Header photo: Sandi Keggerreis, Don Corban, Debbie Hux and Christopher Creech celebrate the commisioning of Keggerreis and Hux as vergers during coffee hour at St. Elizabeth’s, Collins on November23rd.

On Christ the King Sunday, November 23rd, 2025, I had the honor of commissioning two new Vergers and two new “Fellows” to the ministry of the Vergers Guild of the Episcopal Church (VGEC) and the Diocese of Mississippi Verger’s Guild. The two new Vergers are Debbie Hux and Sandi Kegerreis, both from Saint Elizabeth’s Episcopal Church in Collins, MS.

These two remarkable ladies not only received on-the-job training but also demonstrated their unwavering dedication to the Church and the Ministry of the Verger by enrolling in the additional and non-mandatory Fellow’s course. This course proved to be an invaluable complement to their on-the-job training, providing them with comprehensive knowledge about the verger ministry. Throughout the course, they delved into various aspects, including the history and significance of their building and congregation, the intricacies of liturgy, the Book of Common Prayer (BCP), the different types of vestments worn by clergy, laypeople, and vergers, the roles of virgins and beadles, and the historical and ministerial aspects of the verger’s role. The training course typically spans approximately nine months. Upon completion, they were honored with a certificate from the FVGEC (Fellow of the Vergers Guild), and their Verge or Virge received a distinctive top to their Verg, that is exclusively granted to Fellows of the Guild. Additionally, they gained the opportunity to apply for Associate membership in the Church of England’s Guild of Vergers (CEGV).

This was a truly remarkable day for not only these two exceptional individuals but also for the Guild, the Parish of Saint Elizabeth’s, and our cherished Diocese of Mississippi.

Congratulations, Debbi and Sandi!

If you’re interested in becoming a Verger or Fellow of the Guild, or have questions about the Verger’s Ministry, please contact me, your Diocese Representative to the VGEC, at chris.creech@iona.ssw.edu, or Margaret McLarty of St. Andrews. Clergy members are also welcome to reach out, as I understand there are many who have never had the opportunity to work with Vergers and are unsure how they can contribute to their parish. Margaret and I are here to answer any questions you may have. The most common confusion is why Vergers lead and what the stick signifies. Many people also wonder if anything goes in front of the Cross during the Procession. I’ll clarify that right away: the Verger NEVER leads; the Cross is always the leader. The Verger’s role is to “escort the from the front”, clearing the path and guiding and protecting it and the procession to its destination.