Volume 12, Number 11 December 2014
THE MESSENGER C HRIST C HURCH C ATHEDRAL M OBILE, A LABAMA
Christmas at Christ Church Cathedral
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT AND THE HOLY EUCHARIST, RITE II Sunday, December 21 10:00 a.m.
GREENING OF THE CATHEDRAL Sunday, December 21 11:15 a.m.
CHRISTMAS EVE CONCERT PRELUDE AND FESTIVAL EUCHARIST Wednesday, December 24 Prelude music begins at 4:15 p.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II at 5:00 p.m. Come early for our Christmas Eve service to hear beautiful Christmas carols, anthems, solos, and instrumental pieces. This intimate yet grand Cathedral service for the Nativity of the Lord is a wonderful Christmas tradition.
CHRISTMAS DAY HOLY EUCHARIST Thursday, December 25 10:00 a.m. Join us for a serene morning service full of congregational carols, including solos by Katherine E. Powell, soprano.
A Message from the Dean Dear Cathedral Family, On the first and last Sundays in Advent, we will sing at communion “Sleepers, wake!” This hymn reminds us what we are preparing for in Advent—and why. We need “oil in our lamps” because the Bridegroom is coming, bringing with him the light and joy and celebration of his Kingdom. We need to be ready to welcome Jesus Christ when he comes again, and we need to be ready to be part of his Kingdom. So, we must be awake, aware, alert, alive, attentive. The biggest mistake we are likely to make as contemporary Christians is that this readiness is to be achieved by working harder, doing more, finding resources to help us get ready better. Rather, the opposite is true. In order to be well and truly awake, aware, alert, alive, and attentive—we must rest. When we do not rest, our work suffers, our relationships suffer, and we can lose our bearings and our perspective on what is truly important in our lives. This is why we must—we are commanded to—practice Sabbath keeping. The root word of Sabbath means to cease. Of the Ten Commandments, the only one to use the word holy is the fourth: “Remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy.” For six days the Great Creator labored, and on the seventh day he ceased his work and rested, enjoying the goodness of what he had made. God rested and savored the relationship he now had with his creation. Likewise, God expects us to follow this practice of holy rest, giving our attention to God and all the good things God has done for us. To say this is a challenge in our present world is an understatement. Most people work more total hours in a week than their ancestors did. This is true of both the privileged and the poor. When not “at work,” we are available and working through our electronic devices.
Finance Committee Repor t Operating Budget:
Even our relaxation and recreation has become work for us, as we travel more, spend more, and do more than our parents did. How can we possibly have time for Sabbath rest? We have time by setting it aside as a priority. For this short season of Advent, why not try that as an experiment? Keep the Sundays in Advent “holy,” as far as you are able. Come to church to worship God and nourish yourself in communion with the Body of Christ. Then spend time being (rather than “doing”) with people you love. During the weekdays of Advent, carve out a small period of “Sabbath time” each day to rest in God’s presence. You can do this by devotional reading and meditation on God’s Word. And you can also do this by listening to music, spending time in nature, or simply visiting with someone you care about. Try to think of this time as “holy,” moments that are sacred because in them you turn toward God and become available to him. This is how we really get ready for Christ’s coming—putting oil in our lamps, filling the tank—by ceasing our busyness for a time and resting in God. My prayer for each of you this Advent season is that you will feel and know God’s love in the time that he has created for you.
Faithfully, The Very Reverend Beverly F. Gibson, Ph.D., Dean
(dated November 6, 2014 )
$ 752,265
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A Me s s a g e f ro m t h e D e a c o n It’s Advent. So what does that mean for us here at the Cathedral? Outside of our church life, that means it is December and suddenly our lives shift in to high gear. There are Christmas parties to attend, shopping to do, a house to clean up, trips to take to visit family and friends. But, it’s Advent. We will hear from John the Baptist as he quotes from Isaiah, “Prepare the way for The Lord!” Preparation, for anything, is important. Back in early November, we heard Jesus’ parable of the wise and foolish bridesmaids and how important it was to be prepared for Christ, the groom. The words from John the Baptist and Jesus’ parable should cause us to do think about doing some “spiritual housekeeping.” Advent is our time to prepare for the arrival of our Lord and Savior, Jesus. Our preparation has to include slowing down. Yes, that means our preparation for Christ’s arrival in our hearts runs counter to societal expectations and traditions. While I am not asking us to abandon all of our societal traditions, I am asking us to slow down, get quiet, and get ready for Jesus. We need to see if there are ways in which we can prepare and how we can go beyond ourselves to minister to others. Here at the Cathedral, we have Advent materials that whole families can use. From Advent wreaths to Forward Movement publications, we have tools that can help people learn our tradition and focus on Christ’s coming into the world and into our lives. We also have opportunities to minister to others, such as helping to make Advent wreaths and donating time and treasure to help with our Angel Tree. The Angel Tree benefits the Family Intervention Team of the Mobile Police Department. So Advent is here, and Christ is coming. It is time to prepare our hearts, so slow down and get quiet. Have a hopeful Advent, a joyous Christmas, and a wonderful December, and I will see you at church!
