The CATHEDRAL TIMES
The weekly newsletter of the Cathedral of St. Philip · Serving Atlanta and the World · February 23, 2025
PANIC
by the Very Rev. Sam Candler, Dean of the Cathedral
On retreat last weekend, I delivered a homily using a very short parable titled, “Panic,” written by a therapist and rabbi named Edwin Friedman. I am a deep fan of Friedman’s work, as some of you know already. Friedman specialized in “family systems” therapy, by which he meant not just nuclear families as we know them. He spent time with community organizations like synagogues and churches, too, and with various other associations and their leaders.
It is good, these days, to remember some of Friedman’s work. As a therapist and guide, he realized that people (and systems) do not always respond to logic and argument when it comes to change. Logic and argument do not always change people. Instead, Friedman took to heart the practice of one of his own favorite rabbis, Jesus of Nazareth. Much of Jesus’s most persuasive work, Friedman noted, was delivered in stories, or “parables” as we know them. Thus, Friedman determined to write some “parables” to make his points. He titled his own stories as “fables,” in a lovely little book titled, Friedman’s Fables.
In the fable titled, “Panic,” Friedman tells of a long assembly of dominoes, standing upright. One day, something happens for some reason or another, and the dominoes begin to fall, collapsing upon each other in a string of despair. Friedman describes the process like this:
“But one day it happened. It was number 10101. Number 10101 teetered, shook, pivoted on its corner, righted itself, and then fell flat against its neighbor.
Its neighbor, 10100, was taken so unawares that it immediately fell against its neighbor, and that sequence repeated itself at least several hundred times before all the dominoes recognized the malignant state of their condition. As the process continued, some gave in without a fight. Others pretended it wasn’t happening. A few became so anxious that they fell over before it was their time, so that, here and there, the tipping was being replicated in more than one place along the line.”
“…The attitude of those that remained standing was pretty uniform. Each asked itself what it could do to fight the plague-like process proceeding inexorably toward them. Some tried to calculate the power in ergs of energy as against the rest mass of their own weight. Others wondered if perhaps some aerodynamic innovation could be conceived to drag this juggernaut to a halt. Still others considered the possibility that they could help their neighbors stem the tide if they could bring their own strength to greater, hitherto unimagined, peaks. And several thought of sacrificing themselves for the greater good by falling before their turn, in the misguided hope that by such action they could in effect create a “fireline” whose gap the coming conflagration could not bridge” (Edwin Friedman, Friedman’s Fables, Guilford Press, New York: 1990. pp. 175-177).
I will not spoil the story for you by revealing the conclusion. But I will say this: it is not a surprise ending! And, it is positive! And, it represents the truth, that what we will in life, matters in life!
I thought of this parable when I read the assigned lesson for this past Sunday, from the prophet Jeremiah, who said, “Blessed be those who trust in the Lord, whose trust is in the Lord. They shall be like a tree planted by the water, sending out its roots by the stream. It shall not fear when heat comes, and its leaves shall stay green; in the year of drought it is not anxious, and it does not cease to bear fruit” (Jeremiah 17: 7-10).
Our church, the Cathedral Parish of St. Philip, can be part of that tree of life. Sometimes, the world and the people around us are anxious. Sometimes, there is panic all around us. The tree of life, however, “does not fear when heat comes…in the year of drought it is not anxious.” It is amazing what can happen when we stand for non-anxious presence, and not for panic. We are not meant to be those who increase panic, or those who thrive on panic, or (God forbid) those who actually produce panic. Our leadership and presence produce peace, and non-anxiety. Members of the tree of life can do things like stop falling dominoes, or even help each other walk away from crashed airplanes. We can bring salvation to our own families, to our churches, to our communities, and even to our countries.
