The CATHEDRAL TIMES The weekly newsletter of the Cathedral of St. Philip · Serving Atlanta and the World · August 8, 2021
GIANTS IN THE FIRE By Dan Murphy, Director of Communications I’ve been thinking a lot about trees this summer. About the wind whistling through the pines as yet another afternoon thunderstorm rolls through. And about the Spanish moss draping over the branches of Lowcountry live oaks. And about the countless shoots and scrub trees popping up in my yard, evidence of a wet, hot summer. Mostly, though, I’ve been thinking about the giant sequoia trees on the western slope of the Sierra Nevada mountains. Anna, the kids, and I took a trip to California to see these enormous trees in Sequoia National Park earlier this summer. These monuments of God’s creation grow up to 300 feet tall with trunk diameters of 20-30 feet. The oldest ones are over 3000 years old. We were in awe as we drove up to the first grove of them, almost unfathomably wide and tall, with the morning sun poking through their upper branches. We took plenty of photos, only to later realize that such pictures do no justice to the mass of these living giants. I can hardly imagine what it would be like walking through the woods, exploring the unknown mountain forests, and stumbling unexpectedly upon such behemoths. Many of the largest trees in the park are now easily accessible, with paths and interpretive signage leading to them. It was hard to miss that nearly all of the signs mentioned fire. Sequoias, I learned, can only grow to such expansive sizes in ideal conditions: the sunlight and soil must be just right, and fire does most of the work of preparing the way. Periodic low-intensity fires clear the smaller vegetation in these forests, and leaves the canopy open for the sequoias to get direct sun. The smaller trees and brush become nutrient-rich soil. The fires even open the sequoias’ cones to release seeds, bearing the next generation. Throughout this process, the tannic acid in these giants’ sap protects the trunk from burning, and is later used to seal up wounds that would otherwise be subject to infection and decay. The trees bear the fire, are changed by it, and continue on until the next. We are a bit like those sequoias, aren’t we? We sometimes find ourselves surrounded by fire, which feels as though it will overwhelm us, and we have no choice but to stand in the midst of it. Scripture tells us that “when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you” (Isaiah 43:2b). This is the hope I need to be reminded of ! When I consider the challenges many of us face – stress at work or in our families, mental health crises, endemic racism, and this still-going COVID-19 pandemic – I rest in the assurance that God is bigger than all of it. And, if I can bear the heat and do the next right thing – always with the help of God and my communities – I will be better prepared for the inevitable next fire. Paradoxically, the same fires which threaten our existence are the ones from which we can grow the most, finding ourselves closer to God and our neighbor. Unlike the trees, we don’t have everything we need to survive life’s biggest challenges alone. Turning to God helps me to find hope for tomorrow, and turning to my loved ones and trusted friends helps me to understand that others share in the same difficulties I do. In fact, all my role models are people who have walked through life’s biggest fires and not been consumed. No doubt, they show their scars and have been transformed by the fires of the past, but still they stand broad, steadfast in their faith in the abundance of God’s bright sunlight and rich soil. May we be those tall trees for others, examples of the faith and beacons of the love of God.
