The CATHEDRAL TIMES
The weekly newsletter of the Cathedral of St. Philip · Serving Atlanta and the World · March 30, 2025
THE ANNUNCIATION! AND WHAT IS GROWING INSIDE US!
by the Very Rev. Sam Candler, Dean of the Cathedral
This week, in the middle of Lent, we observe the Feast of the Annunciation (March 25 is nine months before Christmas!), when the angel announced to Mary that something was growing inside her!
Well, scientists tell me that, at any given moment, thousands of things are growing inside me. And they are growing inside you, too. Lots of those things are good; blood cells and bone cells, nerve endings, and tissues and organs that together make up this wondrous human body. Over five hundred species of bacteria also live inside us. In fact, there are ten times as many bacterial cells inside us than there are human cells! Most of the bacteria inside us are actually good. I don’t see them, but they are good!
But, many of the things growing inside us are not so good. There are also viruses, germs, bad bacteria, even pathogens and toxic agents that would kill us if they were left to grow uncontrolled. Even the healthiest human body always contains thousands of viruses and germs that are not so healthy. This is a fact of life.
What keeps the human body healthy is that we feed the good elements. We feed the good bacteria and good cells. We pay attention to those unseen elements that are positive and life-giving. Great family therapists, like the late Edwin Friedman, tell us the same thing about families and social systems. At any given moment, every social structure or family system contains elements that are destructive. But the healthy social systems distinguish themselves from the ill and the hopeless. They give energy to hope and to independent life.
This same principle was illustrated in a story told long ago by the Cherokee people, who once inhabited this very land around us. In their parable, an old Cherokee grandfather is teaching his grandson about life.
"A fight is going on inside me," he says to the boy. "It is a terrible fight, between two wolves. One wolf is evil; he is anger, envy, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego." But then, the grandfather continues, "The other wolf is good; he is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and faith. This same fight is going on inside you - and inside every other person, too."
The grandson thinks about it for a minute and then asks his grandfather, "Which wolf will win?" The old Cherokee replies simply, "The one I feed."
Right now, in our own time, in every time, many things are inside us. Some of us have the germ of fear growing inside us. Some of us have the germ of anxiety, the demon of anxiety, growing inside us.
Fear and anxiety are real, just as real as any pathogen or virus that physically grows inside our bodies. Fear and anxiety can grow. Fear and anxiety are like diseases; they can actually infect people around you. Even unseen, these germs can grow.
Christians believe in things seen and unseen, and we believe they can grow. As we remember the Feast of the Annunciation this week, we hear again the miraculous story of an annunciation of growth. To the Virgin Mary appears that wondrous angel, speaking words of wisdom and comfort, “Do not fear.” Those are almost always the first words of angels to human beings: “do not fear, do not fear.” They are words we all need to hear, from generation to generation.
This
SUNDAY
MARCH 30, 2025 · The Fourth Sunday in Lent, Year C Joshua 5:9-12 • Psalm 32 • 2 Corinthians 5:16-21 • Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
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 Very Rev. Sam Candler
Preacher : The Rev. Canon Ashley Carr
8:45 a.m. Cathedral Choristers:
John Ireland (1879-1962), Ex ore innocentium
Paul Bouman (1918-2019), Create in me a clean heart, O God
11:15 a.m. Cathedral Choir:
Eleanor Daley (b. 1955), Hymn to God
Henry Purcell (c. 1659-1695), Remember not, Lord, our offences
11:15 A.M. LA SANTA EUCARISTÍA , MIKELL CHAPEL
Officiant and Preacher: The Rev. Deacon Iñaki Guevara-Cuence
4 P.M. CHORAL EVENSONG FOR THE FEAST OF JOHN DONNE , CATHEDRAL
Officiant and Preacher: The Rev. Canon George Maxwell
Cathedral Schola:
Gerre Hancock (1934-2012), Preces & Responses
Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625), Short Service
Eleanor Daley (b. 1955), Hymn to God
William Byrd (1539/40-1623), Look down, O Lord
SUNDAY AFTERNOON RECITALS
RAYMOND CHENAULT, ORGAN
All Saints' Episcopal Church, Atlanta
SUNDAY, MARCH 30— 3:15 P.M.
