Trinity’s Verger for Holy Week

These things I remember, as I pour out my soul:
how I went with the throng, and led them in procession to the house of God,
with glad shouts and songs of thanksgiving, a multitude keeping festival.
Psalm 42:4

 

I am pleased to announce that Joe Greenbeck, a regular at our 8am service, has accepted my invitation to serve as Trinity’s Verger for Holy Week and beyond. The role of the verger dates back to Medieval England when Sunday processions began in the town center. These lay ministers served as the “escort and protector of the procession” by walking before the clergy as they processed within the precincts of the church. They carried a large mace or virge, used to shoo away animals in the path or fend off unruly people. Today the verger assists the clergy by overseeing the preparation and execution of worship services and often leads and trains the community of acolytes. I asked Joe to serve because he radiates the character of a good Verger: a combination of reverence, respect for liturgy, and a wicked sense of humor.

It will be particularly helpful for us to have a Verger this year, because we will be making some adjustments to our Holy Week services. On Palm Sunday we will not process from Memorial Hall, but instead within the church in a sort of butterfly pattern. On Maundy Thursday, the service of foot-washing will happen as part of the proper liturgy for that day. For these and all the services of the week, Joe will serve as our guard and guide so we can feel confident in all we do together to praise God for His mighty works during that most holy week in Jerusalem.

Please make every effort to be a part of Trinity’s worship during Holy Week. It is both a chance to walk with Jesus through those last days, and an extended love letter to the one who loved us first.

In peace,

My name is Joe Greenbeck and I have been a member of the Episcopal Church since the mid 90’s having come over from the Roman Catholic Church. Since then, I have at various times and places served as Greeter, Usher, Reader, Chalicist, Licensed Eucharistic Minister, Vestry Member (3 times) and Senior Warden. I have been married to my lovely wife Sharon for 42 years. We have 3 married children and 3 grandchildren.

For the past 20 years Sharon and I have owned and operated Postman Plus, one in Carney and one in Perry Hall. In what would be laughingly called my spare time, I work with the Boy Scouts of America, and as a veteran of the US Navy, I am a member of Overlea-Perry Hall American Legion Post 130, where I currently serve as Commander. When I am not doing any of that, Sharon and I are avid cruisers.