2024 Christ Church Cranbrook
Christ Church Cranbrook, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan
Welcome!
The Rev. Dr. William J. Danaher, Rector of Christ Church Cranbrook, and the Staff and vergers of Christ Church Cranbrook are thrilled to welcome the Vergers Guild of the Episcopal Church for their 2024 Annual Conference. Our vergers have worked to put on an educational and fun conference for all. Enjoy dynamic sessions, great food and fellowship, moving worship, and so much more!
Join us October 10, 2024, through October 13, 2024 in Metro Detroit, by clicking on the BIG RED Register Online button above.
Accomodations
Somerset Inn | 2601 W Big Beaver Rd, Troy, MI 48084
Click here to book your room.
A block of rooms has been reserved at the Somerset Inn in Troy, Michigan, a less than 10-minute drive from Christ Church Cranbrook. The Somerset Inn Hotel seamlessly merges work and relaxation. The hotel ensures a balanced stay by offering inviting amenities like a fitness room, a chic restaurant, and a bar and grille.
*The deadline to book in the block is Thursday, September 26
Travel & Transportation
The Detroit Metro Airport is a 30-minute drive to the Somerset Inn and similarly close to the church. Ubers and taxis are readily available, and access to most major car rental companies is available at the airport, including Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise, Hertz, National, and more.
We recommend renting a car, as you are responsible for transportation between the hotel and the church. Additionally, if you want to visit the incredible downtown Detroit, it's a 20-minute drive from the Somerset Inn and Christ Church Cranbrook.
Hertz has offered a preferred rate for the conference of 20% off the retail rate. To receive the discount, enter CDP 2188961 under "add a discount code" when making the reservation.
Avis has offered a preferred rate for the conference of ~10% off the retail rate. Enter the discount ID J157616 when making the reservation to receive the discount.
Why Attend the 2024 Conference?
Fellowship and community with fellow vergers
Learn how to better serve your church and congregations
Serving each other and our community together
Explore all metro and downtown Detroit have to offer!
Christ Church Cranbrook is on the National Registry of Historic places and is a treat to visit and experience!
Schedule
Thursday
Conference Registration begins in the afternoon, followed by Holy Eucharist with Bishop Bonnie Perry and Welcome Dinner. Our docents will guide tours of the historic church architecture during the registration period beginning every 15 minutes. Christ Church Cranbrook is known for its late English Gothic Revival style, with almost all original elements hand-made by expert craftspeople.
Bishop Bonnie Perry
Friday
In the morning, we'll offer many learning sessions followed by lunch. Then we will serve together at Forgotten Harvest, a non-profit that delivers 144,000 pounds of surplus food to local charities five days a week, providing families in need with fresh and nutritious food free of charge.
On Friday, dinner is a college tailgate theme! Wear your favorite team jersey; kids team, college team, pro-team, and enjoy the fun, casual atmosphere of midwest tailgates.
Christ Church Cranbrook Atrium
Saturday
In the morning we'll have our Keynote Address followed by more breakout sessions. In the afternoon we'll enjoy a group tour of the Detroit Institute of Arts. Our dinner will be together at the Somerset Inn with a Cocktail and social hour preceding.
Detroit Institute of Arts
Somerset Inn
Sunday
We'll enjoy worshiping together with eucharist and a procession of vergers. Worshipping in Christ Church Cranbrook with our congregation is a beautiful thing to witness and participate in.
Christ Church Cranbrook
Christ Church Cranbrook Recessional
A Detailed schedule with dates and times through out the Conference can be found HERE
Useful Maps
Chris Church Cranbrook
Somerset Inn
Detroit Airport (DTW)
Detroit Institute of Arts
Each year, the VGEC provides a limited number of scholarships to cover $200 of the registration expense. The Mark Emory Graham Scholarship Fund of the VGEC makes these grants possible. They are intended to develop the ministry of the verger and will be considered for junior vergers, new vergers, or first time attendees, or those with a financial need.
Click HERE to complete an online scholarship application.
The president of the VGEC will review the requests and will contact each member making a scholarship request. The process is very easy, so if you are interested, please complete the form today.
The scholarship covers $200 of the registration fee but not transportation, lodging, or additional food or other expenses.
Please contact the VGEC president at president@vergers.org if you have questions about the scholarship or the application process.
If you are applying for a scholarship, do not put in your credit card information when registering for the conference. Select the Pay Later option !!