cathedral times The Weekly Newsletter of the Cathedral of St. Philip, Serving Atlanta and the World
January 17, 2016
SPREAD GOOD GOSSIP! It is often said, negatively, that churches have too much gossip in them. Especially in smaller communities we hear that people go to church just to hear whatever the latest local gossip is. We hear that bible studies turn into conversations about gossip. We hear that people listen closely to the prayers so that they can gossip about who is in trouble. Thus, we also hear the common warnings: Don’t gossip! Stay away from gossip! Be careful of gossip! (These warnings often seem to come from the people who like gossip the most!) However, I disagree with the warnings to avoid gossip. Instead, I have always advised my congregations, and my staffs, to pay attention to gossip. Rather than avoiding gossip, pursuing gossip and understanding gossip are exactly how we learn what is going on in our communities. If we avoid gossip, priests are sometimes the last to know what is going on with the people we love. In fact, I take it a step farther. I believe we are meant to be spreading gossip, not avoiding gossip. But not just any gossip! We are not meant to be spreading the negative gossip! Gossip is powerful stuff. When we tell something to one person, we are really talking to at least ten or twenty more people; because that one person will inevitably spread the message around. Instead of avoiding gossip, then, we should be planting good words to be spread around. Instead of saying something negative or bitter or sad or angry that will be spread around, we have the ability to say something good and honorable and true that will be spread around. We have just as much ability to spread good gossip as we have the ability to spread bad gossip! And spreading good gossip is more fun! It is what furthers the kingdom of God. At its root, the word “gossip” is related to the word “gospel.” “Gossip” may have referred to a “Godparent,” or “God-sibling,” —one so close to us, in God, that he or she knew a lot about us. But I believe that both words come from the earlier word, “god-spell” which means “good news.” Thus, I claim that the word “gossip” is supposed to mean “gospel!”
“Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of services, but the same Lord ...” From this week’s lectionary 1 Corinthians 12:4-5
Each of us has the ability to spread some sort of gospel. Words are powerful. What we say to people, with words, will affect the way that person behaves internally. And what we say to people, with words, will almost always be repeated somehow to others. Rather than be afraid of that repetition, I like to depend upon that repetition. Rather than avoiding gossip, I prefer to spread good gossip! It takes practice. Sometimes we’ve had a bad day, and our spirits sink to the negative and to the despondent, or even to the bitter and angry. More bad words, however, will make the day worse. My advice is to practice the good words. Speak them aloud to people. Spread good gossip! In the Spirit of God, you will be spreading the gospel.
PROGR A MS DUR ING THE WEEK T U E S DAYS The Dean’s Men’s Bible Study: 7–8 a.m., Room 319. This group meets consistently to read and study scripture, share faith stories, and support each other in prayer. A light breakfast is available. We finish by 8 a.m. so those gathered may go into the world to carry on their ministries.
2016 CH APTER Rob Adams (Junior Warden), Mary Bondurant, Josh Borden, Kate Brewer, Matt Caine, Mary Caroline Cravens (Senior Warden), Joan Gilbert, Austin Hall, Jason Hultgren, Lindsey Hardegree, Wade Hooper, Eric Mininberg, Doug O’Bryan (Treasurer), Brad Reeves, Julie Rief, Ruth Russ, Susan Troutman, George Watson, Anne Young
CLERGY A ND SENIOR STA FF The Very Rev. Samuel G. Candler Dean Dale Adelmann, Ph.D. Canon for Music The Rev. George M. Maxwell, Jr. Vicar The Rev. C. Wallace Marsh IV Canon for Worship and Parish Life Mary Hunter Rouse Canon for Education The Rev. Carolynne G. Williams Canon for Pastoral Care and Elder Ministry The Rev. Catherine Zappa Canon for Spirituality and Mission The Rev. John William Harkins III, Ph.D. Priest Associate The Rev. Todd D. Smelser Canon Associate for Pastoral Care The Rev. Theophus “Thee” Smith, Ph.D. Priest Associate The Rev. Juan Sandoval Deacon for Hispanic Ministries
Early Morning Women’s Bible Study: 7–8 a.m., Walthour Library. Canon Cathy Zappa leads this group. Women of all ages are encouraged to join us for good fellowship and lively conversation. W E D N E S DAYS The Dean’s Women’s Bible Study: 10:45–11:45 a.m., Room 319. This group meets consistently to read and study scripture, share faith stories, and support each other in prayer. We close promptly at 11:45 a.m. in order to get to carpools and lunches! Eat Your Word Bible Study: Noon, Room 239. Canon Cathy Zappa leads this Bible study. Centering Prayer: 6:30 p.m., Lanier House Chapel. Contact Jeannie Mahood at jmahood@ stphilipscathedral.org. T H U R S DAYS Centering Prayer: 4 p.m., Lanier House Chapel. Contact Ann Hickman, mannhick@aol. com.