By the grace of God and with the affirmation of the people The Right Reverend Philip Menzie Duncan, II, D. D. Bishop of the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast, on behalf of The Right Reverend W. Andrew Waldo Bishop of the Diocese of Upper South Carolina, will ordain
Daniel Andrew Wagner to the Sacred Order of Priests in Christ’s one, holy, catholic, and apostolic church on Saturday, the tenth of January two thousand and fifteen at ten o’clock in the morning
Christ Church Cathedral 115 South Conception Street Mobile, Alabama 36602 Your prayers and presence are requested. Reception to follow. The festival color is red.
If you’d like to help with the Ordination and Reception on Saturday, January 10, please sign-up on the form at the ministry table or contact the Cathedral Office at office@christchurchcathedralmobile.org or 438-1822. Staffing Needs:
Invitations: Address and mail invitations during the first week of December.
Stand-up Breakfast: 8:30 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. Purchase, preparation and serving of a stand up breakfast.
Greeters: 8:30 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. We will need 10 to 12 greeters stationed around the campus.
Ushers: 8:30 a.m. until 11:30 a.m. We will need ushers to hand out bulletins, assist during the service and help prepare the church for Sunday.
God’s Peace,
The Reverend Daniel A. Wagner Deacon dwagner@christchurchcathedralmobile.org
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Music Ministry Dear Friends, Our time of transitioning into Advent is complete. The days grow shorter, colder, and seem to pass away all too quickly as Advent rushes by. Quickly, we race toward Christmas with all the joy and busy preparation that it brings. We can see this expectant joy most easily in the eyes of little ones at this time of year. Children embody the spirit of this season as they await the fun and festivity of Christmas Day and all the presents, food, and games that it brings. Christmas is, for them, a time of warmth, light, and mystery. How often do we embrace this holiday in the same fashion? Pondering this while collecting my thoughts for this article, I have been drawn to quote the final verse of our Christmas Eve processional hymn, O come, all ye faithful. Yea, Lord, we greet thee, Born this happy morning; Jesus, to thee be glory given; Word of the Father, Now in flesh appearing; O come, let us adore him [ . . .] While we cannot say exactly when Christ was born, the adoption of December 25 as the day for celebrating Christmas has a profound theological message. In the darkness of winter, when the days are shortest, we celebrate the birth of Light into the world. We offer our whole selves to this Light, this Word, this Child. Our Christmas Eve processional hymn and all of our other music sings of something wonderful: the mysterious and brilliant birth of Divine Light in our souls. This is so important to us that it might only be compared to the unfolding of the universe. These are the things we celebrate, and these things inspire our song this Christmastime. Please consider coming at 4:15 p.m. for our Christmas Eve Festival Eucharist (service begins at 5:00 p.m.) The choir, handbells, soloists, and instrumentalists of the Cathedral will offer a 45 minute concert prelude to help us prepare for this joyous occasion. We will hear music from Handel’s Messiah all the way to American folk tunes and English carols. There will be something for everyone! As we move into the Eucharist, we will sing familiar carols mixed with some pieces which may be new to you. Of course, during communion, we
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will hear O Holy Night as well as my own musical setting of the text of the Christmas Communion Antiphon. I would like to share that text with you. Amidst the splendors of this heavenly sanctuary, From the womb, before the morning star, I have begotten you, beloved. The above is a poetic interpretation of the heavenly action in the personification of Christ. Can you feel the joyous radiance of Christmas yet? The choir will sing, The Shepherd’s Farewell by Hector Berlioz (18031869) during the offertory. The text for this anthem speaks most poignantly about where all of this light, joy, and cheer eventually leads. The first line says it all. “Thou must leave thy lowly dwelling, the humble crib, the stable bare.” In a beautiful way, we are reminded that we must leave this place and carry what happened here into the rest of our lives, just like Jesus did. All of the music for this celebration is designed to fill us with love for God and neighbor as we celebrate Christmas, but we are also called to remember that this wonderful time is not just isolated to December 25. The choir has been working hard to put life and energy in all of our music all of the time, not just at Christmas. Yea, Lord, we greet thee, born every happy morning. As Advent turns into Christmas and as Christmas turns into Epiphany, it is my prayer that we can all greet our mornings with renewed joy and vigor. As we leave the stable, I hope our songs will resound in your hearts. In closing, I would like to invite you to consider attending one of our Epiphany concerts. We will present a fascinating program on January 11, 18, and 25 at 4:00 p.m. in the Church. Hopefully, these programs will help us keep our child-like joy in our faith alive even after the holidays are officially over. All of us in the music ministry at Christ Church Cathedral wish you a blessed, wondrous, and merry Christmas!
In Christ, Christopher W. Powell Organist and Choir Master
E PIPHANY C ONCERTS
A DVENT M USIC
Sunday, January 11, 2015 at 4:00 p.m.
AT N OON
HILDEGARD, HOWELLS, HOOK &
Advent noon-day concerts are 30 minutes, followed by a luncheon in the Chapter House.
HASTINGS
11:30 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II in the Chapel 12:00 p.m. Meditation and Music in the Church 12:30 p.m. Luncheon in Chapter House ($8 donation suggested)
December 10, 2014
THE UNIVERSITY OF MOBILE STRING ORCHESTRA UNDER THE DIRECTION OF ENEN YU The University of Mobile String Orchestra—the next generation of violinists, violists, cellists, and bassists—will present a short program of beautiful string compositions.
