Head verger

Briefly explain what you do for a living.

I work as a head verger, which means that I am the verger team's immediate superior and responsible for, for example, work shift planning and procurements. When possible, I also participate in the basic work of a verger, i.e. take care of the tidiness of the facilities, event arrangements and customer service. The verger works closely with a wide range of parish employees.

How have you ended up in the profession of your choice?

I first completed a training in the trade sector, where I worked for a few years. By chance, I ended up working for my nearest church in the place of a familiar verger who retired from there. After a while, I decided to apply for the position and became elected on the condition that I would acquire the appropriate training. Fortunately, nearby, verger training began as a pilot project, and I completed the training alongside my work. I worked as a verger in the same church for 16 years, until I had the opportunity to change offices and try the work of a head verger. I have worked at this parish centre as a head verger for over six years.

Describe your typical working day or week.

My typical working week includes coordinating verger work shifts, placing orders and posting invoices. I talk to customers on the phone daily and present and prepare the parish facilities. If necessary, I clean, furnish, manage coffee occasions and participate in religious ceremonies and events at different locations in our parish.

What kind of work environment or working hours do you have?

I mainly work at the parish centre, and I also visit different parish locations during the working week.

I mostly work during office hours between 8 a.m. and 4 p.m., but sometimes I also do evening shifts that last between 2 p.m. and 10 p.m. I occasionally work on weekends.

What kind of competence or qualities are required in the profession?

This profession requires interaction skills, as the verger often collaborates with different kinds of people. In addition, you must know how to use information technology, audio devices, video projectors and even streaming devices. You must also have competence in social media. The task also involves resolving a wide range of issues, which means that initiative is needed. The verger’s mission is to serve the church and the members of the parish. In practice, this means that the verger enables everything that is achievable.

The head verger must be able to organise the work of others and encourage the team to also act in new ways. In addition, it is beneficial to have experience in basic verger work so that you can master almost all of your team's duties and, if necessary, cover anyone's shift.

What is the best thing about your profession?

The best part of this work are the customers, a wonderful team and a good work community where we help each other. It's great when an event goes perfectly, and we get good feedback on our work. Verger's profession is suitable for me because it varies and combines independent work and teamwork.

What are the downsides of the profession or what seems challenging?

As a superior, you must sometimes bring up difficult issues and resolve challenging situations. Fortunately, I can always contact my superior and receive support from them if necessary.

What would you tell a person considering the profession of a head verger?

Many vergers have earlier worked in a different field, and previous work experience is often useful. All competence related to properties and customer service is beneficial in this profession. If you master the basic work of a verger and need more challenge, you should apply for immediate superior training and then strive to become the leader of the verger team.

How do you see the future of your profession?

There's plenty of work for vergers. In the future, the work will require more versatile skills and the ability to learn new things and adapt to changing situations.