Welcome to the Vergers Voice, the official news blog of the Vergers Guild of the Episcopal Church. Also known as the VGEC, we are located on the web at vergers.org and facebook.com/vergerguild the #1 online resources for vergers world-wide.

For information about submitting news and announcements to the blog, click HERE or contact [email protected].

Friday, August 29, 2014

VGEC's European and Church of England Correspondents meet at Lincoln Cathedral

John Campbell, Verger at Lincoln Cathedral, showing Edoardo Fanfani what is reputedly the first mitre worn in England after the Reformation. Photo by Edoardo Fanfani.

By VGEC European Correspondent Edoardo Fanfani, Verger at All Saints' Anglican Church, Rome, John Campbell, CEGV Liason, and Ken Holloway, News Manager for the Vergers Voice Blog

Edoardo Fanfani wondered what he could write about when asked to be the VGEC European correspondent. Inquiring if he had travel plans for the summer, he mentioned he intended to visit England in August, so I encouraged him to go to Lincolnshire and meet John Campbell, our VGEC liaison from the Church of England Guild of Vergers(CEGV). I knew that John would show Edoardo the inner workings of Lincoln Cathedral in a way that he would long remember. Edoardo sent this account of his short time in Lincolnshire:

"On Tuesday 12 August, I visited Lincoln Cathedral in England and met the Verger, John Campbell, as I was leaving the wonderful cloisters – he recognized me at once and we exchanged greetings. His welcome was one of the warmest and he gave me a wonderful tour of the Cathedral, including St. Hugh’s shrine or what remains of it (because of the English Reformation). He also showed me the Imp – the gargoyle-like little statue which was transformed into stone by an angel according to the legend, and which represents the win of good over evil. The most exciting part of the tour, however, was when he showed me the sacristy with real treasures, including a set of splendid copes used by the canons, several chalices - and what had a great impact on me: reputedly, the first mitre used in England after the Reformation. It was a quick but incredible tour which will always stay among my most precious memories."

"After that, I went to Choral Evensong (sung by a very fine visiting choir) and met the precentor, Gavin Kirk, and another verger with whom I had splendid drinks in the Medieval "precentory" – and finally a superb dinner at the nearby pub called "The Wig and Mitre" – nonetheless!"

"Not only is this one of the finest cathedrals in England – a splendid "three-towered" building with incredible medieval craftsmanship in and outside – but it is also one of the most welcoming places I have ever been to. I highly suggest that you visit this cathedral if you are in England; you won’t be disappointed! This truly is a holy place!"

John Campbell observes, "Among recent visitors welcomed was Edoardo Fanfani, on his intensive visit to the UK from Rome. It was an enjoyable experience to welcome Edoardo and spend an all too short 50 minutes exploring and explaining the cathedral."

"It is a joy and a privilege to share Lincoln Cathedral through the modern technology which is Facebook, it is also a privilege to share these treasures in a tangible form as we welcome people physically to Lincoln and not least within the 'world wide fellowship' of our guilds and with vergers worldwide."

"I am grateful to Eduardo for his kind observations and comments about his visit to Lincoln, alas, his visit was all too short but we have each-others contact details and I look forward to communicating on matters ‘vergerial’ in the near future. It is always interesting to see young and new blood come into the realm of the verging world, whilst not degrading the importance of experience and longevity – I have been a verger for thirty six years and one who has recently turned sixty - it is a privilege to observe the enthusiasm of youth ready pick up and to pass on the baton [or virge]."

Like me, I bet you're thinking that the Lincoln Cathedral experience in John Campbell's company was a gift from God for a young man who just graduated from high school. I know Edoardo will indeed carry his virge for many years knowing that John is somehow looking on with encouragement and pride.

This is the story of a young verger's travel experience meeting with an extraordinary verger in a historically majestic cathedral. But could the story-behind-the-story be about how we vergers, together, experience life's intersections in Christian faith and tradition and make them memorable?

Do we have a bidding to attend to these intersections, nurture them and build on them for the benefit of our collective lives of service in Christ? Would that be the work of "...communicating on matters 'vergerial'..."? Stay tuned for stories of UK vergers traveling to the Elim Centre for the annual CEGV conference and how a group of American pilgrims toured the UK's Anglican birthplaces, concluding with Canterbury Cathedral.



