March 2023 Bulletin

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

MARCH 2023 CHRISTCHURCHCATHEDRAL.ORG

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Someone is waiting for you

2021 Cathedral group trip to the border, pictured in front of the fence on the Rio Grande river. PHOTO BY KRISTIN JOHNSON

Inviting the stranger in: Casa Mateo

There is no doubt that the migrant situation at our southern border is complicated, but as Christ Church Cathedral parishioners Kristin Johnson and Susan Reedy say, there is one aspect of the issue that is crystal clear. And it is this calling that has led them to spearhead the establishment of a respite center for refugees in Houston, called Casa Mateo.

In Matthew 25, Jesus says, “I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I

was a stranger and you invited me in.”

“The work is actually pretty simple,” Johnson said. “And this is what we feel like we are called to do.”

The seeds of Casa Mateo were sown when Cathedral members made trips to the border to get a sense of what was happening there.

Johnson, Reedy and Canon Simón Bautista were among them. Dean Gary Jones, along with Episcopal clergy from around the

Giving Tree enables youth to serve The Giving Tree is an annual fundraiser that supports Cathedral Youth in their mission work. Cathedral donations allow us to keep costs low for missioners to do the good work we are called to do by Jesus. It provides scholarships for students who can’t fiscally afford to go on a lifechanging mission. It empowers each of our youth to “let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth,” as found in 1 John 3:18. The Giving Tree empowers our youth to answer the call with the support of their church community.

Each of these missions is important to the life and ministry of our youth. Unfortunately, not all are able to afford these trips. Donations to The Giving Tree from parishioners of the Cathedral are the primary source of funds to

GIVING TREE, page 8

CASA MATEO, page 6

One of the reasons I have found the experience of group contemplative practice so helpful is that there is something deeply calming and trustworthy in the shared experience of silence, stillness, and surrender.

I do not believe that contemplative practice is an escape. Rather, it feels more like a return home.

THE VERY In fact, my experiREV. GARY JONES ence is that practicing stillness and silence with others gives fresh meaning to something Ram Dass said: “We’re all just walking each other home.” And when our true home is our life in Christ, this return to who we truly are is the greatest gift we can give to our families, our communities, and the world.

One of my favorite collects from the Book of Common Prayer centers on a verse from Isaiah, “In returning and rest you shall be saved; in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” (Isaiah 30:15) And just a few verses later, the prophet continues, “The Lord waits to be gracious to you.” It’s an arresting image for me, that while I am often over-busy, distracted, or worrying, God is patiently waiting to be gracious to me, waiting for me to return to my true life.

Of course, Jesus’ healing words come to mind, “Come to me, all you who are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:28) A short passage by the theologian Jurgen Moltmann illustrates how profound this is: The ultimate reason for our hope is not to be found at all in what we want, wish for and wait for; the ultimate reason is that we are wanted and wished for and

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Our Cathedral Family We celebrate with

E new members: Barbara Bushong, Maryke Cramerus, Roy and Rubi Garza, and Mary Orrison.

E new births: Oliver Kosobud (parents: Erik and Beth Kosobud), Avery Hayes Ostendorf (born Sept.

2022 — parents: Daniel and Hayden Ostendorf).

E newly baptized: Patrick Calvarin Broderick, Charlotte “Lottie” Grace Borreca, Mary Grace Clawater Cross, Scarlett James Peeler, Eleanor Elizabeth Simmons, and Kaley Sophia Franco.

E Michelle Menjivar and Richard Paredes who were married in the Cathedral on February 4.

E Kendall Nibert and Trevor Childers who were married in the Cathedral on February 18.

The flowers on the Cathedral Altar

E on January 29 were given to the glory of God in loving memory of her parents Mary John and Ralph Spence by Judy Tate.

E on February 12 were given to the glory of God in loving memory of Gene Brauderick and Lee Lillie by their friends Mike, Andrew and Efraín.

E on February 26 were given to the glory of God in loving memory of John and Marion Merritello by the Nielsen family.

E on March 5 are given to the glory of God in loving memory of their mother, Dorothy Knox Howe Houghton, their father, Thomas Woodward Houghton, their grandmother, Dorothy Trone Howe Dupree, and their grandfather, Knox Briscoe Howe, by Rowena Houghton Dasch and Adele Houghton.

E on March 12 are given to the Glory of God in loving memory of John Baird from his family.

