THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF ST. PETER
The Episcopal Cathedral in the Heart of Downtown St. Petersburg
Winter/Spring2025
MusicattheCathedral
Dear Friends of Music Society and Cathedral Community,
I’m happy to come before you again with another exciting season of Cathedral Music & Arts!
This season will include: monthly Choral Evensongs the return of St Petersburg favorite, St Pete Baroque local groups such as Vox Nova from PCCA Cathedral Brass to enhance our festival liturgies
Overthecenturiesthechurchhasbeenacenterforartisticandmusicalexpression, helpingtocomfort,inspire,andrefreshparishionersandseekersalike.Iamthrilledthe Cathedralhastheopportunitytopartnerwithup-and-comingmusiciansaswellas establishedensembles.Thevarietyofmusicalofferingsreflectsthediversityof interestsinourcongregationandcity.Itismyhopethatyou’lljoinusasoftenasyou canandthatyou’llinvitesomeonetocomewithyou,too.
Ilookforwardtojoiningourvoicestogethersoon.
Gratefully,
Dwight Thomas
Dwight Thomas, Canon for Music and Precentor
Acenturies-oldservicethatblendsprayersandPsalmswith choralsinging.AllarewelcometoattendEvensong whatevertheirreligionorbackground.
Youareinvitedtoparticipatethroughyourpresence, listeningtothewordsandmusic Evensongisaservicethat providesatimeforstillnessandcalmandsolaceinthe prayersandreadingsattheendoftheday.
Choral Evensong
All Evensong services are at 5:00 pm, with an organ prelude at 4:45 pm. A freewill offering is taken. A reception follows in Harvard Hall. The organist is Dwight Thomas, Canon for Music and Precentor.
SUNDAY, JANUARY 26
“St. Thomas” Responses Wood: Evensong in E flat
Our service of Choral Evensong for the Third Sunday after the Epiphany will include the “St. Thomas Responses” of contemporary composer Joanna Forbes L’Estrange. She is a singer, composer, choral leader, and former member and music director of the a capella jazz group the Swingle Singers (1998-2004) She now composes and performs in classical, liturgical, and jazz genres “Joanna Forbes L’Estrange’s canticles are fast becoming a favorite of church and cathedral choirs, both in the UK and in the USA,” YouTube reports.
The liturgy is Evensong in E flat by Charles Wood (18661926), an Irish composer and teacher. His students included Ralph Vaughan Williams at Cambridge and Herbert Howells at the Royal College of Music. He is primarily remembered and performed as an Anglican church music composer, but he also wrote songs and chamber music, particularly for string quartet
An organ prelude at 4:45 p.m. by Music Director Dwight Thomas includes Felix Mendelssohn’s Sonata No. 6 in D minor. The Cathedral Chamber Choir sings. A freewill offering is taken and a reception follows.
Joanna Forbes L’Estrange, composer
FriendsofMusicSociety
The Cathedral Church of St. Peter has been blessed with the support and generosity of many people that have made the music program what it is today. The Cathedral has a long reputation of providing musical arts that creates vitality for our community, and at the center, in our worship life offered in praise and thanksgiving to our God
We’re asking for your help in continuing the musical life of the Cathedral and the community with your gift. As a contributor, your name will be listed in all concert programs, and all contributions are tax-deductible
If you haven’t already contributed to our Friends of Music Society, would you please consider doing so? Thank you for your consideration and for your continued support of the Cathedral Music & Arts.
Choral Evensong
SUNDAY, MARCH 23
THIRD SUNDAY IN LENT
Smith Responses
Psalm 34
Gibbons “Short Service”
Purcell: Hear my prayer, O Lord
SUNDAY, APRIL 27
SECOND SUNDAY OF EASTER
Foster Responses
Psalms 111, 112, 113
Stanford in A
Friedell: Come my way, my truth, my life
For additional information about each month’s Evensong and composer, visit spcathedral org/music-events
FESTIVAL EUCHARIST
featuring Timpani & Brass
Easter Sunday April 20 at 10:15 am
St.PeteBaroque “DueViolad’Amore”
Sunday, January 18 at 5:00 pm
One of the Cathedral’s favorite musical groups, St. Pete Baroque, will make its fifth appearance this month with a free concert titled “Due Viola d’Amore”.
St. Pete Baroque performs on historical instruments that are set up as they were during the Baroque period (1600-1750): gut strings, baroque bows, and unique instruments that are not found in modern day musical settings harpsichord, lute, viola da gamba, viola d’amore, and baroque winds
The guest performer will be Stephen Goist, who will play the viola d’amore with Dan Urbanowicz, founder and artistic director of St Pete Baroque and a member of the Florida Orchestra hence the title of the concert, “Due Viola d’Amore.”