This SUNDAY
FEBRUARY 23, 2025 · The Seventh Sunday after the Epiphany, Year C Genesis 45:3-11, 15 • Psalm 37:1-12, 41-42 • 1 Corinthians 15:35-38,42-50 • Luke 6:27-38
8:45 A.M., 11:15 A.M. AND 4 P.M.: IN-PERSON AND ONLINE
CATHEDRALATL.ORG / THE CATHEDRAL OF ST. PHILIP APP / FACEBOOK / YOUTUBE
7:45 A.M. HOLY EUCHARIST, MIKELL CHAPEL
Celebrant and Preacher: The Rev. Canon Ashley Carr
8:45 A.M. AND 11:15 A.M. HOLY EUCHARIST, CATHEDRAL
Celebrant: The Rev. Salmoon Bashir
Preacher : The Very Rev. Sam Candler
8:45 a.m. Cathedral Singers / 11:15 a.m. Cathedral Choir: David Briggs (b. 1962), Christ’s Peace Colin Mawby (1936-2019), Ave verum corpus
11:15 A.M. LA SANTA EUCARISTÍA , MIKELL CHAPEL
Officiant and Preacher: The Rev. Iñaki Guevara-Cuence
4 P.M. CHORAL EVENSONG FOR THE FEAST OF ST. MATTHIAS, CATHEDRAL
Celebrant and Preacher: The Rev. Canon Julia Mitchener
Cathedral Schola and The Lovett Singers: Käthe Wright Kaufman (b. 1993), Preces & Responses Charles Villiers Stanford (1852-1924) in B flat Paul Halley (b. 1952), Jesu, the very thought of thee Henry Balfour Gardiner (1877-1950), Evening hymn
SUNDAY AFTERNOON RECITALS
NICHOLAS QUARDOKUS, ORGAN Grace Church Cathedral Charleston, South Carolina
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23— 3:15 P.M.
IN-PERSON AND ONLINE AT CATHEDRALATL.ORG/RECITALS
Louis Vierne (1870-1937), Symphony No. 3 in F-sharp minor, Op. 28
NEW MEMBERS
Gabriel Osho from Abeokuta, Nigeria
Leopold Joh-Chastain from Franklin, Georgia
Patrick Emerson and Travis Emerson from Atlanta
Brian Pollard from Alpharetta, Georgia
Olivia Marotte from Conway, Arkansas
David and Martha Pacini from Atlanta
Bob and Sarah Stern from Sarasota, Florida
Cameron and Paige Clifton from New Orleans, Louisiana and Jacksonville, Florida
Michelle Armstrong from Alpharetta, Georgia
GOING THERE: CONTEMPLATING DEATH TO INVIGORATE LIFE
Tuesday Evenings, March 11–April 15
6–8 p.m., Room 368
Join Cathedral member and Conscious Dying Coach, Susan Patterson, in this small group course beginning March 11. Over the course of six two-hour sessions, the group will focus on five contemplation topics, participate in grounding exercises, and share personal insights in order to increase our comfort level with dying and death; increase our ability to envision the experiences and connections that bring deep meaning to our lives, and, create action steps to share our thoughts, wishes and plans with others. A fee of $150 covers all materials and Susan’s leadership. Please direct questions to Canon David Boyd at david.boyd@cathedralATL.org. Register at cathedralATL.org/goingthere.
MUSIC
ABO AND CATHEDRAL CHOIRS CONCERT: MONTEVERDI VESPERS
March 28, 2025, 7:30 p.m., Cathedral Nave
March 29, 2025, 3:00 p.m., Cathedral Nave
A special collaboration between the Atlanta Baroque Orchestra and the Cathedral Choir and Schola
This may well be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Atlantans to hear Monteverdi’s Vespers performed live by virtuoso soloists, multiple choirs, and expert period instrumentalists in acoustical and aesthetic surroundings similar to those for which it was written. Come and be swept away by one of the most transformative works in the entire history of music, and marvel at this kaleidoscopic work of sonic grandeur, extraordinary virtuosity, constant changes in color and performing forces, compositional brilliance, originality, and ravishing beauty, as Monteverdi ushers music from the Renaissance to the Baroque.
Presented by Friends of Cathedral Music at the Cathedral of St. Philip and the Cathedral’s Moore-Wilkerson Concert Endowment. Tickets can be purchased at cathedralATL .org/concerts.
CHOIR OF ST. JOHN’S COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE, ENGLAND
Friday, April 11, 2025
7:30 p.m., Cathedral Nave
The return to the U.S.A. of one of the most celebrated choirs of men and boys in the world—for the first time since adding girls to the top lines—will move and delight listeners! At home in the University of Cambridge, the choir sings six Evensongs and a full Choral Eucharist each week during university term, giving them a facility of musicianship and breadth of repertoire that is truly astounding. Over the past half-century, the Choir has toured independently throughout the world – on many occasions as official representatives of the British government – and released more than one hundred critically acclaimed recordings on international labels. This will be an extraordinary evening, featuring some of the most beautiful treble singing one will ever have the privilege of hearing anywhere!
Presented by Friends of Cathedral Music at the Cathedral of St. Philip. Tickets are available at cathedralATL .org/concerts.