Register for the 2014 Annual Conference
 being held September 25th through 28th in Burlington, Ontario by clicking on the big red button below. Registration deadline is September 15th for consideration of full participation.  After that, if you register for the conference, you may not be able to attend all the sessions and/or the banquet.
Register online today and check vergers.org for contact information on the alternative hotel: the Best Western Plus Burlington Inn and Suites.  Use the promotional code "verg" conference.

Abstract: Our Church of England Guild of Vergers Liaison and our VGEC European Correspondent met this month at Lincoln Cathedral. John Campbell gave Edoardo Fanfani the "whirlwind" tour of the cathedral, showing Edoardo some of its most hallowed artifacts. Afterwards a splendid dinner at a pub with a very interesting name topped off his visit to Lincolnshire. But the story-behind-the-story is about how we vergers together experience life's memorable intersections in Christian faith and tradition. 


Friday, August 22, 2014

Kick-off is 34 days from today! What you should know about the conference in Canada

Left to right: Ross Gosling, Ritchard Taylor, Chris Payne, and Terry Hughes - Your Host Committee for the Vergers' Guild of the Episcopal Church 26th Annual Conference

By Terry Hughes, Head Verger, St. Luke's Anglican Church, Burlington, Ontario

You’re coming to Canada EH!!!!

We are all very excited that the 26th Annual Conference of the Vergers' Guild of the Episcopal Church will be in Burlington in 34 days!


As of Wednesday, August 20, 2014 we are thrilled to have 133 conference registrations with 106 members of the VGEC and 27 spouses, partners, and guests. Click HERE for the current conference roster.

The host hotel, The Waterfront, is totally SOLD OUT. The Waterfront Hotel is three blocks from the church and hall where many of our activities will take place. It is a nice walk through Spencer Smith Park, along the waterfront to the church. There will be a shuttle service-see the information below.

The alternate hotel is the Best Western Plus Burlington Inn and Suites. www.bestwestern.com, 2412 Queensway Dr., Burlington, ON L7R 3T3
Phone: 905 639-2700 or Toll free 1-866-280-7778

Conference rate $124.99cdn +tax/room/per day, use promotion code verg when booking rooms.

There will be a shuttle in place for attendees staying at the Best Western Plus who have no transportation and for those with walking difficulties staying at the Waterfront Hotel. This shuttle will be available approximately one hour prior to scheduled event times and one hour after event times. It will also be available during the day for anyone suffering medical distress during the Thursday to Saturday event times at the Church. The shuttle is not for personal use for travel about town. There are 2 six passenger vans available. Look for the Vergers Guild Logo on the vehicle or ask one of the church volunteers to contact the van for you.

Average daytime high 70F. Average nighttime low 45F.

The current exchange rate is $1.0889 US. Wow, we even devalued our dollar so yours can go further!

Canada no longer uses one cent coins. Example 1-5=0 6-9=10

Thursday is registration which opens at noon, committee meetings in the afternoon, and then Evensong celebrating the 180th Anniversary of St. Luke’s and the opening of the 26th Vergers Guild Annual Conference. This will be a beautiful service taken from the 1662 prayer book used in the 1800’s and music from the same time period. Dinner with entertainment to follow.

Friday has morning prayer, choice of several exciting sessions, lunch and a tour of a very special winery. The evening is free for you to enjoy dining in one of many downtown restaurants and to tour the downtown and the many boutique stores.

Saturday morning is our VGEC Business Meeting and then on to Niagara Falls aboard modern highway coaches. You will have about 4 hours of unescorted time there. Buses will be returning to the hotel, leaving Niagara Falls at 3:45 PM. At six pm. there will be cocktails and hors d’oeurvres, followed by the banquet dinner and awards. Bring your cameras and capture the unique experiences in store for you. You won’t be disappointed!

Sunday we will have the official photo on the pier and then board the buses for the Solemn Eucharist Service at Christ Church Cathedral in Hamilton. We will return to the hotel by approximately 12:30 PM.


If you have any questions, please contact me at [email protected] or mobile +1 (905) 630-3898. 




Register for the 2014 Annual Conference
 being held September 25th through 28th in Burlington, Ontario by clicking on the big red button below. You'll have a great time and bring home a ton of memories that cannot be had any other way. 
Register online today and check vergers.org for contact information on the alternative hotel: the Best Western Plus Burlington Inn and Suites.  Use the promotional code "verg" conference.

Abstract: We hope that you're checking your travel and hotel arrangements so when you arrive in Burlington you can hit the deck running. As you begin final preparations here are a few more things about the 2014 VGEC Conference you need to know. Check it out in The Verger's Voice.



