The CATHEDRAL TIMES The weekly newsletter of the Cathedral of St. Philip · Serving Atlanta and the World · February 9, 2020
AN ILLUMINATING COINCIDENCE OF CELEBRATIONS! By the Very Rev. Sam Candler, Dean of the Cathedral Last Sunday, I was thrilled with a confluence and coincidence of illuminating celebrations. It was Super Bowl Sunday, Groundhog Day, AND the Feast of the Presentation—with Candlemas—all at once! Here is how I described the day, in excerpts from my sermon last Sunday. (Please read the entire sermon at cathedralATL. org/sermons.) Essentially, I believe that all these events have something in common. They are ways that our community, our civilization, hopes for life and yearns for light in the midst of winter. Let’s start with the Super Bowl, where much of our North American culture will be focused today. Consider the gatherings, the parties, the festivities around Sunday night. This is ritual at its most primordial. People plan schedules and change behavior and spend their resources for this event; in my book, this behavior is exactly the definition of a religion. The powers that change your schedules and order your lives and to which you offer your money are usually what we call “gods.” It’s a religion. I will not dwell on its low points today. But, at its best, “Super Bowl Religion” shows us the fruit of discipline and respect and—yes—even advertising creativity. The Super Bowl usually falls right in the middle of winter (in North America). So does February 2, which is the Feast of the Presentation. The day falls almost exactly midway between the winter solstice and the spring equinox. Though winter “ begins,” officially, on December 21, it is rarely as cold then as it is in the middle of winter – about February 2. Thus, our ancestors realized and devised all sorts of mid-winter feasts and festivals to remind them that Spring was coming. Christians began to observe this mid-winter day as “the Purification,” or “the Feast of the Presentation.” According to tradition, the young child Jesus was to be presented in the Temple 40 days after his birth. However, the tradition of lighting candles, “Candlemas,” comes closest to recognizing what is going on in our natural world. There really is no clear church history of how candles became associated with the Presentation. My sense is that candles, really, just happened. So, I let the tradition be. There is no official and acknowledged beginning. Thus, I believe, it simply has to do with our yearning for light in mid-winter. On February 2, Christians began to light candles. Today, at Christian churches across the world, people light candles and walk in procession; they walk toward the light, even in the deep mid-winter, as we will here at the Cathedral this afternoon. Something in our human condition will always long and lean for light. We yearn for its energy, especially when we miss it the most, in the bleak mid-winter. Somehow or another, strangely enough, our secular Groundhog Day is also associated with the longing for this light! We are wondering just how long it will be before Spring comes. Will the groundhog see his shadow or not? Is there sunshine on Groundhog Day—too early—or not? It is still wintertime; but today our world has turned toward spring. Yes, there will be more cold snaps. There may even be an ice storm. But the earth has now turned around the sun toward spring. The Church hopes the same thing about life today. Perhaps our health is bad right now. Perhaps our finances seem bleak right now. Maybe we are frustrated and disgusted by our national politics. Maybe it is winter. But in this darkness, God turns toward light, toward health. …One of great ways that Jesus described himself was as the Light, the Light of the World. But Jesus also told us that we, we ourselves, are the light of the world. It’s not Groundhog Day or Super Bowl Sunday that brings true light to the world. It’s not even the great traditions and customs of the church, though each of those events plays its part. The true light is us—you and me—and how we behave during all these events. You are the light of the world; let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.
This SUNDAY
FEBRUARY 9, 2020 · The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany, Year A Isaiah 58:1-12 · Psalm 112:1-10 · 1 Corinthians 2:1-16 · Matthew 5:13-20
7:45 A.M. HOLY EUCHARIST, MIKELL CHAPEL
Celebrant and Preacher: The Rev. Julia Mitchener
8:45 A.M. HOLY EUCHARIST, CATHEDRAL Celebrant: The Rev. Canon George Maxwell Preacher: The Rev. Canon Cathy Zappa Choristers and Cathedral Singers: Roland Martin, Our life is hid with Christ in God Jane Marshall, Eternal Light
9 A.M. HOLY EUCHARIST, MIKELL CHAPEL
Celebrant and Preacher: The Rev. Julia Mitchener
11:15 A.M. HOLY EUCHARIST, CATHEDRAL BROADCAST ONLINE AT CATHEDRALATL.ORG/STREAM AND ON THE CATHEDRAL APP Celebrant: The Rev. Canon Lauren Holder Preacher: The Rev. Canon Cathy Zappa Cathedral Choir: William Mathias, Arise, shine, for your light has come David Hill, God be in my head
11:15 A.M. LA SANTA EUCARISTÍA, MIKELL CHAPEL
Celebrant and Preacher: The Rev. Ramón Betances
4 P.M. CHORAL EVENSONG, CATHEDRAL THE FEAST OF ABSALOM JONES Officiant and Preacher: The Rev. Canon Lauren Holder Cathedral Schola: Robert Lehman, Preces and Responses in A flat Bryan Kelly in C Spiritual, arr. William Dawson, Ain-a that good news Spiritual, arr. Carl Haywood, There is a balm in Gilead
ADULT Education These classes meet from 10:10-11 a.m., unless otherwise noted.
