CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL An Episcopal Community in the Heart of Houston, Texas
OCTOBER 2015 CHRISTCHURCHCATHEDRAL.ORG
AFTER-HOURS EMERGENCY CARE LINE | 713-826-5332
Much more than a “financial” return
Cathedral Organist Monica Czausz prepares for her upcoming Oct. 18 concert, which she will perform on the Cathedral’s 1938 Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ.
Accompanying the spiritual journey
When Christ Church hosts its inaugural “Boo-Bash” of family fun on the evening of Oct. 30, the Cathedral’s historic pipe organ will set a spooky mood with music played on the hour and half-hour from 6–8 p.m. “It’s certainly another example of the instrument’s many roles,” said the Cathedral’s newly appointed organist, Monica Czausz. On any given Sunday, the music of the pipe organ establishes the mood of the service, supports the congregation as they sing, and knits together separate parts of the liturgy.
Achieving that cohesiveness can be a tall order, Czausz said, but doing so is a pleasure, particularly at the Cathedral. “People have come to expect a certain music experience and style based in the Anglican traditions of choral music. “[There is] something fundamentally aweinspiring about the organ, from the rumble of its lower register to the high voices.” Czausz also appreciates how, as organist, she gets to provide both the first and last notes
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Family musician Justin Roberts to perform Oct. 3 Take one part indie rock star, add one part divinity school graduate, toss in a pinch of Montessori preschool teacher, then shake. What do you get? Grammynominated children’s musician Justin Roberts, that’s who. And on Saturday, October 3, he’ll perform live in Reynolds Hall at a special one-night-only concert for the whole family. Roberts is a friend and former classmate of our own Dean Barkley Thompson. He and his band, the Not Yet Ready for Naptime Players, will be performing at the Austin City Limits festival, and Roberts is swinging into town to put on a Houston show just for us. JUSTIN ROBERTS
ROBERTS, page 2
As retired members of our Cathedral community, our decision about pledging each year to the Every Member Canvass is straightforward. We are blessed to be members of the Cathedral and involved in its ministry. Our EMC goals have been to commit, to be as generous as CHARLIE AND possible, and to grow MIMI PRIOLEAU our contribution each year — even if by a nominal amount — in support of the important ministries of the Cathedral. Why do we feel so forthright about making a commitment each year? It’s quite simple — it’s the intangible return we enjoy from our EMC financial investment. It’s a return that is so much more than a “financial” return — it’s a spiritual, emotional, psychological, and hopeful return. Okay … being honest, how many weekends do we all wake up, dog tired, wanting to stay under the covers for a little longer, relax with a cup of coffee, read the morning newspaper, and put off facing the chaos that our big city presents each day (even on Sunday mornings)? Our lives seem to grow busier and busier, and weekends seem to offer a brief respite or time for escape. In sum, we live in the midst of a busy, bustling, chaotic city. Chaos aside, however, we get up, dress, drive downtown, and volunteer or attend services at Christ Church Cathedral — often passing other churches along the way. We do this and walk away from our Cathedral experience feeling more enlightened, optimistic, hopeful, and secure in our convictions and beliefs. In short, we are blessed to be members of this Cathedral with its incredible clergy,
EMC, page 5