The CATHEDRAL TIMES The weekly newsletter of the Cathedral of St. Philip · Serving Atlanta and the World · September 24, 2017
SEVENTY-SEVEN TIMES? By the Very Rev. Sam Candler Dean of the Cathedral When the little boy is told by his mother that he has to brush his teeth tonight, he replies, “But I brushed them last night!” When the woman gently complains to her husband that he hasn’t told her that he loves her, he says, “Yes, I did. I told you a couple of weeks ago that I loved you.” One day, the middle-aged man is proud of himself that his new exercise routine is working so well. Two months later, however, it is long gone. Same with the middle-aged woman. She loves her new diet, even enjoying some of the new foods, and she has lost five pounds. Two months later, however, it is back to the old foods. Every one of us, at some age or another, learns this lesson: The things worth doing in this life, have to be done again and again. We learn something, something wonderful. We do something, something wonderful. And then we have to do it again, as if it is a practice, over and over again. The things worth doing in this life are rarely accomplished in just one sitting. The things that count in life, the values that form us, the activities that create our character, the disciplines that form our bodies – all these things become real when they become habits for us, practices, not one-time superstar events. We have to brush our teeth more than once. We have to say “I love you,” more than once. We have to exercise, we have to eat well, more than once. In fact, we have to do those things regularly, almost daily, really, if we want to have their effects become real in our lives. Well, it’s the same thing with spirituality. Spirituality is not a one-time miraculous event that changes our lives completely and forever, without our ever having to worry about it again. Effective spirituality is a practice, a habit, a routine. That is why, when Peter asks Jesus whether he (Peter) should forgive as many as seven times, Jesus replies, “Not seven times, but, I tell you, seventy-seven times” (Matthew 18:22). Actually, this verse should not be taken literally! Do we really think that once we have hit the magic number of seventy-seven, our forgiving obligations are over? No. Jesus means that forgiveness is an ongoing act, even a perpetual act. Maybe like washing our face, or saying, “I love you.” One time won’t do it. Nor will seven. Not even seventy-seven times. It helps to understand forgiveness as a kind of release. The word means to release something—maybe even ourselves. And it is the strange nature of humanity that we seem always to be getting tangled up, knotted up, tied up in things. We start the day clear and fresh. But then we get tangled up. Relationships get cross ways. Impatience and anger grab us. Soon, we need release. To forgive means to release. It is truly one of the major principles of the Christian life. To release. For, when we release others, we suddenly feel ourselves released, too. When we let go of what we believe people owe us, then it is we who feel wonderfully free. The way God sets his people free, is by using people to do it! God uses us to set his people free. Once? Seven times? Seventy-seven times? Yes. Yes to all those numbers. And Yes to a lifetime of release. It is like washing our face, like saying “I love you.” When those acts become practices and habits, they become part of who we are. And when forgiveness becomes part of who we are, we are close to the identity of God.
This SUNDAY
SEPTEMBER 24, 2017 · The Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 20, Year A Exodus 16:2-15 · Psalm 105:1-6, 37-45 · Philippians 1:21-30 · Matthew 20:1-16
7:45 A.M. HOLY EUCHARIST, CATHEDRAL
Celebrant and Preacher: Canon Wallace Marsh
8:45 A.M. HOLY EUCHARIST, CATHEDRAL Celebrant: Canon George Maxwell Preacher: Dean Sam Candler Cathedral Staff Singers: Francisco Guerrero, Simile est regnum coelorum Gerald Near, Christ hath a garden
9 A.M. HOLY EUCHARIST, CATHEDRAL
This service is invited to join the Cathedral service at 8:45 a.m.
11:15 A.M. HOLY EUCHARIST, CATHEDRAL Celebrant: Canon Cathy Zappa Preacher: Dean Sam Candler Cathedral Choir: Francisco Guerrero, Simile est regnum coelorum Gerald Near, Christ hath a garden
NOTE LOCATION CHANGES AS THE THOMAS RUBEN JONES MEMORIAL ORGAN IS INSTALLED IN MIKELL CHAPEL.
11:15 A.M. LA SANTA EUCHARISTÍA, CATHEDRAL
This service is invited to join the Cathedral service.