E on March 19 are given to the glory of God in loving memory of James Leonard Dougherty, Jewel Kendall and William Brooke Hamilton, Henry Kendall Hamilton, Newton Gilbert Dougherty and Maribel Kendall Daffan by Anne and Jim Dougherty Jr. THE BULLETIN

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Search committee update

As the search committee for the new Dean of our Cathedral, we are taking a thoughtful and thorough approach to evaluating prospects for this important role. One of the tools we are using in this process is the STAR method of behavioral interviewing. STAR stands for Situation, Task, Action, and Result, and it is a technique used to assess a candidate’s past experiences and how they handled specific challenges in their work. Here’s what each part of the STAR format represents: Situation: The interviewer asks the candidate to describe a specific situation they faced in their previous job or project.

Task: The candidate is asked to describe the task they were trying to achieve in the situation.

Action: The candidate describes the actions they took to complete the task or handle the situation.

Result: The candidate explains the outcome of their actions and what they achieved as a result.

This interview technique has been recommended to us in our Diocesan training and is now standard practice for clergy searches

across the Diocese of Texas. In the context of our search for the new Dean, we are using STAR questions to better understand how each candidate has approached challenges in their ministry and how they have led their congregations in times of change or difficulty.

This information is critical in helping us assess the candidate’s ability to serve as the dean of our Cathedral, where they will be expected to lead and support the community through a wide range of experiences and challenges.

During our interviews, we will be asking each candidate to describe specific situations they have faced in their ministry and how they approached and resolved those challenges and opportunities. The questions cover a broad range of categories from their preaching and theological approach to pastoral care, finance, and administration. Using a well-structured set of questions for all prospects also ensures that we have an objective, consistent, and balanced approach to evaluation.

As the search process continues, we ask for your continued prayers and support. We are confident that with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we will be able to find the right person to serve as the next dean of our Cathedral.

The Robert C. Stuart

Lenten Series in honor of the Very Rev. Barkley S. Thompson

Our 2023 Lenten series includes special lectures, retreats, and opportunities to learn and engage through spiritual practice with distinguished professors, poets, and priests throughout this holy season.

Due to unforeseen circumstances Martin Laird will be unable to join us. Interim Dean Gary Jones will now be leading the Lenten retreat on March 4. See the schedule to the right.

Learn more at: www.christchurchcathedral.org/lent

,

Sunday Lectures 10 a.m. Reynolds Hall • March 5, The Very Rev. Gary Jones • March 12, Tricia Lyons • March 19, Marcia Brennan • March 26, Carmen Acevedo Butcher Saturday Special Events

• March 4, Lenten Retreat with Interim Dean Gary Jones, 9-3 p.m., Reynolds Hall.

Register to attend.

• March 11, Latino Ministry Lenten Retreat, 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., McGehee Conference Room.

• March 25, Unknowing into the Joy of Simplicity: Finding Our Meaning & Purpose with Carmen Acevedo Butcher, 6:30-8 p.m., Sanders Hall. Register to attend.

Costa Rica: Love goes

Service Day at Olivewood Cemetery Saturday, March 25, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Olivewood Cemetery needs your help.

Can you join us as we begin a visual survey to reconstruct lost burial records?

Join the Youth Ministry Council and the Justice and Peace Council on Saturday, March 25, from 9 am - 1 pm as we help record the details of the headstones of some of Houston’s early citizens and founders.

No special skills or tools are needed, just your time reviewing easy-to-read records.

Bring a water bottle, sunscreen, and a hat.

Register at: www.christchurchcathedral. org/youthserviceday

In 1 John 3:18, we find John talking to a group of churches about love being a verb, a call to action:“Let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth.” Cathedral Missions has discerned this scripture in the past few years when preparing for the Costa Rica Mission Trip. Love goes, for it is in the name of love that we go and connect with our siblings in Costa Rica.

The Diocese of Texas has partnered with Iglesia Episcopal Costarricense for over eight years. These partnerships are, in their essence, a friendship. We live this relationship through our faith and growing together. The Cathedral has been blessed to send mission groups every summer through this partnership.

In 2019, the Cathedral began working with the Bishop of Costa Rica, Orlando Gomez, to create a second diocesan center in Limón, on the Caribbean side of Costa Rica. The Episcopal Church began in Costa Rica among the Afro-Caribbean population along the Atlantic coast.

