The CATHEDRAL TIMES The weekly newsletter of the Cathedral of St. Philip · Serving Atlanta and the World · March 8, 2020
ANXIETY IS CONTAGIOUS, BUT SO IS PEACE By the Very Rev. Sam Candler, Dean of the Cathedral Like you, I have followed all sorts of reports on the coronavirus infection across the world. And, like you, I have all sorts of reactions and words! Our neighbors at the CDC, and at the World Health Organization, provide verified information and measured caution. (Listen to them!) Television and media reports are ablaze with anxiety. (Listen to them for information, but do not let anxious fear overwhelm you!) Our government officials try to act responsibly and sensitively (Listen to them, too!). Meanwhile, here in Atlanta and around the world, I also hear another tone. It is the tone of individual people, friends and colleagues, who go about their lives calmly, steadily, and without inordinate anxiety. Most of us are like this! I am struck by how each of us tends to trust each other when we are face to face, when we are in relationship – but then we get scared, even panicked sometimes, by emotional extremism. All of you here at the Cathedral are hearing the same reports that I hear. The coronavirus is real, spreading around the world, and it will probably reach Georgia (a late report, as I write this, indicates that Georgia now has reported two cases). You have also heard the same advice that I have heard: Wash your hands. Wash your hands. Wash your hands! Be clean! Do not touch your mouth, nose, eyes, or face. With that behavior, the odds are that we will be fine. I advise us to stay in relationship, stay in communities that are healthy and calm, informed and cautious, but also unafraid and steady. Anxiety is contagious, but so is peace! Spread peace! At the Cathedral of St. Philip, we are committing ourselves even more to excellence in cleanliness and safety. But we are not cancelling or shortening events. We are always open, even as we advise friends and parishioners to follow the safest path for you. By way of more precise information, I have permission to recommend the words of a friend of mine, who is both a physician and the dean of St. Mark’s Episcopal Cathedral, in Seattle, Washington. Of course, the situation there in Seattle is still developing, as it is everywhere; but I have found his words helpful for the moment, and worth following. Listen to him!
A Message from The Very Reverend Steve Thomason, Dean of the St. Mark’s Cathedral, Seattle, Washington, on Community Gathering and Viral Infections: Dear friends, While I believe the media have disproportionately reported hyperbolic news of the coronavirus (aka COVID-19, SARS-Co-V-2) outbreak, I have received communication from several in the cathedral community expressing concern about its potential impact on us in the Pacific Northwest, and I so I writing today to address various aspects of our common life, and ways we have and will be adapting in light of the concern. First, as a physician, let me reiterate what hopefully you’ve heard before (even if it is not headline news)—you are much more at risk for contracting or transmitting the common flu virus than you are of coronavirus, and getting the flu vaccine will reduce the risk to you and others. In fact, you are statistically about 50 million times more likely to contract the flu right now than you are the coronavirus. continued on page 8
This SUNDAY
MARCH 8, 2020 · The Second Sunday in Lent, Year A Genesis 12:1-4a · Psalm 121 · Romans 4:1-5, 13-17 · John 3:1-17
7:45 A.M. HOLY EUCHARIST, MIKELL CHAPEL
Celebrant and Preacher: The Rev. Canon Lauren Holder
8:45 A.M. HOLY EUCHARIST, CATHEDRAL Celebrant: The Rev. Canon George Maxwell Preacher: The Rev. Canon Cathy Zappa Cathedral Singers: Herbert Howells, “Psalm 121” from Requiem John Stainer, God so loved the world
9 A.M. HOLY EUCHARIST, MIKELL CHAPEL
Celebrant and Preacher: The Rev. Canon Lauren Holder
11:15 A.M. HOLY EUCHARIST, CATHEDRAL ALSO AT CATHEDRALATL.ORG/STREAM AND ON THE CATHEDRAL APP Celebrant: The Rev. Canon George Maxwell Preacher: The Rev. Canon Cathy Zappa Cathedral Choir: Herbert Howells, “Psalm 121” from Requiem Heinrich Schütz, Also hat Gott die Welt geliebt
11:15 A.M. LA SANTA EUCARISTÍA, MIKELL CHAPEL
Celebrant and Preacher: The Rev. Canon Lauren Holder
4 P.M. CHORAL EVENSONG, CATHEDRAL Officiant and Preacher: The Rev. Canon George Maxwell Cathedral Schola: Stephen Caracciolo, Preces and Responses Gabriel Jackson, Truro Service Herbert Howells, “Psalm 121” from Requiem Jonathan Dove, Hear us, O hear us Lord
THE CATHEDRAL AT KANUGA MAY 22-24 Register now for our parish retreat at Kanuga! This year, David Zahl, founder and director of Mockingbird Ministries, will be leading the adult programming. Pick up a copy of his book Seculosity from the Cathedral Book Store and subscribe to The Mockingcast wherever you listen to your podcasts. The weekend promises to be full of fun and community, in the holy setting of Kanuga, the conference and retreat center that stretches across 1,400 acres in Hendersonville, North Carolina.