4 P.M. EVENSONG AND HOLY EUCHARIST, CATHEDRAL
THE FEAST OF ST. MATTHEW, OBSERVED Celebrant and Preacher: Dean Sam Candler Craig Phillips, Preces and Responses (St. David’s, Roswell) T. Tertius Noble in A minor Felix Mendelssohn, How lovely are the messengers David Briggs, O Lord, support us all the day long
The CATHEDRAL of ST. PHILIP
The Very Rev. Samuel G. Candler, Dean Dale Adelmann, Ph.D., Canon for Music The Rev. C. Wallace Marsh IV, Canon for Pastoral Care and Worship The Rev. George M. Maxwell, Jr., Vicar The Rev. Catherine Zappa, Canon for Spirituality and Mission The Rev. John William Harkins III, Ph.D., Priest Associate The Rev. Deacon Juan Sandoval, Deacon for Hispanic Ministries The Rev. Theophus “Thee” Smith, Ph.D., Priest Associate The Rev. Carolynne G. Williams, Canon Associate for Pastoral Care and Elder Ministry Mary Caroline Cravens, Senior Warden Doug O’Bryan, Junior Warden
CATHEDRAL TIMES SUBMISSION DEADLINES: FOR THE SUNDAY, OCTOBER 1 ISSUE, THE DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 20. FOR THE SUNDAY, OCTOBER 8 ISSUE, THE DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 27. PLEASE EMAIL ANNOUNCEMENT REQUESTS TO THE EDITOR, DAN MURPHY, AT DMURPHY@ STPHILIPSCATHEDRAL.ORG. TO RECEIVE THE TIMES BY EMAIL, CONTACT JANIE HARRIS AT JHARRIS@ STPHILIPSCATHEDRAL.ORG.
404-365-1000 | stphilipscathedral.org stphilipscathedral
Sunday ADULT EDUCATION Unless otherwise noted, these adult Sunday school classes meet from 10:10–11 a.m.
TRANSITIONS: NAVIGATING LIFE CHANGES WITH CONFIDENCE AND GRACE
OLD FASHIONED SUNDAY SCHOOL Child Hall Canon George Maxwell leads this series of discussions during the fall term about the Christian Vision of C. S. Lewis. As always, you will find those things that we think matter most: a light heart, a broad welcome, and good coffee. This discussion will focus on the choice we must make between good and evil, as set forth in Lewis’ descriptions of heaven and hell. The material presented draws primarily from The Great Divorce (1946), by C. S. Lewis. The book is Lewis’ version of Dante’s Divine Comedy.
LIVING FAITH Room 120 Join Canon Wallace Marsh and Canon Cathy Zappa as we explore what it means to live out our faith through conversation with scripture and tradition, contemporary books, and, most important, one another. This fall, we are using three popular books as starting points for our conversations: Essentialism: The Art of Pursuing Less, by Greg McKeown; Daring Greatly, by Brené Brown; and The Power of Habit: Why We Do What We Do in Life and Business, by Charles Duhigg.
BIBLICAL GREEK Room 356 Beginning Biblical Greek is offered on a drop-in basis on Sunday mornings at 10:10 a.m. Continuing Biblical Greek classes are offered on Sundays from 1:15–2:45 p.m. for anyone who wants to learn the basics of translation using grammar aids, lexicons, and commentaries. For more information, contact the Rev. Dr. Thee Smith at thee.smith@emory.edu.
Walthour Library Change can be difficult and even frightening, but periods of transformation and transition in life also present opportunities for growth and reflection. Canon Carolynne Williams leads this six-week class geared toward anyone navigating life changes, regardless of age.
SMALL GROUP BIBLE STUDY Room 122
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 are reading the book of Genesis. For more information, please contact Jim Bingham at 404-3733273 or binghamjim@bellsouth.net.
YOUTH Sunday School WELCOME TO THE BIBLE: WE'VE GOT FUN AND GAMES Room 382 This year, our middle school class will be asking questions like: Why should we bother with a book that’s 2000 years old? What does the Bible have to do with me? We will explore these questions, and many others, by playing with clay, sinking model ships, competing in games, and much more! This class is taught by Clayton Harrington, Meredith Bateman, and Rob Walton.