Bishop Orlando’s vision is to create a center similar to the one in San Jose to attract missioners and local youth. Limón currently holds the highest population of Episcopal youth in the country. A second diocesan center would provide space for youth group gatherings, retreats, and much more. Last summer, when the idea of gathering youth of Costa Rica and Texas for a weekend retreat came about, finding a location to lodge youth became a challenge. It became apparent that having a second diocesan house in Limón would be ideal. It is why we are committed to helping this project come alive. Love goes. Our belief in the young people of this church is essential to living out the Gospel. So far, the cement ground has been laid, structures have been built, and the next step is installing electricity tubes.

But love goes does not only mean we spearhead construction projects. Our purpose for love goes for us is to build relationships and connect Cathedral youth with Costa Rican youth who share the same faith even miles away. We are intentional in making space for connections to be made throughout our trip. For example, this summer, we are looking forward to having a music workshop where youth can share their musical talents and learn more about the folkloric history of Limón through music.

This year’s Costa Rica Mission trip is scheduled for June 18-26. We will continue working on the second diocesan house in Limón, building connections, and nurturing the old ones with prayer and high hopes that love goes will be the north star of our time together.

Cathedral Council Leadership Conference GARY SMITH

On Saturday, February 11, members of the Cathedral’s council system came together for a Council Leadership Conference organized and led by Canon Vicar Kathy Pfister. The workshop included an overview of leadership roles, tips on how to effectively work together, and a look at best practices and processes to create effective and transformative programming. We talked through the challenges of a crowded calendar, developing and maintaining a diverse and substantive set of programs during this time of transition, and set the trajectory of our planning for the Fall 2023–Spring 2024 program year.

The Council system at Christ Church Cathedral is in many ways the centerpiece of our lay leadership ministry—without this cadre of dedicated volunteers the Cathedral would be a much different place. We owe these 130+ parishioners our deepest gratitude. There are currently eleven active councils: Christian Formation and the Arts, Children and Families, Community Life, Justice and Peace, Latino Ministry, Mission Outreach, Pastoral Care, Stewardship, Welcome and Newcomers, Youth, and 20s & 30s. Formation, service, fellowship and fun are the hallmarks of our programming.

Each council has a leadership team comprised of a staff liaison, vestry representative and lay

chair. Events as varied as the Lenten Lecture Series, Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper, May Fete, Youth Sunday, the Roundup, Costa Rica Mission Trip, Cathedral Lunch and Learn, Las Posadas, Walking the Mourner’s Path, Alternative Giving Market, Coming Out in Church as an Ally, Pray Like Jesus Bible Study, Friendsgiving, and the Every Member Canvass are just a small sampling of the programs organized by the various councils. We are particularly proud of our newly envisioned Casa Mateo respite center. Its genesis was found in the exceptional work of two members of the Mission Outreach Council.

COUNCIL OF COUNCILS, page 6 PAGE 3

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Vestry Retreat, Mass of the Eternal Flame, and more

IN PICTURES

Right: Canon for Music Robert Simpson the Cathedral Choir in the opening number Mass of the Eternal Flame co

Below right: Marianna Parnas-Simpson and Bob Simpson pose with compose Ešenvalds following the world premiere concert, Mass of the Eternal

Above: The Treehouse hosted the EYE (Episcopal Youth Event) planning team in February.

Above: Vestry members attend their annual retreat at Camp Allen at the end of January. Left to right: Nicolas Shumway, Lyman Paden, Patrick Hayes, Mark Hull, Katie Barnes, Kristin Johnson Smith, Flo Ray, Ben Powell IV, Rick Ankrom, Guy Hagstette, Anne Eisner, Jim Cowan, Gay Gulledge, John Bramblett, Gary Jones. Not pictured: Mimi Prioleau and Sonia Mascorro-Velazquez.

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Above: Dean Jones speaks during the Dean’s Hour. His most recent series was titled “Beyond Bellhops of History.”

Right: Poet Allison Seay discusses how poetry, careful attention, and connection with the earth can foster a stillness that allows us to be more aware and appreciative of God’s presence and provision.

Left: Cathedral Members who are on the Camp Allen board at their retreat in early February. Clyde Neal; Mandy Neal, board president; Bilinda Matusek, board member; and Char Jones, advisory board member.