IN-PERSON AND ONLINE AT CATHEDRALATL.ORG/RECITALS
Dom Paul Benoit (1893-1979), Allegro vivo e maestoso (Esquisses Liturgiques)
Pierre Cochereau (1924-1984) trans. Frédéric Blanc, Berceuse à la mémoire de Louis Vierne
Joseph Jongen (1873-1953), Choral, Op. 37, No. 4 (Quatre Pièces pour Orgue)
Francois-Charles Widor (1811-1899), Prière
Raymond Chenault (b. 1950), Fantasie Mystique
The Cathedral Bookstore is looking for a second Assistant Manager. The ideal candidate will have prior retail and management experience. Knowledge of the Episcopal church and church supplies is a plus, but willingness to learn is a must. This is a part-time, on-site position consisting of 20 set hours, 5 days per week— with flexibility to work more hours during holidays, events, and as needed. This is an hourly non-exempt position without benefits. To apply, please send cover letter and resume to: info@cathedralbookstore.org. We will send the full position description in return.
*Please note that due to the high volume of interest, we will only contact those candidates whose experience best align with the requirements above.
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 the 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. The orchestra for these performances will include early music specialists playing sackbut, cornetto, dulcian, theorbo, recorder, baroque harp, a large baroque string section, and continuo organ. 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. Tickets can be purchased at cathedralATL.org/concerts.
Presented by Friends of Cathedral Music at the Cathedral of St. Philip and the Cathedral’s Moore-Wilkerson Concert Endowment.
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, APRIL 6 ISSUE, THE DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 26. FOR THE SUNDAY, APRIL 13 ISSUE, THE DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2.
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
LENT
This Lent, spend Wednesday evenings with your Cathedral community. On Wednesdays through 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 are 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.
CHOOSE FROM THE FOLLOWING OFFERINGS:
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. 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.
BOOK STUDY WITH THE REV. CANON JULIA MITCHENER
What We Remember Will be Saved: A Story of Refugees and the Things They Carry by Stephanie Salda ña
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.
COUNTDOWN TO EASTER WITH THE CHOSEN WATCH
PARTY WITH THE REV. DR. THEE SMITH
Lanier House
*Please note this program begins at 5 p.m. Join us as we review key episodes of seasons 1-4 in anticipation of Season 5 being released (in theaters only) beginning March 28 through Easter weekend, April 19-20. To learn more, or to be added to The Chosen mailing list, contact The Rev. Dr. Thee Smith at tsmith@cathedralATL.org or 404-931-5062.
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.
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. Weekly presentations will prepare participants to envision Lent and Holy Week as part of the larger narrative of God’s historical interventions.
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.
THE YOUTH TUESDAY BIBLE STUDY WILL MEET ON WEDNESDAYS DURING LENT
Ages 0-3: Nurturing Center is open
LEARN MORE ABOUT EACH OFFERING AT CATHEDRALATL.ORG/LENTENSERIES
OUTREACH
ALL GOD’S CHILDREN SCREENING OF A CASE FOR LOVE
Saturday, April 12
12:30 p.m., Child Hall
Join All God’s Children for a screening of A Case for Love on Saturday, April 12. The film’s director, Brian Ide, will join us for the screening and for discussion afterwards and lunch will be provided.
About A Case for Love
Our society is more divided than ever. Many have moved into tribal corners, seeing the world from an “us versus them” point of view. The teachings and writings of Bishop Michael Curry inspire A Case for Love. This feature-length documentary examines the question of whether or not love, specifically— unselfish—love, is the solution to the extreme societal and political divide facing the world.
This event is free and open to all, but please RSVP at cathedralATL.org/acaseforlove.