December 17, 2014
AN ORGAN RECITAL BY CHRISTOPHER W. POWELL The Cathedral Organist and Choir Master will present an entirely improvised organ recital, a completely spontaneous musical experience.
An hour-long concert featuring a sung medieval play by Hildegard von Bingen, the first recorded composer of Western music, organ/choral pieces by Herbert Howells, the English romanticist, and the sounds of the Victorian era Hook & Hastings pipework of our organ, dating from 1907. This program will also feature a reflection on Hildegard by The Very Reverend Beverly F. Gibson, Ph.D., Dean.
Sunday, January 18, 2015 at 4:00 p.m.
I LIFT MY EYES TO THE MOUNTAIN DULCIMER Come learn about the Appalachian Mountain Dulcimer in this combination lecture/concert with award winning dulcimer artist, Jessica D. Comeau, who will explain the history and mechanics of the instrument, as well as perform historical and modern pieces.
Sunday, January 25, 2015 at 4:00 p.m.
CATHEDRAL POPS: SACRED FAVORITES If you enjoy all time sacred favorites, this concert is for you, featuring music that has stood the test of time and endures from year to year as favorites in churches far and wide. The musicians of the Cathedral will be featured in this informal and fun variety concert.
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ANNUAL PARISH MEETING AND VESTRY ELECTIONS Sunday, December 7 during Coffee Hour. Please plan to attend.
Floor Nomination Procedure for Vestry Members A name may be placed in nomination as follows: The nominee has agreed to be placed in nomination. Before a name is offered on the floor the nominator will approach the Parish Officers, Chancellor, and Treasurer, who will certify that the nominee meets the requirements outlined in the Resolution of Christ Church Cathedral titled “ Requirements and Responsibilities of Vestry Members” approved on October 10, 2005.
Requirement of Vestry Members To be a confirmed communicant of Christ Church Cathedral, 18 years of age or older. To demonstrate meaningful and sacrificial financial support of the church, including making and fulfilling an annual pledge of support; to consider that Christ Church Cathedral Vestry upholds the tithe as the standard of giving; to encourage the parish to consider proportionate giving; and to work personally toward the tithe.
Responsibilities of Vestry Members To live a daily life reflecting the Christian faith; to strive to grow spiritually through worship, prayer, and
educational opportunities. To participate faithfully in the worship of the church. To attend vestry and chapter meetings and retreats. To work for unity among the clergy, vestry and congregation through open communication; to accept the position of vestry member as an opportunity to serve our Lord. To demonstrate meaningful and sacrificial financial support of the church including making and fulfilling an annual pledge of support; to consider that the Christ Church Cathedral vestry upholds the tithe as the standard of giving and encourages the parish to consider proportionate giving; and to be working toward the tithe. To accept the role of leadership, work diligently and congenially at assigned tasks, and seek out ways to improve the Cathedral Church including: ~ To make new and regular members and visitors feel welcome through personal greetings, visits, and an invitation to participate in activities of interest to them, and ~ To encourage all members of the congregation to become a part of activities and ministries of the church and to attend parish meetings.
We wish to thank the members of the Nominating Committee: John McClelland, Bob Forster, Tray Hamil, Ann Luce, Lissa Watkins, Wythe Whiting, Lucy Brady, Kennon Drew, Tom Garth, Jennifer Grehan, Lucy Lyons, Robby McClure for their prayerful deliberations or our leadership.
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Ve s t r y N o m i n e e s ( P r o p o s e d C l a s s o f 2 0 1 7 ) To be elected at the Annual Parish Meeting and Vestry Elections—Sunday, December 7 during Coffee Hour.
Virginia Lyn Bennett Lyn is a native Mobilian, graduating from Murphy High School. She received both her undergraduate (BS-Biology) and graduate (MBA) degrees from the University of South Alabama. Although reared in the Baptist Church, she transferred and was confirmed at All Saints’ Church in Mobile. There she served as a lay reader, chalice bearer, Altar Guild member, and was appointed as a Board Member for Wilmer Hall. She has been a member at Christ Church for twenty years. Lyn was employed as a Registered Medical Technologist at the Mobile Infirmary Medical Center for over 31 years. Presently she is employed with Roche Diagnostics as a Medical Device consultant. Cartledge Weeden Blackwell III Cart is an Architectural Historian and Assistant Director of the Mobile Historic Development Commission. He was reared in Selma where he attended St. Paul’s Episcopal Church. He is a cradle Episcopalian. He transferred to Christ Church when he moved to Mobile in 2011. He graduated from the College of Charleston, and has a Masters in Architectural History from the University of Virginia. Cart serves as an usher. Steven Brian Hall Steve was born in New Orleans, lived in Norco, LA and moved to Mobile at age 10. He graduated from the University of Alabama, where he met his wife, Marianne. He was a long time employee of the Mobile Press Register until 2012. He is now Director of Sales and Marketing at Lagniappe. They have two children, Tori, a May graduate of the University of Alabama and Mac, now a sophomore there. Steve was received at Christ Church in 2004 when Tori was confirmed. He currently