August 2021 Bulletin

CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL An Episcopal Community in the Heart of Houston, Texas

AUGUST 2021 CHRISTCHURCHCATHEDRAL.ORG

AFTER-HOURS EMERGENCY CARE LINE | 713-826-5332

Lessons from over the rainbow

Youth participate in a cake walk as in-person events open back up in the Spring.

Finding our joy in the journey ahead The theme for Rally Day 2021 is ‘What-aJourney,’ which is an apt slogan as the Cathedral community charts a new course moving forward from the pandemic, with plenty of inperson opportunities for study and worship.

We’re even marking this moment in time with the opportunity for everyone to be included in a parish photo August 29, at 10 a.m.

“We want this year to be about hope, renewal of commitment, and finding our joy in the journey ahead,” Canon Vicar Kathy

Pfister noted. “As we move forward together as a community of love and friendship, our tasks are to help one another make meaning of our experiences and to grow in wisdom, faith, and love for our neighbor.”

All the programs the Cathedral has planned for this fall aim to do just that. “What a journey it has been, and what a journey it will be!”

Canon Pfister said, “My hope is that our parishioners will remember that wherever they

JOURNEY AHEAD, page 6

Cathedral staff transitions This spring and summer bring several Cathedral staff transitions.

Dean Thompson is pleased to announce that the Rev. Bradley Varnell will join the Cathedral staff in mid-August as the Canon for Community Life. Bradley will oversee community life and young adult ministries (20s & 30s). Since 2019, Bradley has served as curate at St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in the Heights. Prior to that, he was a seminarian at Duke Divinity School. A Baylor graduate, Bradley knows Texas well and is pleased to be joining the Cathedral staff.

Christy Orman, our previous Minister for Young Adults, has taken a new position as the Cathedral’s Digital Media Specialist. Christy also continues to be the director of the Cathedral Urban Service

STAFF, page 3 THE REV. BRADLEY VARNELL

As a child, once a year my older brother and I would move our chairs so close to my grandparents’ television set that my grandmother, Boo, would make us scoot back to a safe distance of six feet (to avoid, obviously, the radiation). Boo would pop Orville Redenbocher popcorn and serve it in pie tins. Robert and I would settle back, and CBS would begin its annual showing of the 1939 MGM classic “The WizTHE VERY REV. ard of Oz.” BARKLEY It’s a wonderful tale: THOMPSON along the yellow brick road, Dorothy meets a witless scarecrow, a heartless tin man, and a cowardly lion.

This menagerie of creatures joins Dorothy because they understand themselves to be bereft of brain, heart, and courage. They desperately want to be gifted with these virtues, and they agree to go with Dorothy to find the great Wizard of Oz in hopes he can grant them what they desire. But as we follow this motley crew along the road, we viewers experience a revelation about the scarecrow, tin man, and lion. This is author Fredrick Buechner’s explanation: “Whenever they are confronted with some sort of physical danger … it is always the Cowardly Lion who somehow manages to fight their way out of it. Whenever the obstacle is of a more cerebral nature, it is always the brainless scarecrow who figures out a way to circumvent it. And as for the Tin Woodman … he is so given to being moved by the plight of others that everyone keeps having to rally around him with an oil can to make sure his tears do not rust him.”

When Dorothy and her friends reach Oz, they discover that the wizard is a fraud. He cannot grant them the gifts they

OVER THE RAINBOW, page 8

2021 Rally Day On August 29 the Cathedral community joins together for Rally Day 2021: What-a-Journey!

As we embark on a new program year we will remember who we are, reflect on where we’ve been, and move forward together in a spirit of hope and love.

At 10 a.m. sharp, the RALLY DAY whole Cathedral comPARISH PHOTO munity will gather in the Sunday, August 29, Bishop’s Courtyard (or 10 a.m.

Reynolds Hall if it’s raining) for a parish photo!

Please be prompt. You’ll want to be in this historic picture!

Next, we’ll move into Reynolds Hall for intergenerational fun, music, refreshments, and an inspiring message for the journey ahead from Dean Thompson.

Oh, what a journey awaits! Mark your calendars and get ready for a new adventure.

Our Cathedral Family We celebrate with

E the family Robert Lucas Mensing who was baptised on May 11.

E the families Eva Victoria Cabrera, Zaiden Moncivais, and Andrés Gael Luján who were baptised on May 23.

E the family of William Hartman Mackie who was baptisd May 29.

E the family of Brooks Henry LaForge who was baptised on June 17.

