CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL An Episcopal Community in the Heart of Houston, Texas
OCTOBER 2020 CHRISTCHURCHCATHEDRAL.ORG
AFTER-HOURS EMERGENCY CARE LINE | 713-826-5332
2021 EMC
The Jesus fish
Every Member Canvass Every member of Christ Church has a Cathedral story. For this year’s Every Member Canvass, the annual fund drive for the coming calendar year, the goal is to share as many of those important personal narratives as possible. “Typically, we have one set of cochairs for the campaign,” said Minister for Stewardship Karen Kraycirik. “But this year we’ve engaged three couples to act as co-chairs for the campaign.” Ben and Winnie Powell, Risher and Alice Randall, and Isaac and Cris Tristan all came to the Cathedral through different paths, but they are each deeply rooted in the Christ Church community. Because of COVID-19, the fellowship gathering events connected with Every Member Canvass cannot happen as they normally would, but the three couples will be doing virtual outreach and may also participate in some mailings. Their varied experiences and stories will
To learn more or make your pledge online visit: christchurchcathedral.org/emc
certainly inform their message to others. Risher Randall was baptized and confirmed at Christ Church, after his parents joined long before he was born. Risher married Alice in
EMC, page 5
“Rooted in Christ; Built on Christ”: The Cathedral’s new Vision Action Plan In the fall of 2019, Dean Thompson and the the task force convened a Saturday “CounCathedral vestry convened a Visioning Task cil of Councils” with more than 100 council members participating. Councils were Force to imagine and craft a new Vision encouraged to ask and answer the Action Plan to guide the Cathedral’s question, “What is your ‘why’?” ministry. The Cathedral’s previand to imagine the ways in which ous Vision Action Plan, “A Future their council’s work fits faithfully Filled With Hope,” was adopted in Rooted in Christ into the Cathedral’s mission to 2014 and resulted in, among other Built on Christ “proclaim the love of Jesus Christ things, the creation of “The Well,” through word and deed to the parish, our Sunday evening Celtic Eucharist the diocese, and the downtown commuand the position of Canon for Welcome nity. ” After the Council of Councils, councils and Evangelism at Christ Church. Five years were tasked to spend three months evaluating later, it was time to vision anew. past programs and imagining potential new avThis time, the Visioning Task Force utienues for ministry. lized the Cathedral’s 12 councils plus a workVISION ACTION PLAN, page 6 ing group representing our choirs. In October,
We can all agree on the central symbol of Christian faith, right? It is, of course, the cross, reminding us of Jesus’ substitutionary atonement for the sins of humankind. If someone asks a Christian what faith is all about, she can simply point to the cross. But wait … What if I told you that the cross was not originally the central Christian symbol? In fact, it wasn’t. For VERY REV. the first few decades af- THEBARKLEY ter Easter, the cross was THOMPSON too brutal a reminder of Jesus’ death, and it was still primarily associated with the execution of criminals. The physical symbol of the cross didn’t begin to become prevalent in Christian art and symbolism until a century later. So what was the earliest central symbol of the Christian faith? It turns out it was the ichthys, the “Jesus fish” that we can see on so many car magnets and bumper stickers today. The ichthys was an acronym in Greek, with each letter representing a word. The whole acronym stood for “Jesus Christ, Son of God, Savior.” The simple drawing of the ichthys was made up of two curved lines that met to form the shape of a fish. In a time when it was at least socially unacceptable to follow Jesus and at worst an invitation for the Romans to abuse, Christians used the ichthys as a secret symbol. When two Christians met, one would draw the first line, and the other would complete the fish with the second line, letting both know that they could trust one another in their shared faith. The ruins of St. Peter’s house in Capernaum on the Sea of Galilee, considered by most archaeologists to be authentic, has firstcentury fish symbols carved into its walls by some of the very first followers of Jesus. What difference does this make, the cross vs. the fish? A lot. First of all, even
JESUS FISH, page 3
Our Cathedral Family We celebrate with
E George Holmes Zapffe who was baptized on August 20, 2020.