serves as an usher and looks forward to using his experience and abilities in a positive way in his vestry service . Barbara Lewis Mitchell Barbara is a native of Tuscaloosa, and she and her husband, Rick, have lived in Mobile since 1978. She is a graduate of The College of William & Mary, has an M.S. degree from Springhill College and was an elementary and pre-school teacher in Virginia and Alabama. The Mitchells have three children and five grandchildren. They originally transferred to Christ Church in 1980, removed to All Saints’, and returned to Christ Church in 2005. Barbara currently serves on the Flower Guild and has served as a Children’s Chapel and Sunday school teacher in the past. Margaret Marion Thigpen Margaret was born in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and reared in Greensboro, Alabama. She was graduated from the University of Alabama and later moved to Mobile where she met her husband J. Travis Russell. They were transferred from Mobile to Chattanooga, Tennessee/Dalton, Georgia area in 2006 and were moved back to Mobile in July 2009. Margaret was reared United Methodist, and she and Travis where confirmed as Episcopalians at Christ Church in November 2010. They have 3 boys: William (10), Carson (8) and Christopher (4), who were baptized at Christ Church. She is the Director of the Daphne Civic Center and the Bayfront Pavilion for the City of Daphne. Margaret currently serves as a lay reader. Thomas Bragg Van Antwerp Tom was born in Mobile in 1950 and christened at All Saints’ Episcopal Church by the Reverend Francis Wakefield. At the age of twelve he was also confirmed at All Saints’ by Bishop Carpenter. After graduating from the University of Virginia, Tom returned to Mobile and transferred to Christ Church where the Reverend Leighton P. Arsnault was the minister. Tom married Gypsie Boykin Bear in 1974 at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Montgomery and they continued to attend Christ Church with their two children, Bragg and Virginia. In 1987 the Van Antwerp’s moved away from Mobile and attended St. John’s Episcopal Church in Pascagoula, Christ Episcopal Church in Manlius, NY and St. Barnabas Anglican Church in Atlanta, Georgia. Upon returning to Mobile, Tom rejoined Christ Church in 2005. Tom has spent the last ten years as Executive Director of the Providence Hospital Foundation, and he plans to retire from that position in early 2015. He enjoys reading, genealogy and spending time with his three grandsons: Thomas, Emory and Charles. Tom’s daughter, Virginia was confirmed at Christ Church in 2006 and his son Bragg and daughter-in-law, Hayley, recently began attending Christ Church Cathedral with their sons. As a member of the vestry Tom hopes to offer historical guidance based on his two times as a member of Christ Church Cathedral over the past forty-two years. He also hopes to be involved in planning the activities and celebrations related to the 200th anniversary of Christ Church.
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THE CATHEDRAL CHAPTER John Stephenson McClelland Senior Warden
Robert Willis Israel Charles Stephen McKay Junior Wardens
William Kennon Drew Treasurer
Harwell Ellis Coale, Jr. Chancellor
Ronald A. Snider Clerk
Class of 2014 Robert D. Forster Tray W. Hamil Ann H. Luce John S. McClelland, Jr. Elissa E. Watkins Wythe L. Whiting Class of 2015 John D. Davidson Mary Esther T. Elliott Banks C. Ladd Alison S. Mitchell Lucy F. Moore Henry R. Seawell IV Class of 2016 Sage M. Bolt Lewis H. Golden George B. Inge Robert W. Israel Charles S. McKay Hetty C. Newell Chapter Members
C o nve n t i o n D e l e g a t e s The Diocesan Convention will be held Thursday, February 19 to Saturday, February 21, 2015 at Trinity Mobile. Harwell Ellis Coale, Jr. Harwell is a cradle Episcopalian who was reared at Christ Church. He has served numerous times on the vestry including serving as Senior Warden. He represented Christ Church Cathedral on the Standing Committee. He has been a delegate to Diocesan Convention since 2002. Last year he served on the I Dream of a Diocese Committee. Harwell serves as a chalice bearer, a lay reader, and as a Children’s Chapel leader. Carolyn Delchamps Eichold Carolyn served as Co-Chair of the 2012 Diocesan Convention held at Christ Church Cathedral. She served as a delegate to the diocesan conventions in 2012, 2013, 2014. Carolyn was confirmed in 1989, and she and her family transferred to Christ Church in 2006. She served on the vestry from 2009-2011. She served as ECW Co-Chair in 2010-2011, and Chair in 2011-2012. Carolyn has served on the Gardens and Grounds and Columbarium committees. She is a chalice bearer and vested lay reader. Robert Willis Israel Bob was reared in Wedowee, Alabama. His undergraduate degree is from Vanderbilt University, and his MD is from the University Alabama. Bob was baptized in the Presbyterian Church, reared in the Methodist Church and confirmed as an Episcopalian after having married the former Cammie Dunson, a cradle Episcopalian, in 1974. They attended Christ Church in the 1990s, exiled to All Saints’, and returned to Christ Church in 2004. Bob served on the vestry from 2008 to 2011, and was elected for a second term of 2014-2017. He is the Junior Warden, serves on the Finance Committee, and serves as a lay reader and chalice bearer. Richard Mitchell Rick moved letter his to Christ Church in 1979. He has served two terms on the vestry and one term as Senior Warden. He has served on the Finance Committee for the past seven years, and has attended the past three Diocesan Conventions as a delegate. He also serves as chalice bearer.