WORSHIP SCHEDULE
MUSIC
Sunday, January 17, 2016 / Epiphany 2C
Sunday, January 17, 2016 / Epiphany 2C
Liturgy of the Word Lesson: Isaiah 62:1-5 Psalm 36:5-10 Epistle: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 Gospel: John 2:1-11
7:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Mikell Chapel Celebrant and Preacher: Canon Carolynne Williams
8:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Cathedral Celebrant: The Rev. Dr. Bill Harkins Preacher: Canon Wallace Marsh 9 a.m.
Holy Eucharist, Mikell Chapel Celebrant and Preacher: Canon Carolynne Williams
11:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist, Cathedral Celebrant: Canon George Maxwell Preacher: Canon Cathy Zappa
11:15 a.m. La Santa Eucaristía, Mikell Chapel Celebrant: Canon Wallace Marsh Preacher: Deacon Juan Sandoval 4 p.m.
Evensong and Holy Eucharist, Cathedral Officiant and Preacher: Canon George Maxwell
8:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist / Staff Singers 11:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist / Cathedral Schola Spiritual, arr. Dale Adelmann, Swing low, sweet chariot Spiritual, arr. Moses Hogan, We shall walk through the valley in peace 4 p.m. Choral Evensong for the Feast of the Confession of St. Peter / Cathedral Choir Stephen Caracciolo, Preces and Responses Harold Friedell in F David Ashley White, True Anointed One Paul Halley, Jesu, the very thought of thee
CHILDREN
The Nurturing Center is open for children three and younger from 8:30 a.m. through the end of the 11:15 a.m. service each week. Children’s Chapel takes place during the 8:45 a.m. service as an option for parents and children who are not yet ready to experience the full liturgy together, though children are always welcome in “big” church. Children three years through third grade begin in church with their parents, follow the children’s acolytes and leaders out at the Sequence Hymn, then rejoin their parents at the Offertory. Two-year-olds attend their own chapel service, which begins at 8:45 a.m. Parents who would like their children two years old and younger to join them for communion may go pick them up from Room 227 at the Peace.
ADULT EDUCATION Adult classes meet Sundays at 10:10 a.m., unless otherwise noted. Find out more at stphilipscathedral.org/learn.
Religious extremism and violence are back in the news. Everyone seems to agree that religion and violence are related, but not everyone agrees on how or what to do about it. Rabbi Jonathan Sacks recently published a book titled, Not in God’s Name: Confronting Religious Violence, in which he argued that only religion can solve the problem
of religiously inspired violence. This term in Old Fashioned Sunday School, we look at Rabbi Sacks’ argument in general, and his reading of the book of Genesis in particular, and use it to talk about the nature of fear, violence, and religion, and how we, as Christians, should be responding to the threats we face. The class is organized by Mack Leath, and the discussions will be led by Canons Cathy Zappa and George Maxwell. We meet in Room 133, Sundays at 10:10 a.m. As always, you will find those things that we think matter most: a light heart, a broad welcome, and good coffee. We look forward to seeing you there.
BE NOT AFR AID Room 120 Sundays, January 17–February 7 Led by Canon Wallace Marsh Does God heal? Where do I turn when my faith is fragile? How can I face my own death? This series will look at what it means to “Be Not Afraid.” Canon Wallace Marsh will use Samuel Wells' book, Be Not Afraid: Facing Fear with Faith to look at what our faith has to say about overcoming the common fears in life.
