At the presentation ceremony in St Mary's on 21st November
A very fine cake was cut by Chris and enjoyed by all present
The retirement of Chris Phillips as verger of St Mary's Church in Swanage took place last September, but the formal handing over to his successor waited until the return of the team rector from his sabbatical, and happened during the 10.30 a.m. service on Sunday 21st November. After the service almost the whole congregation stayed to congratulate Chris on his years as verger, which stretch back to 1993, whilst he was assistant verger for something like twenty years before that date.
As verger Chris has been involved in almost all aspects of the life of St Mary's over the years and that has included both services and events. The knowledge that Chris possesses about where things are and how things are done has been assembled over many years, and he would pay tribute himself to those who taught him the ropes as a young man. In his turn Chris is generous with his encouragement and advice, and Ray Davis, who takes over from him, whilst needing to make his own mark on the job and role of verger, will be grateful for the example that he has been given and the fund of knowledge upon which to draw.
Thank you Chris! We are not losing you, but like the rest of us, there comes a moment to move on and we celebrate this moment with you in gratitude for your many years of service to the Church here in Swanage.