S e a r c h f o r t h e 4 th B i s h o p o f o u r D i o c e s e The names of the Bishop Candidates will be announced on Wednesday, December 3. Look for an e-mail blast from the Cathedral office. More information will also be in the January issue of The Messenger.
Mendy Henderson, 2016 St. Agatha’s, deFuniak Springs
Gary Moore, 2017 St. Paul’s, Daphne
The Rev. Aaron Smith, 2018 St. Paul’s, Magnolia Springs
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You may meet the candidates at the Walk Abouts. Walk Abouts are open to every member of parishes in the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast.
WALK ABOUT SCHEDULE Monday January 19 Lunch—11:00 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. St. Francis of Assisi, Gulf Breeze. Walkabout—6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. Church of the Nativity, Dothan. Tuesday January 20 Lunch—11:30 a.m. to 1:15 p.m. St. Mary’s, Andalusia. Walkabout—6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. St. John’s, Monroeville Wednesday January 21 Walkabout—6:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m. St. Paul’s, Daphne
A dve n t M at e r i a l s
Adult Advent meditations are included in this issue of The Messenger. The children’s activities and the family advent service booklets are available on the ministry table.
CHRISTIAN FORMATION DECEMBER CALENDAR
The adult booklet is W ait for the Lord, daily Advent meditations and prayers by Henri J. M. Nouwen.
Sunday, December 7 Curriculum for all classes Confirmation: Session III Resist, Repent, and Return Meets in the Cathedral Office.
A Bright Star in Bethlehem, devotions and stickers for the Days of Advent for younger children. For older children, Slow Down, Quiet, Its Advent, a gentle and fun-to-read calendar reminder of the true meaning of the season, illustrated by the Reverend Jay Sidebotham. Both are available on the ministry table. Celtic Advent: 40 Days of Joy, Love and Gratitude—a one page calendar with ideas for living joyfully will be available or you may go to: www.comtemplative cottage.com for more information. Celebrating Advent in the Home booklets are available on the ministry table for your use.
T he E p i s c o p a l Yo u t h C o m m u n i t y ( E Y C ) On Sunday, November 23, our youth had lunch at the Cathedral. Afterwards, they went to see the movie, Jerusalem, and the exhibits at the Exploreum.
Sunday, December 14 Curriculum for all classes Sunday, December 21 Greening of the Cathedral Sunday, December 28 Christian Education holiday
EPISCOPAL CHURCH Q AND A’S What is the mission of the Episcopal Church?
From left: V irginia Ladd, Museum Docent, Banks Griffith, Charlie Ramo, Jordan Chow
D i o c e s a n Yo u t h N ew s Winter Woods—December 27-31 at Beckwith 6-8 grades Cost: $150/one or $250/both sessions Session 1: December 27-29 Session 2: December 29-31
The mission of the whole church is to seek and serve Christ in others, and we do that by teaching, working, and living our lives according to our beliefs. The mission on the Episcopal Church is to follow this plan in keeping with our tradition , and also to live in cooperation and harmony with every other Christian church as we do so. We do this by participating in the World Council of Churches and the National Council of Churches, and by participating in the ecumenical movement with our brothers and sisters of different churches and with seeking understanding with people of all the world’s other faiths. ~The Rev. Catherine Anne Caimano
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MORNING CIRCLE Monday, December 8 10:30 a.m. at the home of Carolyn Stephenson 161-B North McGregor Avenue
Leader: Mary Cook For information or directions, call Carolyn Stephenson at 342-5637.
T h e B i bl e C h a l l e n g e : R e a d t h e B i bl e i n a Ye a r by Marek P. Zabriskie The Center for Biblical Studies (CBS) has designed a one year reading schedule to help those who commit as individuals or as members of a church to read successfully through the entire Bible in a year’s time. Devotional materials are available free of charge on the CBS website: www.thecenterforbiblicalstudies.org. An accompanying devotional to the above reading schedule, The Bible Challenge: Read the Bible in a Year, by Episcopal priest, The Rev. Marek P. Zabriskie, is available in the Cathedral office for $15. If you are interest in participating as a part of a group here at Christ Church Cathedral, please contact Dean Gibson or Deacon Wagner. “In The Bible Challenge, we encourage participants to go directly to the source of the Christian faith and see how the Bible coheres. Reading the Bible on a daily basis will inspire many people to start new ministries, and to make important decisions and significant changes in their lives. It will give them strength and comfort as they face major life challenges and allow them to feel truly alive in Christ.” ~Marek P. Zabriskie
YOUNG ADULTS SUPPER CLUB Wednesday, December 10 6:30 p.m. at the home of Lucy and Leland Moore 2509 Muir Woods Drive East B.Y.O.B. and a small appetizer RSVP to Lucy at lucymoore1110@yahoo.com or 661-7260 or text to 604-4068.
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The Episcopal Church Yo u n g A d ul t S e r v i c e Co r p s The Episcopal Church offers untold opportunities for young adults to live, work and pray with brothers and sisters around the Anglican Communion through the Young Adult Service Corps. Commonly known as YASC, applications for 2015-16 are now being accepted for the Young Adult Service Corps from young adults between the ages of 21 to 30. “YASC provides an opportunity for young adults to explore their faith in a new capacity and to live out the Baptismal Covenant by seeking and serving Christ in all persons,” noted the Rev. David Copley, Mission Personnel Officer. “Applicants must have a high degree of maturity and possess a faith commitment and the willingness to be a humble guest, and the ability to be an authentic companion." The application is available online at www.episcopalchurch.org/yasc. The application deadline is Friday, January 2, 2015.