OLD FASHIONED SUNDAY SCHOOL Child Hall Experiencing the Presence of God This term, we will continue our study of the Bible and Christian contemplative spirituality. The course is built on the foundation laid by the Rev. Vincent Pizzuto, Episcopal priest and college professor, in his book titled Contemplating Christ: The Gospels and the Interior Life (Liturgical Press, 2018), which is, of course, available in the Cathedral Book Store. We will also explore a number of related themes that emerge from what is sometimes called the wisdom tradition. Canon George Maxwell leads this class. As always, you will find those things that we think matter most: a light heart, a broad welcome, and good coffee.
SMALL GROUP BIBLE STUDY Room 122 Jim Bingham and Gordon Mathis lead an ongoing small group Bible Study focusing on the Gospel of Matthew.
LIVING FAITH Room 120 Though we Christians claim to worship the one true God, revealed in Jesus Christ, many of us feel beholden to other powerful forces in our lives, and may even treat them as a religion or source of self-justification. Join Canons Cathy Zappa and Lauren Holder as we explore the many forms that religiosity takes today—or the many things that we tend to approach as religion. We will be using as our conversation partner David Zahl’s book, Seculosity: How Career, Parenting, Technology, Food, Politics, and Romance Became Our New Religion and What To Do About It. David will be our guest speaker at Kanuga Parish Weekend in May! So join this five-week conversation now!
PARENTING UNSCRIPTED Room 121 Parenting is hard...find a community of support. Join other parents in discussions around faith, parenting teenagers, and how to support their spiritual growth. Scott Russell, Kathy Loomis, Jeff Cunningham, and Michelle Perkins will be leading throughout the semester. Parents of confirmation students are encouraged to attend.
The Rev. Dr. Thee Smith’s Our True Selves and Greek classes do not meet February 9 but will resume next Sunday, February 16.
The CATHEDRAL off ST. PHILIP
The Very Rev. Samuel G. Candler, Dean Dale Adelmann, Ph.D., Canon for Music The Rev. Lauren R. Holder, Canon for Community and Education The Rev. George M. Maxwell, Jr., Vicar The Rev. Catherine Zappa, Canon for Liturgy and Pastoral Care The Rev. John William Harkins III, Ph.D., Priest Associate The Rev. Nathan G. Huddleston, Priest Associate for Youth and Young Adult Ministries The Rev. Julia B. Mitchener, Priest Associate for Children’s Ministries 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 Del King, Senior Warden Dorsey DeLong, Junior Warden
CATHEDRAL TIMES SUBMISSION DEADLINES: FOR THE SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 16 ISSUE, THE DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 5. FOR THE SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 23 ISSUE, THE DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 12. TO RECEIVE THE TIMES BY EMAIL, CONTACT MELANA DICKSON, MDICKSON@CATHEDRALATL.ORG. TO SUBMIT AN ANNOUNCEMENT REQUEST, CONTACT THE EDITOR, DAN MURPHY, AT DMURPHY@CATHEDRALATL.ORG.
404-365-1000 | cathedralATL.org cathedralatl
MUSIC
NEW ASSOCIATE ORGANIST-CHOIRMASTER NAMED We are delighted to announce that Caroline Robinson has accepted the Cathedral’s call to become our next associate organist-choirmaster! Her principal duties will be to oversee our Cathedral Chorister program, to share organ playing responsibilities for some 250 services annually (approximately 150 of which necessitate accompanying the Cathedral choirs), and to assist broadly in the many facets of the Cathedral’s music ministry. Caroline is finishing a Doctor of Musical Arts degree in organ and the Advanced Teaching Certificate in Music Theory Pedagogy this spring at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. She holds a Bachelor of Music degree from the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, where she
MUSIC
served as organ scholar at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Chestnut Hill, and was an integral part of the leadership team for its thriving Chorister program. She also studied for a year at the Conservatoire à Rayonnement Régional in Toulouse, France. In 2018 she was Second Prize Winner in the National Young Artists Competition in Organ Performance, which is held biannually during the National Convention of the American Guild of Organists. As an organ recitalist she is well known and respected, and several of her performances have been broadcast on American Public Media’s nationally syndicated show Pipedreams. Caroline is a native of Greenville, South Carolina, and Cathedral members will be interested to know that she played her first pre-Evensong recital here when she was just a college freshman. Much more information about her, and excerpts of her organ performances, may be found at carolinerobinson.net Caroline was selected following a thorough national search, begun last October following the departure of Patrick Scott to become Director of Music at Grace-St. Luke’s in Memphis. Canon for Music Dale Adelmann and a wonderful Music Search Advisory Committee (Brent Rosengren, chair; Bryant Bateman; Dorsey DeLong; Haven Long; and Cy Philpott) vetted a large pool of extremely well qualified applicants and reached the unanimous decision to call Caroline following her impressive interview and audition here last month. We very much look forward to welcoming her to the Cathedral of St. Philip beginning July 15, 2020!