We extend heartfelt sympathy to
E the family of Berry Bowen who passed away on July 21, 2020. Berry is father to member Susie Tucker and husband Payson Tucker. E the family of Ruby Schafer, who passed away on July 22, 2020. Ruby is mother to member Richard Schafer. E the family of Lula Blake, who passed away on July 29, 2020. Lula is grandmother to member Emily High. E the family of Adrienne Robison, who passed away. Adrienne is sister to Karla Schapansky. E the family of Ginger Whittington, who passed away July 2, 2020. Ginger is mother to Sheryl Kolasinski. E the family of member Jan May, who passed away on August 10, 2020. E the family of Jon Michael Wallace who passed away on August 15, 2020. Jon is brother-in-law to member Jeff Lasater. E the family of Berta Castillo de Paulin, who passed away on August 19, 2020. Berta is mother to Cathedral staff member Maria Lara. E the family of Catherine Murrah Molloy, who passed away on August 28, 2020. Catherine is daughter to members Melissa and Michael Jacobs. E the family of member Emily Scott Shepherd who passed away on September 5, 2020. Emily is mother to members Emily Winifred Shepherd and Frances Kittrell and husband Norman Kittrell. E the family of Margaret “Peggy” Ellis Brian who passed away on September 4, 2020. Peggy is mother to members Phoebe Tudor and her husband Bobby Tudor and grandmother to Caroline, Margaret, and Harry Tudor.
Blessing of the Animals Blessing of the Animals is an annual event that occurs near the feast day of Saint Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals. For 2020, the event will be held on October 11 at 4 p.m. in Nancy’s Garden to allow for more room to physically distance. Registration is required to attend. For additional information, see the events page at christchurchcathedral. org/cathedral-events or contact Minister for Pastoral Care Jody Gillit at jgillit@christchurchcathedral.org THE BULLETIN
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The flowers on the Cathedral Altar
E on August 30 were given to the glory of God in loving memory of her parents Neva and Henry Donelson, her grandparents, Ellen and Earl Thrift, and her beloved Ada Mouton Chandler by Donna Donelson. E on August 30 were also given to the glory of God in loving memory of John D. Kirkland and David Kirkland by Kate Kirkland. E on August 30 were also given to the glory of God in loving memory of Robert and Helen Renfro, Robert Renfro Jr., Ann and Arthur Smart Sr., and Bonnie Schofield by Rita Hall and Art Smart. E on September 6 were given to the glory of God in loving memory of Catherine Murrah Molloy. E on September 6 were also given to the glory of God in loving memory of her husband, Bob Russell by Anne Flanagan. E on September 20 were given to the glory of God in loving memory of Winston Pettus Crowder by his family. E on October 11 are given to the Glory of God in loving memory of his parents, Frank E. Hood and Lillian Wadkins Hood and his aunt, Margaret Hughes, by Frank E. Hood Jr. E on October 18 are given to the Glory of God in thanksgiving for the Cathedral Bookstore’s 38 years of service to Christ Church Cathedral, The Diocese of Texas, and the downtown community, with special thanks to their faithful volunteers and supportive parishioners. E on October 18 are also given to the Glory of God in thanksgiving for her sister, Carol Lewis, and in loving memory of her parents, Roy and Lois Hanning, and brother in law Bob Lewis by Ginger Hanning. E on October 18 are also given to the Glory of God in loving memory of and gratitude for Doug Hoffman by Mary Hoffman.
Love is the Way: A Conversation with Bishop Michael Curry Please join the Episcopal Booksellers Association and Episcopalian readers from across the nation on October 8, as The Very Reverend Barkley Thompson has a conversaA CONVERSATION WITH BISHOP tion with The Most Reverend Michael CURRY AND DEAN THOMPSON Curry, 27th Presiding Bishop and Pri6 p.m., Thursday, October 8 mate of the Episcopal Church about the Bishop’s new book, Love is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times. Through the prism of Curry’s faith, ancestry, and personal journey, Love is the Way addresses the
CONVERSATION, page 4
The Cathedral Choir during their 2019 Europe tour
Annual Wreath Sale to support Cathedral Choir
The Cathedral Choir’s annual Wreath Sale will take place from October 11 through November 8, offering Cathedral members an opportunity to support the Choir while bringing holiday cheer to friends, family, and business associates. Online ordering and direct shipping makes this effortless and safe. The annual sale benefits the Cathedral Choir Scholarship Fund which, since 1997, has provided assistance to members wishing to participate in the choir’s trip abroad every 3 years. The greenery used to make the wreaths, centerpieces, and garlands comes from a sustainable forest in the Pacific Northwest and are shipped fresh. You’ll get fresh and fragrant decorations for the holidays, cut your Christmas gift list down to size, and support the Cathedral Choir, all at the same time. Visit christchurchcathedral.org/wreathsales for more information.
