Fifteen acolytes from five parishes in the Lancaster Convocation attended the National Acolyte Festival on Oct. 7. Along with their respective clergy, vergers and parents, as well as a few grandparents, the acolytes traveled to the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., to participate in the festival and a grand procession. The event was the first National Acolyte Festival since 2019, when the festivities went on hiatus due to COVID-19.

The cathedral was filled with more than 500 acolytes from across the country and included groups from various denominations. After the procession, which included acolytes, clergy and vergers from every parish in attendance, attendees enjoyed worship, music, prayer, a message and Communion. Attendees then had opportunities to explore various workshops, including Now and Forever Windows Activities, Liturgical Streamer Making and the LEGO Exhibit, where each acolyte was invited to help place a brick on what those gathered hoped would be the world's largest cathedral made of LEGO bricks at over 13 feet long once complete.

The Lancaster Convocation is made up of 10 parishes within Lancaster County. Those represented at the National Acolyte Festival were Hope Episcopal Church of Manheim, Saint James Episcopal Church of Lancaster, Saint John's Episcopal Church of Lancaster, Saint Paul Episcopal Church of Columbia, and Saint Thomas Episcopal Church of Lancaster.