FINDING OURSELVES IN THE STORIES OF FAITH Room 368 High school students are invited to wade through tough questions of faith, ethics, and identity, with some popular and not so popular biblical characters. What can Abraham and Hagar, Moses, Rahab, and Ruth teach us about living out our faith in the age of Instagram? This class is taught by Nicole Lambelet, Stephen Culp, and Meg Jones.
GODLY PLAY CLASSES FOR CHILDREN AGE 2 THROUGH FIFTH GRADE ARE IN CLASSROOMS UPSTAIRS, NEAR THE ATRIUM.
MUSIC ATLANTA ORGANIST TO PERFORM ON SUNDAY This Sunday, September 24, organist Ralph Lyda will perform on the Cathedral’s Sunday Afternoon Recital Series with a program featuring works by Howells, Neswick, Noble, and Bairstow, along with one of Lyda’s own compositions. Lyda is a graduate of the University of West Georgia, with additional graduate study at Mercer University under the late Dr. Robert Parris. Come and hear one of Atlanta’s own! Ralph Lyda, organ Atlanta Herbert Howells, Rhapsody, Op. 17, No. 3 Ralph Lyda, II Chronicles 5 Bruce Neswick, Epilogue on Veni Creator Spiritus T. Tertius Noble, Choral Prelude on Aberystwyth Edward C. Bairstow, Toccata-Prelude on Pange Lingua
ATLANTA BAROQUE ORCHESTR A “20 CELEBR ATE 20” 20 musicians gather to celebrate 20 years of great music by the ABO
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 29 7:30 P.M.
Advance tickets and patron tickets are available online at atlantabaroque.org and from the Cathedral Book Store at 404-237-7582.
CHAPTER THE CHAPTER NEEDS YOUR HELP IN CHOOSING THE CATHEDRAL’S LEADERS The Chapter Nominating Committee has begun their work of assembling a slate of nominees for the 2018 Cathedral Chapter. The parish is invited to submit recommendations of qualified candidates. As the governing body of the Cathedral, the Chapter determines policy issues, sets goals, and provides stewardship of the Cathedral’s complex operations. The Chapter formally reviews the status of each of the Cathedral’s parochial entities and ministries, as well as parish financial statements. Unlike smaller parishes, the Chapter does not usually get involved in the day-to-day activities of the Cathedral. Instead, the Chapter
of the Cathedral operates as a board of trustees or board of stewards. Each Chapter member serves a three-year term. Bylaws allow for members to be: “Any communicant of the parish in good and regular standing, who is not less than eighteen years of age, a regular attendant in Cathedral worship in the year preceding election, and known by the treasurer to have made and maintained a stated financial commitment for church support in the year preceding election.” The most important quality of an effective Chapter member is an ability to see the larger picture. Most have held leadership positions in more than one of the church’s ministries or parochial entities. After recommendations are given to the Nominating Committee, eligibility is verified and nominees are polled to confirm their interest and availability. The committee then chooses six strong candidates to send to the Chapter for approval. Finally, these new Chapter members are formally elected by the parish at the annual meeting in December. The Nominating Committee looks at candidates who will round out the experience of the continuing Chapter members. An attempt is made to include representatives across all age and gender groups, while ensuring that a broad range of ministries and parochial entities of the Cathedral parish is also represented. Members of the committee include: Mary Bondurant, Matt Caine, Joan Gilbert, Lindsey Hardegree, Eric Mininberg, and Doug O’Bryan. Dean Sam Candler and Senior Warden Mary Caroline Cravens serve ex-officio. Recommendations should be submitted along with a brief supporting statement to any Nominating Committee member, or to the Office of the Dean, 404-365-1031, or jjohnson@ stphilipscathedral.org by Monday, October 2.
