The CATHEDRAL TIMES The weekly newsletter of the Cathedral of St. Philip · Serving Atlanta and the World · May 26, 2019
REVELATION This article is an excerpt from Sam Candler’s sermon at the last 4:00 choral service of the 2018-2019 season, whose full title is “The Revelation of the Book of The Revelation to John.” Read the full sermon at cathedralATL.org/sermons. I’m different from a lot of Episcopalians. I really love the Book of The Revelation to John. Some people think it is the craziest book in the Bible. I think it is, too, but I still love it. Some people think it is utterly indecipherable. I think it is, too, but I still love it. Some people think that the book of Revelation is better left to the emotion-charged raving rapturists! You know who they are. They are those people who have figured out every hidden clue in the book, and they seem to discover the same thing every time: they’re saved and you are not! I do not think that. I do not think that the Book of Revelation gives us the detailed itinerary of the last days. It is a shame that this book has been hijacked by such terrorists as the post-tribulation millenialists, and the pre-rapture tribulationists. I am glad we read from The Revelation to John, the last book of the Bible today; because today is the last Sunday of our choral afternoon offerings. Like us celebrating our last 4:00 service of the season, this book is presumed to be about last things. But the book is not a prophecy of the literal last days of earth. Instead, I believe, the book is a vision of what is occurring now. And it provides a vision of what is going on in heaven, right now! In chapter after chapter, the writer, John (who is most definitely not the same John who wrote the Gospel), the writer John describes what people are doing in heaven. And what are people doing in heaven? What are the saints doing in heaven? …Well, they are singing! They are worshipping! Listen to some of these famous passages that they sing: …As soon as John starts the vision, he sees the four living creatures singing, “Holy, Holy, Holy, to the Lord God Almighty” (Revelation 4:8). And then, every creature in heaven singing, “To the one seated on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might, forever and ever” (Revelation 5:13). And the angels are singing, “Amen, Blessing and glory and wisdom to our God forever” (Revelation 7:12). This goes on and on and on, in the Book of Revelation! This is a book about singing! For us, who are also singing in our last 4:00 service of the season. Now, I say this sensitively and tenderly to those who don’t like to sing in church. But, here it is: you better learn to sing in church. Because, once you get to heaven, singing seems to be pretty much the only thing we’re going to be doing up there! Singing in church is practicing for singing in heaven! When we gather to pray and sing on Sundays, we are meant to be practicing for the kingdom of heaven. …Finally, here in the passage we heard today, Revelation, chapter 21, verse 3, we hear what that singing accomplishes. …Yes, here in the next to last chapter of the last book of the Bible, the writer finally reveals the great revelation of the Book of Revelation! John says, “And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, ‘See, the home of God is among mortals. He will dwell with them; they will be his peoples, and God himself will be with them.” When we sing, God is with us. Whether our song is a praise or a lament, a canticle or a psalm, an anthem or a hymn, whether it is the first Sunday of the season, and especially when it is the last Sunday of the season, our singing brings us into community with God. The home of God is among mortals. That is the great revelation in The Book of Revelation. In this last book of the bible, salvation is not accomplished by the ways of this world. Salvation is not about winning some violent battle. Salvation is not about Armageddon and who will be left behind. Salvation is that God dwells in humanity.