WHAT THE MYSTICS KNOW Room 239 Led by Canon Carolynne Williams Join Canon Carolynne Williams for a continuing conversation about Richard Rohr’s words in What the Mystics Know: Seven Pathways to Your Deeper Self. We will meet in Room 239 at 10:10 a.m., Sundays, January 17–March 6 (excluding January 31). A biblical definition of the Holy Spirit is dynamis, which means “power or strength.” Rohr says: “We do not find our own Center; we do not find God; it finds us. The body is in a much larger soul. It is both the place of contact and the place of surrender. I don't think that we think ourselves into a new way of living. We live ourselves into a new way of thinking.” Discover the path of the mystic within you. Searching for what we have already touched brings about a presence within us and allows us to become more aware of the presence of God in our lives. Bring your coffee and a friend. BEGINNING BIBLICAL GREEK Room 356 Led by the Rev. Dr. Thee Smith We offer this introductory class on a drop-in basis and require no previous knowledge of Greek. Every class begins with alphabet and pronunciation practice. This year we use the proven successful, Basic Greek in 30 Minutes a Day: A Self Study Introduction to New Testament Greek by James Found. Continuing Biblical Greek meets Sundays, 1:15–2:45 p.m. in Room 356. For more information about either Greek class, contact the Rev. Dr. Thee Smith, 404-727-0636 or thee.smith@emory.edu. SMALL GROUP BIBLE STUDY Room 122 Led by Jim Bingham and Gordon Mathis Jim Bingham and Gordon Mathis lead an ongoing small group Bible Study focusing on a particular book of the Bible for several months at a time. This year, we will begin with a focus on the Gospel of John, which provided the church with a foundational document for its great Christian doctrines. We are reading one chapter each week. Bring your study Bible or favorite translation. We want to read as a community John’s gospel story of the life, teaching, death, and resurrection of Jesus.
PILGR IM AGE You are invited on a pilgrimage to England to discover the Roots of Anglicanism. From June 3-15, we will visit England's great cathedrals and collegiate foundations, including Canterbury, Cambridge University (King's, St. John's, and Trinity Colleges), Durham, Fountains Abbey, Salisbury, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Winchester, and York Minster. Each visit will include an opportunity to join each institution's worshipping community for Choral Evensong or Eucharist, sung by its own resident choir. The pilgrimage will be led by Canons Dale Adelmann and Wallace Marsh. Maximum group size is anticipated to be 30, and priority will be given to persons closely affiliated with the Cathedral. For more information, contact Dr. Adelmann at dadelmann@stphilipscathedral.org or 404-365-1051.
MUSIC ST. COLUMBA'S ORGANIST TO PERFORM This Sunday, January 17, at 3:15 p.m., we welcome Daniel Hahn as our Sunday afternoon recitalist. A native of Dearing, Georgia, and a graduate of Eastman School of Music and Yale University, Daniel currently serves as organist and director of music and liturgy at St. Columba’s Episcopal Church in Suwanee, Georgia. He will perform works by Bach, Alain, and Guilmant. We encourage everyone to come and listen to this wonderfully talented Georgia organist. Johann Sebastian Bach, Prelude and Fugue in G Major, BWV 541 Jehan Alain, Variations sur un thème de Clément Jannequin Alexandre Guilmant, Sonata No. 1 in D minor, Op. 42
NEWCOMER DINNER The Cathedral Newcomers Committee invites you to join us for the first time or come back for seconds at the Newcomer Dinner, Thursday, January 21, 6:30 p.m. in the Gould Room. Please RSVP to Christie Jennison, cjennison@stphilipscathedral.org or 404-365-1079.
ALLEGRO: MUSIC FOR YOUNG CHILDREN Using play, movement, singing, and instruments, Allegro and Musikgarten classes help younger children through age 5 develop musical skills and knowledge as well as an appreciation for music, using the Musikgarten curriculum. Classes start again in early January and are grouped by age, featuring varied times and age-appropriate curricula. All classes are taught by Brenda Pruitt, and are held in the Allegro room, downstairs next to the choir room. For more information and to register, go to stphilipscathedral.org/allegro.
