December 2022 Bulletin

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

DECEMBER 2022 CHRISTCHURCHCATHEDRAL.ORG

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

Do not be afraid

10 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite I, In-Person, Facebook/Vimeo 1 p.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II in Spanish, In-Person, Facebook/Vimeo

“Joseph, being a righteous man and unwilling to expose Mary to public disgrace, planned to dismiss her quietly. But just when he had resolved to do this, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife …”

Joseph had a plan about how to deal with a difficult situation. It was a good and compassionate plan, like Joseph himself. But then he had a dream in which it THE VERY seemed (because nothREV. GARY JONES ing is really certain in dreams) that an angel was telling him he should abandon his plan and take a much riskier path. “Do not be afraid,” the angel tells Joseph.

I think I would probably wake up from such a dream and say to myself, “Boy, I just had a nightmare,” and then I would get on with my original plans, my plans that I know are good and compassionate.

I am one of those who can tend to trust his own carefully crafted plans more than I tend to trust my sketchy, half-remembered dreams.

Parker Palmer once said, “I finally had to stop asking myself what I was going to make of my life, so that I could ask what my life was trying to make of me.” That resonates. I just wish I could do the same more often.

We don’t know much at all about Joseph. One reason we don’t know much about him is that he was probably a quiet and spiritually sensitive man. Such folks rarely make headlines or history. Today, we live in a noisy and busy world that rewards quick decisions, concrete plans, and clever strategies. Quiet and spiritually sensitive people like Joseph are regarded with benign neglect — nice people to

WATCH LIVE AT WWW.CHRISTCHURCHCATHEDRAL.ORG/CHRISTMAS

ADVENT, page 8

The Posada is a celebration of community with a rich history There are many things that Rev. Canon Simón Bautista Betances loves about the Posada at Christ Cathedral but most of all is the sense of community — tied closely with the delicious food.

The Cathedral community will have more than one opportunity to partake in both each evening December 16-23, from 7-9 p.m.

as parishioners commemorate Joseph and Mary’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of a safe refuge for Mary to give birth to the baby Jesus. On December 18, at 6 p.m., all are invited to gather at the Grand Posada & Sancocho Supper at the Cathedral.

“We went all out last year and focused a

Christmas services

POSADA, page 6

Advent Lessons & Carols, Sunday, December 4 5 p.m. In-Person, Facebook/Vimeo

The Longest Night, Wednesday, December 21

5:00 p.m. Sign up in advance to attend online via Zoom 6:00 p.m. In-Person

Christmas Eve, Saturday, December 24 4 p.m.

6 p.m.

8 p.m.

11 p.m.

Holy Eucharist Rite II, In-Person, Facebook/Vimeo, (Pageant) Holy Eucharist, Rite II in Spanish, In-Person, Facebook/Vimeo Holy Eucharist Rite II, In-Person, Facebook/Vimeo Holy Eucharist Rite I, In-Person, Facebook/Vimeo

Christmas Day, Sunday, December 25

Our Cathedral Family We celebrate with

E the newly baptized: Annika Eloise Baze, Beatrice Vivienne Baze, Leon Francis Landry, Portia Margaux Landry, Victoria Love Russell, and Cecilia Blake Schulte.

We extend heartfelt sympathy

E to the family of member Roy L. Nolen who passed away on October 17, 2022. Roy is spouse to member Evelyn Nolen.

E to the family of Faye Amette Buckley who passed away on October 4, 2022. Faye is mother to member Michelle Kutch.

E to the family of Bill Ruch who passed away on October 30, 2022. Bill is father to member Tim Ruch.

The flowers on the Cathedral Altar

E on Sunday, November 6, were given to the glory of God in loving memory of her brother, Joe Head and their parents, Jane and Jack Head and Mary Louise and Robert Thurmond by Julie and Bob Thurmond.

E on Sunday, November 13, were given to the glory of God in loving memory of Pete Etheridge by his wife, Nancy Etheridge; their children Hailey and Brent Bechtol and Kim and Cooper Etheridge; and their grandchildren Pete, Mac, and Cal Bechtol and Emerson and Sloan Etheridge.

E on Sunday, November 27, were given to the glory of God in loving memory and thanksgiving for the generosity of Dolly Bille by the Altar Guild.