We extend heartfelt sympathy

E We extend heartfelt sympathy to the family of Patricia Chevalier who passed away on May 23, 2021. Patricia is grandmother to member Lindsey Overstreet.

E We extend heartfelt sympathy to the family of Elizabeth Ruchs Mercer who passed away on May 24, 2021. Elizabeth is mother to members Ruth Hawk and husband Dan; grandmother to Trenton Hawk and wife Ashton, Jazz Hawk and Daniel Mercer; and great grandmother to Cecil Hawk.

E to the family of Glenda Sue Gentine who passed away on May 21. Sue is mother-in-law to Cathedral staff member Ramona Sikes.

E to the family of William Morgan Bomar who passed away on June 4. Bill is father to Katy Bomar, her husband, John Childs and their daughter Morgan Childs; Melissa Jacobs and her son Tommy; son Morgan Bomar Jr., his wife, Wyn, and their children Will and Kate Bomar.

E to the family of John Watson who passed away on June 8. John is brother to Diana Smith and brother-in-law to John Smith.

E to the family of member Joseph Merrill who passed away on June 27. Joseph is father to Maria Merrill and Caroline Cooley.

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Flowers on the Cathedral Altar

E on July 25 were given to the glory of God in celebration of Christy Orman on her 40th birthday.

E on August 1 are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Stan Pieringer, Walter Heffler, and Lee and Joe Pieringer, and in thanksgiving for Barkley Thompson and his family by Kay Pieringer.

E on August 8 are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Paul Bayless Harrison by his wife Blanche.

E on August 15 are given to the glory of God in loving memory of John’s father, Charles Thomas Unger by Kathy Welch and John Unger.

E on August 22 are given to the glory of God in honor of Barbara Barnes in celebration of her birthday by her family.

E on August 29 are given to the glory of God in celebration of the wedding anniversary of Tina and Stephen Shands.

The flowers in the floor vases

E on July 18 were given to the glory of God in loving memory of my her, Josephine Nash Taylor on her birthday by Michaux Taylor Thomas.

E on August 1 are given to the glory of God and in honor of Canon John Logan on his birthday.

E on August 29 are given to the glory of God in honor of the birthdays of Roselyn Sargent and Dan Atkisson and the wedding anniversary of Gil and Meg Greenwood by Kristy Greenwood.

The flowers on the organ console

E On July 25 were given to the glory of God in celebration of the baptism of Kathryn Antoinette Kittrell by Frances and Norman Kittrell.

STAFF, from page 3

Experience (CUSE) program.

Additionally, our Facilities Administrator Frank Guevara will take on the official title of Sunday Morning Concierge. Frank will become our frontline, in-person customer service representative on Sunday mornings in Reynolds Hall and the Cloister, offering greetings, wayfinding, and troubleshooting help. Frank already does much of this work; his new, additional title makes it official.

We would also like to welcome Gerardo SanCHRISTY ORMAN doval as our new Operations Manager. He has 20 years experience working in office services, purchasing, and as an office supervisor. Originally from Laredo and raised in Houston, he spends his off hours spending time with his family.

In June, Bethany Podgorny, the Cathedral’s previous Minister for Community Life, moved with her husband, Mas, to Seattle. Bethany will serve as the Executive Assistant to the Vice-Provost for Academic Affairs at Seattle Pacific University. The Digital Media Specialist role was created at the outset of the COVID pandemic, and it quickly became an essential position, coordinating the Cathedral’s online presence. Previously, Hannah Roberts held the position. Last spring, Hannah accepted a new position with Symplr, a software company for healthcare providers.

Hannah is Symplr’s Internal Communications specialist, shaping communications for the executive leadership team. Of all these transitions, Dean Thompson said, “We welcome Bradley and Gerardo to the Cathedral team, and we welcome Christy to her new position. Their gifts and graces will serve the Cathedral faithfully and well.

Deep peace, deep listening

Summer Camp: Fun and laughs galore KARIANN LESSNER, MINISTER FOR CHILDREN & FAMILIES

We had a blast! I mean we really did. Every single one of us was so ready to turn our car down that little road off of FM 362.

To slather on the sunscreen, bug spray and a ball cap and go exploring. We’d waited a year, some of us two whole years, to get back to this little slice of heaven that has formed us to be more like God — that forms us still. This blessing to us as individuals and as a diocese. This “place to be for fun and laughs galore” (to quote the camp song). Our very own Camp Allen.