Parish LIFE
SIGN UP TO JOIN A FOYERS GROUP
The Cathedral Foyers offers small group dinner opportunities for adults. Members of each group take turns hosting/ providing food for monthly get-togethers from April through September. This is a great way to get to know a handful of people without feeling overwhelmed. Groups are intentionally intergenerational and eclectic. The Super Foyers dinner— where all groups convene to kick off the Spring/Summer session—will be Sunday, April 27 at 6 p.m. in Child Hall. To sign up for a Foyers group for this session, please go to cathedralATL.org/foyers by Monday, April 14.
During Lent, we are collecting food to support neighbors in our community experiencing food insecurity. Intown Cares serves more than 500 households at its food pantry every week. The items requested for the drive are those which are asked for frequently by pantry guests, but rising food costs/availability make them difficult for Intown Cares to keep in stock. Let’s come together to stock Intown’s shelves in this season of almsgiving!
THIS SUNDAY:
Fruit cups
5th Sunday: Shelf-stable milk
6th Sunday: Canned fruit
Please do not donate expired food. Drop off donations in the bin labeled "Lenten Food Drive" in the Atrium.
STEWARDSHIP
HOW THE CATHEDRAL ENDOWMENT SUPPORTS THE GROUNDS OF THE CATHEDRAL
Did you know that the care, maintenance, and improvements to the Cathedral grounds and landscaping are largely funded because of the kindness and forethought of a Cathedral family? 2025 marks the ten-year anniversary of the creation of the Grounds Fund in the Cathedral Endowment. Thanks to substantial gifts given in the life of the donor and the prudent management of the funds over time, the Grounds Endowment now underwrites the weekly maintenance of the grounds, seasonal care and pruning of the Cathedral’s tree canopy, installation of seasonal flowers, and more! We give thanks to the benefactors of the Grounds Fund and their long-term stewardship of the Cathedral campus. Please contact David Rocchio at drocchio@cathedralATL.org or 404-365-1033 if you would like to learn more about the Grounds Fund and/or the Cathedral Endowment.
PRAYER List
FOR THOSE WITH IMMEDIATE NEEDS: William Brownlee • Charles Lewis
FOR THOSE WHO ARE ILL OR RECOVERING:
LONG TERM PRAYERS: R. Huntley Allen • Lucy Baker • Catalina Barragan • Placido Barragan • Ed Black • Ann and Frank Blackistone, Jr. • Lawrence Booker • Cheryl Bryant • The Bryant Family • Melanie Contreras • The Crossley Family • Rita Daly • Jerri Darnell • Debbie Dewees • Mary Wayne Dixon • Tim Dwyer • 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 • Terry Morris • 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 • Emmierose Scates • Louis "Skip" Schueddig • Tommy Truesdale • Len Wagner
FAMILY AND FRIENDS: Carolyn and Franklin Adams • 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 • Beverly Brownlee • Anne Bumbak • Lila Jo Callaway • JoAnn Carrin • Roanne Chandraratna • Anna Clifford • Georgia Collier • Linda Connelly • Ava Corroon • Marshall Cox • Andre DeBussey • Veta Durman • Mary Kent Ellis • Marilyn Epstein • Adam Freeman • 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. • Curtis Jones • Delores and Lee Josephs • Jack Karch • Mary Weston Klein • Pete Livezey • Carolyn R. Lusk • Lauren Makhlouf • Hampton Maxim • Elaine Metcalf • Iris Miller • Jon Moravec • Melanie Myers • Tom Myer • Fred Neuschel • Linus Nickel • Alejandrina Orellana • Alfredo Paniagua • Stephen Pararo • David Raj • Hugh Ripps • Terri Robertson • Einar Sagstuen • Joe Salas • James Sands • Patricia Schooley • Coley Sheats • Lelia Sinclair • Alice Smith-Mather • Don Smith • Michael and Kathryn Snider • Kristin Ryan Stockton • Izzy Straus • John and Cleary Tanner • Pierson Thames • Anthony Torre • Leopoldo Velita • Pat Volpicella • Suzette Walling • Thomas Watford • Jay Whitten • John Wilmer • Christie Woodfin • Cutler Woodfin • Hollis Youngner FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED: Mana Heyward • Mary McNaughton Laing • Alma Purify FOR THOSE WHO WERE BORN: Damian Ilia-Masih Bashir, son of Mari Shiukashvili and Salmoon Bashir
CHILL ON THE HILL
Sunday, May 4 | 5:30 p.m., Cathedral Parking Lot
Join us for an evening of singing and dancing! Dean Sam Candler will start the show on the piano, and then Yuppie Scum will take the stage with rock, dance, and party tunes. Bring your friends, your dinner, and favorite beverages and join the fun! We hope to see you there! Tickets are $25 per person or $200 to reserve a table for 8. For questions, please contact Liz Aull, laull@cathedralATL.org. Get tickets at cathedralATL.org/chillonthehill.