The Greening of the Cathedral The Parish as a whole is asked to help after church on Sunday, December 21 to decorate the Cathedral for Christmas. Anyone who has access to small magnolia limbs or smilax, please call the Cathedral Office to let us know. All cut greenery may be delivered to the office parking lot by Saturday, December 20.
CATHEDRAL OFFICE
Memorial poinsettias will be used to decorate the church through Sunday, December 28. Poinsettias may be taken from the church following the service that day. A memorial donation for flowers during Advent will remain at $75 since flowers will be incorporated into the decorations during Advent.
L iv i n g We l l T h r o u g h A dve n t 2014
2015 S t ew a r d s h i p E nve l o p e s
App compatible with iPhone/iPad/iPod touch devices running iOS 7.0 or later.
Available on the credenza in the vestibule for those who use them. If you would like envelopes, please add your name to the list on the credenza.
✠ THE
$1.99 Church Publishing, Inc.
Living Well Through Advent 2014 is a daily Advent devotional suitable for all ages. Based on the Living Compass work by Scott Stoner, the app provides daily encouragement for the Advent journey incorporating “heart, soul, mind, and strength.
CHRISTMAS
POINSETTIAS AND MUSIC OFFERING CARDS
will be closed Wednesday, December 24 through Friday, January 2. Dean Gibson will be on call for pastoral emergencies. Financial Secretary Brenda Stanton will be checking telephone messages and emails for end of the year financial needs.
✠ WEDNESDAY HOLY EUCHARIST December 3 Noon
Requests are $15 each.
December 10 & 17 11:30 a.m. in the Chapel followed by Advent Music/Lunch
The deadline for names in the bulletin is Monday, December 15.
December 24 & 31 No Eucharist
Additional cards available on the Ministry Table in the Chapter House.
We will resume our regular Wednesday Eucharist at noon on January 7, 2015.
are enclosed in this edition of The Messenger.
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Outreach This Advent season give to those who need your help.
AT THE PARISH LEVEL We have 20 students who are involved with the Mobile Police Department’s Family Intervention Team (FIT). This will be our 5th year to support these specialists helping children in our community. Among the children are an 11 year-old boy who wants a watch, another who wants a bike, or a budding 17 year-old artist who wants art supplies. The children range in age from 8 years old and in 3rd grade to seniors in high school. In addition to the gifts, we will give each a $100 gift card to purchase clothing or gifts at the Tanger Outlet in Foley. The FIT Angel Tree is up and ready in the Chapter House. You may send cash gifts to the Cathedral office marked FIT Christmas Outreach or you may choose items from the tree. The deadline is Monday, December 15.
IN THE MOBILE COMMUNITY Make a donation to the Home of Grace for W omen. The Home of Grace program serves females ages 18 and up who are addicted to alcohol and /or other drugs. Their wish list includes personal CD players (without radios) and batteries. They are used for teaching tapes. They have also requested laundry detergent, paper products, and larger items such as vacuum cleaners, and laptop computers. Donations may be taken to the Home of Grace 394 Aldock Road in Eight Mile. Web address: homeofgraceforwomen.com.
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Volunteer at The Salvation Army of Coastal Alabama 2014 Holiday Volunteer Opportunities The Salvation Army of Coastal Alabama is gearing up for another busy holiday season, hoping to make that time of year a little brighter for those in need. But we can’t do it alone—we need an “Army” of volunteers to make it possible! Please consider helping with one of the following opportunities: Now until – December 14 Angel Tree Desk at Bel-Air Mall Volunteers sign out adopted Angels and receive the gifts purchased for them. Weekday and weekend shifts available.
Now until—December 24 (10 a.m.–8 p.m.) Red Kettle Bell Ringers Volunteers needed to ring bells at Mobile & Baldwin County Red Kettle locations. December 1–16 (10 a.m.–4 p.m.) Angel Tree Warehouse Volunteers needed to check-in, sort and organize donations; fill gift requests for those whose gifts were not returned. Requires a good deal of walking, bending and some lifting December 17 (8 a.m.–5 p.m.) Angel Tree Distribution Volunteers needed as runners, greeters, check-out, toy shoppers, etc. Takes place in a warehouse setting, with most volunteers moving around to pick up and deliver gifts to check-out. December 25 (10:30 a.m.–2:30 p.m.) Christmas Dinner Volunteers will fill plates, wait tables, clear tables, greet guests, serve beverages and desserts.
The Bay A rea Food Bank offers several ways for the community to get involved in the fight against hunger. An exciting event this Christmas is Christmas Nights of Lights. It will be one of the most amazing drive-thru Christmas light shows you will ever experience! Hundreds of thousands of LED lights, driven by over one thousand computer channels, synchronized to both traditional and new rocking Christmas music playing through your car radio. Pack your vehicle full of friends and family to enjoy the show as you begin a new Christmas tradition. At the end of the show, you'll have an opportunity to visit Santa’s Village for more family fun. Through Saturday, January 3, 2015 at Hank Aaron Stadium (755 Bolling Brothers Blvd.) Cost: $6 per person
artisans through monthly textile purchases and economic empowerment grants. Individuals, churches, and retailers are now hosting consignment shows (The Cathedral’s is from November 30 through December 11) involving over 100 volunteers each year to carry out this task. We can attest, small beginnings and a little willingness certainly can go a long way!