Let us know what's happening in your church's verger ministry. We'd like to publish your verger story, history, observations and experiences. 
Please send your article ideas, or fully developed stories or news items about your own verger ministry or one nearby to [email protected]


Read more blog posts at vergersvoice.org.



Friday, August 15, 2014

Chapter Roll Call - Diocese of Atlanta

Vergers from the Diocese of Atlanta pause for a photo at their June 28 summer meeting in Cumming, GA with the Rt. Rev. Keith Whitmore, Bishop and the Rev. Keith Oglesby, Rector, Church of the Holy Spirit. Photo by Bill Monk
By Chuck Dale, Communications Chair, Mark Emory Graham Chapter, with Ken Holloway

As one of the largest and most active chapters of the Vergers' Guild of the Episcopal Church, the Diocese of Atlanta's Mark Emory Graham Chapter is dedicated to service, not just at the parish level, but in the larger picture of diocesan and national church. Chuck Dale, the chapter's Communications Chair, reports on the chapter's 2014 Summer Assembly.

"It was a beautiful, sunny summer day in Georgia when the Mark Emory Graham Chapter of the Vergers’ Guild of the Episcopal Church met for our summer assembly, the first of two annual chapter meetings. The event was hosted by the Episcopal Church of the Holy Spirit in Cumming, GA. Twenty-seven enthusiastic vergers were present including 8 new dues paying members."

"After a meet and greet session with coffee and pastries, we joined together for Eucharist. The Rt. Reverend Keith B. Whitmore, Assistant Bishop of Atlanta, was our Celebrant and Preacher. Bishop Whitmore was assisted by The Reverend Keith Oglesby, Rector of Holy Spirit."

"Following the Eucharist, the Bishop met informally in dialog with the assembly answering questions and providing background information on how many of the traditions and customs of the Episcopal Church evolved to current practices."

"Scott Smith, President of the Vergers’ Guild of the Episcopal Church (VGEC) reported on the operation of the Guild and all the progress that is being made to grow the ministry of the verger throughout the United States. One important announcement was that the registration fee has been lowered for those wishing to take the Guild’s Course of Training for a Verger. We discussed an opportunity for our chapter by taking advantage of this offer and offering group training for the vergers of Atlanta. Scott also said that Chapter Development was a major goal of the national guild and that the Diocese of Atlanta was helping to lead the way having a long history of active leadership in the ministry of the verger."

"A delicious lunch was provided by the women and men of Holy Spirit (Dan Krogh, Bert Printz, Cheryl Howell and Sharron Linsley). The business meeting began with retiring Chair, Chad Cartwright, reporting the activities of the chapter during his two year term."  

Elections were held for the Board of Directors 2014-2016. Those elected were: 
"The highlight of the assembly was Bishop Whitmore's blessing of the new Diocesan Verger Standard Customary and Verger Standard Customary for a Bishop’s Visit.  Special copies were distributed to those in attendance.  The customaries were received with great excitement. The customaries will be posted to the Mark Emory Graham Chapter Web Site and be available to all those that wish to take advantage of this resource." 

(Look for these customaries to be added to the VGEC Document Library soon. Ed)

Future service opportunities for the vergers of Atlanta include
  • September 13, 2014 - Host the Community Ministry Conference
  • September 25-28, 2014 - VGEC Annual Conference in Burlington, Ontario
  • November 7-8, 2014 - Tellers for Annual Council
A gallery of event photos, courtesy of Bill Monk, can be found HERE.




Register for the 2014 Annual Conference
 being held September 25th through 28th in Burlington, Ontario by clicking on the big red button below. You'll have a great time and bring home a ton of memories that cannot be had any other way. 
Register online today and check vergers.org for contact information on the alternative hotel: the Best Western Plus Burlington Inn and Suites.  Use the promotional code "verg" conference.

Abstract: The second in a series of reports of VGEC chapter events, trends and accomplishments is focused on the annual Summer Assembly of Mark Emory Graham Chapter of the Diocese of Atlanta which was held in June at The Church of the Holy Spirit in Cumming, GA
.

Let us know what's happening in your church's verger ministry. We'd like to publish your verger story, history, observations and experiences. 
Please send your article ideas, or fully developed stories or news items about your own verger ministry or one nearby to [email protected]


Read more blog posts at vergersvoice.org.