JESUS FISH, from cover
when St. Paul and other early Christians do talk about the crucifixion they are not talking about substitutionary atonement, about Jesus as a stand-in for us, taking on God’s wrath for our sin. That theology wasn’t fully developed until a thousand years after Jesus. It’s certainly not in the Gospels. Paul is instead talking about God’s victory in Jesus over death, God’s defeat of the powers that would seek to hinder God’s good purposes and harm God’s children. In other words, the cross was only meaningful when tied to the empty tomb of Easter. If we’re going to keep the cross in the center, let’s at least remember that. But we should also reclaim the ichthys, not as a pithy bumper sticker, but as a reminder of all those fishing stories of Jesus. Remember Luke 5, when the disciples fish all night but fail to catch anything at all. Then Jesus appears and encourages them. They throw their nets wide, and they gather so many fish the nets almost burst. Remember also the Feeding of the Five Thousand, when, with Jesus, the fish are multiplied and all the hungry are fed. The associations of the cross and the ichthys couldn’t be more different. The meaning of the ichthys points not to violence, abuse, blood atonement, or despondency but to the ways in which, by the grace of God, all are gathered together in love, and all are nourished. That was the lived experience of the earliest Christians even in most difficult times. In the difficult times in which we find ourselves, it seems to me this should be in the center of our attention. Though we are physically apart, the net of grace is cast over each one of us, drawing us to God in love and reminding us that we are in this together. God’s grace continues to nourish our souls. Finally, the ichthys reminds us that we are not only fish but fishermen. It is our role, like the disciples, always to cast the net of grace to those in need. So in this season, maybe set the cross just a little to the side and remember the Jesus fish. You’ll be in good company if you do.
The Anglican Way offered again this fall Each Fall, Dean Barkley Thompson offers an eight-week course entitled The Anglican Way. About the course, Dean Thompson says, “It’s difficult to characterize. It covers what is distinctive about being Episcopalians in the ‘Christian marketplace,’ but it does so broadly. At the end of eight weeks, students often say, ‘That’s what I always believed, but hadn’t ever put into words!’” The Anglican Way investigates the way that Episcopalians generally
interpret Holy Scripture. It looks at the his- to be Confirmed or Received in the Episcopal tory of Christianity and focuses on why we Church. It also serves as a general refresher still hold some core Christian docfor any interested Episcopalian. trines, such as the full divinity and THE ANGLICAN WAY “Teaching The Anglican Way is full humanity of Jesus. The course Starting October 11 one of my favorite things each fall,” examines the sacraments and anDean Thompson added, “It’s great swers the question of whether there are two or fun, and it always reminds me why I am an seven. (Spoiler alert: It’s both!) Some have de- Episcopalian.” The Anglican Way will meet via scribed The Anglican Way course as “EfM Cliff Zoom on Sunday evening from 6:30–8 p.m. Notes.” The course serves as adult preparation beginning on October 11. PAGE 3
THE BULLETIN
Rally Day, Sunday School, and more
IN PICTURES
Above: Back to School Blessing screen capture from Rally Day. Below: As part of Making Our Home for Faith, each week a different family records themselves saying Compline together. Check it out at http://www.christchurchcathedral.org/hffpodcast/
Above, below: Virtual Sunday School
CONVERSATION, from page 3
Right, far right: For the Back to School Blessing the children’s ministry sent stickers.