Episcopal Relief and Development Gifts for Life
NATIONALLY AND INTERNATIONALLY
Transform a Life: Give a gift with lasting impact For 75 years, Episcopal Relief & Development has been healing in a hurting world—honoring Jesus’ call to care for the least of these.
Arpilleras In 1999 a Peruvian textile was given to a church as a thank you gift. A member at the church, Kim, saw the intricate work and believed she could help the artisan group that created it by selling “a few” textiles to her friends. Kim, an engineer by trade, quickly helped the artisans standardize their work into charming, functional works of art. She was pleased after one year to have sold $7K in textiles to support a small group of artisans. Little did she know that God would use that initial textile, and her willingness to start an organization that now totals over $1.5M in sales benefiting over 700
To support ERD place a check in the alms basin or go to episcopalrelief.org/gifts for life
Give a goat and provide a stable source of food and earnings Cost—$80
Give fruit trees and enrich a family’s food supply and farmland Cost—$35
Give a flock of chickens and provide a sustainable source of food and income Cost—$135
Bees and honey and give small farmers a taste of success Cost—$55
Disaster relief kits and necessities in times of crisis
Health Clinics and offer critical care wherever it is needed Cost—$15 per person
provide lifesaving Cost—$50
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D i o c e s a n N ew s BayLights 2014 Recap:
282 tickets sold 240 hamburgers served 200 + attended BayLights 126 bottles of wine donated 100+ feet on the dance floor 88 volunteers sold tickets 80+ attended the Diocesan Ultreya 61 attended All Saints' Service 50 overnight guests Saturday 48 raffle prizes awarded 29 youth campers and counselors 7 generous sponsors 4 handsome Modern Eldorados 1 extremely happy grand prize couple
On behalf of Beckwith and the BayLights team, I offer my sincere thank you to everyone who purchased a ticket for BayLights 2014. Events like BayLights come together through the generosity, hard work and dedication of our sponsors, ticket sellers, staff, and volunteers. For those who attended the event we are grateful for your attendance, participation, and enthusiasm.
Please contact me at eleanor@BeckwithAL.com if you are interested in a refund.
Our goal for BayLights is to offer an opportunity for the diocesan family to gather together and share a great time with food, music and fellowship, and support the fundraising efforts and the ministry of Beckwith.
We continue hearing positive feedback which fuels our enthusiasm and inspires us to moveforward. We are thrilled and honored by the continued spirit of friendship, fellowship, and generosity of our Beckwith friends and family.
We offer our apologies to all who attended the event and did not get to share in the low country boil. We would like to offer a full refund to those who waited in line for dinner and did not get fed.
We hope this year's format for BayLights served as a catalyst to encourage participation and allow opportunity for many new diocesan connections. We appreciate the diverse group of people who bought tickets and the number of parishioners who joined us from across the diocese.
God's Blessings, Eleanor Reeves
Co r r e s p o nd e n c e On behalf of the members of The Episcopal Church of the Good Shepherd, we would like to thank you, the Vestry and the members of Christ Church Cathedral for the generous donation of $500 in celebration of our 160th Church Anniversary. The weekend was great with memories that will live in our hearts forever. Thank you for supporting this historic event in the life of our church. Sincerely, Kris Branch, Senior Warden Curtis Flakes, 160th Anniversary Committee, Chairperson
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Dear friends at Christ Church, Thank you so much for the wonderful basket of goodies! You sent the perfect assortment of delicious foods that have made breakfast and snack-time a breeze for me…. ~A new mother at Christ Church Cathedral
If you would like to be a part of this ministry, please contact Chambliss Brister and Cammie Israel, who will co-chair the New Mothers Pastoral Care Team.
