CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL An Episcopal Community in the Heart of Houston, Texas
APRIL 2024 CHRISTCHURCHCATHEDRAL.ORG
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The Gifts of Affiliated Clergy
Gather round for May Fete For over one hundred and twenty years, the children of our parish have helped us mark the beginning of Spring by proudly dancing around the maypole as we crown members of the 5th Grade Sunday School as May Fete royalty. Since at least 1899, May Fete has been an important part of Spring at Christ Church. On Sunday, May 5, the Community Life Council is proud to present the 2024 edition of this unique celebration. May Fete festivities begin with a combined, bi-lingual worship service at 10 a.m. (note, this service takes the place of our 9 a.m., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. services). This Holy Eucharist will feature music representative of both our Latino and Anglo congregations. It will be a great joy to worship alongside one another, with our brothers and sisters in Christ. After worship, the celebration of May Fete officially begins! We’ll gather in the Bishop’s Courtyard to see the traditional Sunday School parade, greet the Royal Court of 5th graders, crown our newest May Fete royalty, and enjoy the annual maypole dance. Reynolds Hall and Huffington Playground will host a variety of food options, fun games to play, along with music and entertainment. All activities are free of charge and are provided primarily through generous donations. It takes a village to pull off such a
robust celebration, so in addition to being a financial sponsor, there are various opportunities to volunteer and contribute to our fête festivities. Though May Fete exists to honor our 5th graders, on May 5 we will celebrate all members of our community. Whether you’re 5, 55, or 105, there will be something to enjoy! To donate or sign-up to volunteer, visit the Cathedral website at www.christchurchcathedral.org/mayfete. You can also visit the May Fete table throughout April on Sundays in the Cloister; learn more from members about the history of this event at Christ Church and how to get involved.
MAY 5 10 AM, Worship,
Followed by Maypole Dance and Festivities
May Fete 2024 A community life event
The Cathedral has benefited greatly over many years from the contributions of retired clergy who have made this their spiritual home. This has been especially true during this most recent season of transition. I place a high value on our retired clergy and the gifts they bring to our community. THE VERY REV. To reflect the esNATHANIEL teem with which we KATZ hold them, I am creating a title of Affiliated Clergy. That status will be conferred on retired or bi-vocational clergy who wish to serve the Cathedral on a volunteer basis in a way that is mutually nourishing to that clergyperson and to our community. Affiliated Clergy will have a regular presence in the worship life of the Cathedral and will contribute to our wider mission and ministry. I am pleased to announce that the Revs. Ed Stein, John Pitts, Ray Wilson, and Liz Parker will all continue to serve the Cathedral as Affiliated Clergy. For now, this designation reflects the existing ministry of these cherished clergy members in our midst. My hope is that it will create opportunities for others to join us in our mission to care for one another as God’s Beloved, to grow in our capacity to serve as disciples of Christ and carry the truth of our identity as God’s Beloved into the wider world. I hope that you will join me in thanking and celebrating our Affiliated Clergy for their valuable ministry to our Cathedral family.