E on Sunday, December 4, are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Linda Anne Baldwin and Dorothy Geiselman Baldwin by the family of Robert B. Baldwin III. E on Sunday, December 18, are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Robert C. and Madie M. Richter by Bob Richter Jr. E on Sunday, December 18, are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Cherry Gulledge by her children and grandchildren.

Come to the Table: Celebrating The Beacon’s 15 years of ministry This year’s Come to the Table will be a celebration of our 15-year anniversary and those who make this work possible as we honor our past and plan for our future. The event is set to take place at The Beacon on Thursday, December 8, 2022, starting with a cocktail reception at 6 p.m. followed by a four-course dinner.

The doors to the John S. Dunn Outreach Center opened on January 6, 2007, welcoming approximately 100 individuals experiencing homelessness with a homemade meal, hot shower, and opportunity to wash their clothes. Soon, more than 500 individuals were being served daily, amplifying Christ Church Cathedral’s hundred-year tradition of meeting the needs of indigent Houstonians. As we reflect on our beginnings, we are mindful that this effort took an enormous amount of planning and support by many individuals. In particular, those who organized committees to listen and learn about the needs of the homeless community, engineered operations within our facility and gave their time and treasure made the vision for The

THE BEACON, page 6

The Longest Night service, December 21 CLAIRE SOARD, MINISTER OF PASTORAL CARE

The ache of Advent draws near again. This season whispers, “Get ready … He’s coming.”

Past and future, we wait for Jesus. We join in the anticipation of God drawing near, coming into our broken, beautiful world as a tiny human. We join the great cloud of witnesses waiting for that future day when God will come again to make things right in ways we can’t quite imagine.

And for those carrying grief into this season, anticipation can feel risky and sad and overwhelming. What will Jesus bring into my world, into my present, when my present is so very hard?

The heartaches are numerous. Relationships and expectations that are fractured. Chronic pain and mental illnesses that don’t get better.

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Finances that don’t add up. Loved ones slipping away in mind or body. The people who have died who have left a hole in our lives.

We return to the smells and sounds and laughter and food that the holidays bring, but grief means these landmarks hold a new pain, or maybe an old one.

I invite you to make space for the holy work of grieving what must be grieved. To give yourself the grace to put new boundaries on your calendar or your energy or your smiles.

I invite you to look at each person gathering in ugly sweaters and ask where their grief is peeking through.

What space might we offer each other? Could

we make room for tears or memories? Could we ask ourselves and our kids and our parents the questions that leave room for curiosity and open-heartedness instead of rigid expectations or false cheer?

And the true, good news of great joy is that Jesus is faithful to be right there in the joy and sorrow. God with us.

The Longest Night Service on December 21 is a tender service that holds space for the hard. I hope you will join us at 5 p.m. on Zoom or at 6 p.m. in person in the Cathedral.

Music will be performed by Sally Keller, the cellist from The Well. The 6 p.m. service includes Eucharist.

Search Committee begins work MEREDITH L. CANADA

Specifically, how did you accomplish it? What has been the result of this work?”

The questions are designed to cover most aspects of a dean’s work, and align with the qualities desired in our prospective dean as reflected in our Parish Profile. Now that the Parish Profile has been completed and approved by our Vestry, our Search Committee’s primary focus is on developing a core set of questions that will be asked of each of those qualified candidates who are identified to be interviewed.

We appreciate your understanding and patience as we go through this process, and ask for your continued prayers for the Search Committee, and for the Holy Spirit to guide us in our work to successfully accomplish the task of finding our next dean.

Follow the latest information and updates at: www.christchurchcathedral.org/ searchcommittee

Reflections on Cathedral Parish Retreat ANN AND DAVID MILLER

David and I came to the Cathedral in 2003 but until last year had never attended the Cathedral Parish Retreat at Camp Allen. All we can say now after finally attending, is wow, what a lot of fun and wonderful times we missed out on by not going.

The beauty and serenity of Camp Allen are immediate upon arrival. Those of us who live in the city can hardly believe how quiet and PARISH RETREAT peaceful the surroundings are.