Goist plays with the ProMusica Orchestra in Columbus and appears regularly with New York Baroque Inc., the Philharmonia Baroque Orchestra, and the Charleston Symphony Orchestra. He has performed through the United States, Europe, India, and New Zealand
Also performing are Mia Mangano on viola da gamba/violone and Teodora MitzeCîrciumaru, harpsichord/ organ.
“Wearededicatedtogivingnewlifetoold masterpieces,givingavoicetonewlydiscovered works,andbringingaudiencestheeccentricand improvisatorynatureofbaroquemusic.”
Dan Urbanowicz, Artistic Director
Stephen Goist, Viola
PinellasCounty Centerforthe Arts“VoxNova” ChamberChoir
Sunday, February16 at4:00
Vox Nova Chamber Choir from Pinellas County Center for the Arts at Jonathan C. Gibbs High School is thrilled to perform their tour program for a home audience here in St. Petersburg which features a cappella pieces by famous American composers from Eric Whitacre to Billy Joel.
The choir will embark on their first international choir tour to Spain and Portugal. While traveling abroad, students will give three concerts in historic locations and will be immersed in culture through educational tours and sampling local cuisine.
Pinellas County Center for the Arts (PCCA) at Jonathan C. Gibbs High School in St. Petersburg, Florida is a center of excellence in the visual and performing arts. It provides a comprehensive educational program of artistic training, academic and creative development, and preparation to compete for scholarships toward advanced study in institutions of higher learning Students must apply and audition for this selective magnet program where musicians participate in a variety of activities including performance ensembles and free weekly private lessons with professional adjunct faculty members. In 2022, The PCCA Women’s Chorale, was selected as critic’s choice for the Florida Vocal Association District 9 Music Performance Assessment and was selected to perform at the Southern Region American Choral Directors Association Conference.
ArtsMinistry
The Cathedral Church of St. Peter is pleased to offer a robust variety of ways to engage with art throughout the year. Through visiting local museums, learning from world-renowned artists, and leaning into our own creativity, we embrace art in all forms as a meaningful spiritual experience
Members of the Cathedral Arts Ministry Committee
Art invites us to an encounter, which is a gift a spiritual gift that might bring us into a deeper relationship with God. For more information, visit spcathedral.org/arts.
Mary Howe, Gina Cabrejo, Diana Arnold, Hillary Peete, and Cynthia Garrels
New Christian Icons
Icon Exhibition:
January 9- April 24, 2025
A partnership with Iconographer Christine Hales in 2025
Enhance your spiritual journey this Lenten and Easter season with renowned iconographer Christine Hales. Our sacred spaces will transform with her profound and evocative icons, including her series of the Stations of the Cross displayed in St. Mary’s Chapel. These icons are not just art they are windows into the divine, designed to deepen our communal experience of these holy seasons
AbouttheArtist
ChristineHalesholdsaBFAinPaintingandArtEducationfromtheMassachusettsCollegeof Art,Boston,andanMSinArtTherapyfromtheCollegeofNewRochelle,NY,andhasstudiedat theArtistsLeagueofNewYork,TheNationalAcademyofDesignNewYork,NY,andInstituteof FineArts,Florence,Italy.
Herpaintingsandiconshavebeeninmanynationalgroupexhibitionsaswellasseveralsolo exhibitsinNewYork.ReviewedintheNewYorkTimesandfeaturedinHudsonValleyMagazine, Christine’slandscapesreflecttheartist’sloveofnatureandtransformation Herworkasan iconographerisinmanychurchesandinpublicandprivatecollections
OUR LADY OF THE SIGN ICON Mary has her hands in the praying (orans) position and at the center of the icon is the Christ child Two seraphim flank Mary as she prays
SacredArtSpeakerSeries
INTRODUCTION TO ICONS
Sunday, February 2, 2025
12:00-1:00 pm in Harvard Hall
Join us for an enlightening talk with Christine Hales as she guides us through the spiritual practice of praying with icons. This introduction will help you engage more fully with the Lenten season by using these sacred images as tools for prayer and reflection.
THE THEOLOGY OF ICONS
Sunday, March 30, 2025
12:00-1:00 pm in Harvard Hall
Delve deeper into the rich theological foundations of iconography Christine will explore the spiritual meanings behind these holy images and invite parishioners to share their experiences of the icons throughout Lent and Easter
LENTEN DEVOTIONS
Alongside these visual and educational offerings, we will distribute study questions and devotions for the Lenten season, thoughtfully prepared by Deacon Hillary Peete. These resources are designed to accompany you through a meaningful and reflective Lenten journey.
IconWritingRetreat
Tuesday-Friday, February 11-14, 2025
In-person at the Cathedral
This immersive four-day retreat is designed for all levels, including complete beginners. You do not have to be an artist to write icons! This class welcomes those who simply want to learn more about icons as well as the more serious person who wants to develop an approach to icon writing, Becoming an iconographer is approached as a way of inquiry and development in the Christian life rather than just a theoretical or practical art class.
