CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL An Episcopal Community in the Heart of Houston, Texas
NOVEMBER 2019 CHRISTCHURCHCATHEDRAL.ORG
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Upcoming Eucharist class is Thanksgiving preparation As we gather later this month with those we hold dear to observe Thanksgiving in our homes, be reminded that we come together each week at the Cathedral for another feast of thanksgiving and gratitude as we experience the Eucharist — a word derived from the Greek, “Eucharisteo” and meaning “to give thanks.” During the education hour at 10 a.m. on Sunday, Dec. 15, in the Cathedral, an all-ages class on how and why we “do Eucharist” to help enrich the experience of communion and to expand parishioners’ understanding of the sacrament. The guided conversation will be led by Dean Barkley Thompson and KariAnn Lessner, minister for children and families. “We want to teach people how to get their heads and hearts ready Eucharist at The Well Celtic contemplative service, Sundays at 5 p.m. for the Great Thanksgiving,” Lessand responses we put into practice each week, ner says. For some who choose to attend this oppor- she says. For others, it will be a reminder of tunity to learn about the Eucharist, the pro- what is meant by what we say and do. gram will be a primer on the Eucharist prayers EUCHARIST, page 3
Brothers and Bishops: Gresham and Bill BY WILL HAMILTON
Will there be a bishop sitting next to you in the pew next Sunday? How about a child who will someday be called to become a priest and then called to be a bishop? Well, in the 1920s, there were two young boys at Christ Church who later became bishops. Yes, and they were brothers! Charles Gresham Marmion Jr. was born in 1905, William Henry Marmion was born in 1907, and they attended Christ The Brothers Marmion grew up at Christ Church Church. Reportedly, Bill came to the Cathedral Cathedral and both became Episcopal Bishops.
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The fire of the Saints In Cormac McCarthy’s heartrending novel The Road, a father strives to protect his son in a post-apocalyptic world. The father seeks not only his child’s mere survival, but also the preservation of something true and precious in the boy’s soul. The father views his son as a vessel, and he speaks THE VERY REV. repeatedly of the “fire” BARKLEY the child embodies. As THOMPSON the father lies dying, the son expresses his desire to die, too. “You can’t,” the dad responds, “You have to carry the fire.” The dialogue continues. “Is it real? The fire?” the boy asks. “Yes it is.” “Where is it? I don’t know where it is.” “Yes you do. It’s inside you. It was always there. I can see it.” We Christians understand this fire within as the Christ incarnate in us and in all things. In many, most of the time, the fire is a hidden and low-burning ember, and it is rarely felt within or seen without. But in some throughout Christian history, the fire has burned brightly, enlivened by the Holy Spirit. We remember such men and women on All Saints, which we celebrate on November 3. I prepare for All Saints by meditating on the incarnate Christ within us, who desires nothing so much as to be fanned into flame by the Spirit. This year, I have been reminded of a Stephen Spender poem, which offers, in part: I think continually of those who were truly great. Who, from the womb, remembered the soul’s history Through corridors of light where the hours are suns, endless and singing.
SAINTS, page 2