Nativity Newsletter
- NativityWV Episcopal
- 1 day ago
- 4 min read
Verger Coming Soon to Nativity
By Robbie Fisher
The word verger comes from the Latin virga, meaning rod or staff. Historically, vergers carried a ceremonial rod before clergy to clear a path through crowds. Today the role is more about order, hospitality, and the orderly flow of worship, although the function of a verger at Nativity will be tailored to fulfill the particular needs of our Church. Think of the verger as a kind of liturgical helper within the life of the church — sometimes behind the scenes, sometimes in plain sight — who can assist with the flow of worship, lend a hand with processions on feast days, the Bishop’s visitation and other special occasions, help welcome visiting clergy and acquaint them with our worship traditions and customs, and make newcomers feel oriented and at home. It is entirely a lay role; vergers are not ordained. In that sense, verging is simply one expression of the baptismal calling we all share.
Though a cradle Episcopalian — baptized at Chapel of the Cross in Rolling Fork, MS, raised and confirmed at St. James in Greenville, educated at the University of the South in Sewanee and a graduate of Education for Ministry — I was not aware of the role of vergers in the church until the 2024 General Convention in Louisville, KY. There I met Margaret McLarty, President of the Mississippi Chapter of the Vergers Guild of the Episcopal Church. She led me to the Vergers' Booth in the Exhibition Hall, introduced me to the Vergers Guild, and sent me home with reading materials and a suggestion to consider this service of lay ministry in addition to my service as a licensed Eucharistic Minister. The idea of becoming a verger took root in me. After prayerful consideration and encouragement from our Vicar, the Rt. Rev. Duncan M. Gray, III, I began “A course of Training for a Verger”, as elf-study course, in April 2025. I had originally planned to move rather quickly through the materials, but I soon realized the course would serve me and Nativity far better if completed thoughtfully and at a slow and more deliberate pace. I also appreciated that Nativity had a strong cadre of other lay leaders and church leadership to maintain and sustain the regular order of church worship quite well despite the absence of a vicar. So I took a contemplative sabbatical, spent time with each section of the course of study, and learned much about Nativity's history, its building and facilities, church seasons and liturgical customs and ways we might make worship more comfortable, safer, and accessible for everyone. I completed the coursework in February2026 and was certified by the national Vergers' Guild in March 2026.I will be commissioned as a Verger for Nativity on June 14, during our regular Sunday service when Duncan returns to celebrate Holy Eucharist with us. Sr. Warden Mary Beth Pulsifer and the Rev. Marian Fortner will be my presenters, with Tom Hardy serving as the Vergers' Guild of the Episcopal Church Representative. This fall, I will attend the 2026 Annual Conference of the Vergers' Guild in Norfolk, Virginia, where I look forward to deepening my formation and connecting with vergers from across the Church and nation. I look forward to serving Nativity in this new role and appreciate your support and encouragement.
Sunday, June 7th - 2nd Sunday After Pentecost
Those Who Serve Celebrant: The Reverend Ann Whitaker
Music: *Brenda/Katherine Altar Guild: Karen
Lectors: Dawn and Joe
Offertory: Denny and Elijah
MC POD: Debbie
Lessons
Prayer Request
Vivienne Stroup and family
Kelcey, Austin, Aldrich, and baby Castien Roye (Due 9/26)
Roxie - sister of Sally Lott McLellan
Will - friend of Jack Barry
Richard: father of Dawn Denham
Steve: father of Katelynn Dillard
William: friend of Margaret Love
Betty: aunt of Kathy Shoalmire
Seth: friend of. Patricia Krueger
The young men and women called into service
Peace in the Middle East and the world
The Mission Committee
Vicar Exploratory Committee
Those Who Serve Nativity
Collect for Nativity
Father of all wisdom and love,
In whose wisdom we trust and in whose love we dwell.
We come asking you to guide us as we search for a new shepherd for this flock, a new teacher for those who seek, and for a steadfast companion who will walk with us along the way.
All this we ask in the name of our creator, redeemer and sustainer, one God, whose mercy endures forever. Amen
Announcements
Nativity Women's Book Group : Our next book is The Gift of Years - Growing Older Gracefully by Joan Chittister. We will start June 27th. We meet Saturdays at 9:00am in the front room of the Salt & Light. PLEASE JOIN US.
If you are going to Mound Bayou on June 20th for the Spiritual Formation Workshop, check your email from the Reverend Andy Andrews. He is seeking to collect the $30 prior to the workshop. If you do not know about the workshop or need a ride, please contact Kathy Shoalmire at (662)801-6695 or kathybshoal@gmail.com.
Announcements from the Sr. Warden - Mary Beth Pulsifer
1. I look forward to seeing you at our Immigrant Community workshop this coming Saturday from 1 to 2:30 at Salt and Light.
2. Save the Dates: June 13 and 14: Robbie Fisher will be commissioned as a Verger at Nativity(see above). Tom and Deborah Hardy and Marian and Tom Fortner are traveling from Hattiesburg to participate in the verger commissioning on June 14 and will join us for pre and post commissioning festivities. We hope everyone will join for a church meal on Saturday evening, June 13 at 6:00 p.m.. Brisket will be provided by the church but please bring a side dish. Duncan and Kathy Gray will join us for “Coffee Hour” post-service.
June Birthdays and Anniversaries
3 - Caspian Coughlin13 - Mary Beth Pulsifer24 - Robbie Fisher /Beth Mayeaux29 - Marty Pitre29 - Tom Kirkpatrick
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