It’s not about making the perfect icon, but it is about having an encounter with God through art materials, understanding Christian Icon history, and prayer, and being able to share that experience with others so they can be blessed too.
Throughout the class, participants will engage in intensive sessions that cover a wide range of topics including the fundamentals of Iconography, how to paint icons using egg tempera and gold leaf gilding, icon history, practical techniques for creating Byzantine style icons, and incorporating them into your prayer life.
Christine’s icons are in many churches internationally and she will provide personalized feedback and guidance to help you refine your skills and develop a distinctive voice.
Don’t miss this chance to connect with fellow iconographers, exchange ideas, and gain valuable insights that will help transform your approach Take the first step toward mastering the art of icon writing. Registration will open soon at spcathedral.org/icon.
A unique and collaborative project will also be part of this program in Fall 2025. Christine Hales will paint an icon of Saint Peter, which will be made into a large, portable outdoor banner bearing the church’s name
This banner will serve as a beacon to the wider community, drawing them into the church to experience the icons and inviting deeper engagement with our faith.
Iconographer Christine Hales with Archangels Michael and Gabriel Icons
Pysanka:TheArtof UkrainianEggDesign
Saturday, April 5 | 10:00 am-3:00 pm Register online at spcathedral.org/easter-eggs
Create your own pysanky through this batik method of design, adapting ancient traditions from Ukraine. In this workshop, your pure white egg will slowly become a brilliantly dyed symbol of the advent of Spring and resurgence of life. You'll find the method of creation with candlelight and wax to be meditative and healing.
Workshop leader Johanna Zenobia Krynytzky has been "writing" these eggs since she was old enough to hold a kistka (that's a sort of heated fountain pen that is used to draw the design on the eggs). Taught by her mother and grandmother, Johanna continues this age-old tradition that was banned in Ukraine by the USSR (as were Ukrainian language, religion, and other traditions). Today it thrives, in and out of Ukraine, as a national symbol of resilience, expression, and rebirth. The pysanka (that's the singular of "pysanky") was the topic of Johanna‘s B.A. thesis in Art History at the University of Chicago. She is proud to carry on this powerful, magical part of her heritage, and equally excited to share it with you.
All materials are included A donation of $20 to $50 is suggested A catered pierogi lunch is available for $10 A percentage of proceeds goes towards humanitarian aid for Ukraine. All welcome!
SpiresintheSun
THE CARPENTER GOTHIC
EPISCOPAL CHURCHES OF FLORIDA
Noon - 1:00 pm | Refreshments / Meet & Greet book signing 12:30 pm | Cathedral Tour
1:00 - 2:00 pm | Author talk and Q&A
2:00 - 2:30 pm | Meet & Greet and book signing 2:00 pm | Cathedral Tour
Saturday,November8 12:00-2:30
AuthorPresentationwith Q&A,BookSigning,and CathedralTour
Writer Jonathan Rich and photographer Phil Eschbach offer the stories behind the oldest surviving wood-frame Episcopal churches in Florida. Constructed in the 1800s when Florida was the nation's raw southeastern frontier, these churches breathed the romantic sensibilities of England's stone parish churches into a new wood.
Half the profiled churches were built under the leadership of women, one of whom was abolitionistnovelist Harriet Beecher Stowe
Another was constructed to serve crowds arriving by train to attend the nationally celebrated Florida Chautauqua series And one, raised by an African-American master carpenter, is now Florida's oldest Episcopal sanctuary historically led and attended by African Americans.
THE CATHEDRAL CHURCH OF ST. PETER
WORSHIP AT THE CATHEDRAL
Sunday 8:00 am Holy Eucharist Rite I & Sermon
10:15 am Holy Eucharist Rite II & Sermon
Wednesday 12:05 pm Midweek Holy Eucharist & Healing Service
4th Sunday 5:00 pm Choral Evensong (September-April except December)
DIOCESE OF SOUTHWEST FLORIDA
The Right Rev. Douglas F. Scharf, Bishop
The Rev. Canon Richard H. Norman, Canon to the Ordinary
CATHEDRAL CLERGY & STAFF
The Rev. Michelle Robertshaw, Provost
The Rev. Canon Michael R. Alford, Canon for Congregational Care
The Rev. Canon Brandon Peete, Canon for Hospitality
The Rev. Deacon Hillary Peete, Director of Christian Formation & Digital Communications
Mr Dwight M Thomas, Canon for Music & Precentor
The Right Rev. Barry R. Howe, Bishop in Residence
Carla Escobar, Custodian
Andi Gorton, Publications
Nana Paultre, Hospitality Associate
Michael Ricciardi, Building & Grounds Coordinator
Michelle Thomas, Cathedral Administrator & Associate for Christian Formation
140 Fourth Street N, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 www.spcathedral.org ▪ (727) 822‐4173 facebook.com/spcathedral @spcathedral
Fontana CPAs (Eric Fontana), CFO/Bookkeeping Music &