SPRITUALITY
PIANO RECITAL THIS SUNDAY
QUIET DAY: "LENT, THE DISRUPTIVE SEASON"
This Sunday, February 9 at 3:15 p.m., we welcome pianist Adam Jaffe as our recitalist. A graduate of Carnegie Mellon University and the Royal Conservatory of Music, The Hague, The Netherlands, and equally proficient on both the piano and harpsichord, Jaffe currently lives in Atlanta and performs in venues all over North America and Europe. His program will include works by Debussy and Schumann. We encourage everyone to attend and hear this very talented local musician.
Give yourself the gift of quiet and prayer as you enter into Lent. This quiet day will be led by CeCe Balboni, MAT, EDS, and executive director of Emmanuel Center for Pastoral Counseling at St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church. CeCe is an Episcopal laywoman, psychotherapist, and spiritual director. The quiet day will take place in the Lanier House on the Cathedral campus, 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Saturday, February 29. The cost of $20 includes lunch. Please register before February 24 at cathedralATL.org/quietday or on the Cathedral app. For more information, contact Jeannie Mahood, jmahood@ cathedralATL.org or 404-365-1031.
Atarashī eigyō jikan [New business Hours] another poem by The Cathedral Book Store, this time with apologies to Masaoka Shiki, father of the modern Haiku
Daily Ten to Four Except Sundays (Ten to One): These are our new hours.
MONDAY–SATURDAY 10 a.m. – 4 p.m.
SUNDAY 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Congregational LIFE
PASTORAL Care
SMART DRIVER COURSE FOR OLDER DRIVERS
BEREAVEMENT WORKSHOP
AARP is once again offering its Smart Driver course at the Cathedral, Wednesday, February 12. The course is a six-hour refresher aimed at motorists 50 years old and older. Some of the objectives of the class include understanding the effects of aging on driving; learning driving strategies that take into account the changes we experience as we age; and a number of other topics designed to make you a safer driver. At the completion of the class, you may be eligible to receive a discount on your automobile insurance policy. Class begins at 9 a.m. and will be completed by 4 p.m. There will be an hour break for lunch. Feel free to bring a lunch. The cost for AARP members is $15 and $20 for nonmembers. You will pay at the door by cash or check. You must bring your AARP card to receive the discount. You may sign up by calling the course instructor, Stratton Leedy, at 404-237-8910.
Camp STARS InTown is a one-day bereavement workshop for both children and adults who have experienced the death of a loved one. Visiting Nurse Health System / Hospice Atlanta hosts this event at the Cathedral on Saturday, March 7 from 8:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. Attendees will meet others in similar circumstances, gathered in a safe environment to share their feelings of loss. A variety of expressive activities will be conducted throughout the day designed to foster healthy grieving. The George Center for Music Therapy will be instrumental in providing music therapy which is helpful in learning how to use positive coping skills and communicating painful feelings and emotions. Camp STARS InTown will include interactive games, an art project, and music therapy for adult and children’s small groups. Registration is open to both individual adults or a family. The registration fee is $30 per individual or one family unit. Register at vnhs.org or call 404-869-3072 for information.
OUTREACH
ft House Folli i r Th es The FASHION SHOW FUNDRAISER
BENEFITING KIDZ2LEADERS
T H URS DAY, FEBR UARY 20 D O O R S AT 6 : 1 5 PM
S H OW AT 7 PM
C HILD HALL
T I C K ETS AT CATHEDR AL ATL .OR G O R T H E CATHEDR AL BOOK STOR E
Laissez les bons temps rouler!