Easter ALTAR FLOWERS
EASTER ALTAR FLOWERS
We will once again have beautiful floral arrangements and decorations in our sacred spaces this Easter, with your help! Donations received on or before Monday, April 14 will be listed in the Easter service leaflet. Those received after that date will be listed online. Your donation can be made in memory of or thanksgiving for a loved one. While any gift is appreciated, a minimum of $150 per printed line is suggested.
Give Online:
Scan the QR code to the right with your phone to be directed to the online giving form.
By Check:
Fill out the form below and include a check payable to The Cathedral of St. Philip (Easter Flowers).
REQUEST FOR EASTER ALTAR FLOWERS
Please list name (or names) as you want them to appear:
In Memory of: In Thanksgiving for: name (s):
In Memory of: In Thanksgiving for: name (s):
Please complete the following information about you: your name (s): daytime phone: date:
Please include a check with your request, made payable to The Cathedral of St. Philip. Checks and forms should be sent to the Cathedral, attn.: Liz Aull. You may also make arrangements by contacting Liz Aull, 404-365-1034 or laull@cathedralATL.org.
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The angel says that Mary has a holy child growing inside her. Among all the other things growing in Mary, the Living Christ will also be growing. As a male, I do not know, nor will I ever know, what it is to have a living person physically growing inside me. I can only imagine that it is one of the most humbling experiences of humanity. That there is life inside us which comes from beyond us, is a humbling experience that exalts us to glory.
I will never know that experience physically. Many women never know that experience physically. But I can know, and all of us can know, what it is like to have the living Christ growing spiritually inside us. The story of the Virgin Mary, then, is not a story just for women. It is a story of how each of us allows something to grow inside us. That something can be the living Christ! Of everything growing inside us, we can choose what to feed! We can choose which development to encourage. We can choose to feed the Living Christ!
We believe in things seen and unseen. We believe in the power of the Word. There are lots of things that can grow inside us: germs and bacteria and viruses. But the living Christ can also grow. The living Christ can also spread. The living Christ can also be contagious!
Let it be. Let it be in us, according to the Word.
The Very Rev. Sam Candler Dean of the Cathedral
OLD FASHIONED SUNDAY SCHOOL What do We Believe?
This Sunday, March 30, 10:10 a.m., Child Hall In this series, Canon Maxwell will lead a conversation about the central elements Christian faith as set forth in the Nicene and Apostles’ Creeds. Using Rowan Williams' book, Tokens of Trust, Canon Maxwell will address questions like: What does it mean to believe in God? Can God possibly be almighty in the midst of so much evil and suffering? How am I to understand the meaning of Jesus Christ’s ministry and resurrection? To what purpose is the church called? And what does it mean to follow Christ in today’s broken world? Join us. We look forward to seeing you.
POSTMASTER: Dated Material. Please deliver by March 29, 2025
POSTMASTER
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