Friday–Sunday, Camp Allen is a year-round facility located one hour northwest January 13–15 We enjoyed all the of Houston near Navasota, Texas. activities planned. A nature hike, canoeing, a beautiful candle-lit prayer path, s’mores around a campfire and of course music. If solitude is your fave, then Camp Allen is perfect for you too. Rocking chairs and porch sitting is encouraged. There truly was something for everyone to enjoy, but for us, more than any of these fun experiences was the time to sit and talk with others. Interesting stories and conversations were shared between Cathedral friends, both old and new. Now, people we only knew in passing at church, we had the time to get to know much better and experience God’s love in our midst. It is now an event we look forward to, and we hope any of you who are thinking about going will choose to do just that! It is a wonderful time.

David and I look forward to meeting more Cathedral friends and enjoying the beauty of God’s creations at Camp Allen this coming year. Hope to see you there!

The retreat takes place Jan. 13-15. Reconnect with old friends, make new ones, and renew your relationship with God. For more information and to register, visit: www.christchurchcathedral. org/parishretreat

PARISH PROFILE

Thank you for your continued prayers for the members of the Search Committee as we begin the important task of identifying our new dean.

As was reported last month, since the Search Committee was commissioned, we have completed the required Diocesan STAR training program given by Kellaura Johnson, Diocesan Transition Minister. The STAR program was developed from a secular human resources interview training program adapted to meet the needs of a congregation searching for a new rector (or dean).

This training is based on the premise that future performance can be predicted by past behavior. Questions to ask during the interview have been formulated based on STAR — situation, task, action, and result. An example of this would be: “Tell us something you have accomplished in your career about which you are most proud.

PA R I S H P R O F I L E

houston, Texas

Parish Profile available online

As part of the search for our next dean of Christ Church Cathedral, the Vestry has been busy working to prepare a parish profile since July 2022. The profile highlights the overall identity of the church, its ministries, its people, and its context; essentially defining who and what the Cathedral is.

The process to build this document involved extensive work designing and collecting surveys to receive feedback from parishioners in September and October, hosting listening sessions for parishioners to hear results and offer additional comments, and holding intentional meetings among Vestry members, wardens, clergy, and other parish leaders.

The Diocese required this process to begin before a search committee could be selected and convened. The profile had to be finished and made publicly available prior to the committee’s work toward finding and evaluating candidates for our next dean could commence.

The Vestry worked diligently to ensure all had access and opportunity to be involved throughout this process, and now that this work is completed the profile is available online at www.christchurchcathedral.org/ parishprofile PAGE 3

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Boo Bash, Formation Hour, Cathedral Treble Choir, and more

IN PICTURES

Right: The Treble Choir performs during the 11 a.m. service on November 13.

Above,Cathedral kiddos wear their costumes and play together on the Huffington Playground during our annual Boo Bash.

Right: The Cathedral Treble Choir

Above: Day of the Dead Altar (Dia de los Muertos) in the Cathedral columbarium.

Right: Interim Dean Gary Jones explores the importance of spirituality during his two-part series “Welcoming God and Soul in the 21st Century” THE BULLETIN

PAGE 4

Below: Vestry rep Will Dugat interviews Minister for Children & Families KariAnn Lessner during Formation Hour.

Why we sing Thistles and Shamrocks — Music from Ireland and Scotland The Cabaret is an evening full of fabulous entertainment, cocktails, dinner, silent auction and singing by your choir with the money raised going to our travel scholarship fund. In July 2023 the Cathedral Choir will be taking our song and voices to Dublin to sing at St. Patrick’s Cathedral and Christ Church Cathedral, then accompanies every important passage in human life to Belfast at St. Anne’s Cathedral and finally, to Edin- birth, marriage, sickness, death, initiation rites such as burgh at St. Mary’s Cathedral. That we’ve been invited baptisms and coming of age rites such as confirmation. to sing in these historic spaces is a testament to the The Old and New Testaments are rich with song. The Book of Psalms is basically an anthology music you hear every Sunday. But why do of hymns that we sing to this day. Jesus we, you and I, as people, sing? We sing in CHOIR CABARET the shower, we sing in the car, and if we’re 7 p.m., Saturday, January 21 sang a hymn, probably a psalm, with the disciples at the end of the Last Supnot too shy, we sing at church. We have per. Our public ritual of liturgy forms the so much music coming at us in so many basis of establishing a relationship with God. Through formats these days that we can forget why we sing in liturgy and song we participate in the sacred. the first place.

But going even deeper, how old is song? Not just We sing because singing is a powerful tool. Early music but human singing?