The CATHEDRAL of ST. PHILIP
The Very Rev. Samuel G. Candler, Dean
Dale Adelmann, Ph.D., Canon for Music
The Rev. Canon David E. Boyd III, Canon for Pastoral Care
The Rev. Canon Ashley Carr, Canon for Parish Life
The Rev. Canon George M. Maxwell, Jr., Vicar
The Rev. Canon Julia B. Mitchener, Canon for Mission
The Rev. Salmoon Bashir, Curate for Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations
The Rev. Deacon Linda Rosengren
The Rev. Deacon Juan Sandoval, Deacon for Hispanic Ministries and Pastoral Care
The Rev. Theophus “Thee” Smith, Ph.D., Priest Associate
Geoff DeLong, Senior Warden
Mary Hall Perrin, Junior Warden
CATHEDRAL TIMES SUBMISSION DEADLINES: FOR THE SUNDAY, MARCH 2 ISSUE, THE DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 19. FOR THE SUNDAY, MARCH 9 ISSUE, THE DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 26.
TO RECEIVE THE TIMES BY EMAIL: CONTACT LIZ AULL, LAULL@CATHEDRALATL.ORG.
TO SUBMIT AN ANNOUNCEMENT REQUEST: CONTACT SARA CRAIG-GOODELL, SCRAIGGOODELL@CATHEDRALATL.ORG.
404-365-1000 | cathedral ATL .org pastoral care emergency line: 404-365-1003
WEDNESDAY
EVENINGS IN
This Lent, spend Wednesday evenings with your Cathedral community. For 5 weeks (March 12–April 9), we’ll start with dinner in Child Hall at 5:30 p.m., followed by a variety of options from 6–7 p.m. to nourish your soul and mind.
Dinner will change each week. Adults are $15, and children’s buttered noodles and applesauce is free. Please register by Sunday each week so we can prepare the right amount of food. Register at cathedralATL.org/lentendinner; you can register for multiple weeks or come back to fill out the form again. Everyone will pay in person as you get your food.
DINNER SCHEDULE
MARCH 12:
MARCH 19: MARCH 26: APRIL 2: APRIL 9:
Café Agora Spaghetti Moe’s Chicken Casserole Chili
LENT
CHOOSE FROM THE FOLLOWING:
GOOD FAITH RESTORATIVE PRACTICES
Child Hall
Draw closer to God through the visceral experiences of our faith as we steep ourselves in a different spiritual practice each week. We invite all levels of experience to participate in a variety of common spiritual practices that we will engage in real-time during this hour. Come and see how God is stirring through your senses and see where it takes you. This offering is guided by the Rev. Canon Ashley Carr and will feature different speakers each week.
Contact Dorsey DeLong, ddelong@cathedralATL.org, or 404-365-1037, with any questions.
BOOK STUDY WITH CANON JULIA MITCHENER
What We Remember Will be Saved: A Story of Refugees and the Things They Carry by Stephanie Saldaña Cathedral Bookstore
One of the central themes of Lent involves the wilderness journey—the struggle through a place of barrenness and danger in search of a land flowing with milk and honey. While we may think of this pilgrimage in metaphorical terms, refugees the world over experience it in real life. Stephanie Saldaña’s beautiful nonfiction work What We Remember will be Saved takes us on a journey with Hana, who sews her hometown’s story into a dress, Ferhad, who preserves his family heritage through song, and Munir, who seeks goodness even in the horrors of a migrant camp. This book won first prize in the 2024 Religion News Association’s Excellence in Reporting Award. It is available for purchase in the Cathedral Bookstore.
AGING ISSUES—A JOURNEY OF REFLECTION AND UNDERSTANDING
Walthour Library
Susan Troutman, Triff Cook, Terry Vawter, and others with lived experience will present a series of classes designed to explore the multifaceted landscape of aging. This program offers a unique opportunity for parishioners to engage with the challenges and joys of growing older, whether personally, within their families, or within our church community. This class will provide a supportive environment for learning, sharing experiences, and reflecting on the spiritual and practical dimensions of aging. We envision a safe and supportive space where vulnerability and honest dialogue are encouraged.
EXPLORING THE PASCHAL VIGIL: OBSERVING WITH SWEET SORROW—WITH DAVID PACINI Chapter Room
The Great Vigil of Easter is one of the oldest observances of the Christian Church. The observance consists of five parts. In this series, we will focus on one part of the Vigil: the narratives of the Liturgy of the Word.
In these conversations, we will be surveying stories of God’s mysterious and miraculous work in the world as they are set out in the Paschal Vigil (Book of Common Prayer) and portrayed in art history. The Paschal Vigil is the observance of the Passover mystery of God’s saving action from death to life, first in the deliverance of the Israelites from their Egyptian captivity and then again through the passion, death, resurrection, and glorification of the Lamb of God.
