The Verger
In 2009, Grace Church became the first church in the Southern tier of Western New York to install a Verger.
What is a Verger?
For the past decade or so, Grace Church has had this strange person, dressed in black, who occasionally escorts the procession carrying, not the cross, but a short stick. Who is this person? Well, that is "The Verger"…
A Historical View
Since the early days of the church, laypersons have been commissioned to assist the clergy and laity in the conduct of worship. In ancient times, vergers escorted clergy from their homes along dangerous roads to the parishes. The position of verger developed in Medieval England to be the “protector of the procession.” He walked before clergy, deans or bishops as they processed within the precincts of the church or cathedral. Vergers took their name from the large stick, called a Virge, which they often used to dissuade animals or unruly people from disrupting the procession. In those times vergers were also responsible for upkeep of the church building, preparations for the worship, and grave digging.
Vergers Today
A Verger is a committed lay minister within the Church who assists the clergy in the conduct of public worship. They are especially visible in the marshalling of processions. Vergers participate and lead in Easter and other Holy Day services and provide ceremonial leadership on special occasions such as Bishop visits, installation of Clergy, and other special ceremonial church events. The Verger is not the leader of a religious procession – they are the escort.
While the Verger is most visible at the head of processions, their most important function is the preparation and planning and execution before, during and after services. They are responsible for overseeing the acolytes and insuring that the altar and sacred space is prepared for our worship. Most of the Verger’s work goes unnoticed, but the reward comes from the honor of being able to serve our church behind the scenes, so that all of us may enjoy a worship service that is beautiful and appropriate. A Verger's main pride during a service lies in their inconspicuousness, helping to execute the logistical details of the service and discreetly shepherding the participants.
It has been said that every congregation has someone who does the work of a Verger.
“The ministry of the vergers is to help to lead the church in bearing witness in the world to the hospitality of God, by helping the church to be a truly hospitable place, by helping us to worship the Lord our God in dignity, in order, in beauty, and in truth in the church so that we can go forth to witness to that God to the world.”
The Most Reverend Michael B. Curry, 27th Presiding Bishop of the Episcopal Church