The National Acolyte Festival 2017
Location
Washington National Cathedral
3101 Wisconsin Avenue NW
Washington DC 20016
Directions & Parking
Washington National Cathedral
3101 Wisconsin Avenue NW
Washington DC 20016
Directions & Parking
×
The 2017 National Acolyte Festival
Come one, come all! Join acolytes from across the United States for a festival Holy Eucharist with re-dedication of service. Bring your processional crosses, banners, torches, thuribles, flags, and streamers for a festive procession of acolytes, clergy, and vergers.
• Begin the day with a service of Holy Eucharist (10 am)
• Stay for an all-new festive afternoon, including workshops, special behind-the-scenes tours, outdoor labyrinth walks, vendors, food and games!
Registration Cost
$9 per acolyte
The required registration fee applies only to acolytes. Clergy, vergers, friends and family are welcome to attend at no charge and the service is open to the public.
Optional Lunch Orders
$12/person in advance
Old Dominion BBQ: Choice of: pulled pork sandwich or pulled chicken sandwich. Lunch includes gourmet BBQ sauces, mac & cheese, baked beans, cookie, and bottled water.
Vegetarian Option: Mediterranean quinoa salad, fresh-baked focaccia bread, artisan cookie, bottled water.
Schedule
9 am: Check-in opens
10 am: The Grandest of Processions
Acolytes, servers, clergy, and vergers from across the country join in a colorful procession from the Great West Doors and down the center aisle of the sixth-largest Cathedral in the world.
Holy Eucharist
1 pm: Lunch
Enjoy a picnic lunch on the Cathedral grounds: pack your own, or purchase a lunch in advance ($12).
1:30-3:30 pm: Workshops and Tours
Workshop • Holy Smoke: The Work of the Thurifer
It takes a particular kind of acolyte to handle the heat and the smoke of the thurible! This hands-on workshop explores the unique thurifer ministry; acolytes will review equipment, technique—from the simple to elaborate—safety protocols, and the traditions of incense in worship.
Workshop • Herding Cats: The History and Work of the Verger
Ever wonder where the ministry of the verger originated? Why do they wear particular robes and carry those big sticks? Come learn everything you ever wanted to know about the history and work of vergers. Cathedral vergers reveal their secrets!
Workshop • Jubilation Streamers
Let your colors fly! This hands-on workshop explores how steamers enhance worship of all kinds. Participants will review technique and have the opportunity to use the Cathedral’s 30-foot streamers, watching them soar through the glorious nave.
Behind-the-Scenes Tours (1:30 and 2:45)
Discover the Cathedral’s hidden stories on this special behind-the-scenes tour as you marvel at the building’s artistry and engineering. Journey through narrow stairwells and secret passageways to learn stories through stained glass, stone, and carved sculpture. The tour culminates with magnificent views of Washington’s downtown skyline. This tour includes stair climbing (without a railing in some areas) and confined spaces, and is not recommended for anyone with a fear of heights.
Organ Demonstration
Cathedral organist George Fergus gives a short talk about the 10,650-pipe Great Organ followed by a mini-recital.
Labyrinth Walk
The labyrinth is a sacred pattern that leads you on a path to its center and back out again. It’s a way of praying with the body that invites God into an active conversation with the heart and soul. Walk our special outdoor labyrinth with Festival participants from around the country.Acolyte Games
Acolytes, vergers and servers are all invited to compete for medals in the Acolyte Games. Join us in the Cathedral’s West Lawn for a series of competitions including the Thurible Race!
To register by phone, please call (202) 537-2228.
To download a printable registration form, CLICK HERE.
If you register online, you will receive a follow-up email from us to collect some further information we'll need about your church.
At this time, the deadline for ordering lunches and including church names in the service leaflet has passed, but registration is still open and we hope to see you there!
Come one, come all! Join acolytes from across the United States for a festival Holy Eucharist with re-dedication of service. Bring your processional crosses, banners, torches, thuribles, flags, and streamers for a festive procession of acolytes, clergy, and vergers.
• Begin the day with a service of Holy Eucharist (10 am)
• Stay for an all-new festive afternoon, including workshops, special behind-the-scenes tours, outdoor labyrinth walks, vendors, food and games!
Registration Cost
$9 per acolyte
The required registration fee applies only to acolytes. Clergy, vergers, friends and family are welcome to attend at no charge and the service is open to the public.
Optional Lunch Orders
$12/person in advance
Old Dominion BBQ: Choice of: pulled pork sandwich or pulled chicken sandwich. Lunch includes gourmet BBQ sauces, mac & cheese, baked beans, cookie, and bottled water.
Vegetarian Option: Mediterranean quinoa salad, fresh-baked focaccia bread, artisan cookie, bottled water.
Schedule
9 am: Check-in opens
10 am: The Grandest of Processions
Acolytes, servers, clergy, and vergers from across the country join in a colorful procession from the Great West Doors and down the center aisle of the sixth-largest Cathedral in the world.
Holy Eucharist
1 pm: Lunch
Enjoy a picnic lunch on the Cathedral grounds: pack your own, or purchase a lunch in advance ($12).
1:30-3:30 pm: Workshops and Tours
Workshop • Holy Smoke: The Work of the Thurifer
It takes a particular kind of acolyte to handle the heat and the smoke of the thurible! This hands-on workshop explores the unique thurifer ministry; acolytes will review equipment, technique—from the simple to elaborate—safety protocols, and the traditions of incense in worship.
Workshop • Herding Cats: The History and Work of the Verger
Ever wonder where the ministry of the verger originated? Why do they wear particular robes and carry those big sticks? Come learn everything you ever wanted to know about the history and work of vergers. Cathedral vergers reveal their secrets!
Workshop • Jubilation Streamers
Let your colors fly! This hands-on workshop explores how steamers enhance worship of all kinds. Participants will review technique and have the opportunity to use the Cathedral’s 30-foot streamers, watching them soar through the glorious nave.
Behind-the-Scenes Tours (1:30 and 2:45)
Discover the Cathedral’s hidden stories on this special behind-the-scenes tour as you marvel at the building’s artistry and engineering. Journey through narrow stairwells and secret passageways to learn stories through stained glass, stone, and carved sculpture. The tour culminates with magnificent views of Washington’s downtown skyline. This tour includes stair climbing (without a railing in some areas) and confined spaces, and is not recommended for anyone with a fear of heights.
Organ Demonstration
Cathedral organist George Fergus gives a short talk about the 10,650-pipe Great Organ followed by a mini-recital.
Labyrinth Walk
The labyrinth is a sacred pattern that leads you on a path to its center and back out again. It’s a way of praying with the body that invites God into an active conversation with the heart and soul. Walk our special outdoor labyrinth with Festival participants from around the country.Acolyte Games
Acolytes, vergers and servers are all invited to compete for medals in the Acolyte Games. Join us in the Cathedral’s West Lawn for a series of competitions including the Thurible Race!
To register by phone, please call (202) 537-2228.
To download a printable registration form, CLICK HERE.
If you register online, you will receive a follow-up email from us to collect some further information we'll need about your church.
At this time, the deadline for ordering lunches and including church names in the service leaflet has passed, but registration is still open and we hope to see you there!