spring 2010

What are the “sticks” the vergers carry during services?

by Bruce Garner

Vergers carry two different types of ceremonial items during services. Both are used in processions. Both also have a history of practical usage before becoming mostly ceremonial in nature.

The first verger in the procession, the one leading the procession, carries what is called a beadle. It is a staff about five feet or so tall. It is properly carried with the top of it resting on the verger’s right shoulder with the right hand gripping it for control. The beadle carried in most services is topped with a crown and a phoenix. The crown is one of the universal symbols for All Saints and the phoenix is the symbol of the City of Atlanta, making it specific to All Saints’ Atlanta. Another beadle is usually used for special services such as Christmas, Easter, All Saints’ Day, etc. It is topped by a small cross that rests on top of a three-sided block made of several types of wood. Each of the three sides has a seal carved into it. One is that of The Episcopal Church. One is the seal of The Diocese of Atlanta.The third is the Seal of All Saints’ Atlanta.

The second verger in the procession, the one usually immediately before the clergy, carries a virge. (The device is spelled v-i-r-g-e, while the person carrying it is spelled v-e-r-g-e-r.) It is a “stick-like” device about 18 to 24 inches long. It is properly carried in the right hand with the right elbow of the verger resting on her/his right hip. It is not carried up right or vertical. It is carried at an angle indicating that it is used to lead the part of the procession. The virge carried in most services has a small wooden cross at the top of it surrounded by carved palm branches. Again, the cross is, with the crown, the universal symbol of All Saints, and the palm branches make it specific to All Saints’ Atlanta since we held our first service on Palm Sunday. There is a special virge used for the same services as the beadle described earlier. It is a simple design with a bronze-colored metal cross at the top of it. We also have a wooden virge with a carving of a bishop’s mitre on the top of it. When we have a bishop in the service and in the procession, that virge is carried by a third verger who is assigned to assist the bishop.

The beadle and virge carried in most services are those originally purchased shortly after All Saints’ began using vergers in the early 1990’s. The “special” beadle and virge were gifts to our Head Verger several years ago upon his retirement as Chair of the Board of the National Episcopal AIDS Coalition. They will be bequeathed to All Saints’ upon his death.

Both the beadle and virge arose from practical usage and need. In the Middle Ages, cathedrals and churches did not have pews or chairs. Worshipers stood in the nave area. In order for the altar party (clergy, servers, acolytes, etc.) to get from the rear of the nave to the sanctuary area and altar, a path had to, quite literally, be “cleared” for them. The beadle and virge were used for that purpose. Both can be swung from side to side during a procession to clear the path. Most of the time we don’t need to clear a path for our processions at All Saints’….although there have been times!

Beadle also had usage at courts – royal and legal - when it was banged against the floor to gain the attention and quiet of those assembled.

Bruce Garner has been a member of All Saints' since 1981. He became a verger in the early 90's and became Head Verger in April 1996 upon the death of his predecessor, Mark Graham. When asked what a verger does, his most frequent response is that he is a "liturgical stage manager," but sometimes he gives the humorous reply of "herding cats." Coordinating Sunday services is usually an adventure unto itself. Worship is a divine theatrical event and God is entitled to the best "show" possible.

Newcomers Learn about four new individuals or families that have recently joined us at All Saints'. This issue features Agnes & Stan Browning, Diane Farnell, Betsy & Jeffrey Gaccione, and Jowell Thome. Please be sure to welcome them when you see them.

Escaping a Heritage of Dysfunction Carey Sipp, a former All Saints' choir member, grew up with a violent alcoholic father. Carey learned that writing down stories from the past and confronting her emotions was an important step to her recovery. She has written several books and spoke about her experiences at the May Women's Luncheon. Louise Franklin read her latest book and interviewed her for this article.

A Connector of People Since 2005, Richard has served as All Saints' Director of Christian Social Ministries. He is retiring and Leighton Stradtman, who has worked closely with him, helps us celebrate his many successes in this role.