On the Verge!

Beginning in Advent, you may notice a new addition to our Sunday services—Vergers.

As with anything new, we anticipate that you may have some questions, such as why do we need them? What will they be doing? Does this mean our worship is changing?

According to the Episcopal Church, a verger is “a lay minister who assists the clergy in the conduct of public worship, especially in the marshaling of processions… The history of the verger dates back to the Middle Ages when the verger was the “Protector of the Procession.” The role is primarily found in Anglican and Episcopal churches and is rooted specifically within our tradition.

Here at St. James, vergers will soon begin serving at our 9 am and 11:15 am services for this purpose—to help us as your clergy organize and facilitate our worship, such that everyone who enters our doors will encounter engaging and holy worship to the glory of God.

Vergers are common at churches the size of St. James, and for good reason—there are a lot of people serving each Sunday in different roles! Vergers will check in with clergy, acolytes, and Eucharistic ministers before services; organize processions; be ready to retrieve more bread and wine at communion; and more. While they will be vested for services, this role is far more practical than ceremonial.

To learn more about vergers, I encourage you to read more here: https://www.vergers.org/welcome/new-to-the-ministry-of-verger

Phillip, Cheryl, and I hope you will see this as wonderful, new leadership opportunity in our parish—one that will help all of us as we come together to worship and serve God each and every week.

Yours in Christ,

Gray+