And because we didn’t want you to miss out on all the fun, we asked some Cathedral kids/youth/counselors three questions. We know that questions help us get to know folks and Camp Allen is “a great place to meet a new face” so we bring you their responses: What was your favorite thing you did at camp?

KC: The blob or the lake in general. Or actually… horseback riding or all of those things.

Cat: The giant swing because it was new (to me) and I thought I would be scared but I wasn’t Jacob: Working with different age groups (as a counselor) and experiencing the camp through them.

Keatyn: As a counselor I really loved getting to know my campers!

Karsyn: The dance at the pool Gabriel: Archery Tag

JODY GILLIT, MINISTER FOR PASTORAL CARE

Every week we are dismissed from The Well with these words: Deep peace of the running wave to you. Deep peace of the flowing air to you. Deep peace of the quiet earth to you. Deep peace of the shining stars to you. Deep peace of the Son of God to you. Deep peace, deep peace.

As we say or just listen to these words, I feel myself relax, my eyes soften, my shoulders release tension, and I am opened up to whatever is. Then as I walk out, or sit in my chair at home, I sort of chant “deep peace, deep peace” to myself as I ease back into the world.

Thinking about the physical impact hearing these words has on me leads me to ponder the idea of deep listening — listening for the voice of God in the birds chirping in the courtyard, or the water splashing in the fountain — deep listening for the deep peace.

Throughout the pandemic we have had to listen in COMMUNITY OF HOPE different ways. Some of us have been overwhelmed TRAINING with the never-ending noise of everyone being home Starts in August all day, every second of every day. Others have entered into an uninvited quiet, a solitude that they may not have experienced day in and day out before. Many of us have bought headphones — multiple sets of headphones — so that we can hear better in our Zoom meetings or to try to drown out all the noise around us. We have learned that we can listen with our eyes — how many times have you said or heard “Bob/Jane — you’re muted” over the months?

Listening, deep listening, is a gift for both the person speaking and the one receiving. This is true with Spirit/Divine/God but also with our neighbors, family, and friends.

Take a moment to remember a time when you felt listened to, heard with an intensity that might have almost scared you because you knew you were

PEACE, page 7

Lila: Dance Dance Dodgeball Jaylah: Hanging around new people.

What was something “new” at camp that you really loved?

KC: Something new at camp that I really liked was going to the stone chapel.

SUMMER, page 5

The Rev. Kathy Rock Pfister, Canon Vicar, connects with campers over the Summer.

PAGE 3

THE BULLETIN

Summer Place and more

IN PICTURES

Above: Cathedral member Marjorie Leskovjan brings a collection of historical photos to Summer Place for parishioners to look through.

Above: The Rev. Beth Holden, Dean of Spiritual Life at Episcopal High School preaches Sunday, July 18.

Below: Parishioners catch up during Summer Place between services.

Above: Canon for Music, Robert Simpson leads the choir as they warm up befo

Right: The Pastoral Care Council hosts Summer Place July 18. Left to Right: Ginnie Muller, Rick O Richter, Jody Gillit, Catherine Whitney, and Shirley Bludau (not picture and they were not there - Don G THE BULLETIN

PAGE 4

SUMMER, from page 3 Cat: My favorite new thing at camp was going high on the blob because I reached new heights.

Jacob: This was my first year as a counselor, so everything felt new from this perspective. I know that having responsibilities and assigned tasks each day felt new but I also loved everything about it.

Keatyn: The new dining hall made it easier to see all the other campsites three times a day and get to know other people.

Karsyn: Our program was about truth over fear.

Gabriel: New Campsite (the new Campsite 4 aka The Bishop Andrew C. Doyle center).

Cathedral Youth have a blast playing in the lake and launching off the blob at Camp Allen.

Lila: The blob.

Jaylah: We went to the lake for three days straight.

Tell us about a moment you felt close to God: KC: All of the time! But everything about Camp Allen reminds me of God. I also really enjoyed the thing we did on Wednesday (Eucharist).

Cat: I felt closest to God in worship and prayer because it was of so many many people together, and it looked fun.

Karsyn: When we made the giant circle after Eucharist and then passed the Peace.

Jacob: I felt closest to God on my last night with each of my groups, feeling the bond of the week but also knowing the time in fellowship only expands our relationship with God and each other.

Lila: I felt closest to God in my sleep.

Keatyn: Every time we had worship and sang the songs I felt close to God.

Gabriel: During worship.

Jaylah: During Eucharist because that’s when everyone got silent and I got to worship around people I didn’t know. We also did a big prayer circle that showed me how we can come together as a community.

ore the 11 a.m. service.