REGISTER AT CATHEDRALATL.ORG/KANUGA OR ON THE CATHEDRAL APP
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 are continuing our study of the Bible and Christian contemplative spirituality. 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.
ADULT CONFIRMATION CLASS Room 120 Lent is a season of repentance and renewal, when we return to God and the fundamentals of our faith. Join us as we use Lenten practices and the Baptismal Covenant as a framework for exploring our faith in Adult Confirmation. This 5-week class, throughout March, is open to all adults, whether you are seeking confirmation or not! Those wishing to participate in this class in order to be confirmed, re-affirmed, or received should contact Canon Lauren Holder, lholder@cathedralATL.org, and mark your calendars for our May 17 confirmation service
OUR TRUE SELVES Room 240 Led by the Rev. Dr. Thee Smith
PARENTING UNSCRIPTED Room 121 Scott Russell, Kathy Loomis, Jeff Cunningham, and Michelle Perkins will be leading throughout the semester.
SMALL GROUP BIBLE STUDY Room 122 Led by Jim Bingham and Gordon Mathis
BIBLICAL GREEK Room 356 (1:15 p.m.) Led by the Rev. Dr. Thee Smith
MUSIC WILLIAM WELCH TO PERFORM This Sunday, March 8, we welcome organist William Welch as our recitalist at 3:15 p.m. A graduate of the University of Houston and the University of Michigan, Bill taught harpsichord and organ at the College of William and Mary for many years. His program will include works by Franck, Distler, Vierne, and Schumann. Come and hear this talented Atlanta organist.
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, MARCH 15 ISSUE, THE DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 4. FOR THE SUNDAY, MARCH 22 ISSUE, THE DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11. 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
LIVING UNDER ABRAHAM’S TENT On Sunday, March 15, Dean Sam Candler welcomes the Rev. Canon Paul-Gordon Chandler, founding president of CARAVAN, an international peacebuilding non-profit that uses the arts to build sustainable peace around the world. Canon Chandler will preach at 8:45 a.m. and 11:15 a.m. and teach at the Dean’s Forum in Child Hall at 10:10 a.m. An authority on the Middle East and North Africa, and on relations between the Abrahamic faith traditions, Canon Chandler grew up in Senegal, West Africa, a Muslim-majority context, and from 20032013 served as the rector of the historic St. John’s Episcopal Church in Cairo, Egypt, an international English-speaking church serving the diplomatic, NGO, academic, and business communities with a congregation of over 35 nationalities and more than 45 faith traditions. The author of several books, his newest book is titled In Search of a Prophet: A Spiritual Journey with Kahlil Gibran, which focuses on the all-embracing spirituality of the early 20th century Lebanese born poet-artist and mystic, Kahlil Gibran, the author of The Prophet. “Living Under Abraham’s Tent” is an illustrated presentation that focuses on what we can learn from Abraham's story about living together more harmoniously. What can Abraham teach us today toward freeing our world from sectarian strife? The presentation builds on CARAVAN’s peacebuilding exhibition titled “ABRAHAM: Out of One, Many,” featuring artwork by three celebrated Middle Eastern contemporary artists from the faith traditions of Islam, Christianity, and Judaism that interpret Abraham’s life and faith journey for us today, serving as a guide toward creating cultures of peace, harmony, justice and healing – as descendants of a shared heritage.
OUTREACH HABITAT KICKOFF DINNER AND PROJECT Join our Habitat kickoff dinner Sunday, March 15 to meet our build partners and our new homeowner. Our next Habitat home will be built on Saturdays from March 21 through May 16 (skipping Easter weekend). We welcome past builders and new builders. If you have never built, come be part of this exciting ministry. No skills required, just your enthusiasm. We will give you the tools and training you need. Sign up is ongoing on Sundays in the Atrium or www.stphilip.atlantahabitat. volunteerhub.com for the dinner, to build, or to join our lunch team. Contact John Champion at 404-307-0817 or jchampion@ bellsouth.net for additional information.
