The CATHEDRAL TIMES The weekly newsletter of the Cathedral of St. Philip · Serving Atlanta and the World · July 19, 2020
ALEXANDER HAMILTON AND WILLIAM WHITE! By the Very Rev. Sam Candler, Dean of the Cathedral Most of us have only read about the musical titled Hamilton, created and produced by Lin-Manuel Miranda. The tickets were expensive! And, usually, we had to be in New York City to see it. Most of us these days are not traveling much. But we sure know about that Broadway musical, and its wonderful re-interpretation of the days and life of Alexander Hamilton with modern dance and fast rap music. It has been a phenomenal success. Others of us have read the Ron Chernow book titled Hamilton, the book which actually inspired Lin-Manuel Miranda to produce his brilliant musical. That book, too, has been acclaimed as a phenomenal success. Now, it seems that the Broadway musical has been expertly filmed, made into movie, and rushed out to our in-home streaming services. I have not seen the musical or the movie, but I am halfway through the book! When I do finish the book, I hope to watch the movie. I am trying to use my pandemic quarantine time for the best, and maybe this modern historical reflection will be good for me. In the meantime, I am curious about this present fascination with Alexander Hamilton. His story is a great one, and find myself rooting for him in almost every turn of his life (though he does make some tragic mistakes). However, I also know that he represents only one side of our country’s early and critical debates on Federalism. His political opponents were represented by another flawed hero of mine, Thomas Jefferson, who led the political party known as the Republican-Democrats. In its most simplistic form, our country’s early political struggle was between those who favored a strong and centralized federal system of government, and those who favored an emphasis on local and rural state governments. To the greatest extent, thankfully, the Federalists prevailed; but more dispersed governmental entities—the states—also maintained authority and strength. I am glad our country has both! The political and organizational struggle of our country was mirrored by a similar struggle occurring in our own Anglican Church at that time. Anglicans in the United States of America would become known as Episcopalians, thus breaking their connection—in name—from the centralized authority (England), but continuing a connection to some sort of local authority (local bishops. The word “episcopal” means “organized with bishops.”) During this week, July 17, we in the Episcopal Church observe the feast day of the man responsible for creating that organizational system of our Church back in the late 18th Century. He is William White, of Philadelphia. As in the United States debates, there were two factions, or trends, in the fledgling American Episcopal Church. The first was the strong centralized government system of the formal and traditional Anglicans, led by Bishop Samuel Seabury of Connecticut. Seabury did not even want laypeople to have a vote in the new Episcopal Church; it would be run solely by bishops. At another extreme, in the rural areas especially, were the Methodists, who were still Episcopalians back then. They found no need for bishops at all, and were happy to have a loose system of local leadership. (By the way, I have never had a fond taste for the Tory Samuel Seabury; and I am glad that he apparently makes rather an oafish appearance in the Hamilton musical!). William White rose to prominence in this fascinating time after succeeding Jacob Duché as rector of Christ Church, Philadelphia (Duché had turned from being a Revolutionary War hero into a loyalist). White ended up being rector of Christ Church, Philadelphia for 57 years. Wow! As bishop, he was also the person who later ordained Absalom Jones.
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This SUNDAY
JULY 19, 2020 · The Seventh Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 11, Year A
Genesis 28:10-19a · Psalm 139:1-11, 22-23 · Romans 8:12-25 · Matthew 13:24-30, 36-43
WORSHIP WITH THE CATHEDRAL ONLINE AT CATHEDRALATL.ORG/STREAM, ON THE CATHEDRAL APP, AND ON THE CATHEDRAL FACEBOOK PAGE.
8:45 A.M. AND 11:15 A.M. HOLY EUCHARIST Celebrant: The Rev. Canon Cathy Zappa Preacher: The Rev. Canon Carolynne Williams Cathedral Singers octet: Hymn 390, “Praise to the Lord! the Almighty” Lobe den Herren Psalm 139:1-11, 22-23 (Anglican chant: Charles Hylton Stewart) Roland Martin, Our life is hid with Christ in God Richard Proulx, Sanctus & Benedictus from A Community Mass Peter Hallock, The Lord is my Light Hymn 620, “Jerusalem, my happy home” Land of Rest
PRAYER List FOR THOSE WHO ARE ILL OR RECOVERING: IMMEDIATE NEEDS Charles “Skipper” Cook • Darrell Davidson • David Lee • Angel Antonio Vega
LONG TERM PRAYERS R. Huntley Allen • T. Mayo Atkins • Al Bailey • Margarito Barragan • Edgar and Judith Beach • Perry Benton •
Virginia Bicksler • Mindy Boggs • Bernice Burton • Connie Chapman • Heather Clark • Terry Dornbush •
Sarah duBignon • Deborah Ellington • Randy Farmer • Jenny Ham • Katie Hughey • Louise Kan • Chris Kopecky • Lisa Krysiak • Elaine Lyon • Carol McDonald • Rebecca McDonough • Glenn Miller • Ashley Minear • Royce Mitchell • Bud and Emily Murphy • Susan Myers • Charlie Neal • Linus Nickel • Edith
Oliveros • Marion Palmore • Garry Pryor • Rowland Radford • Rubye and Wayne Reid • Tommy Ripley •
Agnes Elizabeth Robertson • Louis “Skip” Schueddig • Julie Thompson • Tommy Truesdale • Faye Van Winkle • Karen Young
FAMILY AND FRIENDS Eileen Abeyesundere • Bill Aycock • Bettina Bass • David Bond • Lynn Chandler • Andrew Clark • Marie
Corrigan • Carleton Fuller • Tom Ingegneri • Stephen Jones • Bernard A. Kan • Susan Kuzia • Pete Livezey • Maggie Maddux • Pat Martin • Michelle Maxwell • Bonnie Shields McCormack • Bob McGill • David Mickle •
Steven Norman • Frank Roth • James Sands • Milton Shiver • Tina Susco • Yvonne Tate • Pierson Thames •
Jeffrey Thomas • Janiece Townshend • Roger Traylor • Ron M. Wallace • Whit A. Wright • Patricia Young • Hollis Youngner
FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED Agnes Gontermn • Mary Yellowlees
Adult EDUCATION
WORSHIP
OLD FASHIONED SUNDAY SCHOOL
ALTAR FLOWER DONATIONS
This Sunday, July 19 at 10:10 a.m. in Old Fashioned Sunday School, the Rev. Dr. Thee Smith will offer “The Future of Spirituality: Afrofuturist and Christian Perspectives.” The pandemic has taken many of us beyond shopping on the web to internet worship services, schooling and beyond. Even more technological skills may be required of us. But what about religion and spirituality? How can the future be both 'digital' and spiritual? An Afrofuturist perspective may help. Afrofuturism imagines alternative futures filled with arts, science and technology through the lens of black history and culture. How can the future also convey the rich spiritual heritage of African peoples, including Christianity?