Music can be dated to Pacultures viewed music as intrinsically connected with leolithic times based on early instruments, like flutes. nature and may have believed it influenced the natuHowever singing probably emerged far before this, ral world directly through magic, science or religion. though it is essentially impossible to confirm somePythagoras encouraged his students to sing every day to overcome fear, anger, worry and sorrow. In his uni- thing this ephemeral. Based on human remains, some versity, it was customary for the Pythagoreans to open anthropologists hypothesize that human singing could and close each day with songs to clear the mind and be over 530,000 years old. Singing may even be older inspire it to the activities of the coming day. Today mu- than the impulse to speak; it is rooted in our evolution. sic therapists use singing to ease many symptoms of So why do we sing? We sing because we were literally Parkinson’s disease, such as walking, speech and mood born to. Singing is part of our essence and our gift from God. And, our gift back to Him as well. changes.

SING, page 8 To bring it closer to home, as a church choir, singing PAGE 5

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POSADA, from cover

something special when it comes to the Posalot of effort on letting people know about the da,” said Canon Bautista.

Grand Posada,” said Canon Bautista. “This Last year’s dinner and Grand Posada did year we are going full force too and want the require a lot of planning and effort from the congregation to also join us walking house to congregation, but it was well worth it. John house in the neighborhoods. It is a community McLaughlin, the director of the non-profit event, and it is a way to build the kind of rela- Education Across Borders which benefits tionships that community is all about.” those in the Dominican Republic and Haiti, Maria Flores has been a member of Christ was in attendance with his bilingual book The Cathedral for 15 years and remembers when Good Stranger’s Sancocho Surprise. This upthe Posada was just one event at the Cathedral. date of the Good Samaritan story was a perShe has seen the event grow over the years to fect accompaniment to the Dominican Saninclude the neighborhood celebrations and cocho stew which will be on the menu again has enjoyed participating and helping with the this year. organization and the service.

“We started involving the other councils “It is very special for me because I am from Mexico and I remember when I “Everybody feels a part of creating something special when it was little and the Posada sometimes hapcomes to the Posada,” said Canon Bautista. pened in my house,” Flores said. “Now I go with my friends.”

Maria Pilar Aguinaga, a Cathedral member and committees of the Cathedral to help put it since 2006, is another Posada organizer. She together and make the Grand Posada bigger, says that the families participate out of genu- both in terms of numbers and involvement,” ine enjoyment of the celebration.

Canon Bautista said.

“It’s not obligatory,” she said. “The families This year Jasminne Mendez, Dominicanwho host and make food want to do it for the American poet, author and playwright will adults, the young people, and the children. also be on hand to share her work. Mendez is Every house is different.” a child of immigrants and someone who lives The Mexican tradition of the Posada was with a chronic disease. Cathedral bookstore the inspiration for the Latino congregation manager Lucy Chambers said her work has at Christ Church to start the tradition in been compared to Ntozake Shange’s in its abilHouston. Canon Bautista said that the people ity “to give vivid voices of those who have been who help bring the events to fruition think of silenced and forgotten.” themselves as more than volunteers.

The seven other neighborhood posadas “Everybody feels a part of creating are organized by geographical area with each

Cathedral Youth chosen for planning team We are proud to share that members of your Cathedral family have been selected for the 2023 Episcopal Youth Event National Planning Team!

Youth member and Youth Ministry Council representative Elijah Portillo is an EYE23 Planning Team Member, and Minister for Youth Marcia Quintanilla was selected as an Adult Mentor!

EYE is The Episcopal Church’s largest international youth gathering. It is unique in the life of the church in that it is planned by youth for their peers. The Planning Team has already begun working for EYE23 which takes place in July 2023.

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THE BEACON, from page 2

participating family deciding what foods to provide in order to feed up to 150 attendees. A pinata at one of the houses and candies for the children is a must. In recent years, a shortened version of the Eucharist was added.

“For us, it is like a devotion because we are waiting for the baby Jesus to be born,” Aguinaga said. “It helps you remember how the Virgin Maria and Jose walked into that night and didn’t know if they would find a place for the baby to be born. It is also a way for me to show respect for my ancestors. They did that same devotion. We reaffirm friendship with other people when we have our dinner, and we bring people we didn’t know so they can enjoy themselves with us and we pray. It is a sharing in the cold night.”

Flores has been impressed with the behavior of the next generation.

“The children pay attention to the service too,” she said. “They are very quiet and they respect it.”