HONORARY CO-CHAIRS ANN BURNS AND NANCY RIZOR
PRAYER List FOR THOSE WHO ARE ILL OR RECOVERING: LONG TERM PRAYERS R. Huntley Allen • T. Mayo and Pat Atkins • Edgar and Judith Beach • Perry Benton • Virginia Bicksler • Sondra Bowen • Connie Brittain • Heather Clark • Terry Dornbush • Sarah duBignon • Kitty Dukehart • Deborah Ellington • Randy Farmer • Rita Fink • William Ham • Caroline Hatcher • Margaret Haerther •
Katie Hughey • Louise Kan • Lisa Krysiak • Elaine Lyon • Carol McDonald • Glenn Miller • Ashley Minear • Cecil Miner • Royce Mitchell • Susan Myers • Charlie Neal • Marion Palmore • Garry Pryor • Tommy Ripley • Agnes Elizabeth Robertson • Louis "Skip" Schueddig • Jackie Stewart • Julie Thompson • Sammy Van Leer • Cindy West • Faye Van Winkle
FAMILY AND FRIENDS Eileen Abeyesundere • Alex Collins Astrop • Karyn Bacon • Bettina Bass • David Bond • Paul Allen Bowen
II • Paul Brewer • Thatcher M. Brown • Beverly Cahill • Milton F. Campbell • Lynn Chandler • Andrew
Clark • Robert Coatney • Frederick W. Danforth • Robert Discavage • David Erdman • Carleton Fuller • Bruce Gillies • Linda Hillman • Elizabeth Homer • Craig Hope • Tom Ingegneri • Benjamin May Jennings •
Stephen Jones • Bernard A. Kan • Pat Martin • Michelle Maxwell • Willard McBurney • Bonnie Shields McCormack • Katie McCrae • Michael McClelland • Joan McIlwain • Eric S. Merrifield • Molly Morgan •
Steven Norman • Jimmy O’Byrne • Brad Patterson • Rowland Radford • Tom Roberts • Frank Roth • James Sands • Ernest Sandoval • Lillian Sandoval • Karl Schaffenburg • Patricia Schene • Patricia Schooley • Milton
Shiver • Sam Sims • Susan Smith • Virginia Pearson Smithers • Lindsey Vale Stanford • Donna Steigerwald • Tina Susco • Tom Talley • Yvonne Tate • Pierson Thames • Jeffrey Thomas • Mark Tippett • Janiece Townshend • Roger Traylor • Barbara Vitello • Ron M. Wallace • Katherine Welden • Whit A. Wright • Patricia Young
FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED
NEW! THE CATHEDRAL APP
POSTMASTER: Dated Material. Please deliver by February 8, 2020 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
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SPIRITUALITY WOMEN’S LENTEN RETREAT: ALTARS AND ALTERED Cathedral women, along with women friends or relatives, are invited to attend our annual Lenten Retreat, March 13-15 at St. Mary’s Sewanee in Tennessee. As we weather transformations in our lives, it is important to remember and revisit our sacred core with intention. This weekend we will explore altars. What are they for? How do they ground us? What can they look like? And we will build altars—sacred spaces to visit within ourselves and outside ourselves. In the beautiful setting of St. Mary’s Sewanee, there will be plenty of time to rest, play, enjoy the outdoors, and be in fellowship with God and one another. The retreat will be led by the Rev. Lauren Holder, Canon for Community and Education. Costs for the weekend, which cover lodging and meals, are $285 (private room) or $225 per person (shared/double room). The deadline for registration and payment is February 10. Please contact Jeannie Mahood, jmahood@cathedralatl.org or 404-365-1031, for further information. Space is limited so register soon: cathedralATL.org/lentenretreat or on the Cathedral of St. Philip app! For more information about the location, please visit their website: www.stmaryssewanee.org.
OUTREACH HELP STOCK BCM’S CLIENT CHOICE FOOD PANTRY February is food drive month at the Cathedral in support of Buckhead Christian Ministry’s “client choice” pantry. St. Anne’s Guild helps coordinate this drive and will again be stationed in the Atrium and in the halls every Sunday in February between 9:45 and 11:15 a.m. to receive your monetary donations of $20 or more. Donations made by check should be payable to “Cathedral of St. Philip” with “BCM Food Drive” on the memo line. Donations can also be made specifically to the BCM Food Drive through the Cathedral website. Your support in the past two years has been instrumental in launching the client choice food pantry. BCM has now completed the buildout of its concept, including the purchase of computer software and the hiring of a pantry manager to implement the program. The use of computers is an exciting new aspect of the ministry, enabling BCM clients to choose food and hygiene items from a touch screen computer based on their family size and the current available inventory of the pantry. BCM volunteers then bag the groceries in real-time for delivery to the client as they wait. Thanks to your gifts in 2019, the choice of fresh fruits and vegetables will now be available to BCM clients. Your support in the last two Cathedral food drives totaled $20,000 and enabled BCM to purchase two industrial coolers for storing the fresh produce they receive through partnerships with local suppliers. Let’s continue this great record of support in 2020! The pantry’s goal is to maintain quality control of its food inventory and to provide dignity and choice in its delivery of assistance. As it continues to roll out this new process, BCM has a huge need for new food pantry volunteers! If you are interested in learning more about the food pantry volunteer role, please email volunteers@bcmatlanta.org.