THE BULLETIN
seemingly insurmountable challenges facing the world today: poverty, racism, selfishness, deep ideological divisions, competing claims to speak for God. It encourages readers to develop the gifts they need in order to live the way of love. Email bookstore@christchurchcathedral.org for information on registering to attend the webinar Thursday, October 8, from 6–7 p.m. PAGE 4
EMC, from cover
Alice also loves the history of the Cathedral as March 31, 1991, at the Cathedral on Easter Sun- well as its architecture and gardens. day because it was Episcopalian policy not to get “There are other old churches [in Houston], married during Lent. but the Cathedral is unique,” she said. Now Risher and Alice attend, along with his Since March, all have made the effort to stay parents, three siblings, and their families. connected online. Isaac and Cris watch on SunBen and Winnie Powell were also married days and participate in weekday noon prayers; at the Cathedral in 2009. Winnie has been a the Randalls invite Risher’s parents over to watch member since she was in elementary school services with them; and the Powells’ children atand Ben transferred his membership from St. tended virtual Vacation Bible School this summer. John the Divine in 2016. For Risher, the Cathedral’s overall appeal is Isaac and Cris are newer members. Both the spiritual guidance and sense of community were part of the Catholic it offers. Church as children, but “There is an unconditional Isaac grew distant from the love that is expressly stated Loyalty Sunday church as a teen and Cris’ Sunday, November 8 is Loyalty Sunday, and very felt,” he said. the day by which we hope to have all family became Mormon. The Randalls support many pledges returned. On that day, during “I never felt any conneccauses but Risher said that each service we’ll say a special blessing tion to the Mormon church Christ Church is at the top of for the pledges we have received. but went because my family the list. He said that they’ve did,” Cris said. “After I got Goal been able to give steadily and The vestry anticipates that we will need married I stopped attending try to increase their giving as $3.4 million in parishioner pledges church.” costs rise, but if they did expeto fully fund the Cathedral budget for Once they rekindled their rience a financial decline they 2021. desire for religious worship, would strive to maintain their the couple started attend- How to Pledge: Cathedral giving above all. Return the pledge card you receive by ing Christ Church after the mail, drop it in the offering plate, or “We want to give out of love Spanish mass they went to visit christchurchcathedral.org/emc for and appreciation for God’s at another church fizzled information on how to pledge online. blessing and bounty, [and] not For questions or to make a pledge over out. They became members a quid pro quo,” he said. “It is the phone, contact Karen Kraycirik at in 2018. an acknowledgement of our 713-590-3338. Over time, Cris has bedependence on God’s help.” come more involved with the Winnie Powell said that it Spanish congregation. is the Cathedral’s rich history in Houston and in “I attend Buscando la Luz, helped in the garage the couple’s marriage that influences their desire sale committee last year, [and] helped with Noche to give. Familiar this year,” she said. “I’m on the council, “We feel committed to its continued presence have helped with the Cinco de Mayo program, in downtown and our children’s lives,” she said. and attended a few retreats at Camp Allen.” Isaac and Cris give because the Cathedral is Isaac says that as a “night owl” he likes the late their faith community. mass and hopes to get more involved in Kid’s “We have to believe and support those that do Hope USA now that he is working less. God’s work,” Cris said. “I believe that the Cathe“I was a teacher for 28 years and I would like dral provides invaluable help to those that need to help mentors with academic concerns their stu- it and we are supposed to help the least of these.” dents might have,” he said. “Before the pandemic, we planned to give Ben Powell jokes that after the occasional long weekly at each service,” Isaac said. “Now, we mail weekend with their children, he and Winnie love a monthly check.” the nursery during the 9 a.m. service. Dean Barkley Thompson echoes the Cathe“On a serious note, we enjoy Sunday wor- dral’s vital work in the broader community and ship with our family, raising our children in the in the lives of all parishioners. church, and attending the Dean’s Hour,” he said. “The work of the church, and in particular the Alice Randall said that they delight in the work of Christ Church Cathedral, has perhaps services at Christ Church, especially attending never been more important than now,” he said. Easter and Christmas services with their ex- “It becomes so clear in times of challenge that the tended family. church brings meaning to people’s lives. We can’t “Those are highlights of the year for us,” Al- do that work without the generous financial supice said. port of our congregation. I will tithe for 2021, and The Randalls also enjoy the Dean’s Book Club I hope that all parishioners who can will join me as well as the opportunities for community ser- to ensure that our faithful ministries continue.” vice. Earlier this spring, Risher assisted Marcia The Every Member Canvass campaign continQuintanilla with youth programming. ues through October.
Fall Neighborhood Gatherings Every fall and spring, it has become customary to socialize with parishioners, clergy, and staff of the Cathedral in the homes of fellow parishioners. This year, our Fall Neighborhood Gatherings will look slightly different; we will meet in outdoor locations around Houston where the fresh air and physical distancing will help us maintain a safe atmosphere.