Ogle, Jane Herring, Bob Goza & Susan Sanchez) PAGE 5

THE BULLETIN

JOURNEY AHEAD, from cover

may be on the journey, worship is the north star that guides us on the way.”

Canon Pfister added that the hope of the clergy and ministry staff is that people make regular attendance at worship a priority. “Attending services more often than you don’t attend services is a gentle discipline that heals and centers our souls,” she continued. The Cathedral is also offering a number of opportunities for members to take the next step and plug into some form of formation.

“There is so much planned for next year that we are producing a Fall Program Guide with events big and small to spark spiritual friendship with others and foster a ministry of service,” Canon Pfister said. “There are ample

places to plug in.”

These include regular Bible studies and the popular Dean’s Hour with Dean Barkley Thompson as well as other guest speakers.

As part of new small group gatherings Canon Becky Zartman is spearheading one called ‘Holy Curiosity,’ a six-to-eight-week session which will explore questions of faith and life application.

Minister for Youth Marcia Quintanilla said after a summer of some in-person meetings she is excited to do more of it. Last year was her first full academic year at the Cathedral during COVID and this will be her first full year largely in person.

“The Treehouse has new paint, new furniture and a new game room,” Quintanilla said.

Holy Curiosity THE REV. BECKY ZARTMAN

In my time of welcoming newcomers to Christ Church Cathedral, I’ve heard the same thing over and over again: “I want to be a part of this amazing community, but this place is huge. How am I supposed to make friends? How do I make my way here?” My answer was always the same: you pick one thing, one group of people, and you just keep showing up. In other words, make this amazingly huge place smaller.

In our life together as a Cathedral, you may have noticed a shift towards small groups. We’re still always going to have our favorite all Cathedral programming, like the Dean’s Hour and Community Life events, but we’re making a concerted effort on intentional small groups. An intentional small group is a group of 8–14 individuals who gather weekly for a time (usually at least five sessions) to have deep, meaningful, and fun conversations about faith. To ensure a good experience, trained facilitators shepherd every conversation.

Holy Curiosity is the program we’ve developed here at the CaHOLY CURIOSITY thedral specifically for “Cathedral people.” It’s a fun, thoughtful and flexible curriculum that encourages participants to ask the October 7, 6:30 p.m. questions they’ve always wanted to ask, and then to discuss those questions with others. Because you’ll be sharing stories from your own life, engaging with the life-giving words of Scripture, and talking about things that matter, when you join a small group, you go deep fast. Holy Curiosity begins with Scripture, but as groups form into longer-term communities, the groups are encouraged to get curious, to explore other aspects of the tradition, or where faith shows up in pop culture. Once you’re in a group that’s asking great questions together, the sky is the limit.

Small groups are designed for real conversation, real formation, and real transformation.

If this sounds like something you long for, our fall Holy Curiosity small groups start on Thursday, October 7 at 6:30 p.m. with an in-person kick-off at the Cathedral. After that session, groups will meet weekly for seven weeks at a place and time of their own convenience.

Some groups will be meeting online; others will be meeting in homes around the city. If the fall session doesn’t work for you, we’ll be running another session in Epiphany, and another, different type of small group especially for Lent. If you have questions, please reach out to Canon Zartman.

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“It is going to be so exciting to be in the space to learn in person with youth running around.

It has been empty. I miss seeing their faces and hearing their quirky comments. We will be ready on September 12 with donuts and music.

It’s going to be so much fun!”

Quintanilla has been brainstorming with Minister for Children and Families KariAnn Lessner about programming for the fall and they plan to coordinate their efforts.

“We thought about what kids needed and wanted to go back to the basics,” Quintanilla said.

The Essentials will be about the things of faith and formation: loving God, loving your neighbor, and loving yourself.

“We’ll talk about the tools that you can use every day,” she said.

Quintanilla added that she is thrilled to be back in the nitty-gritty of youth ministry, renting a van for the loving your neighbor portion of the program, which will be some kind of field trip. “I am ready to get started with the new normal,” she said.

Lessner is also ready to dive into the fall and says she is eager to see in-person Sunday School take shape. In thinking through the logistics and spacing, Lessner said she’d had to get creative to make it work — “but that’s my jam.”

The scripture that all will be praying over is Isaiah 61:3 about the oaks of righteousness.

“We will talk about what makes a good root system which really is a vertical alignment with God,” Lessner said. “Come to any of the services on August 22 and we will be praying with you.”

Lessner has thought a lot about what kids have missed over the last 20 months and how to go back to reeducate them about the fundamentals, including the Eucharist.