This SUNDAY
MAY 26, 2019 · The Sixth Sunday of Easter, Year C
Acts 16:9-15 · Psalm 67 · Revelation 21:10, 22-22:5 · John 14:23-29
7:45 A.M. HOLY EUCHARIST, MIKELL CHAPEL
Celebrant and Preacher: The Rev. Canon Carolynne Williams
8:45 A.M. HOLY EUCHARIST, CATHEDRAL Celebrant: The Rev. Canon Cathy Zappa Preachers: The Rev. Dr. Thee Smith Staff Singers: Richard Shephard, The secret of Christ Thomas Tallis, If ye love me
9 A.M. HOLY EUCHARIST, MIKELL CHAPEL
Celebrant and Preacher: The Rev. Canon Carolynne Williams
11:15 A.M. HOLY EUCHARIST, CATHEDRAL Celebrant: The Rev. Canon Cathy Zappa Preachers: The Rev. Dr. Thee Smith Staff Singers: Richard Shephard, The secret of Christ Thomas Tallis, If ye love me
11:15 A.M. LA SANTA EUCARISTÍA, MIKELL CHAPEL
Celebrant and Preacher: The Rev. Gregoria Betonces
PRAYER List FOR THOSE WHO ARE ILL OR RECOVERING: LONG TERM PRAYERS T. Mayo and Pat Atkins • Christian Bensah • Virginia Bicksler • John Blair • Pat Brinson • Dick Burgin • Wicke Chambers • Heather Clark • Terry Dornbush • Sarah duBignon • Kitty Dukehart • Lee Duncan •
Randy Farmer • Rita Fink • William Ham • Caroline Hatcher • Katie Hughey • Tish Jennings • Louise Kan • Jack Lumanog • Elaine Lyon • Frank Mathews • Lorri McClain • Carol McDonald • Jim McKenzie • Mary Elizabeth Morgan • Cecil Miner • Charlie Neal • Marian Palmore • Garry Pryor • Rubye and Wayne Reid • Agnes Elizabeth Robertson • Louis "Skip" Schueddig • Brian Sturgell • Ruth Swanson • Julie Thompson • Faye Van Winkle • Sandy Williamson • Randy Wilson • Hollis Youngner
FAMILY AND FRIENDS Eileen Abeyesundere • Alex Collins Astrop • Bettina Bass • Caroline Brewer • Connie Brittain • Amie Beth
Clark • Joseph Counahan • Sandra Daniel • Annelly Deets • Lee Dvonch • Cheryl • Deborah Ellington • Linda Evans • Rosalyn Flanagan • Helen Nixon Fleming • Carleton Fuller • Ann Gressette • Ken and Marcia
Gorton • Peggy Govan • Doyce Gunter • Bobby Hearn • Patricia Hentz • Greg Hentz • Heather Hooper • Paul Jossey • Sun Ja Kim • Betty C. Lyons • Pat Martin • Michelle Maxwell • Linus Nickel • Steven Norman •
Andi Otey • Rosemary Palmer • Penelope Rose Price • Bill Poole • Frank Roth • Ernest Sandoval • James Sands • Karl Schaffenburg • Grant Sharrow • Ken Singleton • Tina Susco • Pierson Thames • Roger Traylor •
Janiece Townshend • Sandra Wallace • Ron M. Wallace • Marion Wilson • Whit A. Wright • Patricia Young
FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED: Eudelle Lanier Graham
Children's MUSIC
SPIRITUALITY
SUMMER MUSIKGARTEN/ALLEGRO MUSIC CLASSES
PILGRIMAGE TO ISRAEL IN 2020
Looking for fun family activities this summer? Join one of our Allegro music classes taught by Brenda Pruitt, MM – licensed Musikgarten instructor and music therapist. Using a unique Musikgarten curriculum designed for families with children of mixed ages, “All Together Now” addresses early childhood developmental processes through music and movement activities. Music immerses the child in language, evokes movement, stimulates the brain, and fosters physical coordination - all in a group setting that builds community. It’s a truly holistic experience, and it’s great fun, too!
Join other Cathedral parishioners and pilgrims from around the world for a spiritual retreat with St. George’s College in Israel. We will be participating in a ten-day study pilgrimage called “Women of the Bible,” which offers a reflective spiritual experience for women and men who wish to focus on often overlooked perspectives in the Bible. The program is based in two venues: St. George’s College in Jerusalem and in a guest house in Galilee. In addition to the study pilgrimage, our Cathedral group will have extra days at the beginning and the end of the pilgrimage to explore this holy region on our own. The travel dates are May 31-June 14, 2020. The estimated cost is $5000, though we are still in the beginning stages of pricing group airfares and ground transportation. A $500 non-refundable deposit is required to sign up. Space is limited! If you are interested, contact Jeannie Mahood, jmahood@cathedralATL.org or 404-365-1031, or Cathy Zappa, czappa@cathedralATL.org or 404-365-1043, for more complete information.
Who: Open to children from birth through age 5. Older siblings welcome to attend as guests. Caregiver attends with the child/ children up to age 3. When: Classes begin May 28. Visit a class in the first two weeks for free! • Tuesdays, 11:15 – 11:45 a.m. • Wednesdays, 11:15 – 11:45 a.m. • Thursdays, 11:15 – 11:45 a.m. Classes won’t meet during Week of Wonder VBS, June 10–14. Cost: $100 for first child, $70 for each additional child (scholarship options available) Enroll online at cathedralATL.org/allegro. Contact Brenda Pruitt, bpruitt@cathedralATL.org or 404-788-0960, if you have any questions.