Please note that RSVPs are required for these events. We hope you’ll join us at one of the locations that works best for you. RSVP and indicate the date of the party to Lisa Cantu: 713222-2593, lcantu@christchurchcathedral.org. Capacity is limited at each venue. Masks are required. There will be light refreshments.
6–7:30 p.m., Tuesday, October 13 Houston Arboretum Event Lawn 120 West Loop North Freeway, Houston, Texas 77024 6–7:30 p.m., Wednesday, October 14 Hermann Park Cherie Flores Garden Pavilion 1500 Hermann Drive, Houston, Texas 77004 Valet parking available 6–7:30 p.m.,, Monday, November 2 Live Oak Friends Meeting House 1318 West 26th Street, Houston, Texas 77008 6–7:30 p.m., Monday, November 9 Levy Park | Pavilion 3801 Eastside Street, Houston, Texas 77098 There will also be a virtual gathering: 6–7:30 p.m., Thursday, November 12, Virtual Fall Neighborhood Gathering on Zoom Zoom link provided when you RSVP to Lisa Cantu Reservation is required to attend.
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VISION ACTION PLAN, from cover
In January 2020, the Visioning Task Force received the good work of the councils as well as results from a parish-wide survey and mapped the ways in which the councils’ and parishioners’ hopes for the future fit together. The result is a new Vision Action Plan entitled “Rooted in Christ; Built on Christ.” The plan is not a menu of specific program proposals, but rather a set of vision priorities that will serve as both rudder and filter as we move into the next chapter of the Cathedral’s life. As a rudder, the plan will help us steer faithfully as we plan ministry. As a filter, the plan will help us sometimes to say “no,” when new ideas are outside our vision’s scope. The new vision plan is faithful to the Gospel and draws its inspiration from Holy Scripture. In February, the Cathedral vestry adopted our new Vision Action Plan unanimously and enthusiastically. Originally, the plan was to be presented to the Cathedral congregation in May, but that presentation was interrupted by COVID-19. Even so, Cathedral councils are already at work integrating “Rooted in Christ; Built on Christ” into their ministry. Dean Thompson presented “Rooted in Christ; Built on Christ” at the Dean’s Hour Matinee on September 20. Members of the Visioning Task Force were Bill McKenzie (Chair), Sherri Allen, Travis Dunlap, Anne Eisner, John Flanagan (Vestry Representative), Elizabeth Goza, Mark Hull, Evelyn Nolen (Vestry Representative), Rigoberto Ojeda, Susan Reedy, Susan Reeves, Dean Barkley Thompson, and Canon Becky Zartman. As we move through the next five years, our new vision action plan will inspire us and guide us, as we continue to proclaim God in the midst of the city. The Visioning Task Force plotted “Rooted in Christ; Built on Christ” on a fly wheel, to demonstrate that each component of our vision informs and generates all of the others. THE BULLETIN
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“Rooted in Christ; Built on Christ” has seven components A Culture of Embrace
Generous Living, Generous Giving
In Mark’s gospel we are exhorted to “go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.” (Mark 16:15) The Cathedral will be an open, loving, and diverse parish that embraces all who wish to know God in this place. CARING FOR • We will embrace and GOD’S GOOD seek to understand those EARTH whose faith differs from our own. • Through education, dialog, and engagement with SERVING THE WORLD IN the community GOD’S NAME around us, we will actively address the attitudes that divide the human family and GENEROUS seek to thwart God’s LIVING / love, including antiGENEROUS Semitism, racism, and GIVING homophobia.
