CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL An Episcopal Community in the Heart of Houston, Texas
NOVEMBER 2021 CHRISTCHURCHCATHEDRAL.ORG
AFTER-HOURS EMERGENCY CARE LINE | 713-826-5332
Here I am. Send me! These remarks were delivered by Dean Thompson at the EMC kick-off dinner. Greetings to you here in Reynolds Hall, and to those joining us online via livestream. This is going to be a bit different kind of EMC pep talk from other years, but stick with me, and listen with care … I was ordained a deacon on my way to priesthood on June 28, 2003. I THE VERY REV. recall many emotions BARKLEY surrounding that day, THOMPSON but the predominant one was the deep and nagging sense that I was unworthy. On the one hand, I felt my impending ordination as a gift. On some level, I’d known I was called to the ordained life since I was sixteen, and it was clear to me that such a life was an incredible privilege. On the other hand, who the heck was I to think I was qualified to speak in God’s name, or ultimately announce the forgiveness of sin, or set a horizon of hope for God’s people? I knew myself too well, and it seemed farcical that I would wear a collar. I was not up to the task. That is why every deacon ordination includes a reading from Isaiah 6, part of which serves as our Every Member Canvass theme this year. In that chapter, the Prophet Isaiah battles with the same conflicting emotions with which I contended more than eighteen years ago. Isaiah the person comes of age in a challenging time. The king dies that year, and belligerent neighbors are knocking at his country’s door. Soon, they’ll invade, and Isaiah will endure three years of devastating war. Everything is uncertain, and Isaiah himself is certain of only one thing: That he’s not up to the task. In Isaiah 6, God appears to Isaiah. God offers Isaiah a profound, life-changing
SEND ME, page 3
For All the Saints;
music speaks to the soul All Saints’ Day is already upon us, offering Day celebrates the fact that God is doing amazan opportunity to observe what is a favorite ing things and we get to be a part of it.” Canon for Music Robert Simpson noted that feast day to many in the church. Canon Misthe observance this year would sioner for Evangelism and Formation Becky Zartman said that since ALL SAINTS’ DAY SERVICE hold special significance as it will be a return to an in-person All it is one of the biggest celebration 12:05 p.m., November 1 Saints’ observance. days for Christ Church Cathedral, Simpson added that the music will be from it is fitting that the accompanying music will American and English 20th-century composplay a principal role in the services. “All Saints’ is a day to come together to cel- ers. “We will especially remember those we ebrate the very basic tenet of our faith — the have lost in the past 18 months while giving cloud of witnesses referred to in Hebrews,” thanks for our many blessings. I know CatheCanon Zartman said. “Saints and martyrs have dral choir members will enjoy returning to their celebration day. Like Easter, All Saints’ ALL SAINTS, page 6
Christmas at the Cathedral One of the highlights of Advent each year is “Christmas at the Cathedral”, a special event sponsored by the Mission Outreach Council. This joyous Christmas celebration hosts young children and their families who are supported by two of the Cathedral’s charitable partners — Kid’s Hope and Small Steps CHRISTMAS AT — and features a Christmas THE CATHEDRAL meal in Reynolds Hall, games for the children, and other eleDecember 11 ments of Christmas cheer. The pandemic compelled us to change the format in 2020 and the same is true again this year. Instead of inviting families to a party at the Cathedral, we will deliver Christmas gift
CHRISTMAS, page 8
From the 2020 Christmas at the Cathedral event.