This SUNDAY
AUGUST 8, 2021 · The Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 14, Year B 2 Samuel 18:5-9, 15, 31-33 · Psalm 130 · Ephesians 4:25-5:2 · John 6:35, 41-51
7:45 A.M. HOLY EUCHARIST, CLOISTER GARDEN
Celebrant and Preacher: The Rev. Canon George Maxwell
8:45 A.M. AND 11:15 A.M. HOLY EUCHARIST, CATHEDRAL WORSHIP WITH US ONLINE AS WE LIVESTREAM THE 8:45 AND 11:15 A.M. SERVICES FROM THE CATHEDRAL. THEY WILL BE BROADCAST AT CATHEDRALATL.ORG, ON THE CATHEDRAL APP, AND ON THE CATHEDRAL FACEBOOK AND YOUTUBE PAGES. Celebrant: The Rev. Canon Lauren Holder Preacher: The Rev. Canon George Maxwell Cantoris: Louis Vierne (1870-1937), “Chorale” from Symphonie II, Op. 20 Hymn 690, “Guide me, O thou great Jehovah” Cwm Rhondda Hymn 593, “Lord, make us servants of your peace” Dickinson College Cesar Franck (1822-1890), Panis angelicus Hymn 339, “Deck thyself, my soul, with gladness” Schmücke dich, O liebe Seele Robert Powell, Sanctus & Benedictus S-129 Percy Whitlock (1903-1946), O Living Bread, who once didst die Hymn 577, “God is Love, and where true love is God himself is there” Ubi caritas (Murray) Hymn 522, “Glorious things of thee are spoken” Austria Alexandre Boëly (1785-1858), Fantasie et Fugue, Op. 18, No. 6
11:15 A.M. SERVICIO DE KOINONIA, CON LA SANTA EUCARISTÍA , MIKELL CHAPEL
Celebrant and Preacher: The Rev. Deacon Juan Sandoval
PRAYER List FOR THOSE WHO ARE ILL OR RECOVERING: FOR IMMEDIATE NEEDS: Marg Denny LONG TERM PRAYERS: R. Huntley Allen • Penny Barnett • Edgar and Judith Beach • Perry Benton • Virginia Bicksler • Heather Clark •
Sharon Crews • Lynne D’Huyvetter • Terry Dornbush • Sarah duBignon • Deborah Ellington • Dan Elson • Ruth Fuqua • Douglas T. Grey, Jr. • Rebecca Harris • Jane Jones • Louise Kan • Bennie King • Lisa Krysiak • Jill Mahaffey • Tommy Mason • Carol McDonald • Kay McPherson • Glenn Miller • Ashley Minear • Royce Mitchell • Susan Myers • Charlie Neal • Linus Nickel • Marian Palmore • Garry Pryor • Rowland Radford • Rubye and Wayne Reid • Agnes Elizabeth Robertson • Louis "Skip" Schueddig • Daniel Sherman • Linda Stallcup • Sarah Szymke • Tommy Truesdale • Ron Wallace • Elleanor Wilson • Faye Van Winkle
FAMILY AND FRIENDS: Lisa Bachman • Bettina Bass • David Bond • Darrell Boyette • Pam Breedlove • Andrew Clark • Vickie and Bob
Coffman • Marie Corrigan • Ava Corroon • Apryl Roberts Cox • Cheryl Espenlaub • Carleton Fuller • Theresa Gent • Patricia Plummer Glowatsky • Gayle Higley • Robert Hoder • William Hudson • Cadel Ingraham • Lilliana Isola • Stephen Jones • Robin Kemp • Carole Kline • Rita Lewis • Pete Livezey • Lauren Makhlouf • Pat Martin • Michelle Maxwell • Betsy Moore • Jovita Moore • Steven Norman • Jean Ann O'Neal • Bill Poole • Courtney Rosenthal • Lisa Rowe • Sophia Rowe • Einar Sagstuen • James Sands • Milton Shiver • Timothy Shotmeyer • Mike Stone • Paul Sturtz • Tina Susco • Hamp Tanner • Yvonne Tate • Pierson Thames • Wayne Thurman • Olive Toy • Roger Traylor • Whit A. Wright • Hollis Youngner
FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED: Rose Leon • Donald E. Manning • Kathleen Andregg McLean
Congregational LIFE GRIEF SUPPORT GROUP The Cathedral is hosting a grief support group facilitated by Hospice Atlanta and open to all who are grieving the death of a loved one. The group meets in the Lanier House on second and fourth Sundays, from 2–3:30 p.m. Feel free to come as you can, and plan to wear a mask. For more information, contact Canon Cathy Zappa, czappa@cathedralATL.org.
FOYERS MINISTRY REKINDLED The Foyers ministry is being rekindled at the Cathedral! All Cathedral parishioners, especially newcomers, are welcome to join the next Foyers session. The Foyers ministry is a great way for adults to connect with others in our congregation, in a small group setting. To kick off this new session, we will be creating small groups to meet together at Super Foyers on Sunday, September 19, at 6 p.m. in Child Hall. At Super Foyers, each group will schedule get-togethers through March 2022. These are hosted by a couple of group members in a home. If you would like to be a part of the fall/winter session of Foyers, please contact Jennifer DuBose, jdubose@goddard-group.com, by Monday, August 16.