We believe a natural outcome of our faithful joy is not only sharing our stories and experiences but also sharing our resources — our time, energy, and money. Just as a sacraA CULTURE OF ment is an outward and visEMBRACE ible sign of an inward grace, COMMUNITIES generosity is an outward and WITHIN COMMUNITY visible sign of our deepening faith. Recognizing that the Cathedral’s mission requires substantial human FORMATION THAT and financial reTRANSFORMS sources, we will encourage generosity in our parishioners. • We will be proactive in addressing SHARING THE GOOD NEWS changes in Cathedral members’ generational giving patterns, seeking to educate Communities Within all parishioners to be faithful and joyous givers. Community • We will develop new opportunities and innovative The Cathedral is a large faith community, drawing parishioners methods for giving, enlarge the Cathedral endowment, from many geographic areas, demographics, affinities, and and explore other revenue streams to support the mile markers on the faith journey. Cathedral’s mission. • We will provide opportunities for parishioners to gather in intentional small groups to grow in relationship with one another and Christ, toward the goal of every Cathedral Serving the World in God’s Name parishioner becoming involved in community at Christ The visioning process revealed a desire to focus both inside Church. and outside the Cathedral, as our deepening faith and • Program initiatives may include new activities to meet the generous living impel us to extend God’s grace in the world. needs of underserved groups and to reach out actively to With servant hands and hearts of all ages, we will put faith welcome and embrace parishioners in existing groups. into action, serving the world in God’s name. • Within our community, we will address the pastoral needs Formation That Transforms of Cathedral parishioners, assuring that no one navigates In addition to our vibrant adult education programs that offer life’s journey alone. many ways for us to engage our intellect, many of us also desire formation that transforms the heart. St. Paul says in • For many years the Beacon—first building it and then Romans, “Be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so strengthening it financially and programmatically—has that you may discern what is the will of God.” (Romans 12:2) been a primary focus of our outreach efforts. In addition The prophet Ezekiel promises, “A new heart also will I give you, to that ongoing good work, we will focus outside our and a new spirit will I put within you.” (Ezekiel 36:26) Cathedral campus to partner with other charitable • We will provide formation that transforms both the mind organizations in the city to amplify and enhance our and the heart, so that God’s spirit can work within us and outreach to Houston’s immigrant communities, the make us disciples. homeless, and others in need. • To do this, we will expand our educational programs to
Rooted in Christ Built on Christ
include spiritual practices and formation of the whole person. We will promote deep spiritual connection and engagement in existing ministries and small groups.
Sharing the Good News Our own joyful response to the transforming influence of God in our lives is to share joy with others. We call this Evangelism, and it is a direct outgrowth of community, spiritual discipline, and formation. • Building on our culture of welcome, we will empower our community to share the Good News of Jesus in all areas of our lives: our work, our play, and our homes. • Evangelism is largely about storytelling: the story of God’s work in the world. We will create spaces in Cathedral programs for all to share their stories, share their joy, and share the story of God’s love.
Caring for God’s Good Earth In Form IV of the Prayers of the People, we ask God to “give us all a reverence for the earth as your own creation, that we may use its resources rightly in the service of others and to your honor and glory.” We recognize that stewardship and service must extend to the natural world over which God grants us dominion (Genesis 1:26–31) and which is our most precious and finite resource. • As a cathedral church in a sprawling urban landscape of concrete and metal, we will work to green the world around us. • We will minimize our carbon footprint, use green spaces as reminders of God’s good creation, and educate our congregation on how best to steward the earth.
Can’t keep a good bookstore down BY LUCY CHAMBERS
For 37 years, the Cathedral Bookstore has been a welcoming corner of Latham Hall, a place to see friends on Sundays, and a resource for the literary needs of parishioners and downtowners. When the pandemic led the Cathedral to move to online worship and forced Treebeards to shutter, the Bookstore had to do some quick adjusting, too. We began exploring new service options, starting with delivering books to homes. It was a great way to see people when we were feeling isolated, but we soon learned that Cathedral parishioners come from all over Greater Houston’s 9,444 square miles, (that’s larger than New Jersey) — and some from even further. Hand delivery was not sustainable for all the books people needed. Over the summer, we’ve been expanding our website, exploring drop ship options with our vendors, and setting up direct invoicing. We’re getting to be very familiar with the kind folks at the local USPS. We still deliver by hand when that’s the best way to get the job done, and now that the Cathedral offices are open, we provide lobby pick-up Monday through Friday. It was quite a summer, but readers need to read, and we had to find ways to get them their books. We’re grateful to all the supportive booklovers who continued to order from us when supply chains were slow, and we weren’t sure just when
books might arrive. We’re thankful for all the recommendations of great titles that customers have shared with us. And we so appreciate the customers who have sent us their book club lists and said please order all of these for me. All of these purchases directly support the operating fund of the Cathedral, so buying a book from the Bookstore provides manifold blessings! Once in-person worship becomes a regular event and Treebeards begins bustling again, we’ll be able to open our doors and welcome everyone back for cookies, puzzles, and browsing. In the meantime, look on our website, Facebook, and Instagram for information on new titles, books for Cathedral programs, and other items of interest.