The lessons as always will be interactive and engaging. Children will have a plant of their own to take home and nurture.

Lessner added that the root metaphor also sums up her feelings about getting to teach younger children. “It’s the time to reinforce that they are loved, and they are safe and that nothing they can do will make God love them any less,” she said.

While there will be virtual and hybrid programming offered to the Cathedral community too, Canon Pfister said she hopes that Sundays in the fall will feel much more like they did prior to the pandemic.

“We want people to find the connection and support and curiosity and to rediscover that sense of joy and wonder,” she said. “We can move forward in a way that feels authentic and incorporate wisdom to discern what are the elements of life that will guide us in worship, service and connection.”

CALENDAR OF EVENTS Visit christchurchcathedral.org or call 713-222-2593 to learn more about these and other events at the Cathedral.

Registration recommended

Registration required AUG 12

AUGUST AUG 1

SUN

Donuts and Devos 10 a.m. In place of Vacation Bible School.

AUG 3

TUE

Cathedral Reads 2021: The Logic of Love Separating Fact from Fiction and the Theology of Knowledge 7–8 p.m., Zoom.

AUG 5

THU

Summer Shade 6 p.m., The Color Factory AUG 6

Registration closed

FRI

THU

Alzheimer & Dementia Support Group 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Zoom, second Thursday of the month.

TUE

Community of Hope International — Circle of Care 6–8 p.m., Zoom, second Tuesday of the month.

SUN

FRI

Family Game Night: Bingo and Board Games 6:30–9:30 p.m., Reynolds Hall.

Sunday School Teacher Round Up & Room Check / Welcome Team Training 10 a.m., McGehee Conference Room.

AUG 14

AUG 27

Toxic Charity, EBA Talks 6 p.m., Zoom AUG 13

SAT

Threads of Comfort and Joy 10–11 a.m., In-person, Mellinger Room.

A gathering for those who love to knit and crochet. On-going, second Saturday of the month.

AUG 20

FRI

Cathedral 20s & 30s Summer Hangout

FRI

Latino Ministry Noche Familiar 6–9 p.m., Reynolds Hall.

COMFORT CALLS

from the Vestry

A Vestry representative will call you to ask how we’re doing and to hear your hopes and concerns

really being heard. Maybe the person didn’t say they were deeply listening, but you saw them turn their phone off and put it away and you knew they wanted to hear you. What a gift!

I invite you to wonder what it might be like to give that gift to others. I invite you to wonder what it might be like to live more deeply into peace and practice listening for yourself. (Do you ever turn the phone off just for you?)

Through Community of Hope training, you can create or deepen your practice, making being present with listening an order of life. We’ll talk about and practice different ways to make listening a part of your life, as well as ways to live into that deep peace. The 14-week training will begin in late August. Contact Jody Gillit, Minister for Pastoral Care, at jgillit@christchurchcathedral.org to set up a brief conversation to begin the registration process.

UPCOMING SEPT 1

WED

The Dean’s Book Club 6:30–8 p.m., McGehee Conference Room. The Choice: Embrace the Possible, by Edith Eva Eger. First Wednesday of the month.

SEPTEMBER 2

THU

Sacred Ground Kickoff 6:30–8:30 p.m., Reynolds Hall.

SEPT 3

FRI

In-person, at Karbach. Fourth Friday inperson meet-up.

Bridge Night, 6:30–9:30 p.m. McGehee Conference Room.

AUG 29

SEPT 5

SUN

Rally Day — What-a-Journey 10 a.m., Reynolds Hall.

WEEKLY SUNDAYS

Donuts on the Playground 10 a.m. (Youth and Children).

Through August:

PEACE, from page 3

AUG 22

Back to School Sunday 9 and 11 a.m. and 1 p.m., Cathedral.

Prayers will be offered during the service.

During each service, students, staff and administration are invited to come forward for a blessing to start them off in the new school year.

SUN Cathedral 20s & 30s Summer Hangout AUG 15

Cathedral Reads 2021: The Logic of 7:30 p.m. Zoom.

Love Summer Place and All-Cathedral Book Discussion www.christchurchcathedral.org/ 10 a.m. in Reynolds Hall. summerhangout/ AUG 10

Bring a friend!

The Cathedral Bookstore Open from 8:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.

Summer Place 10 a.m. Reynolds Hall and the Bishop’s Courtyard, hosted by a different ministry each week.

SUN

Labor Day Intergenerational Popsicles & Fellowship 10–11 a.m., Reynolds Hall.