Children's MINISTRY
SPIRITUALITY
CHILDREN'S CHAPEL AND GODLY PLAY RETURN!
2021 SPIRITUALITY CONFERENCE
Children's Chapel will begin Sunday, August 22 during the 8:45 a.m. service. Children ages 3–5th grade are invited to join the procession out of the Cathedral during the sequence hymn to participate in an age appropriate liturgy. They will return at the offertory hymn for Holy Eucharist. Masks are required. Godly Play will return on Sunday, September 12 at 10:10 a.m. Registration for Godly Play can be found at cathedralATL.org/godlyplay. Please contact Lisa McNamara, lmcnamara@cathedralATL.org, for more information.
Join us in welcoming Amy-Jill Levine, Ph.D., for our 2021 Spirituality Conference on Saturday, October 23, from 9:30 a.m.–3 p.m. Dr. Levine is the Mary Jane Werthan Professor of Jewish Studies and University Professor of New Testament Studies, at Vanderbilt. This day-long conference includes lunch, and there will be a book-signing after. For questions, please contact Jeannie Mahood, jmahood@cathedralATL. org. Registration and more information can be found at cathedralATL.org/spirituality.
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. Julia B. Mitchener, Priest Associate
The Rev. Deacon Juan Sandoval, Deacon for Hispanic Ministries The Rev. Theophus “Thee” Smith, Ph.D., Priest Associate Del King, Senior Warden
Samuel T. Wilmoth, Junior Warden
CATHEDRAL TIMES SUBMISSION DEADLINES: FOR THE SUNDAY, AUGUST 15 ISSUE, THE DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 4. FOR THE SUNDAY, AUGUST 22 ISSUE, THE DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 11. TO RECEIVE THE TIMES BY EMAIL, CONTACT MELANA DICKSON, MDICKSON@CATHEDRALATL.ORG. TO SUBMIT AN ANNOUNCEMENT REQUEST, CONTACT SARA CRAIGGOODELL, SCRAIGGOODELL@CATHEDRALATL.ORG.
404-365-1000 | cathedralATL.org pastoral care emergency line: 404-365-1003
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POSTMASTER: Dated Material. Please deliver by August 7, 2021 POSTMASTER Send address changes to: The Cathedral of St. Philip 2744 Peachtree Road, NW Atlanta, Georgia 30305-2920 404-365-1000
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YOUTH
CELEBRATING CAROLYNNE WILLIAMS! Join us for a reception on Homecoming Sunday, August 15, at 10:10 a.m. in Child Hall to celebrate the ministry of the Rev. Canon Carolynne Williams, following her retirement last year.
MINISTRY Fair The Cathedral's Ministry Fair will take place Sunday, August 22 at 10:10 a.m. in Child Hall. The Cathedral's various ministries will be available to answer questions and recruit new members and volunteers. Come learn about the broader Cathedral community and sign up for service, fellowship, and fun!
YOUTH ACOLYTE REGISTRATION IS OPEN! Sign up to be a youth acolyte! We need you! All middle and high school youth are eligible to serve in this very important ministry, which is a good way to participate more deeply in the liturgy, to practice leadership, and to get to know other Cathedral youth. Acolyte teams are led by high school captains and typically serve twice a month. There will be a training/refresher for new and returning acolytes on Sunday, August 29 from 4:30–6 p.m. In addition, there will be a training for all new and returning acolyte captains and adult advisors on Sunday, August 15 from 12:30–1:30 p.m. We care about all our volunteers and are mindful of your health and safety. To that end, we will be monitoring health-and-safety guidelines and modifying our acolyting protocols accordingly. If you would like to acolyte in 2021–2022, please register at cathedralATL.org/acolyte, so that we have your most updated information. You can also stop by the youth acolyte table at the Ministry Fair on Sunday, August 22, to register.