Canon Bautista says he is thrilled to be able to get out into the neighborhoods and hopes that even more people from both the Spanish and English-speaking congregations will participate.

“It is something that is so meaningful to so many people,” he said. “I am fully conscious that when we are doing this, going in the streets, singing the typical songs that we sing for Posada, we are joining many voices from the past, but also joining a reality that is still true. There are many people out there who don’t have a roof over their heads.”

Beacon a reality. These Faithful Founders remain loyal to our mission to this day and have inspired so many others to join them. In its 15-year history, The Beacon has evolved, honing its services, and creating efficiencies with separate non-profits merging into one. Our role within the community-wide homeless response system remains vital and our reputation as a dependable resource for individuals in need is paramount. This year’s Come to the Table will be a celebration of our 15-year anniversary and those who make this work possible as we honor our past and plan for our future.

This year’s Chef Committee: Mark Holley of Davis Street at Hermann Park, Manabu “Hori” Horiuchi of Kata Robata Sushi + Grill, Ryan Lachaine of Riel, Ara Malekian of Harlem Road Texas BBQ, Mike Puccio of The Beacon, Luis Roger of BCN and MAD, Chris Shepherd, Claire Smith of Alice Blue, Jeff Weinstock and Max Torres of Cake & Bacon.

Faithful Founders (acting as event chairs) are: Linda and Richard Bischoff, Frances and Norman Kittrell, Wick and Rob Rowland, Judy and Charles Tate, and Carol and Andy Vickery.

Learn more at www.beaconhomeless.org

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

Registration recommended

Registration required

DECEMBER DEC.2

FRI

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

DEC 2-4

FRI-SUN

Youth Fall Retreat Join us for a unique retreat in Galveston that gives 6-12th grade youth a time to escape the chaos of life and reconnect with God. DEC 3

SAT

Latino Ministry Quiet Day 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., Cathedral DEC 4

SUN

Newcomer Lunch and Learn 12:15 p.m., to attend RSVP: jmerullo@ christchurchcathedral.org

Registration closed

St. Theresa’s Short Story Book Group 2 p.m., various locations. Contact Valerie Meisel at vhmtexas@gmail.com. Second Thursday of the month.

DEC 10

SAT

Threads of Comfort and Joy 10 a.m., Zoom (2nd Saturday of the month) Costa Rica Mission Trip 2023 The Costa Rica Mission Trip is open to adults, high schoolers, and 8th graders currently in the confirmation class.

The deadline to apply is December 11.If you missed the info session and are interested in learning more about the Costa Rica Mission Trip, contact Marcia with any questions at mquintanilla@ christchurchcathedral.org.

Childcare available (3 mo. to 12 yrs.)

DEC 17

SAT

Christmas Camp 11 a.m., Jones 205-208. Come get all costumed up and run through our annual Christmas Eve Pageant. There is room at the manger for you!

DEC 18

SUN

Grand Posada Partamos el Pan: with poet Jasminne Mendez 6 p.m., Reynolds Hall.

DEC 21

WED

Cathedral Book Club 6:30 p.m., McGehee Conference Room.

The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris,

by David McCulloch.

DEC 8

THU

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

Children’s Sunday School 10–11 a.m., Jones 201–208. Children’s Sunday School (3 years – 5th grade) will gather in Golding Chapel for a time of music, story, and prayer. We will then walk together to the Jones building. Come check out all the new things going on in Children’s Ministry!

WED

The Longest Night 5 p.m., Zoom; 6 p.m., Cathedral.

COHI, Circle of Care 6 p.m., Zoom

SUNDAYS Formation Hour 10 a.m., Reynolds Hall

THU

• Dec. 4, John Caulfield

Amazing Women of Faith 6:30–7:30 p.m., The Pearl. A monthly gathering of women, where the stories and lives of Amazing Women are shared and discussed. These women of faith are from all over the world and from various eras of Christianity. Third Thursday of the month.

DEC. 7

SUNDAYS

MON

DEC 12

DEC. 15

DEC. 4 Advent Lessons and Carols 5 p.m. The Cathedral. The Cathedral Choir ushers in Advent with its annual service of Advent Lessons and Carols.

Following a pattern established over 100 years ago at Kings College, Cambridge, the service will offer Advent readings followed by carols of the season. Readers will include leaders throughout the parish. This is one of the most anticipated celebrations of the year and a perfect way to introduce your friends and family to the Cathedral. Start your Advent with this beautiful service.