CATHEDR AL A NTIQUES SHOW CATHEDR AL ANTIQUES SHOW TICKETS NOW ON SALE Tickets to all Antiques Show events are now on sale in the Cathedral Book Store and at cathedralantiques.org! If you are a show patron, some event tickets will be included in your patron package. If you’re not a patron, it’s not too late to join us! Check the website for all the benefits of each patron level. FIRST PLACE PASSION TOUR ($20) Sunday, January 31, 1–4 p.m. Five unique homes in the charming Springlake neighborhood are on tour and reflect the creativity and passion of first time homeowners. PREVIEW PARTY ($150) Wednesday, February 3, 6:30–9 p.m. The Preview Party is a gala opening night, which offers an exclusive look at the show. Sponsors, patrons, and their guests will be able to walk among the antiques and flowers while enjoying delectable offerings of food and wine. THE ANTIQUES SHOW ($15) Thursday, February 4 and Friday, February 5, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Saturday, February 6, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. The Antiques Show features more than twenty-five select dealers from around the country offering a wide variety of beautiful antiques and collectibles in a broad price range including exquisite porcelain, furniture, jewelry, rugs, art, and silver. FLOWER FESTIVAL (INCLUDED IN PRICE OF ANTIQUES SHOW) Thursday, February 4 and Friday, February 5, 10 a.m.–6 p.m. Saturday, February 6, 10 a.m.–4 p.m. See the best in creative floral design. Multiple spaces throughout the Cathedral are adorned with the work of Atlanta garden clubs and flower guilds. TALKS AND BOOK SIGNINGS ($20 EACH) Thursday, February 4, 10:30 a.m. Suzanne Rheinstein, Architectural Digest 100 interior designer Friday, February 5, 10:30 a.m. Clint Smith,* Veranda magazine editor Friday, February 5, 1:30 p.m. Gudrun Cottenier,* European floral designer Saturday, February 6, 10:30 a.m. Julia Reed, Garden & Gun contributor ` *Choose the “Friday Bouquet” to hear both floral experts, see the show and the Flower Festival, all for $45 TOUR OF HOMES ($30; $35 DAY OF TOUR) Sunday, February 7, 11 a.m.–5 p.m. Step into a world of timeless style as five of Atlanta’s most beautiful private residences are opened to the public for just one day. Each home is a showcase of the best in interior design, architecture, and craftsmanship.
FOR MORE DETAILS ON SPEAKERS AND EVENTS, VISIT CATHEDR ALANTIQUES.ORG.
YOUTH A ND CHILDR EN'S MINISTR IES HAPPENING AND NEW BEGINNINGS Happening and New Beginnings bring youth from across the Diocese of Atlanta for a weekend of renewal, growth, and fun in Christian community at Camp Mikell in Toccoa, Georgia. Middle school students are invited as participants to New Beginnings 35 which will be held February 5–7, and high school students are welcome to attend Happening 65 February 19–21. Cathedral senior Hailey Wilson will serve as the rector for Happening, leading the team in planning and executing the retreat. Learn more at stphilipscathedral.org/youth.
EYC! Join us weekly on Sunday evenings in Room 382 for fellowship, worship, dinner, and conversation. Middle school 5-7 p.m. High school 6-8 p.m. Dinner provided
Mother’s Morning Out!
We are open Monday–Friday from 9 a.m.–1 p.m. in the Nurturing Center and welcome children ages 3 months through 4 years. Register online at stphilipscathedral.org/ mmo. Contact Dorsey Delong, teamdelong@gmail.com, or Mary Holmes, mcholmes73@comcast.net, for more information.
EYSEEDINGS MEETS NEXT WEEK! All fourth and fifth graders are invited to attend EYSeedlings, a monthly gathering of fellowship and fun. The next meeting will be Sunday, January 24 from 4–6 p.m. We will learn some improv and share a meal together. If you’re planning to come to EYSeedlings at any time this year, please register at stphilipscathedral. org/eyseedlings. In addition to registering, if you’ll be with us on January 24, please email Ciara Rowley at crowley@ stphilipscathedral.org to RSVP.
