CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL An Episcopal Community in the Heart of Houston, Texas
FEBRUARY 2016 CHRISTCHURCHCATHEDRAL.ORG
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Morphosis In 1991, a new word entered our common lexicon. The term was the product of two events in pop culture that occurred almost simultaneously: the release of Michael Jackson’s “Black or White” music video and the Arnold Schwarzenegger film “Terminator 2: Judgment Day.” The word was morphing. Until 1991, any television or film special THE VERY REV. effect that involved BARKLEY THOMPSON something transforming from one state of being to another had a choppy quality to it. Think of old movies like “The Wolf Man,” in which the protagonist’s transition from person to feral creature was accomplished by a stop-and-start, chunky sequence of frames. “Black or White” and “Terminator 2” changed all that. With them came a new technology that allowed for fluid, almost miraculous transformation. At the end of the music video for “Black or White,” for instance, a sumo wrestler morphs into supermodel Tyra Banks seamlessly. In 2016, this technology is so ubiquitous that we scarcely notice it. It has been fine-tuned and is used in movies, television shows, and even commercials so often as to be mundane. But when I was a college student in 1991, this new morphing effect was enough to make me put down my Nintendo Gameboy (um … I mean my philosophy textbook) and pay attention. It turns out, though, that the idea of morphing — of miraculously transforming from one thing into another — is not new at all. It is as old as the Christian Church. St. Gregory of Nyssa in the 4th century speaks repeatedly of morphosis as the goal of Christian life. The very reason for being Christian, Gregory contends, is so that we can be morphed into
MORPHOSIS, page 8
Sextons get it done, faithfully Ask a sexton about the “typical” work day and they will likely answer that there is no typical day. Or so observes Shadrick Griffin, who five months ago joined the Cathedral’s ranks of modern-day sextons. Fellow sextons Ardell Ray and Brandon Johnson share in the caretaking, upkeep, and other support of campus buildings — and what goes on within them. “We get the job done,” Griffin says of the multitude of responsibilities they encounter each day in tending to worship, fellowship, concerts, special events, classes, and programs. Griffin’s regular responsibilities range from
making coffee to ensuring that the buildings are secured. On any given day, he also might be preparing a space for use or restoring it afterward. And if so called, he’ll tend to smaller, impromptu tasks such as assisting with the parking gates or searching for lost items. With hundreds of lights in each of the buildings, keeping bulbs burning brightly is a recurring task. In some cases, changing burned-out bulbs requires use of a power lifter to reach them. That’s something Griffin rather enjoys, despite having to maneuver around the tight spaces in the sanctuary. The view from above is a bonus, he says.
SEXTONS, page 5
Sexton Shadrick Griffin works with Facilities Administrator Frank Guevara to update a room in the Jones Building.
Lenten speakers to focus on health, healing
THE MOST REV. GEORGE CAREY
With the start of Lent in February, we will once again welcome regional and national speakers to our Cathedral for the 2016 Robert C. Stuart Lenten Series. This year, we’ve assembled a diverse group of thinkers to focus on the broad topics of health, healing, and wholeness. The Lenten Series is presented by the Adult Formation Council in partnership with Brigid’s Place, the Episcopal Health Foundation and the Stuart family. In a departure from previous years, the series will
LENTEN, page 6