Cathedral ANTIQUES SHOW HONORARY CHAIRS HAVE DEVOTED THEMSELVES TO CATHEDRAL SERVICE 2018 Cathedral Antiques Show co-chairs Beverly Gwynn and Dabney Hollis are pleased to announce Nancy and Randy Rizor as honorary chairs of the show. The Rizors exemplify service, to the Cathedral and the broader community. Nancy and Randy have been involved in many facets of Cathedral life since joining in 1990, including serving as Chapter and Finance Committee members, children’s Sunday School teachers, and confirmation leaders. Randy has also served as an usher and Boy Scout leader, while Nancy has chaired the Altar Guild for decades and the Antiques Show twice. When asked about their greatest contributions to the Cathedral, Randy said working with the Boy Scouts has been the “greatest single volunteer contribution of my life,” and that spending time with the boys is energizing and something he always looks forward to. Nancy’s introduction to Altar Guild was as a young girl, when she helped her mother at the Episcopal church where she grew up. She has chaired the Cathedral’s altar guild for twenty years and feels a sense of peace and closeness to God when she’s doing that work. The liturgy and music are some of the aspects of the Cathedral that the Rizors love most. The Rizors’ commitment to service extends beyond the Cathedral, as Nancy serves as chair of the board of All About Developmental Disabilities and Randy as a colonel in the Army Reserves, having served two tours of duty in Iraq. Randy will also
be president of the Medical Association of Atlanta and is very active in the Medical Association of Georgia. Nancy says, “The Cathedral Antiques Show is a unique outreach effort. We have provided financial support and exposure for many worthy nonprofits in the Atlanta area over the years, as well as creating community in our Cathedral family.” Further, Nancy says about the 2018 beneficiary: “A.G. Rhodes Health and Rehab is a wonderful choice for 2018 beneficiary. There is a great need to serve our elder population, particularly those with dementia. As our population ages, the incidence of Alzheimer’s and other dementias will continue to increase. Many of our Cathedral members have been touched by Alzheimer’s, either through a family member or friend.” Randy and Nancy met in Charlottesville, Virginia where Randy was an associate professor of anesthesia at UVA and Nancy was head nurse in the emergency room. They were married in a small, historic Episcopal Church, and moved to Atlanta in the 1980s. Professionally, Randy is an anesthesiologist in private practice specializing in the rehabilitation treatment of musculoskeletal injuries and pain. Nancy is a realtor with Atlanta Fine Homes Sotheby’s International Realty. They have two adult sons, Crawford and James. Randy and Nancy both love horses, fishing, hunting, and “just about anything outdoors.” The 2018 Cathedral Antiques Show will be held January 24–27, 2018.
OUTREACH HELP HURRICANE VICTIMS THROUGH ERD In the wake of the damage of Hurricanes Harvey and Irma, how are we called to offer aid? To make a financial contribution to the work of Episcopal Relief and Development in areas affected by these hurricanes, visit stphilipscathedral.org/relief or send a check with a memo indicating “Hurricane Relief.”
FILM SCREENING ON RACE Join us for a showing of the film 13th on Wednesday, October 4, at 6 p.m. in the Gould Room. 13th explores the intersection of race, justice, and mass incarceration in the United States. There will be a discussion following the film, facilitated by Beth King and Canon Cathy Zappa. You can pick up dinner at the Farmers Market on your way to the Gould Room! Contact Canon Zappa, 404-365-1043 for more information.
Dear Anna, You ask an interesting question: Should you take a class in religion from a professor who doesn’t believe in God? There has been an ongoing debate since the twelfth century about whether commitment to the Christian faith is a prerequisite for anyone who wants to teach theology. I take your professor’s point that scholars benefit from the objectivity that comes from looking at something from the outside. Insiders are less likely to be critical of commitments that they have already made. The other side of the argument, though, is that outsiders are often less neutral and objective than they realize. We all have a way of looking at things that determines what we are able to see. Our assumptions often determine the conclusions that we reach. When it comes to belief in God, scholars who assume that we have to be able to touch and see something for it to be real struggle to evaluate critically an immaterial and invisible spirit. They can only see it as something that we think or feel, but not as something that really is. This limitation has consequences. If you read the story of Daniel in the Lion’s Den, for
example, and you treat it as a fairy tale, or you get caught up in whether it accurately portrays Babylonian history, then you will miss the deeper truth that it speaks about what God is saying to people who have been taken from their home and live with the fear and anxiety of persecution. C. S. Lewis’ “argument by desire” shows how another assumption is possible. The fact that we get thirsty, Lewis says, suggests that we are creatures for whom drinking water is natural. So, the fact that we desire God, something that our natural world cannot supply, suggests that another, supernatural world exists. We are not guaranteed to live in this other world any more than we are guaranteed to get the water that we need to quench our thirst. But, we are capable of understanding it and we are made to experience it. So, I think you might enjoy taking the course. Your professor sounds curious and thoughtful, and perhaps most importantly, she has shown a willingness to question the assumptions that you are both making in the way that you are looking at things. God has a habit of appearing in conversations like this! Your affectionate uncle, Ames
Congregational LIFE SUPER FOYERS
A TASTE OF LATIN AMERICA
Do you enjoy eating good food and meeting new people? Then Foyers is for you! Experience friends, food, and fellowship in small groups of 8 to 10 each month beginning with Super Foyers on Sunday, September 24 at 6 p.m. in Child Hall. Please contact Jackie Hollingsworth at 404-281-8282 or jackiech03@gmail. com with your name, address, phone number, and email.