PR AYER S For those who are ill or recovering Katherine Thomas Jacques Jean Morris Priscilla Beale Karen Bellaire Virginia Bicksler George Bird John Blair Josh Borden Susan Carlisle Winnie Clark Sally Coulter Lawrence Cowart Terry Dornbush Sarah duBignon Angela Ellis Mary Elrod Mary Ann Frazier D. Louis Gruver, Jr. Connie Hoar Ruthie Hunter The James Family Karen League Jack Lyle Herb Matthews Dick Miller Mary Nevins Kay Ottley Marian Palmore Garry Pryor
Jennifer Rankin Jonna Rankine Joseph K. Steele Roy Unkefer Chandra Westafer Dick Wilson Hollis Youngner Julia Alston Rodger Beatty Campbell Beckwith Paige Blakenship Priscilla Bleke David Boone Joan Brooks Keith Brooks Lauren Anne Johnson Brookshire Meredith, Adam, and Leo Bugenske Denise Carlson Andrew Clark Jackson Culbreth John Dunn George Dunn, Jr. Carleton Fuller Susan Gill Eudelle Lanier Graham Stan Haines Patricia Hentz Robert Hoder Bernard Andreas Kan Dorothy Lanier Kenerly
Dexter Kimball Judith Klauba Kelly Kolak Lisa Krysiak Margaret Winders Kuhn Mr. and Mrs. Louis H. Marcotte, Sr. Bonnie Shields McCormack Lorraine McKnight Jan McPherson Helen Patterson Cary Purvis Baby Ridley-Lin Anna Robbins Rand Rollins and Penelope Rollins Logan Shannep John Turman Roush Vance Caroline and John Westerhoff For those who have died Nora McMahon Charles Raymond Presley Ray Puckett For all those serving their country away from home, for their safe return, and for their families who wait for them For all expectant parents
Women's Lenten Retreat
MEMBERSHIP NEW MEMBERS Aly and David Mills, and their daughter Kennedy, from Atlanta Katy and Stephen Furr, and their daughter Emma, from Atlanta Ashley Solomon, from Tallahassee, Florida BIRTHS Kyla Mathis Burnat, daughter of Laura and Lawson Burnat, born January 5, 2016 BAPTISMS Jeralyn Borja Henry Hamilton Freisem Frances Dalziel Hughes Faison Lawrence Hutto
Claire Caroline McLaughlin Emerson Michaela Owen Yaiza Rios-Borja
Listening for Longing: A Weekend of Retreat, Reflection, and Fellowship Friday–Sunday, March 11–13 St. Mary's Retreat Center, Sewanee, Tennessee Join women of the Cathedral for a weekend of fellowship, prayer, creativity, and time away. The retreat will be led by Jeannie Mahood with the Rev. Cathy Zappa, Canon for Prayer and Mission. We will be gathering at St. Mary's Conference Center in Sewanee, which offers a sanctuary of natural beauty and quiet for rest, renewal, and reconnection. Costs for the weekend are $282 (private room) and $221 (shared room). Visit stphilipscathedral.org/womensretreat to register by Tuesday, February 9. Please contact Jeannie Mahood, jmahood@stphilipscathedral.org, for further information. Space is limited so register soon!
LETTER S TO A YOUNG EPISCOPALI A N Dear Anna, A friend of mine told me recently about the Spoon River Anthology, by Edgar Lee Masters. I think you would like it. Short, dramatic monologues spoken by the dead create the fictional community of Spoon River. In one of them, we hear the cry of Emily Sparks, “Where is my boy, my boy— In what far part of the world? The boy I loved best of all in the school?” She recalls praying for the boy and writing him letters about the love of Christ. Even in death she carries her hope that he will open himself to that love. “Work for your soul’s sake,” she begs, “that all the clay of you, all of the dross of you, may yield to the fire of you, till the fire is nothing but light! Nothing but light!” Isn’t that beautiful? In another epitaph, we hear the voice of Reuben Painter. Reuben recalls having
given up on himself then remembering a teacher who hadn’t. His eyes filled with tears and from then on he had a new vision of himself. “Well, Emily Sparks,” he says. “Your prayers were not wasted. Your love was not all in vain. I owe whatever I was in life to your hope that would not give me up, to your love that saw me still as good.” We often look into the eyes of someone who loves us and see a self-reflection that is larger and more interesting than we imagined ourselves to be, don’t we? I wonder if this might be what happened to the magi. Maybe they weren’t so wise to begin with. They found the star and kept it in sight. But, they got there late. They told Herod he might have a rival, with predictable consequences. And, they brought gifts that a young family on the road probably would not want.