Ca t he d r a l P r aye r L i s t
O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers: Mercifully accept our prayers, and grant to your servants the help of your power, that their sickness may be turned into health, and our sorrow into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Brink Brinkley, John Wade Thurber, Nick Nichols, Butch Trawick, Billie van der Giessen, Peter van der Giessen, Patti Biel, Alice Carwie, Raymond Fields, The Rev. Ellis Wilkins, Lisa Williams
Tucker, Wyatt Ison, Sallie Jackson, Curt Kennington, Kathy Sanders, Davis Sarrett, Willie Stanton, Clarise Waters, Glenn Hill, Leslie Ellis Sharbel, Cora Lemmon, Dewey Hardeman, Humphrey Godfroy, Marian Hall, Resa Chappelle, Homer Kemp, Jane Behlen, Katie Sippel
Friends & Family:
Sara Phillips, Pastoral Leader, Mary’s, Coden
We Pray for: Members:
Leland Moore, Sr., Deborah Beverley, Peggy Naughton, Gary Davis, Harrison Leff, Michael Cameron, Nancy & Don Cameron, Rob & Amy Archer Ellis, Dottie McCord, Joyce Lee, Davis Nelson, Michael Sumrall, Gwen Cook, Alfred Showers, Michael Daves, Michael Sumrall, Jim Elia, Anne Brown, Mark Brown, Harriett Lillich, Bonnie Orillion, Dave Carlyn Block, Scott Craver, Rachel McClanahan, Beverly Schubert, Tom Cunningham, Francis Grace Hirs, Anna Laura Plovanich, Norma Beazley, Curtis Bullock, Valerie Boatman, Brian McArdle, Ann Jones, Hank Wozniek, Lisa Thompson, Stella Phillips, James Thomas, Ted Fraiche, Mark Miles, Susan Guilian, Tot Swanson, Art Swanson, Hayden Jenkins, Maggie Jenkins, Betty Ruth Patek, Carolyn Pryor, Merle Findley, Louise Douglas, Shirley & Dunlap Peeples, Steve Harris, Sandy Fortner, Johnny McLeod, Marian Macpherson Currie, Jim & Dianne McCall, Mary Lou Peake, Bill Goodloe, Kit & Roger Geil and the Geil family, Angel & Larry Torres, Kathy Boucvalt, Bill Stevens, Mancil Lee, Ginger Simpson, Carrier Yankie, Karen Sentilles, Melody Williams, Lila Fisk, Kendall Stanton, Tracey Johnson, Joe Lowrey, Temple Webber, Celeste Hall, Joel Hopper, Betty Browder, David Lannie, The Rev. Mark Wilson, Allan
Those Serving Military:
in
the
Darrien Gibson, Kelley Hood, Evan Sizemore, Robert McNeil, The Rev. Bowen Woodruff, Daniel WhiteSpunner Reed, Jonathan Duralde, Ron Lansong, Sam Garcia, Chris Marslender, Jerry Olin, Abby Hutchins, Tyler Gamble, Jean-Michael Lemieux, Albert Robinson IV, Michael Nassar, Josh Power, Ryan Anthony Thomas, Randy Johnson, Susan Reniewicz, Brian Caselton, Brian Hudson, Keith Moss, Ryan Walker, Tyler Oubre, Brian Pennell, John Snyder, Louis Coggin, Jason Norris, Conner Thigpen, Zack Miller, Parker Hollinghead, Todd & Jordana Mouthaan
Birth: James Casey Dewey Hardeman, grandson of Joel and Stephanie Daves
Souls Departed: The Rev. Jack Miller; Sheri Neely; Janie Houser; Viva Weeks, mother of Mark Weeks; Jim Hancken
Please contact the Cathedral Office to let us know if you would like to remove or keep the names of Friends and Family you have submitted on the prayer list. We will update this list regularly.
DECEMBER BIRTHDAYS December 1 December 2 December 3
Elizabeth Bullock Caroline Clinton Alec Armbrecht Richie Harris December 4 Liz Ferguson Ed Stephens December 6 David Broome December 7 Jex Luce December 8 Lucy Lyons Shannon Reeves December 9 Chris Kelly December 10 Nick Holmes Gary Kohler December 11 Tiny Spottswood December 12 Will Bjorklund December 13 Jerry Coggin Monique Hawkins Jordan Moore Bill Skinner December 14 Alison Mitchell December 15 Perrin Drew Lewis Golden Sam McKay Sallie Merchant December 16 Lisa Drew December 17 John Owens McElhaney December 18 Jubal Hamil Annabel McKay December 19 Skip Archer December 20 Susan Crowson Dylan Gibson Kim Harden Graham Reeves December 21 Brittain Youngblood December 22 Peter van der Giessen December 23 Ellen Douglas Alves December 24 Happy Henson December 25 Elinor Gibson December 26 Robert Mitchell December 27 Lally Hamil Gene Moree December 29 Carter Drane Polly Garner Judy Jones December 30 Robbie Lynn Irvine Emi Lyden Alexander Raue Kay Whiting December 31 Lisa Cooper
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CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL 115 South Conception Street Mobile, Alabama 36602
NONPROFIT ORG U S POSTAGE PAID MOBILE AL PERMIT #673
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL Corner of St. Emanuel and Church Streets 115 South Conception Street, Mobile, Alabama 36602 Established 1822 The Right Reverend Philip M. Duncan, II, Bishop The Very Reverend Beverly F. Gibson, Ph.D., Dean The Reverend Daniel A. Wagner, Deacon Carolyn S. Jeffers, Provost Christopher W. Powell, Organist and Choir Master Brenda J. Stanton, Financial Secretary Marla J. Reis, Cathedral Secretary Polly M. Garner, Assistant to the Provost Deidre and Joe Williamson, Nursery Judy J. Jones, Housekeeping ✠Office Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday Phone 251.438.1822 Fax: 251.433.3403
Website: www.christchurchcathedralmobile.org E-mail: office@christchurchcathedralmobile.org
The Cathedral Mission Statement The Cathedral is the spiritual center of the Diocese of the Central Gulf Coast. The Cathedral is a dynamic and evolving church that serves as a liturgical, educational, and pastoral center for Diocesan life. It serves as a visible symbol of unity and promotes growth, hope, and a deepening trust in the Lord. The Cathedral is a place where the Gospel of Jesus Christ will be faithfully preached and responded to, and it will model new concepts and ideas for education, evangelism, and outreach to which the Gospel calls us.