WEEKLY

Las Youth Posada

DEC. 16

Posadas

• Dec. 11 Invitation to Posadas • Dec. 18, A Charlie Brown Christmas

Cathedral Tours Tours are held every Sunday following the 11 a.m. service. They will also be held the third Sunday of each month following services at 9 a.m. and The Well.

FRI

DEC 24 SAT Christmas Eve 4 p.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II, InPerson, Facebook/Vimeo (Includes Christmas Pageant), childcare available.

6 p.m. Holy Eucharist, Rite II (in Spanish) In-Person, Facebook/ Vimeo, childcare available.

8 p.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II, InPerson, Facebook/Vimeo (Organ Prelude at 7:30), childcare available.

DEC. 16–23 Posadas 7–9 p.m. Each evening the Latino congregation will be getting together to commemorate the journey that Joseph and Mary made from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of a safe refuge where Mary could give birth to baby Jesus. Contact Sylvia Garcia for information at sgarcia@c hristchurchcathedral.org

11 p.m. Holy Eucharist Rite I, InPerson, Facebook/Vimeo (Prelude at 10:30) DEC 25 SUN Christmas Day 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II In-Person, Facebook/Vimeo 1 p.m. Holy Eucharist Rite II, with Pastorela (in Spanish) In-Person, Facebook/Vimeo

Latino Ministry Sunday School 1–2:30 p.m., Jones 201–208.

Latino Youth Sunday School 1–2:30 p.m., The Treehouse.

MONDAYS Centering Prayer 11:15 a.m., Mellinger Room.

TUESDAYS Morning Bible Study 7–8 a.m., Zoom. Led by Canon Vicar Kathy Pfister.

EFM: Education for Ministry Morning group from 9:30 a.m. to noon; evening group from 6:30–9 p.m.

WEDNESDAYS Men’s Morning Bible Study 7–8 a.m., Zoom, Offsite.

Women’s Morning Bible Study 9:30–11 a.m., Hybrid: Zoom, Jeffers, Led by Flo Ray. Cathedral Tours Tours available following Noonday Prayer.

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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.

Good gifts, timeless tomes, and seasonal surprises Please take a moment and visit www.christchurchcathedral.org/adventnewsletter to discover our recommendations for the book lovers on your list. When you come by the Cathedral Bookstore during Advent, you’ll find these titles and many more, as well as a variety of Christmas cards, 2023 calendars, nativities from around the world, lovely candles, charming felt creatures, and other fun seasonal surprises.

If you’re looking for something contemplative, we have beautifully bound editions of the Book of Common Prayer, Anglican prayer beads, suggested reads from Interim Dean The Very Reverend Gary Jones, and books every Episcopalian should have on hand. We’re here to help you find something meaningful for everyone on your list and wrap it up with a bow so you can have a more peaceful Advent—and even find a quiet moment or two for your own reading and relaxing!

The Cathedral Bookstore is open Monday through Thursday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., Sundays 8:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.

The Bookstore will close for Christmas on Thursday, December 22 at 2 p.m. and reopen on Sunday, January 8, 2023.

For more information, contact Lucy Chambers, Bookstore Manager: 713-222-0286 or bookstore@christchurchcathedral.org.

Wishing you all the joy of the season!

The Cathedral Bookstore THE BULLETIN

PAGE 8

SING, from page 5 So come hear us sing! Come to see and hear us in a completely different setting at Choir Cabaret! Reserve your spot and get more information at: www. christchurchcathedral.org/cabaret Contact Wick Rowland with questions at wickr@mac.com

ADVENT, from cover have around sometimes, but not people you would want making important decisions in a vestry meeting or a board room. They’re too impractical; they don’t realize the “real-life” consequences of their suggestions — everyone can see that.

And so the world becomes more practical and less spiritual, made more in the image of man than in the image of God. There are consequences to this, but only people like Joseph are likely to notice.

This Advent, I am pondering again the difference between my relentless drive to make something of my life and the riskier question of what my life might be wanting to make of me. I am also thanking God for the quiet and spiritually attentive people among us. I am asking God to help me see the way Joseph saw — that God is very often calling us to put our trust in sketchy, half-remembered dreams, rather than the brilliant plans of human beings. And deciding to take the riskier way forward, in faith, can make all the difference.