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me to witness this when sending me and my of knowledge and introducing them to a netcountry, also made a trip the same year as family to Houston. Casa Mateo is the answer work of other shelters across the country. to the prayers of many, and I am thankful to One of the key points that Johnson and Johnson.

“We wanted to see for ourselves and learn God for making the Cathedral community the Reedy emphasize is that the migrants who from people who were taking care of immi- vessel where these prayers found a nurturing will be housed at Casa Mateo aren’t just comgrants who were in the country legally at vari- home. This is God at work and God’s kingdom ing here to make a better life for themselves, they are often fleeing persecution and violent ous intake centers,” Dean Jones said. “There breaking through!”

Johnson continued: “We have been riding situations. was a great interest to contribute in a compasJohnson said that the referrals for Casa Masionate way to the care of people who were the momentum from so many different orgaobviously distressed and being marginalized nizations and people really wanting to figure teo will likely come from other non-profits out a way to help this population in the city of working with immigrants. The facility will and sometimes demonized in the press.” be able to accommodate about 50 people at The pandemic caused a slowdown of efforts, Houston.”

One of those major supporters was Texas a time. Current plans are to open in about a but when Dean Jones came to the Cathedral in September of 2022, he discovered that John- Bishop Andrew Doyle who offered the 6-acre year from now.

Northshore campus, rent-free.

“The vestry and the endowment of the Cason and Reedy had indeed been busy.

“The Bishop said thedral granted us a financial gift to cover the “They had been carthat it was something majority if not all the capital improvements rying the ball ever “We have been riding the momentum from that he had wanted to needed to retrofit this space to convert it for since, at the behest of so many different organizations and people see in Houston for a these purposes,” she said. “We can now foDean Barkley Thomplong time,” Reedy said. cus on raising funds for our programming.” son,” he said. “They really wanting to figure out a way to help this population in the city of Houston.”

“His encouragement Johnson said there will be numerous oppordeveloped quite a deep and offer of support tunities for the Cathedral community to get and insightful knowledge about what was going on at the southern further motivated us to pursue this opportu- involved, whether it is creating a children’s library, helping with ESL services, or beautiborder and the tremendous needs that various nity to address a growing need.”

Another piece of the puzzle for Johnson and fying the space through a community garden. social services had just to keep up with these Reedy fell into place when they heard about a The Cathedral website will also be a resource families who didn’t have any place to go.”

From the perspective of Johnson and Reedy, respite center in Austin called Casa Marianella. for respite center updates.

“We were blown away by the work they Dean Jones notes that Matthew is the only it was an effort that took root and blossomed, in large part because the Cathedral had already are doing there to serve migrants and asy- Gospel in which the angel of the Lord appears prioritized the care of migrants in its last vi- lum seekers who are coming from all over to Joseph and tells them to take their baby to sion action plan. The Mission Outreach Coun- the world,” Johnson said. “They have a 90- Egypt.

“From the time Jesus was born, he was a cil, which both women served on, also made day program where they not only provide shelter but also programming that we think refugee,” says Dean Jones. “Some wonder if migrant assistance a focus.

“At the border, we spoke to a variety of peo- is transformative in how it sets people up for Jesus is remembering in the Parable of the Sheep and the Goats how his very life deple, from volunteers at respite centers to clergy success.”

Reedy said their affinity for the 90-day pended on the hospitality of the Egyptians to to asylum seekers to border patrol,” Reedy said. “We were praying about the next steps model came from the realization that there take care of him when his family had to flee.”

Senior Warden Guy Hagstette said that and then one of our colleagues told us about a is currently nothing like this in the city of Houston. caring for the refugee is the type of work that shelter here in Houston that was in need.”

“It takes time to minister to people,” Susan God calls Christian communities to do.

That center was Casa Juan Diego and while “Over the past 200 years, it is also the kind Johnson and Reedy went to talk to the co- says. “In seven days a family can just start to founder and director, Louise Zwick, about catch their breath. They’ve experienced so of work that Christ Church Cathedral has ways to volunteer with them, soon the scope much trauma. They’ve got small children and been about,” he said. “You can look at The most have a language barrier. Once you pro- Beacon, you can look at New Hope Housing.” shifted.

Hagstette said the vestry as a body has “Louise was very grateful, but she said ‘I vide initial relief — a bed, a roof over their don’t need volunteers and we don’t need dona- head, a hot shower, a warm meal and a sense been aware of plans since May of 2022, and tions, what we need is another respite center,’” of safety - then you can start trying to address that there have been a number of extensive some of the dire needs they have.” reports and discussions since then. “We are Reedy remembers.