Every year the Diocesan Hispanic Ministry Commission sponsors a special dinner called A Taste of Latin America, and it is a real fiesta! Hispanic members from several parishes will bring tasty Latin American food to share with guests at the special potluck meal. There will be music and dancing, craft items for sale, a raffle, and a silent auction - plus a piñata for the children, of course! This year’s dinner will be on Saturday, October 7, from 5:30 – 8:30 p.m. in Child Hall. Reservations and tickets are not required; after dinner, sombreros will be passed for donations. The funds from this year’s event will be used to help hurricane and earthquake victims in Latin America and the Caribbean. Friends and family members of all ages are welcome. Mark your calendar and plan to come!
NEWCOMER ORIENTATION Please join us for a newcomer orientation at 10:10 a.m. on Sunday, October 8 in Room 240, across from Child Hall. The class is designed for individuals interested in joining the parish and those newly registered as members. Come and meet fellow parishioners; learn about the variety of worship services, classes, and spiritual offerings at the Cathedral; and take a brief tour of the Cathedral campus. For more information, contact Janie Harris, 404-365-1079 or jharris@stphilipscathedral.org.
MEMBERSHIP TRANSITIONS CATH E DR AL TH RIF T HOUS E Treasures of the Week Come see our fabulous new holiday shop, chock full of wonderful Halloween and Thanksgiving treats—with Christmas to follow soon! You just cannot beat our great prices! 1893 Piedmont Road | 404-876-5440 Monday–Saturday, 10 a.m.–4:30 p.m.
NEW MEMBERS Susan Loeb, from Metairie, Louisiana Shelley Tilt, from Akron, Ohio
DEATHS Mark Adams Mixon, husband of Connie Mixon, father of Morgan Mixon, died September 7, 2017 Thomas Howell Lanier, Jr., son of Molly and Tommy Lanier, died September 10, 2017
PRAYER List FOR THOSE WHO ARE ILL OR RECOVERING:
FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED:
IMMEDIATE NEEDS
Steve Auerbach Tommy Lanier, Jr. Mark Adams Mixon
Pamela Reid
LONG TERM PRAYERS
Virginia Bicksler • Cornelia Bird • George Bird • John Blair • David W. Boone • Josh Borden • Pat Brinson • Kaye Cairney • Catherine Carson • Randy Chatham • Ginny Collins • Joan Couch • Lawrence Cowart • Terry Dornbush • Sarah duBignon • Kitty Dukehart • Susan Dunn • Angela Ellis • Randy Farmer • Amy Feuss • Patty Gifford • Jane Hannah • Caroline Hatcher • Shirley Heermann • Richard Hill • Elaine Lyon • Robert and Aggie Maddox • David McCarthy • Carol McDonald • Elaine McEachern • Georgia Meagher • Dick Miller • Carrick Mollenkamp • Charlie Neal • Hall O’Neal • Marian Palmore • Walter Perrin • Beth Pitzer • Brenda Pruitt • Garry Pryor • Jennifer Rankin • Emily Richardson • Agnes Elizabeth Robertson • Martin Ruegsegger • Jim Segars • Jeanne M. Smith • Joe K. Steele • Julie Sutton • Tommy Truesdale • Cindy West • Chandra Westafer • Hollis Youngner
FAMILY AND FRIENDS Phoebe Haffner Andrew • Gayle Ball • Bettina Bass • Rodger Beatty • David Boyd • Darrell Boyette • Joan Brooks • Keith Brooks • Beverly Brownlee • Meredith, Adam, and Leo Bugenske • Jake Cantrell • Denise
