Vergers - Folks in the Black & Grey Robes
Who are those people with the black and grey robes? And what are they doing?
We’re vergers. And we’re stage managers for the worship service. When we’re successful you barely notice us.
The tradition of verger service goes back to the Anglican Church. The Vergers Guild of the Episcopal Church reports that “evidence from Rochester, Lincoln, Exeter, and Salisbury Cathedrals indicates the existence of vergers as far back as the 12th century.” At that time the title was spelled “virger.”
During that time the verger was responsible for the procession. And the “procession often moved through crowds of people and animals, and the verger was there to clear a pathway with his virge (mace or "Staff of Office"). The verger had to be the first person in the procession as they cleared the way for the thurifer, crucifer, acolytes, choir, and sacred ministers by swinging the virge in front of them.”
The tradition of verger service at Holy Spirit is a bit younger. It was begun by Father David Puckett about 20 years ago. We still carry a “verge” – that short staff headed by the cross. But we no longer use it to part crowds. And we “verge” by bowing towards the service participant, such as the crucifer.
Our primary role is to organize the worship service and make sure it goes smoothly. If you’ve been involved in theater, you’ll understand my earlier reference to us as stage managers. Before the service we take roll to make sure we have enough acolytes, chalice bearers, and lay readers. During the service we make sure that service participants get to where they need to be at the right time. In some churches vergers literally direct participants to their locations. At Holy Spirit we’re a bit more relaxed, but still get the job done. Most of the time.
Our goals – to free the clergy to conduct the liturgy without worrying about the mechanics of the process, and to let the congregation concentrate on the service without distractions.
Long time verger Dave Schrader thinks of it this way:
Being on the altar and serving as a Verger is a great way to connect with and serve God. I see the Verger’s role as helping to keep the congregation’s focus on worship by eliminating distractions. As an example: I always wait to verge at the beginning of a stanza so folks are looking down at the hymnal and not distracted by the movement of the worship team. The background to this was when we were members of another church where the lack of attention to detail became a distraction to worship. That’s exactly what I think the purpose of the Verger is. So it’s a servant role, not a leadership role.
Newest Verger Rob Van Paaschen also focuses on service:
Serving in one capacity or another at Holy Spirit has always been a part of my faith and being part of the Holy Spirit community. When I had the opportunity to be a verger it just seemed like the perfect way for me to give back and grow the community that means so much to me!
And Elizabeth Bremner emphasizes our role in during the worship service:
Serving as verger brings me closer to presence of God by helping ensure that all elements and servers are ready for a service. I always feel that verging puts me more "in tune" with the liturgy and serving is always the best part of my week.
So that’s who those folks in grey and black are. We thank you for the opportunity to serve and hope that you barely notice us next Sunday.
Curt Martin
Verger Coordinator