The 90-day model includes case manage- seeing here the results of two very committed Johnson clearly recalls the date, April 1, 2022, and she remembers what Reedy said ment, access to legal services, referrals for Cathedral members, but we’re also seeing evito her - “We can do this. Christ Church does medical care, ESL classes, and help with job dence of the strength of our Council system,” placement, school enrollment and permanent he said. “There has been so much momentum things like this.”

From there, they met with Canon Simón housing. Johnson and Reedy say that Casa every day driving this project,” Reedy said.

Bautista who told them about a vacant church Marianella director Jennifer Long has been “Amazing people have been put in our path facility that might be used for a respite center. an incredible partner in sharing her 30 years and so much has just fallen into place.”

Northshore Episcopal Church, located in East Houston, is about 8,000 square feet.

COUNCIL OF COUNCILS, from page 3 “I am amazed by the faithfulness and courCouncil membership is at the invitation of the Dean, and members usually serve three-year age of members and leaders of the Cathedral, terms. If you are interested in participating in the Councils, please volunteer for one of the activisuch as Susan Reedy and Kristin Johnson,” ties that interests you and make yourself known to the Council leadership teams. It is one of the Bautista noted, adding: “I think God wanted best ways to become more deeply involved in the life of your Cathedral.

CASA MATEO, from cover

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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 MARCH 11

MARCH MARCH 1

WED

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

The Cathedral Book Club will discuss: Practice of the Presence: A Revolutionary Translation, by Carmen Acevedo Butcher.

MARCH 3

Registration closed SAT

Threads of Comfort and Joy 10 a.m., (2nd Saturday of the month), Mellinger Room.

Latino Ministry Lenten Retreat 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., McGehee Conference Room.

FRI

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

Monica Czausz Organ Recital 7:30 p.m., Cathedral.

MARCH 12 SUN Return to Love: The Robert C. Stuart Lenten Series in honor of the Very Rev. Barkley S. Thompson 10 a.m., Reynolds Hall. Tricia Lyons MARCH 13

MARCH 4 Lenten Retreat 9-3 p.m., Reynolds Hall MARCH 5

SAT

Return to Love: The Robert C. Stuart Lenten Series in honor of the Very Rev. Barkley S. Thompson 10 a.m., Reynolds Hall. The Very Rev. Gary Jones.

Newcomer Lunch and Learn 12:15 p.m., McGehee Conference Room Contact Elizabeth Cuevas at ecuevas@ christchurchcathedral.org MARCH 9

COHI, Circle of Care 6 p.m., Zoom. Please note some meetings are held in person and some over Zoom. 2nd Monday of the Month.

MARCH 19

SUN

THU

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

MON

SAT

Return to Love: The Robert C. Stuart Lenten Series in honor of the Very Rev. Barkley S. Thompson 10 a.m., Reynolds Hall. Marcia Brennan.

MARCH 25

SAT

Unknowing into the Joy of Simplicity: Finding Our Meaning & Purpose with Carmen Acevedo Butcher 6:30-8 p.m., Sanders Hall.

MARCH 26

SUN,

Instruction in Eucharist 10 a.m., Cathedral.

SUNDAYS 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!

The Giving Tree Support Cathedral Youth in the cloister on Sundays. Donations can also be made by visiting the Cathedral website at: www. christchurchcathedral.org/givingtree 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.

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

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

MARCH 26 SUN Return to Love: The Robert C. Stuart Lenten Series in honor of the Very Rev. Barkley S. Thompson 10 a.m., Reynolds Hall. Carmen Acevedo Butcher lecture.

WEDNESDAYS CONT. Dying in Christ: the end of life in the Anglican tradition 12:30 p.m., Jeffers Conference Room.

We are Resurrection people, yet talking about death can be hard. You are invited to this three-week series exploring the theology and liturgy of dying, as well as practical information on planning for a funeral. Join us for a light lunch and rich conversation. Contact Claire Soard at csoard@christchurchcathedral.org March 1, 8, and 15.