Even though we are in a time of social distancing, please know that you may still donate the altar flowers in the Cathedral and Mikell Chapel to be given in memory or in thanksgiving of loved ones. The minimum suggested donation is $100 per name. For information on donating, contact Hillary Jones, hjones@ cathedralATL.org, 404-365-1038.
RAISING WHITE KIDS Talking about race can be hard. Talking to kids about race might be even harder. Dr. Jennifer Harvey’s book Raising White Kids addresses this challenge, opportunity, and responsibility. Canon Lauren Holder will lean on Dr. Harvey’s book in a three-week Sunday School class open to all adults at the Cathedral. The class started last week and will continue July 19 and 26 at 10:10 a.m. and 8 p.m.—you choose the time of day that works best for you! Join us from anywhere on Zoom.
PARENTING UNSCRIPTED Scott Russell, Kathy Loomis, Jeff Cunningham, and Michelle Perkins lead this group at 10:10 a.m. on Sunday. Contact the Rev. Nate Huddleston for more information.
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, JULY 26 ISSUE, THE DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY, JULY 15. FOR THE SUNDAY, AUGUST 2 ISSUE, THE DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY, JULY 22. 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
...continued from front page In 1782, William White wrote the masterful pamphlet, The Case of The Episcopal Church in the United States Considered, which laid out a plan for the new Episcopal Church to be composed of both ordained and lay leadership: the House of Bishops AND the House of Deputies. It is that beautiful example of comprehensive Anglicanism which makes William White worth remembering. Neither Samuel Seabury nor John Wesley and the Methodists would be the future for Anglicans in America; William White is the true hero of our American Episcopal Church. So, this week, we pause during two trends to remember William White. One trend is our fascination with Alexander Hamilton, a worthy trend when we are in favor –and in need—of a strong federalist system of government. (It would not be worthy if that government were serving dishonorably, as other centralized world governments unfortunately have, in history). The other trend, with our Covid-19 pandemic, has been the temptation to turn all our attention and allegiance to a single, centralized, expert. Believe me! I am in favor of expert science and wise counsel! But, I am ultimately in favor of governmental systems, in both the Church and the secular government, which honor both historic tradition and local progress, both global truth and local innovation. I am thankful this week for William White, early American patriot and early Episcopal priest and bishop, who helped shape our comprehensively governed future
The Very Rev. Sam Candler Dean of the Cathedral
POSTMASTER: Dated Material. Please deliver by July 18, 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
HELP RELIEVE MEDICAL DEBT IN PEOPLESTOWN Imagine a scenario where you need medical attention but must choose between going to the doctor or feeding your family. Or another situation in which a single trip to the emergency room ruined your credit rating and sent you into a debilitating debt from which you may never recover. Now imagine being able to prevent such scenarios. We can! The Cathedral of St. Philip is partnering with Emmaus House to buy the medical debt of residents of some of our most financially vulnerable communities. This debt reduction will give struggling families a fresh start, allowing them to receive critical medical attention and support on their journey toward financial stability. In partnership with the non-profit RIP Medical Debt, we seek to forgive $11.5 million in medical debt from our neighbors in and around Peoplestown. Every dollar donated forgives $100 of medical debt. Your gift of any amount will help us to reach our goal of $115,000 to purchase and forgive the medical debt of families in the communities served by Emmaus House. Emmaus House works to improve the economic and social wellbeing of the residents of Peoplestown and surrounding neighborhoods. It provides resources to build long-term, economic self-sufficiency for individuals and families in crisis through a variety of social services. However, no matter how hard some families work to break the cycle of generational poverty, crushing medical debt can be virtually impossible to overcome. Your support of this unique campaign will help us reach 4,800 households in south Atlanta to help break this debilitating cycle. Now imagine a scenario when a resident of Peoplestown opens an envelope telling them that a third party has paid for and erased their medical debt with no strings attached – they owe nothing and have no tax penalty. Families can pay mortgages, utility bills, put food on their tables, and, most importantly, remain in the neighborhood. Every gift will make a difference. Please join us today in fellowship with our Cathedral family, our neighbors in Peoplestown, and our partners at Emmaus House to make a significant difference in our city. The Rev. Lauren Holder
Canon for Community & Education
Haven Long
Greg Cole
Cathedral Treasurer
Executive Director
Emmaus House Board Member
Emmaus House