ALL ARE INVITED TO THE OPENING RECEPTION FOR THE “ABRAHAM: OUT OF ONE, MANY” ART EXHIBITION, IN THE ATRIUM AT 5:30 P.M. ON SUNDAY, MARCH 15. IN ADDITION TO THE WORK OF CONTEMPORARY ARTISTS FROM THE ABRAHAMIC FAITHS, THE RECEPTION WILL FEATURE LOCAL LEADERS FROM EACH OF THE THREE TRADITIONS: OUR OWN DEAN, THE VERY REV. SAM CANDLER; RABBI LOREN LAPIDUS, FROM THE TEMPLE; AND IMAM PLEMON EL-AMIN OF THE ATLANTA MASJID OF AL-ISLAM. THE EXHIBITION WILL BE ON DISPLAY THROUGH APRIL 24.
lent
at the cathedral adults Following dinner on Wednesday nights during the season of Lent, adults will gather for a discussion about the language of faith. Doug Ammar, executive director of Georgia Justice Project, and Willie James Jackson, GJP client, will present on Justice on March 11. At 6:15 p.m., we will screeen 55 minutes of the HBO documentary True Justice: Bryan Stevenson’s Fight for Equality, with a presentation by Doug and Willie following. True Justice examines the personal journey of Bryan Stevenson, a public defender in Alabama and director of the Equal Justice Initiative, who is working to bring justice to the incarcerated, wrongfully convicted and disadvantaged. This film weaves together Stevenson’s own story, those of his clients, and a history of injustice and complicity by our justice system to reveal how a narrative of racial inequality emerged in this country. Bryan challenges us to seek the truth, confront it, and work towards reconciliation.
wednesday nights march 4 – april 1 dinner 5:30 pm program 6:15 pm children Using the StoryMakers curriculum, we will open our imaginations and place ourselves in the story, allowing our minds to move beyond what we see in front of us. Sounds a lot like faith, doesn’t it? Our goal for this series is to allow the imaginations of children to become the unique entry point into the season of Lent.
young professionals Our Young Professionals Bible Study will meet at 6:30 p.m. in Walthour Library, upstairs in the Atrium.
THE CHOIR OF ST. JOHN’S COLLEGE, Cambridge, England
Andrew Nethsingha, conductor presented by friends of cathedral music and the british consulate-general atlanta
Monday, March 23 at 7:30 p.m. The return to Atlanta of one of the most celebrated choirs of men and boys in the world will move and delight listeners! At home in the University of Cambridge, the choir sings six Evensongs and a fully Choral Eucharist each week during university term, giving them a facility of musicianship and breadth of repertoire that is truly astounding. Tickets: $25 each ($20 students/seniors) at cathedralATL.org/concerts and the Cathedral Book Store
Episcopal CHURCH WOMEN SUSAN NORRIS: RESCUING HOPE
AWAKE TO WHOLENESS
All are welcome to attend a coffee and join a conversation with author, activist, and educator Susan Norris of Rescuing Hope on Tuesday, March 24 at 9:30 a.m. in Child Hall. Rescuing Hope’s mission is to enlighten the public about sex trafficking in America, educate potential victims and first responders, and empower advocates and survivors. Georgia’s first lady, Marty Kemp, will introduce Susan. Please join us for this important conversation. RSVP by emailing Julie Rief, julierief@icloud.com.
As participants of the Awake to Wellness women’s retreat at the Cathedral in March of 2018, we are excited to announce Awake to Wholeness, a women’s retreat on Friday, March 27 at Northside United Methodist Church and Saturday, March 28 at Peachtree Road United Methodist Church. Kitty Crenshaw and Dr. Cathy Snapp, authors of “The Hidden Life Awakened,” are partnering again with Sue Allen, Women’s Ministries Director at NUMC, and a talented host team at PRUMC to offer a unique opportunity to further enhance our mind, body, spirit connection. We woke up “well" two years ago, now we will continue our spiritual journey, waking up into the wholeness of our God given potential. For more information, visit www.prumc.org/awaketo-wholeness-womens-retreat or contact Caroline Wallace, cfwallace2@comcast.net.
Cathedral BOOK STORE KATHERINE SCHWARZENEGGER PRATT TO SPEAK Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt will discuss her new book, The Gift of Forgiveness, this Friday, March 13, at 5:30 p.m. in Child Hall. Written with grace and understanding and based on more than twenty in-depth interviews and stories as well as personal reflections from Schwarzenegger Pratt herself, The Gift of Forgiveness is about one of the most difficult challenges in life--learning to forgive. Here, Katherine Schwarzenegger Pratt shows us what we can learn from those who have struggled with forgiveness, some still struggling, and others who have been able to forgive what might seem truly unforgivable. Tickets are available at cathedralbookstore.org.
MEMBERSHIP TRANSITIONS NEW MEMBERS Ted Sullivan, from Atlanta
SPIRITUALITY CENTERING PRAYER A lay-led centering prayer group will meet every Thursday during Lent, at the Lanier House at 3:30 p.m. A group regularly meets Mondays at 7 p.m., as well. As Canon George Maxwell described in Old Fashioned Sunday School last week, centering prayer is a practice of being still in order to let go. Thomas Keating said that “Silence is God’s preferred language; everything else is just a bad translation.” Join us for this holy time together in silence.