SEPT 7

TUE

Education for Ministry (EfM)

6:30–9 p.m., Mellinger, recurring Tuesdays. www.christchurchcathedral.org/efm SEPT 8

WED

20s & 30s Annual Fajita Fiesta 6:30–7:30 p.m.

• August 1, Mission and Outreach Council • August 8, Young Adults Council • August 15, Adult Formation & Religion and Arts Council • August 22, The Beacon WEDNESDAYS Men’s Morning Bible Study with the Dean Wednesdays, 7–8 a.m., First Wednesday in person, online all other weeks.

Women’s Morning Bible Study Wednesdays, 9:30–11 a.m., In person first Wednesdays of the month, online the rest of the month.

Buscando La Luz 7 p.m., Zoom. Buscando la Luz/Seeking the Light is a program offered by the Latino Ministry of the Cathedral to our Spanish speaking congregation (will not meet August 25).

THURSDAYS Facilitating Firm Foundations 6:30–8 p.m.

SEPT 11 SAT The Bible and the BCP Kick-Off Event 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Cathedral Commons Kick-Off is an in-person morning of getting to know each other, study, fun, and worship. While attendance isn’t a prerequisite for taking part in the Cathedral Commons Bible Studies, you won’t want to miss out on the meaningful fun. This fall’s topic is The Bible and the BCP. Hosted by Canon Zartman.

SEPT 12

SUN

Dean’s Hour - Entertaining Angels 10–11 a.m., Reynolds Hall.

SEPT 16

THU

Amazing Women of Faith 6:30–7:30 p.m., In-Person. Third Thursday of the month (note — this is a change from meetings to third Thursdays).

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THE BULLETIN

Non-Profit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Houston, Texas

1117 Texas Avenue Houston, Texas 77002-3183

PERMIT No. 6404

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 713-217-1347.

EFM: Fertile ground to grow your faith The Education for Ministry (EfM) program is now accepting new students for the 2021–2022 year. EfM at the Cathedral meets on Tuesdays from 6:30–9 p.m. starting September 7, 2021. This fall we will resume meeting in person and will meet in the Mellinger Room in the Latham Building.

Like the mustard seed, we need fertile soil to grow. EfM is the fertile soil and we are the mustard seeds. Learning about the Old and New testaments, church history, and discovering theology is the light shining on the soil, warming it so the seed will sprout.

Bringing the light of what we learn to share in an intimate group setting each week allows for insights and growth — new affirmations and understandings — that can sustain and support us in our lives as Christians living day-to-day in the world.

EfM was developed by the School of Theology of the University of the South THE BULLETIN

PAGE 8

to introduce lay persons to theology their clergy studied. We meet in small groups on the parish level. The seminar group is the nucleus of the EFM program. A group consists of six to twelve participants and a trained mentor meeting weekly over the course of a nine-month academic year. The course content includes Old Testament, New Testament, church history, and theology.

Registration for the Education for Ministry (EfM) program is now open. EfM at the Cathedral meets on Tuesdays from 6:30–9 p.m. starting September 7. Due to strong interest, a second group is now being opened. It will be a morning group that meets at 9:30 a.m. to noon. The day of the week will be determined by the group.

For more information on tuition, registration, or about EfM in general contact one of the mentors: Lucy Wagner at 713-253-4903 lmwagner1219@gmail. com.

OVER THE RAINBOW, from cover

desire. But he can reveal to them what the viewer has already learned: Each of them already has what he has so long desired and has traveled so far to attain.

We love these characters, I believe, because we see ourselves in them. We desperately wish that God had granted us profound and meaningful spiritual gifts; things that we could use to be better friends, parents, citizens, and Christians; virtues we could exercise to make a difference for God in the world. We sometimes feel that we lack the basic attributes necessary to get through the dark forests and hypnotic poppy fields of our lives.

And indeed, we are the scarecrow, the tin man, and the cowardly lion. God has granted us each profound spiritual gifts from the beginning, gifts of which we are too often unaware. The key is to set out on an intentional spiritual journey down a marked path with faithful fellow travelers. On the journey — in the doing — we discover our gifts.

This month we begin our fall semester at Christ Church Cathedral. Rally Day is Sunday, August 29.

Throughout the fall, there will be opportunities for service, formation, small groups, and more in which to discover the God’s gifts within. We will learn — in the doing — that God has blessed us beyond measure so that we can journey together. Our yellow brick road awaits. The journey is about to begin. See you at the Cathedral!