Friday, August 8, 2014

Recent Verger Commissions



Commissioning of Joe John, Verger at St. James Episcopal Church, Pewee Valley, KY Top row: The Reverend Jim Trimble, Rector, and Rev. Dr. Mary Abrams, Deacon
Second Row: Leonard Mackey and Vicki Mackey (of St. Alban's Church in Louisville)
Bottom Row: Mary Harding, past president of St. James' Daughters Of the King,
Joe John, and Judy Russell (Verger at St. James')



Joe John was commissioned, July 27th, as a new verger at St. James' Episcopal Church, Pewee Valley, KY. Traditionally, St. James celebrates the day of their patron saint every year. This year, in addition to the celebration of the day of St. James, Joe John's installation as the parish verger was celebrated. Two guest vergers, Leonard and Vicki Mackey, from St. Alban's in Louisville, added to this special day and they stayed to enjoy the St. James Day Celebration. Dr. Abrams presented the chimere to Joe, Judy Russell the verge, and Leonard Mackey the certificate. 



"While visiting my brother’s church in San Antonio, TX, Saint Luke’s, I attended a verrrry High Mass and I saw several folks dressed in interesting vestments carrying “sticks”. I inquired after the service and they told me all about themselves and their organization. I was really impressed, especially with the orchestration and attention to detail that went into this very solemn procession."


"I thought that this ministry was best for me, since I was always able to direct, produce, meet, greet, and keep things scheduled. Plus I was pretty sure I wasn’t going to move towards the diaconate or the priesthood — too old for that. I figured that as a cradle RC, still feeling my way through my newfound religion (I was received in 2012), that the verger was the best role I could embark on." 

"I started as lector at St. James and began serving as a lector and Eucharistic Minister, working on the Worship Committee, sitting on the Vestry as Junior Warden, and so I figured that the "Jack of All Trades" that I am should be perfect for the verger’s position."

"Looking to the future I hope for a continued role in working with all the lay ministers, developing a new acolyte program in consort with the guidance of our deacon, involving more adults in the acolyte position so we can demonstrate to the teens that it’s “COOL” to be an acolyte, torch bearer, crucifer, and more."

Joe retired from the insurance industry after 32 years of executive service. He lists, among many others, Steely Dan, Dave Brubeck, John Grisham, Star Wars, ET, The Godfather, All Jazz, Bourbon, Wine, Antiquing, and SCUBA Diving as his current interests. (Maybe another article brewing there eh?) 





Commissioning of Felix Lisewsky, verger at Emanual Episcopal Church, San Angelo, Texas
Rear: Acolytes L to R Hayden Best , Shelby Rowe, Samantha Howell, Nicholas Neighbors
Front: Curate, Fr. Jared Houze, new verger Felix Lisewsky, Fr. Matt Rowe, Rector of Emmanuel Episcopal Church

Felix describes his introduction to the role of verger and how he became one:
My wife Judy and I became members of Emmanuel Episcopal Church in San Angelo TX, 17 years ago. My journey to become a verger started by serving as Acolyte Master, singing in the choir, mentoring those wishing to be confirmed, Wednesday night cook, Adults Liturgy Guild, Student & Family Life Guild and Junior Warden. My interest started when our interim priest asked me to be a Master of Ceremony at a couple of special services. Not knowing what this was, I started reading and came across the word "verger". When our new rector, Fr. Matt Rowe, arrived I asked him about pursuing this ministry. He said he would like to have a verger. A short time later, in preparation for Fr. Jared Houze's ordination as our curate, we had two guest vergers scheduled to assist in the service. Fr. Matt asked me to make sure they felt at home and inform them what was going to happen during the service. They asked me what I did in the church and I when I told them their comment was, "You are a verger and you need to join the Guild". Fr Matt gave me his blessings and now I serve in this ministry with deep dedication. This is a far change from my 22 years in the USAF and 22 years in Sporting Goods Team Sales. Plus it took a New York guy and put him in the south. I have a wonderful wife Judy and two children, my daughter Lisa and son Greg.





Commissioning of Vivian Dawkins, verger at The Church of the Good Shepherd, Tomball, TX Heather Vancamp, Verger at Good Shepherd, Robert Askew, Verger at Emmanuel Episcopal Church Houston, TX Dick Johnson, Verger at Trinity Episcopal Church Woodlands,TX,  Vivian Dawkins, Rev. Dorothy Gremillion, Michael Faircloth, verger in our high school program, and Joe Sturdevant, verger mentor.