WEDNESDAYS Contemplative Chapel Join Interim Dean, Gary Jones Wednesday evenings, 6:30–7:30 p.m. on Zoom. Begins March 1. Contact Louise Langford to participate: llangford@ christchurchcathedral.org

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

TUESDAYS Tuesday Early Morning Men & Women’s Bible Study 7–8 a.m. Zoom. Led by Canon Vicar Kathy Pfister.

Women’s Evening Bible Study 6:30–7:30 p.m., Zoom. Led by Canon Becky Zartman.

Seed Group 6:30 p.m. off campus, for Middle School Youth.

WEDNESDAYS

FRI

Conferencia Te — Celebrating Women International Day 6-9 p.m. Reynolds Hall. A women’s conference hosted by Latino Ministries.

Please contact Sylvia García sgarcia@ christchurchcathedral.org

WEEKLY

20s & 30s Bible Study 7-8 p.m., Jeffers Conference Room.

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

MARCH 10

Childcare available (3 mo. to 12 yrs.)

Men’s Morning Bible Study 7–8 a.m., Zoom. No prior bible study is required for participation in this group.

Please email Louise Langford at llangford@christchurchcathedral.org for the Zoom link and more information.

Women’s Morning Bible Study 9:30-11 a.m., Zoom. Gather for a sincere and truthful conversation on the appointed scripture reading for the following Sunday. Led by Flo Ray.

THURSDAYS Exodus: The Liberating God 12:05-1 p.m. Zoom.

UPCOMING APRIL 1 Moores School Chamber Concert IV 7:30 p.m. (Sanders Hall) APRIL 2 The 5 Senses of Holy Week: An Intergenerational Experience Join us Palm Sunday as we experience with our five senses the story of Jesus’ walk from triumphal entry in Jerusalem, through the Passion, all the way to his glorious Resurrection. Come taste, touch, smell, hear and see — that the Lord is good!

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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 713-217-1347.

WAITING FOR YOU, from cover

waited for. What is it that awaits us? Does anything await us at all, or are we alone? Whenever we base our hope on trust in the divine mystery, we feel deep down in our hearts: there is someone who is waiting for you, who is hoping for you, who believes in you. We are waited for as the prodigal son in the parable is waited for by his father.

We are accepted and received, as a mother takes her children into her arms and comforts them. God is our last hope because we are God’s first love.

— Moltmann, The Source of Life “There is someone who is waiting for you, who is hoping for you, who believes in you.” I hope you believe that.

I hope you have felt or experienced something like that.

Because that belief and that experience can inspire a sense of peace that feels elusive to many of us in our time of contentiousness and pervasive anxiety.

Still, I love what Emily Dickinson said about believing: “We both believe and disbelieve a hundred times an hour, which keeps believing nimble.” In today’s chaotic social and political environment, something resonates about “believing and disbelieving a hundred times an hour.” And I think this is what keeps me returning to the beauty, truth, and simplicity of group contemplative practice; to the communal desire I sense in our time together, through silence and stillness, to walk each other home again; and to the promise that Someone whom we can trust is indeed waiting for us, hoping for us, and believing in us.

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Cloister gallery Come downtown and visit Garmezy’s “Private Spaces” unique and often playful brand of photography while enjoying lunch at Treebeards, a Houston institution since 1978. Larry Garmezy will be on hand to discuss his work on many Tuesdays and Fridays during the exhibition.

From his favorite haunts in the Northern Rockies to his backyard in Houston and points in between, Garmezy’s images are typically impressions or abstractions of landscapes distorted by physical processes that create surprising and fleeting patterns.

His work is shaped by his early adventures as a geologist. Through this filter he observes and captures the subtle shapes and textures hidden in the details of nature’s recesses. Larry Garmezy, a mostly retired geologist, spent 32 years traveling the world with Shell Oil after graduating from Amherst College and Penn State University. A lifelong photographer, he has had five solo shows as a member artist at Archway Gallery in Houston.

His work has been in numerous juried shows, hangs in homes, offices and public spaces across the U.S. and Europe, and has been published in Spotlight Contemporary Art Magazine (issues 15, 17, 23, and 27).

GIVING TREE, from cover

Private Spaces by Larry Garmezy Feb. 15 through March 29

send youth on these life-changing trips and other activities throughout the year.

During Lent we will be in the cloister on Sundays. You can pick one of the envelopes from The Giving Tree and keep a picture from one of our previous trips as a reminder to keep us in prayer throughout the summer.

Learn more at www.christchurchcathedral.org/givingtree