On Our Shelves for Fall: Love Is the Way: Holding on to Hope in Troubling Times. The Most Reverend Michael B. Curry, Presiding Bishop and Primate of the Episcopal Church has written a new book. He’ll be in conversation about it with the Cathedral’s own dean, the Very Reverend Barkley Thompson, on October 8 at 6 p.m. For more information, to purchase a book and to receive the Zoom link to the conversation, please visit thecathedralbookstore.com.
The Dean’s Book Club Titles: We’ve got all the titles for the Dean’s Book Club in stock. To tempt you away from the
Alternative Giving Market (AGM) is an event held each year by the Christ Church Cathedral Mission and Outreach Council with the purpose of gathering local, non-profit, agencies to share the wonderful, charitable work taking place in our community, and to explain how we can help solve their needs. This year we will be gathering online on November 15 to introduce the participants and share their stories via video. Additional details will be forthcoming. We hope you will plan to join us!
Program Books: We carry Christopher Uhl’s Developing Ecological Consciousness: Becoming Fully Human, Third Edition for the Theological Roundtable, a variety of editions of the Book of Common Prayer for you to use in Making Our Homes for Faith, Nan Doerr’s new Praying the Psalms with Beads: A Book of Daily Prayer and beautiful sets of Anglican prayer beads which have been blessed by a Cathedral priest.
Bonus Book Bags: This fall, we’re offering $10 theme-packs: four or more excellent used books, carefully curated and presented in a green gift bag with a bow. Look for our cloister table, where you’ll find collections with wide-ranging tags such as “Strong, Chic Women,” “Anglophiles,” “Folk Tales,” “Follet and Friends,” “Cat People,” “Desert Fathers” and dozens more. Pick up a
BOOKSTORE, page 8
Coming Out in Church explores marriage
Gift $ Amt.
Alternative Giving Market Goes Online for 2020
Turkish Delight of Amazon’s instant gratification, we’re offering a 10% discount on all of them. The fall selections are: Oct. 7: Hymns of the Republic: The Story of the Final Year of the American Civil War by S.C. Gwynne; Nov. 4: You’re Not Listening: What You’re Missing and Why It Matters by Kate Murphy; and Dec. 2: Living into God’s Dream: Dismantling Racism in America edited by Catherine Meeks. All are available on our website.
$1 for a coffee for a veteran Combined Arms portal access for a veteran $25 One year of service g group access for a veteran-servin $100 One year of portal to conference rooms $500 One month’s access -serving organizations veteran for rent ’s $1000 One month $10 for new shoes Crossroads at Park Place a day $25 Bath soap supply for for a week $100 Deodorant supply day of meals $250 Food supply for one weeks of meals $1500 Food supply for three $1 for a bus pass CUSE farming and work sites $5 A set of gloves for urban
May the God of abundant love bless the work of your hands as you open them to help those in need. And may s your heart and the heart of those you honor with your gifts be made full to overflowing with the knowledge of God’s grace and God’s peace. Amen.
project $20 Supplies for a service h meal at serving site $100 Community outreac $5000 Sponsor and intern $1 for apples on Emergency Aid Coaliti ess client $10 Clothing for one homel family one for $50 Groceries one working client $100 Boots to work for clients hygiene products for 30 $300 Jeans, socks, and $5 brush or comb Have Shears Will Travel dryers hair $50 Two for the RV $500 Three tanks of fuel days $5000 Forty hospice service s $10000 Five hundred haircut $1 for a pencil box Kids Hope t ome book for one studen take-h Kid Wimpy a of $15 Diary center activity Hope Kids for $50 Lego building set students s for Bruce Elementary $300 A dozen new uniform trip grade level to take a field $1000 Bus fees for one $1.25 for catheter Living Hope Wheelchair adult diapers $25 One package of 18 hair a wheelc $100 A pair of tires for er rtation support for one memb $300 Six months of transpo hair home access ramp $1500 Replace a wheelc or socks $10 for new underwear s Street Lord of the $25 2 pairs of jeans ess Services $50 25 Directories of Homel life skill course workbooks $100 10 discipleship or kits e hygien Fifty $200 $1 for a Bible Seafarer’s Ministry s for shipboard worship $15 Communion supplie boxes for seafarers $50 Two Christmas gift WIFI to a ship for one year $80 Provide one mobile es) one day (to cover absenc $125 Supply chaplain for
Gifts go 100%
to indicated agencies, unrestricted (amounts shown are examples of what gifts can help provide). Gifts given as a lump or not designated will be divided equally among all of the agencies.