Vivian Dawkin's approach to service as a verger:
"I was led to become a Verger by the “still small voice of God”. After several months of watching our vergers, listening to this voice and resisting, I finally responded to a persistent feeling that I should speak to our Head Verger, Joe Sturdevant, to see if he thought it was something I could/should do. Joe didn’t hesitate. Within a week of speaking to Joe I had the first lessons. When I spoke to our Rector, Fr. Dan Dunlap, he agreed with Joe that this would be a ministry within the church where I could serve well and add to our small number."

"I also have served on the vestry for the last two and a half years and have been a Daughter of the King since 2008. I am a Licensed Eucharistic Minister and began my life and service in the Episcopal Church in this role in a small mission church in Oregon."

"This year marks my 43rd year as a Registered Nurse. I was educated at the University of Colorado Health Science Center in Denver, and completed a doctorate in nursing at Texas Woman’s University."

"Currently I am an adjunct Associate Professor of Nursing in the graduate program at Prairie View A&M University in Houston. During my career I was blessed to experience being a hospice nurse for 2 years and my clinical specialty is geriatrics. While serving as a hospice nurse I heard a chaplain refer to the work as “walking on holy ground”. I felt that way also and this experience was pivotal in my leaning toward the ministries that the Holy Spirit led me to experience."

"The more I studied the Book of Common Prayer, the more I knew I was called to this ministry. Some of the questions on the training quizzes were quite obscure, but once I found them I knew I had a more secure and in-depth knowledge the BCP." 

"Every time I serve as a verger I become more confident and secure. I thank Joe for his skills and dedication as a trainer of vergers, acolytes, and Eucharistic Ministers. He is a fountain of knowledge and exhibits always a deep respect for the role of verger and the link it serves to the priests and deacons in a parish. His understanding of the liturgy and his dedication to our rich liturgical history ensured that my training was comprehensive and complete. Now it will just take time."



Editor's Note: "Commissioning vs Installing"

To assure that we are more in line with the terms used in similar orders of worship found in the Book of Occasional Services and the Book of Common Prayer, we use the term "commissioning" over "installation". Examples are found in the Book of Occasional Services, beginning on page 179, "Commissioning for Lay Ministries in the Church".

The Service for Commissioning of a Verger can be found in the VGEC Document Library in the "Liturgies" folder.

For those being commissioned, the Guild can prepare appropriate commissioning certificates in .pdf format and email the certificate file to you for your local printing at Kinko's or other service providers. Contact [email protected] for more details.




Register for the 2014 Annual Conference
being held September 25th through 28th in Burlington, Ontario by clicking on the big red button below. You'll have a great time and bring home a ton of memories that cannot be had any other way. 

Register online today and check vergers.org for contact information on the alternative hotel: the Best Western Plus Burlington Inn and Suites. They have 10 rooms available so contact them very soon and use the promotional code "verg" conference.

Abstract: New vergers - reporting in. Read about three of them in this week's Verger's Voice. Do we "install" or "commission" new vergers? Find the answer in "Editor's Notes" just preceding the big red "Register On-Line" button.

Let us know what's happening in your church's verger ministry. We'd like to publish your verger story, history, observations and experiences. 
Please send your article ideas, or fully developed stories or news items about your own verger ministry or one nearby to [email protected]


Read more blog posts at vergersvoice.org.






Friday, August 1, 2014

VGEC Update Edition

VGEC Technology - Scott Smith

Did Tesla / Marconi / Edison invent GoToMeeting?

The VGEC Board Meeting on July 24th was held via Citrix's "GoToMeeting" video conferencing service. This real-time collaboration tool allows the board to conduct its summer business meeting online, not just so we can wear shorts and tee shirts, but to assure that the meetings are convenient to the participants schedules where ever we are at the the time of the meeting. We're using this technology to facilitate the almost-face-to-face contact you'd expect to have when sitting around a conference table. Ken Holloway from the Vergers Voice Blog sits in on each board meeting in order to make sure that our communication stays in step with the progress of the committees and activities of the VGEC. 



VGEC Now on MailChimp for E-mail Blasts - Michael Sanchez

We are done with the process of switching services for our E-Mail blasts! We have moved from emma to MailChimp. We reviewed the pros and cons, and decided that MailChimp was a natural choice for us. Duke liked that it will be less expensive, and Scott and I liked all the bells and whistles that we'll be able to use. Imagine that. :-)



26th VGEC Conference in Burlington, Ontario, Sept. 25-28 - Terrance Hughes

We are truly blessed and excited with the number of registrants! As of 07/31/14 we have 126 registrations for the conference. At midnight PDT on August 1st the registration fee goes up from $200 to $250 (editor's note: if you register today, Friday, August 1, 2014, the site will say $250, but the Guild Shop manager is feeling generous and will adjust your charge back down to $200 - just for today! Take advantage of this now!)You can still Register through the VGEC Guild Shop. Cancellations made on or before August 31, 2014 will be fully refunded. After August 31, 2014 there will be a $50 cancellation fee. After September 15, 2014 there will be no refunds as all conference costs are set at that time. 