PRAYER List FOR THOSE WHO ARE ILL OR RECOVERING: LONG TERM PRAYERS R. Huntley Allen • Dr. T. Mayo and Pat Atkins • Edgar and Judith Beach • Perry Benton • Virginia Bicksler • Joe Burton • Heather Clark • Terry Dornbush • Sarah duBignon • Kitty Dukehart • Deborah Ellington •
Randy Farmer • Rita Fink • Robert Fox • William Ham • Katie Hughey • Louise Kan • John Kelleher • 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 • Thomas Truesdale • Sammy Van Leer • Cindy West • Faye Van Winkle • Karen Young
FAMILY AND FRIENDS Eileen Abeyesundere • Patricia Anderson • Alex Collins Astrop • Karyn Bacon • Bettina Bass • Tom Bingham •
W. Harvey Cabaniss, Jr. • Lynn Chandler • Andrew Clark • Robert Coatney • Ron Cook • Bethann Witcher Cottrell • Myron Danielson • Frederick W. Danforth • Robert Discavage • Carleton Fuller • Bruce Gillies •
Joel Hale • Linda Hillman • Craig Hope • Tom Ingegneri • Stephen Jones • Bernard A. Kan • Pete Livezey • Joyce Lyford • Pat Martin • Michelle Maxwell • Willard McBurney • Bonnie Shields McCormack • Michael McClelland • Molly Morgan • Dawna Dunn Newton • Steven Norman • Rowland Radford • Sally Taylor
Rogers • Frank Roth • Peter Sanders • James Sands • Ernest Sandoval • Lillian Sandoval • Patricia Schene • Patricia Schooley • Jim and Becky Settle • Steve and Colleen Settle • Milton Shiver • Tyree Simon • Sam Sims • Susan Smith • Donna Steigerwald • Tina Susco • Tom Talley • Yvonne Tate • Pierson Thames • Jeffrey Thomas • Janiece Townshend • Roger Traylor • Ron M. Wallace • Katherine Welden • Maddie Wheeler • Whit A. Wright • Patricia Young • Hollis Youngner
FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED Asa G. Candler VI • Caroline Finnerty • John C. "Jack" Harned • Lindsey Vale Stanford
POSTMASTER: Dated Material. Please deliver by March 7, 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
continued from the front page, Dean Sam Candler quoting the advice of St Mark's Cathedral, Seattle: Of course, that statistic may change in the coming weeks, but there is no evidence suggesting that we should curtail worship attendance or cancel other gatherings at this point. But there are some precautions we are taking to minimize risk to one another. Here are a few: 1. Washing your hands properly and often is the best preventive method to reducing infectious diseases like coronavirus. Alternatively, or additionally, use alcohol-based hand sanitizers (minimum 60% alcohol) on your hands. 2. Exchanging the Peace. This ancient practice is an important part of our liturgy, but please know that bowing to one another, and greeting the other verbally without handshake or hug, is an acceptable alternative. In this hypersensitive time, we might all consider adopting the practice of bowing. 3.
Refrain from Intinction. Many believe that dipping their bread into the cup of wine is preferable to drinking from the common cup, but the scientific research proves just the opposite. Intinction is the most risky way to partake of communion. For now [at St. Mark’s Cathedral], we ask that you commune in one of two ways—either drink from the common cup, or receive the bread only (our theology is very clear— receiving the bread only is entirely sufficient to receive the grace of the sacrament). We use fortified port wine which studies show minimize risk of transmission of disease.
4. Stay home if you are sick. This is perhaps the best way you can care for others, by reducing the risk of exposure if you are infectious. Remember, we livestream services. 5. Clergy greeting after services. We always delight in greetings folks on leaving the cathedral, and will continue to do so. Greeting us with a bow (as at the peace) is perfectly acceptable. Good will can be conveyed in a variety of ways, so do what feels comfortable to you. I suspect we will hear more dire news in the days and weeks to come, and it is natural enough for us to be drawn into that orbit. As a cathedral community, we will be guided by the CDC and our public health professionals, but I encourage us all to avoid the impulse to reactive fear. Coronavirus is a relatively weak viral infection for most. Use common sense, proper health techniques, and access the health care system readily if you think you may be ill. I am, Your Brother in Christ, The Very Reverend Steven L. Thomason, Dean and Rector Thank you, Steve! Those words from St. Mark’s Cathedral in Seattle are helpful and calming. Here at the Cathedral of St. Philip, in Atlanta, we too livestream our Sunday morning services. Experience God through them! Here at the Cathedral, we do still allow intinction, but we do not recommend it. And here at the Cathedral of St. Philip, we spread peace. Help us spread healthy peace! Peace is contagious!