I wonder if these learned men might have stumbled upon something that they didn’t expect. Somehow in a baby they found a hope that opened them to love, allowed them to dream dreams, and gave them the courage to go home by a different road. Perhaps wisdom is not a prerequisite for finding the love of Christ; it’s the gift of having had the experience. That’s my epiphany this Epiphany! Your affectionate uncle, Ames This letter is part of a series of fictional letters by Canon George Maxwell intended for Episcopalians young and old who wonder what it means to be faithful in the world today. Read previous letters in the series at stphilipscathedral.org/letters.
DID YOU KNOW? In addition to Sunday services in the Cathedral and Mikell Chapel, we also worship the Lord in the beauty of holiness every weekday? Join us for some midweek refreshment or a lunchtime boost, 12:15 p.m. in St. Mary's Chapel.
POSTMASTER: Dated Material. Please deliver by January 16, 2016 POSTMASTER send address changes to: The Cathedral of St. Philip 2744 Peachtree Road, NW Atlanta, Georgia 30305-2920 404.365.1000
Cathedral Thrift House
Treasure of the Week Handsome collection of men's Isaia suits in beautiful fabrics! One of a kind!
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
A thrift store like no other! 1893 Piedmont Road | 404-876-5440 Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m. CATHEDRAL TIMES SUBMISSION DEADLINES: For the Sunday, January 24 issue, the deadline is Wednesday, January 13. For the Sunday, January 31 issue, the deadline is Wednesday, January 20. Please email announcement requests to the editor, Dan Murphy, at dmurphy@stphilipscathedral. org. Learn more about upcoming events, download sermons, and access contact information at stphilipscathedral.org.
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To receive the Times by email, contact Christie Jennison at cjennison@stphilipscathedral.org.
L ABYR INTH A ND TAIZÉ
STEWAR DSHIP
The Cathedral community contributed mightily in December and throughout the year—we are almost finished counting all of the wonderful gifts! Thank you! In the next week or so, the Cathedral will mail statements of contributions to all households that contributed in 2015. Please contact David Rocchio, drocchio@stphilipscathedral.org or 404-365-1033, or Christie Jennison, cjennison@stphilipscathedral.org or 404-365-1079, if you notice an error. We’ll also follow up with households as we seek to raise the additional $1,400,000 needed to meet the Cathedral’s 2016 budget. If you have not already done so, please make your pledge at stphilipscathedral.org/pledge. Many thanks!
Get your week off to a peaceful start with a labyrinth walk and Taizé on Monday, January 18. The labyrinth will be available from 7–8 p.m. in Child Hall, then the Taizé prayer service starts at 8 p.m. in Mikell Chapel. Originating in Taizé, France, this simple service of scripture, music and candlelight will bring a beautiful and prayerful close to your Monday. The labyrinth and Taizé take place the third Monday of each month at the Cathedral. This month we’ll honor Martin Luther King, Jr. as we pray for peace in our world. Come to one, or both – and bring a friend!
RAINBOW VILLAGE
presents its 25th anniversary benefit concert
FRIDAY, JANUARY 29 8 PM IN THE CATHEDRAL
featuring the St. Paul's Episcopal Church choir with combined choirs of Atlanta and members of the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra
Rainbow Village, a ministry of the Diocese of Atlanta, has an 85% success rate in its mission to break the cycles of homelessness, poverty, and domestic violence. This concert is the first in a series of activities planned for 2016 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the ministry. A part of the celebration will be to finish the village by adding the last two apartment buildings, bringing the total to 30 families and up to 150 people at a time.
For tickets and more information, visit rainbowvillage.org