I checked with the The Waterfront Hotel-Downtown Burlington yesterday and found that they are sold out. Ten alternative rooms are available at the Best Western Plus Burlington Inn and Suites. Check vergers.org for more detailed information if you still need housing.

In case your passport needs renewing or you need a new one, normal processing time is 4-6 weeks so hurry as it's only about 7 weeks until the conference!



"Gems of Lincoln Cathedral" on Facebook - John Campbell
Here come the big notes!

Watch often for John Campbell's "Gems of Lincoln Cathedral" Facebook posts here. John is the Dean's Verger at Lincoln Cathedral and the liaison officer to the VGEC for the Church of England Guild of Vergers.

Take a look at the bass pipes of the Lincoln Cathedral Father Willis Organ. Completed in 1898, it proved to be the last cathedral organ finished by ‘Father’ Willis himself, and one of his finest instruments. It was updated in 1960, when Harrison and Harrison Ltd carried out a complete rebuild at a cost of £14000. Six new registers were added, but the Willis pipework was left unaltered. A further restoration was undertaken by the same firm in 1998, and the organ was rededicated on 20 November that year,  just over a century after it was first played in public.



The Guild Shop at Burlington - Barry Norris

The 2014 Vergers’ Conference in Burlington, Ontario, is almost here. If you are planning on going to Burlington, save some money and sign up soon! Remember, spouses and partners are always welcome; once they attend, you won’t be able to come by yourself again.

Because we are having the conference in Canada, I will not be able to bring up a supply of everything to sell at the conference – the tariff fee to bring merchandise across the border is high. What I will be bringing are samples of many of the items, and several copies of a printed catalog of everything available in the Guild Shop. You will be able to see and feel everything, and ask questions. There will be two computers available for you to place your orders at our display area within the Conference.

If you want to start shopping before the conference, go to shop.vergers.org.



2014 VGEC Chaplain's Canterbury Pilgrimage a huge success - the Rev. Matthew Corkern

Twenty Five Pilgrims worshiped together on Sunday July 6, 2014 at Canterbury Cathedral as part of the VGEC and FOCCUS pilgrimage under the leadership of VGEC Chaplain, the Rev. Matthew Corkern
The summertime pilgrimage, a combined gathering of members of the Vergers' Guild of the Episcopal Church and the Friends of Canterbury Cathedral in the United States, was truly a once in a lifetime experience for all of us! Entitled "Experiences at the Heart of Anglicanism," our journey began on June 29 at the College of St. George at Windsor Castle. Next we spent several days exploring the ministry of the verger at Lincoln Cathedral with our good friend, the Dean's Verger, John Campbell. Next we were off to St. Albans Cathedral, Rochester Cathedral, moving along the Pilgrim's Way into Canterbury for four days of training and experiences with Cathedral Vergers and many new friends. Stay tuned here in the Verger's Voice for a full report of the experience from many of those who were on the journey together.



Register for the 2014 Annual Conference being held September 25th through 28th in Burlington, Ontario by clicking on the big red button below. You'll have a great time and bring home a ton of memories that cannot be had any other way. Registration fees increase at midnight PDT on Friday, August 1st so register now! (editor's note: if you register today, Friday, August 1, 2014, the site will say $250, but the Guild Shop manager is feeling generous and will adjust your charge back down to $200 - just for today! Take advantage of this now!)
Register online today and check vergers.org for contact information on the alternative hotel: the Best Western Plus Burlington Inn and Suites. They have 10 rooms available so contact them very soon and use the promotional code "verg" conference.

Abstract: VGEC Technology, 2014 Conference Update, "Gems of Lincoln Cathedral", The Guild Shop at Burlington and a preview of the 2014 Canterbury Pilgrimage trip. "Read all about it..."

Recently, we've published stories about vergers from Sweden and Italy. What's happening back at home in your verger ministry? We'd like to publish your verger story, history, observations and experiences. 
Please send your article ideas, or fully developed stories or news items about your own verger ministry or one nearby to [email protected]


Read more blog posts at vergersvoice.org.