MEMBERSHIP TRANSITIONS NEW MEMBERS Lance Patrick and his daughter, Kate, from Marietta, Georgia Laura and John Kelly, from Alpharetta, Georgia
WEDDING Evelyn Abels and C.J. Rolison, married May 11, 2019
The CATHEDRAL of ST. PHILIP
The Very Rev. Samuel G. Candler, Dean Dale Adelmann, Ph.D., Canon for Music The Rev. Lauren R. Holder, Canon for Outreach and Congregational Life The Rev. George M. Maxwell, Jr., Vicar The Rev. Catherine Zappa, Canon for Education and Worship The Rev. John William Harkins III, Ph.D., Priest Associate The Rev. Deacon Juan Sandoval, Deacon for Hispanic Ministries The Rev. Theophus “Thee” Smith, Ph.D., Priest Associate The Rev. Carolynne G. Williams, Canon Associate for Pastoral Care and Elder Ministry Austin Hall, Senior Warden Dorsey DeLong, Junior Warden
CATHEDRAL TIMES SUBMISSION DEADLINES: FOR THE SUNDAY, JUNE 2 ISSUE, THE DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY, MAY 22. FOR THE SUNDAY, JUNE 9 ISSUE, THE DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY, MAY 29. PLEASE EMAIL ANNOUNCEMENT REQUESTS TO THE EDITOR, DAN MURPHY, AT DMURPHY@CATHEDRALATL. ORG. TO RECEIVE THE TIMES BY EMAIL, CONTACT JANIE HARRIS AT JHARRIS@CATHEDRALATL.ORG.
404-365-1000 | cathedralATL.org cathedralatl
POSTMASTER: Dated Material. Please deliver by May 25, 2019
MEMORIAL DAY PRAYERS If you have a loved one who died while serving in the armed forces whom you would like to include in the Prayers of the People on Memorial Day weekend, please send the name to Canon Cathy Zappa, czappa@cathedralATL.org.
At Week of Wonder this year, we will learn how to be a good neighbor and have compassion for our neighbors close at hand and around the world, through five carefully chosen Bible stories. Join us as we discover neighbors near and far! Week of Wonder runs 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., June 10-14. The cost is $125 per child. Children must be 3 by September 1, 2018.
HISPANIC Ministries TASTE OF LATIN AMERICA The Diocesan Commision on Hispanic Ministry sponsors A Taste of Latin America, an annual dinner celebrating Hispanic culture in and around Atlanta, and it is a real fiesta! If you are inclined to cook, bring a Latin American dish to share. There will be music and dancing, craft items for sale, a raffle, and a silent auction - plus a piñata for the children, of course! This year’s dinner will be on Saturday, June 1, from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. in Child Hall. Reservations and tickets are not required; after dinner, sombreros will be passed for donations to benefit humanitarian projects. Friends and family members of all ages are welcome. Contact Deacon Juan Sandoval, jsandoval@cathedralATL.org, for more information.
POSTMASTER Send address changes to: The Cathedral of St. Philip 2744 Peachtree Road, NW Atlanta, Georgia 30305-2920 404-365-1000
CATHEDRAL TIMES (USPS-093440) is published weekly by The Cathedral of St. Philip 2744 Peachtree Road, NW Atlanta, Georgia 30305-2920 Periodicals Postage Paid at Atlanta, GA
As Episcopalians, we have promised in our Baptismal Covenant to “seek and serve Christ in all persons” and to “strive for justice and peace among all people, and respect the dignity of every human being.” In an effort to better understand our country’s troubled history and its impact on all of us, you are invited to participate in any and all of these summer opportunities for learning, and open and safe conversations.
BOOK DISCUSSION OF JUST MERCY: A STORY OF JUSTICE AND REDEMPTION BY BRYAN STEVENSON Sunday, June 30, 4-6 p.m., Walthour Library A powerful true story about the potential for mercy to redeem us and an inspiring argument for compassion in the pursuit of true justice.
BOOK DISCUSSION OF THE CROSS AND THE LYNCHING TREE BY JAMES H. CONE Thursday, July 25, 5-7 p.m., Walthour Library An exploration of these emotionally charged symbols and their interconnection in the history and souls of black folk. Both discussions will be led by Canon Cathy Zappa and the Rev. Dr. Thee Smith.
PILGRIMAGE TO THE NATIONAL MEMORIAL FOR PEACE AND JUSTICE, AND THE LEGACY MUSEUM Wednesday, August 7, 8 a.m. until approximately 8 p.m. Montgomery, Alabama Cost: $20 (includes lunch) MORE INFORMATION AT CATHEDRALATL.ORG/MONTGOMERY