Subtotal $________ ____
side $____ + Subtotal from other
GIFTS $________ = TOTAL AMOUNT, ALL
FROM THE 2019 AGM LIST
The Cathedral’s Justice and Peace Council will host its annual “Coming Out in Church” program online on Saturday, October 10. This year’s panel conversation will focus on marriage in the Church and will be facilitated by Dean Barkley Thompson. Panelists include Jim Murdaugh and Gary Smith, Michael DeVoll and Gary Gee, and Meredith Canada and Michelle Hale, who will share their thoughts on marriage and the Church. The event coincides with National Coming Out Day, observed on October 11, which supports lesbian, gay, bisexual, and COMING OUT transgender, queer, and questioning people. IN CHURCH Although there have been dramatic changes in recent years including the legalization 10 a.m., October 10 of same-sex marriage, many LGBTQ+ individuals still encounter marginalization in their churches, families, and communities. The Coming Out in Church program ket Marmeaningful Giving and rnativ strives aneempathetic space for converAltotecreate dral Church Cathe at Ch sation about theristexperiences and struggles of LGBTQ+ people and their families and friends. It seeks to further Christ’s mission of reconciliation, which includes living with difference, celebrating our diversity, and building a peaceful community.
COMING OUT IN CHURCH, page 8 PAGE 7
THE BULLETIN
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Did you know you can read The Bulletin on our website? If you’d like to go “online-only,” contact Ramona Sikes at rsikes@christchurchcathedral.org or call her at 713-590-3301.
Dean’s Book Club selections A different book is discussed each month. Everyone is welcome to attend and join the discussion. Everyone is encouraged to order books from the Cathedral Bookstore. Contact Dean Barkley Thompson at bthompson@christchurchcathedral.org to learn how to participate.
Wednesday, October 7 Hymns of the Republic: The Story of the Final Year of the American Civil War by S.C. Gwynne
Whether you are a member of the LGBTQ+ community, a family member or friend, or someone who wants to ensure that our church communities are places of grace and reconciliation for all people, you are invited to join this enlightening conversation. This event is extended to the public and everyone in the Episcopal Diocese of Texas. Coming Out in Church will be held on October 10, 2020, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. Registration is required: bit.ly/ comingoutinchurchCCC
From the New York Times bestselling and award-winning author, the spellbinding, epic account of the last year of the Civil War. (from Amazon)
BOOKSTORE, from page 7
Wednesday, November 4 You’re Not Listening: What You’re Missing and Why It Matters by Kate Murphy
Gifts:
In this always illuminating and often humorous deep dive, Murphy explains why we’re not listening, what it’s doing to us, and how we can reverse the trend. (from Amazon)
Wednesday, December 2 Living into God’s Dream: Dismantling Racism in America edited by Catherine Meeks This book is a report from the front, combining personal stories and theoretical and theological reflection with examples of the work of dismantling racism and methods for creating the “safe space” for dialogue on race to occur. (from Amazon) THE BULLETIN
COMING OUT IN CHURCH, from page 7
PAGE 8
bag for you, and one for a friend, and you’ll have plenty of reading to keep you busy until we can gather again! New gifts this fall include — of course — masks with the Cathedral logo and pocket hand sanitizers! We also have beautiful Cordo candles with names and scents inspired by saints and faith practices, which you can use with your devotions. We continue to expand the website as fast as we can, but with the hundreds of books and gifts we carry, and the untold number that are available, we’ll never be able to list everything. Whether we meet in person or online, our goal is to provide you all the books and gifts you need, delivered with love, so don’t hesitate to let us know how we can be of service. Contact the Bookstore: Website: thecathedralbookstore.com; Email: bookstore@christchurchcathedral.org; Phone: 713-222-0286; Facebook: @ christchurchcathedralbookstore; Instagram: cathedralbookstore