Carlson • Nancy Lanphier Chapin • Andrew Clark • Faye Comer • Timothy Paul Condrey • Floyd Childs Cooper III • Bea Cowan • Lonieze Cranshaw • Gabe Crieger • Jackson Culbreth • Ashley Debelbot and Brenda Jones • Joshua Felder • Ann Carol Followill • Carleton Fuller • Tom Gardner • Susan Gill • Peggy Govan • Eudelle Lanier Graham • Darrell and Gail Grimmett • D. Louis Gruver, Jr. • Doyce Gunter • Dottie Gwynn • William Ham • Helen Hammond • Chris Hardy • Bobby Hearn • Greg Hentz • Liz Grant Hilton • Annemarie and Ante Jazic • Sun Ja Kim • Kelly Kolak • Lisa Krysiak • Margaret Winders Kuhn • Betty C. Lyons • Michael Majeski family • Pat Martin • Janie Mathis • Michelle Maxwell • Michael McClelland • Bonnie Shields McCormack • Anne McMullan • Eric S. Merrifield • Darel Moe • Lyn Moore • Malcolm Moore • Meg Moye • Andy Nelson • Barrett Nichols • Jay Orr • Carol Peterson • Betty and Bill Poole • Libby Powell • Robert Turnage Reynolds • MacGregor Robinson • Margaret Robinson • Al Rogers • James Sands • Donald Schooley • Patricia Schooley • Logan Shannep • Katy Shoemaker • Michelle Simmons • Lara Smith Sitton • Gwendolyn Slack • Lyda Sorgini • Tina Susco • Carla Sweetwood • Hubert Tate, Sr. • Janiece Townshend • Jenna Van Gelderen • Christi Vasquez • Peter Veverka • Nina Vila • Ed Vogel • Meredith Wallace • Ron M. Wallace • Jacqueline Watkins • Caroline and John Westerhoff • Marion Wilson • Althea Wolf • Whit A. Wright • Patricia Young
POSTMASTER: Dated Material. Please deliver by September 23, 2017 POSTMASTER Send address changes to: The Cathedral of St. Philip 2744 Peachtree Road, NW Atlanta, Georgia 30305-2920 404-365-1000
Installation of the Thomas Ruben Jones Memorial Organ is underway. Schoenstein & Co. is installing the instrument in Mikell Chapel over several weeks. Services are being held in the Cathedral during this time.
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 us for an evening of local food, live music, dining, and dancing as we celebrate ten amazing years of memories. $600 10 Seat VIP Table $65 VIP Ticket $20 Party Ticket
Participating Restaurants Hyatt Regency ~ Pine Street Market ~ Saltyard ~ Good Foods Kitchen ~ Wrecking Bar ~ Souper Jenny ~ Farm Burger ~ Buttermilk Kitchen King &food, Dukelive ~ Join us for an evening of~local music, St. Cecila ~ City Winery ~ The Optimist ~ No. 246 ~ dining, and dancing as we celebrate ten amazing Simply Fresh ~ Grand Hyatt Buckhead ~ years of memories. Hampton + Hudson ~ Local Three ~ Revival ~ Restaurant Eugene
$600 10 Seat VIP Table $65 VIP Ticket $20 Party Ticket
Participating Restaurants
MONDAY, OCTOBER 9 6–9 P.M. THE HYATT REGENCY PEACHTREEROADFARMERSMARKET.COM
Hyatt Regency ~ Pine Street Market ~ Saltyard ~ Good Foods Kitchen ~ Wrecking Bar ~ Souper Jenny ~ Farm Burger ~ Buttermilk Kitchen ~ King & Duke ~ St. Cecila ~ City Winery ~ The Optimist ~ No. 246 ~ Simply Fresh ~ Grand Hyatt Buckhead ~ Hampton + Hudson ~ Local Three ~ Revival ~ Restaurant Eugene Thank you to Hyatt whose commitment to thoughtfully sourced and carefully served foods has supported so many of our farmers and food creators.