra traveling now that they have an "empty nest."

Bill received a clock as a rememberance of his time served and also as a reminder of the time he now has to pursue other interests!

Verger Invested at St. Bartholomew's Hempstead, Texas

2010-06-21T04:08:46.846Z

Susan Lafitte was invested as the first Verger at St. Bartholomew's parish in Hempstead, Texas on Sunday June 27th at 10am. Dick Evans, the president of the Mace Chapter of the Vergers' Guild of the Episcopal Church and Dick Johnson, Susan's mentor from Trinity Episcopal Church in The Woodlands, Texas assisted with the investiture service.

According to Mr. Johnson, "Having been Acolyte Warden and a licensed LEM, Susan is prepared to do a great job as Verger for the Rector and people of St. Bartholomew's. We look very much enjoyed taking part in the service and celebration in Hempstead."

Please contact Dick Johnson at rtjohns@msn.com for more information.

Verger Leads President Obama at National Cathedral

2010-06-15T04:17:03.609Z

National Cathedral Head Verger, Duke DuTeil, leads President Obama during the Memorial Service

for civil and women’s rights leader Dorothy Height. Source: The New York Times

Vergers Honored at St. John's Cathedral in Jacksonville

2010-06-15T03:37:05.771Z

On June 1, 2010, Sheila and Tom Burrell retired as members of the Vergers’ Guild of St. John’s Cathedral and the VGEC. Both were charter members of the VGSJC and were installed as Vergers in 1995 by Dean Gus Welseck.

The Burrells recently recalled that In 1994, when they were asked by a member of the Cathedral if they would like to be Vergers, their response was, “What is a Verger?” They were given a pamphlet and started right away,

That summer the Burrells, along with 13 other new Vergers attended the National Verger’s Guild Conference in Clearwater, Florida. Over the years they trained and mentored Vergers, Acolytes, Lectors, and Eucharistic Ministers. The Burrells enjoyed their years in the various servant ministries and have found them to be challenging, meaningful, joyful, and deeply spiritual.

According to Kirk Altman, Head Verger of St. John's, "We wish to honor and celebrate their sixteen years as Vergers of St. John’s Cathedral in the Diocese of Florida and we are grateful for their deidcated service." A special service was held in their honor on June 6, 2010.

Trinity Episcopal Church in Wheaton, Illinois Mourns Verger Russ Fox

2010-03-02T03:55:15.227Z

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.

2010 Vergers' Guild conference details and online registration are now available

2010-02-08T04:56:40.991Z

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!.

Online registration is available at the Washington National Cathedral ticket office using Visa or MasterCard.

Complete information is available at www.vergers.org/conference/2010.

Support for our Brothers and Sisters in Haiti

2010-01-19T03:47:08.620Z

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.

This gift exemplifies one of the stated purposes of our organization, which is "...to be open to the needs and concerns of the laity." As ours is a ministry of service and hospitality, we are deeply saddened by the devastation that has occurred. Our prayers are with all of the people in Haiti, their families abroad, and with the many relief workers already on the ground.

The Guild hopes that all its members will find a way to contribute to this great need.

John Borland dies in North Dakota at age 65

2010-01-10T03:23:41.781Z

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

Fargo, ND 58104-6861

(701) 232-3394

cdgolding@qwest.net

January 4, 2010 - vergers.org gets facelift

2010-01-03T20:35:41.512Z

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.

October 22-25, 2009 - Vergers Convene at St. Paul's Cathedral in San Diego, California

2009-12-04T03:20:29.657Z

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.

One hundred and thirty vergers from the United States, Canada, and England convened to learn more about the role of the verger in the twenty-first century church.

More information about the conference can be found on the 2009 San Diego page of the Conferences section or at the St. Paul's Verger site.