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: 

• Chair - Lorie Tola St. Patrick’s
• Vice Chair - David Neville St. Simon’s
• Secretary - Phillip Knight   St. Teresa's
• Treasurer - Karl Sachsenmaier Cathedral of St. Phillip
• Training - Paul Davison St. Christopher's
• Communications - Chuck Dale St. Augustine's

"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.

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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.

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