Weekly presentations will prepare participants to envision Lent and Holy Week as part of the larger narrative of God’s historical interventions.
THE CHOSEN WATCH PARTY
Lanier House
*Please note this program begins at 5 p.m.
The Chosen! The Cathedral’s popular and deeply inspiring video discussion will continue in the Lanier House, with a meal break at 5:30 p.m. for attendees who register for a Lenten dinner in the parish hall.
For Lent we will continue to view and reflect on this awesome series of scripture-based stories about Jesus and his first disciples that’s energizing viewers worldwide.
Independently you may also watch the entire series or individual episodes at watch.thechosen.tv, download The Chosen app, or search online for many reviews and interviews that highlight one of the greatest breakthroughs in Christian media this century. To learn more, or to be added to The Chosen mailing list, contact the Rev. Dr. Thee Smith at tsmith@cathedralATL.org or 4 04-931-5062.
FOR KIDS:
JOURNEY
WITH JESUS ON THE ROAD
THROUGH LENT
Calling all Godly Play Children! Join Deacon Linda and Lynn Wilmoth on Wednesdays in Lent as we thoughtfully prepare for Easter through activities, stories and art. We’ll meet from 6–7 p.m., while adults have other Lenten series offerings. Each week will focus on a different part of Jesus’ journey to the cross and his resurrection.
Ages 0-3: Nurturing Center is open
PRAYER List
FOR THOSE WITH IMMEDIATE NEEDS: Beverly Brownlee • Bridget Woltman
FOR THOSE WHO ARE ILL OR RECOVERING:
LONG TERM PRAYERS: R. Huntley Allen • Lucy Baker • Catalina Barragan • Ed Black • Ann and Frank Blackistone, Jr. • John Blair • Lawrence Booker • Cheryl Bryant • The Bryant Family • Herbert Buffington • The Crossley Family • Rita Daly • Jerri Darnell • Debbie Dewees • Mary Wayne Dixon • Phoebe Forio • Tom Frolik • Susan Gavalis • Meriel Gregory • Jenny Ham • Tory Hartness • Gena Inman • Jane Jones • Bennie King • Randi King • Lisa Krysiak • Bonnie Lamberth • Virginia LaMon • Liza Lanier • Ralph Lewis • Robert Lewis • Stewart Long, Jr. • Jill Mahaffey • Kit Mason • Tommy Mason • Floyd McRae • Sally Menning • John Mercer • Mary Chase Mize • Graham Mulling • Susan Myers • Jim Myrick • Charlie Neal • Lori Hegwood Owens • Marian Palmore • Jim Powell • Nancy Qarmout • Buddy Redd • Rubye Reid • Lorraine Reynolds • Barbara Rice • Bob Riggins • Agnes Elizabeth Robertson • Bill Roth • Kay Sanders • Nancy Sanders • Louis "Skip" Schueddig • Sheila Stovall • Tommy Truesdale • Len Wagner • Jonathan Wright
FAMILY AND FRIENDS: Josephine Rose Adams • Kenya Anders • Steve Baker • Bettina Bass • Annette Bechtold • Ray and Pat Bell • Jason Borland • Darrell Boyette • Jason Brady • Trip Bray • Saint Legend Brown • Chaz Brownfield • Anne Bumbak • Lila Jo Callaway • Roanne Chandraratna • Anna Clifford • Georgia Collier • Linda Connelly • Ava Corroon • Andre DeBussey • Veta Durman • Marilyn Epstein • Kyle Garcia • David Garlock • Ann George • Nikki Greenaway • Kerry Gresham • Ted Hackett • Ryan Hamilton • Joanne Dopp Hamlyn • Carole Ann Harris • Davis Hatcher • Shirley Helmke • Lisa Hoybach • Jane Hunnicutt • Beth Ingle • William Irwin • Farley Jenkins, Sr. • Pat Jones • Delores and Lee Josephs • Jack Karch • Tyler King • Pete Livezey • Carolyn R. Lusk • Lauren Makhlouf • Hampton Maxim • Elaine Metcalf • Iris Miller • Jon Moravec • Melanie Myers • Tom Myer • Vonnie Nahill • Fred Neuschel • Linus Nickel • Mary Jane Noyes • Jon Oscher • Alfredo Paniagua • Stephen Pararo • David Raj • Hugh Ripps • Terri Robertson • Einar Sagstuen • Joe Salas • James Sands • Patricia Schooley • Coley Sheats • Lelia Sinclair • Alice SmithMather • Don Smith • William Mose Smith • Michael and Kathryn Snider • Joe Spencer • Kristen Ryan Stockton • Izzy Straus • John and Cleary Tanner • Pierson Thames • Leopoldo Velita • Pat Volpicella • Suzette Walling • Jay Whitten • John Wilmer • Christie Woodfin • Cutler Woodfin • Hollis Youngner FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED: Kaneez Khanum Bashir • Lacy Buckmaster • Kenneth G. Estep • Paul Fekete • Dan Pruitt • Tom Roberts
STEWARDSHIP
2025 PLEDGE INGATHERING: SUNDAY, MARCH 2
Please join your parish community in making your financial commitment to God through the Cathedral of St. Philip on Sunday, March 2 at all morning services. With new clergy and staff, construction of the Good Faith Chapel, and a robust calendar of services and events, 2025 is on track to be a remarkable year in the life of the Cathedral. Pledges and contributions provide over 80% of the Cathedral’s income and are absolutely vital to the financial operations and responsibilities of the parish. Join us in Growing Our Holy Community by bringing your pledge card to church on Sunday, March 2. You can also make a pledge at anytime by using the QR code below or by visiting www.cathedralATL.org/pledge.
