 Although any person can be a fully qualified verger without taking this course, the Guild offers "A Course of Training for a Verger" to those vergers who wish to expand on their experience and prior learning or who may wish to take part in the fellowship that is created out of taking the course. The training course is not required to be a verger and does not replace the learning experiences that can be had with mentors, clergy, and other vergers. The course indeed is designed to supplement the learning and exploring of all aspects of your parish, from the building and its history, the people and their history, operations, archives, pastoral care, and of course, aspects of the history and development of the office and ministry of the verger, the vestments, virges, and vagueries of the office. As designed, the course can take anywhere from nine to fifteen months to complete. But do not let this scare you! The course moves at your own pace and the work can be very fun and informative as you will have the opportunity to learn as much about your own parish as you so about the history and formal role of the verger. Over 150 vergers have successfully taken this course and if they can do it, anyone can! It truly can be a very rewarding process to undertake. Each student who signs up for the course need to first get the approval of a member of a parish clergy member who will serve as the course mentor during the course. The course requires that you work closely with your mentor as informal evaluations of your work are done jointly by you and your mentor. How to Register for and Begin the CourseRegistration is easy: Simply print and complete a course registration form. We like to have printed and signed copies of the registration form so we do that the old fashioned way.
Next, mail the registration form along with course payment to the address indicated on the form. You can include a check or you can pay for your course online at the Guild Shop Online Store. Include a copy of your Guild Shoppe receipt to indicate payment.
Finally, you will be contacted by the Course Registrar to begin the process! We use e-mail as the primary communication mechanism for the course.
Course Pricing and Course MaterialsThe course price is $200 for an individual Guild member and a one year membership (or extension of your current membership) in the Guild is included (a $40 value).For two or three students, the training course is $170 per student or a savings of 15%. For four or more students the course is $150 per student of a savings of 25%. All of these options are available at the Guild Shop Online Store.
The course includes:
Course Syllabus and Suggested Reading ListThe Course Syllabus for "A Course of Training for a Verger" is:
Office and Work of a VergerThe office of verger originated as one of the ancient lay offices of the Church of England. This chapter discusses the historical and current duties of a verger as well as the special responsibilities that the office may include.Phase I: Getting StartedThis chapter leads the student through the beginning of the training process. It details talks that should be scheduled with the clergy mentor as well as some early "assignments." This includes the development of a "job descrition" as a verger in the student's own parish.Phase II: Setting the FoundationFor the first few weeks of this course, the student will spend considerable time getting to know their own particular parish: The people, the building, the history, and the pastoral considerations. The student then begins to learn about themselves... why is the student in this parish? Why serve as a Verger? What is one's spiritual discipline? This is especially good for individuals not always aware of other aspects of their Church and what makes the Church what it is, about oneself.Phase III: Basic TrainingThis chapter looks at the Book of Common Prayer, its history and contents. The student will look at The Book of Occasional Services and The Lesser Feasts and Fasts, as well as additional resources. Also studied are the types of vestments used in the Episcopal Church, and the church Constitution and Cannons. This area of training is important for review of ones knowledge of the history, liturgy and Church Calendar. This can also help us expand the knowledge of the resources available to assist in answering questions on specifics within the liturgy.Phase IV: Planning and ExecutionThis chapter asks the student to look at the work of a verger as it relates to the services. We will look at specific "check lists," processions, and other special circumstances. We learn that to plan ahead is a part of the Verger's job. The student also learns about some of the responsibilities of others participating in the service and what must be done if those persons are not available. Lastly, we will participate in the planning of a Special Service. This assignment is about taking the knowledge, understanding and any experience for planning a special service and putting it on paper.Phase V: Final EvaluationHere, the student has a final meeting with the clergy mentor who reviews your work with you. Upon completion of this final session, a copy of your course-work (along with the written evaluation of your progress from the mentor) will be forwarded to the National Guild Office for review by the Board of Assesors. The Guild will recognize each person who completes the course and earned its certificate of completion at the Annual Conference.Reading ListRather than reproduce or rewrite large portions of previously published materials, this course will frequently, refer you to some external texts. Some participants may want to purchase these texts for their own library. Others may wish to borrow copies held in their parish or diocesan library or in the personal libraries of the clergy. As a last resort, the Guild has limited copies of these texts available for loan to those who cannot obtain them elsewhere.See the Books page of the Resources Section for a number of good books and resources that may be helpful with the training course. More informationPlease contact Kate Pendzuk, Guild Training Registrar if you have any questions or comments about the Guild's training course.
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