I/We, with God’s help, pledge $__________ to the ministry of God in Christ, through the 2025 annual operating fund of the Cathedral of St. Philip.
Name(s):
Email:
Signature:
Phone:
Date:
This commitment, offered in faith, may be increased or decreased due to changing circumstances.
POSTMASTER: Dated Material. Please deliver by February 22, 2025
This sunday at a glance
7:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist Mikell Chapel
8:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist Cathedral
10:10 a.m. The Dean's Forum: The Angles of Anglicanism Child Hall
10:10 a.m. Living Faith Room 239
10:10 a.m. Godly Play Parents Room 368
10:10 a.m. Youth Sunday School Room 382
10:10 a.m. Godly Play 3rd Floor above the Atrium
11:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist Cathedral
11:15 a.m. La Santa Eucaristía Mikell Chapel
12:30 p.m. Monthly Birthday Celebration for Spanish-Language Congregation Gould Room
1:15 p.m. Enjoy Biblical Greek! Room 239 and online
2 p.m. Landscapes of Grief Lanier House
3:15 p.m. Sunday Afternoon Recital: Nicholas Quardokus Cathedral
4 p.m. Choral Evensong Cathedral
4 p.m. Youth and Adult Confirmation Classes Child Hall and Room 239
6 p.m. EYC for Middle and High School Room 382
POSTMASTER
Send address changes to:
The Cathedral of St. Philip 2744 Peachtree Road, NW Atlanta, Georgia 30305-2920 404-365-1000
CATHEDRAL TIMES
(USPS-093440) is published weekly by
The Cathedral of St. Philip 2744 Peachtree Road, NW Atlanta, Georgia 30305-2920
Periodicals Postage Paid at Atlanta, GA
Join Dean Sam Candler in Child Hall at 10:10 a.m. this Sunday, February 23, for a special Dean's Forum on "The Angles of Anglicanism!"
Upcoming for LENT
WELCOMED HOME BY MERCY AND COMPASSION: A LENTEN QUIET DAY
Saturday, March 8, 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m.
The 2025 Lenten Quiet Day will be led by the Rev. Lynnsay Buehler, an Episcopal priest, spiritual director, and the Director of the Julian of Norwich Center of St. Bede’s Episcopal Church. Lynnsay is excited to be back at the Cathedral, where she was on staff in the pastoral care department from 1985-1989. The Cathedral also sponsored her throughout her ordination process. Lynnsay is an Associate of Green Bough House of Prayer, a member of Spiritual Directors International, an EfM mentor, and has trained in pastoral counseling, as well as marriage and family therapy.
The Quiet Day will take place at the Lanier House. The cost is $20 and includes lunch. Please register at cathedralATL.org/quietday. Contact Jeannie Mahood, jmahood@cathedralATL.org or 404-365-1031 with questions. Registration deadline is March 3.
LENTEN BIBLE STUDY: EPIC OF EDEN Wednesdays
12 p.m., Room 239
Join the Eat Your Word Bible Study this Lent as we embark on a transformative journey through the Old Testament with The Epic of Eden: A Christian Entry Into the Old Testament by Dr. Sandra L. Richter. This in-depth study, taught via pre-recorded videos by Dr. Richter, will help us make sense of the places, people, and events of the Old Testament by weaving together a story that runs from the Eden of the Garden to the New Jerusalem.
All are welcome—come and rediscover the richness of God’s story this Lent! For more information, please contact the Rev. Salmoon Bashir, sbashir@cathedralATL.org.