The CATHEDRAL TIMES The weekly newsletter of the Cathedral of St. Philip · Serving Atlanta and the World · November 26, 2023
BE HOLINESS, BE PERFECTION, BE MERCY by the Very Rev. Sam Candler, Dean of the Cathedral
In my Bible studies of the past month, three challenging verses have emerged. The first one is from the strident version of the gospel written by Saint Matthew. In his version of the sermon on the mount, Jesus succinctly sums up one section with, “Be perfect, as your heavenly father is perfect” (Matthew 5:48). In Saint Luke’s version of the same remarks, however, Jesus says, “Be merciful, just as your father is merciful” (Luke 6:36). Some people recognize an older passage behind Jesus’s words, the verse from the Old Testament law, Leviticus (19.2), which states, “You shall be holy, for I the Lord your God am holy.” So, which is it? Are we to be holy, or perfect, or merciful? Yes, I realize that the verses do not necessarily contradict each other. Nor do we necessarily need to choose among those three goals. Holiness, perfection, and mercy can all three be good things! We often think of “perfection” as having got everything right. We scored a 100, a “perfect” score on the test. We think of being “perfect” as having followed directions to the T. So, we might think of “be perfect” as meaning “follow all the laws exactly!” But, I do not think “perfect” has to mean that. Jesus uses a word, in Matthew, that has a sense of goal; the word has the sense of an end, a telos. We can understand the verse as meaning, “Be perfect-ed,” as in “live steadily toward the goal.” This understanding is helpful to me. Unfortunately, all three of these verses are often heard as commandments. But, I have another way of receiving them. This is because, in general, I grow weary of commandments, even the good ones. I grow weary, even bored, of being told what to do. And so many in the world – especially preachers! – think they are helping us by telling us what to do next. The secular world has picked up the habit. Do-good secularists, especially the self-righteous ones, seem to have inherited the practices of American puritanism: sending out no-compromise directions to everyone. “This is what to do. This is how to do it. Now do it.” In contrast, I believe Jesus does not mean to show us how to “do.” Jesus is showing us how to “be.” Of course, I know that “doing” is good and necessary. But “being” might be even more good and necessary. In those three different verses above, from Leviticus, and then Matthew and then Luke, what if our God is talking about being, and not doing? What if we focus simply on the word, “Be”? The idea is not to try to “do” holy things, or “do” things that might be counted perfect, or “do” merciful things. The idea is to “be holiness,” to “be perfection,” and to “be mercy.” What if it is our whole state of being that God is interested in? In situations of judgement and conflict, what if it is a state of mercy, or presence of mercy, that is needed? Have we tried to “Be mercy” in those situations? “Be perfect” can mean “Be a sense of wholeness and completion, not needing anything else for your soul; count yourself perfected and whole in God right now.” Finally, of course, “being holy” does not mean just doing holy things at all. There are plenty of people who look like they are doing “holy” things but who are not so holy. Being holy involves carrying a sense of mercy, and completion, and love, and justice, in our very presence. When it was said that Jesus taught as someone with authority and not as one of the scribes, people meant that Jesus was not just giving directions and delivering information. Jesus carried those realities in his person; he was holiness, he was mercy, he was perfected-ness. Jesus was truth, he was justice. Finally, of course Jesus was also love. In Jesus, our goal is not just to “do loving things;” in Jesus, our goal is to “be love.”
This SUNDAY
NOVEMBER 26, 2023 · The Last Sunday after Pentecost: Proper 29, Year A Ezekiel 34:11-16, 20-24 • Psalm 95:1-7a • Ephesians 1:15-23 • Matthew 25:31-46
8:45 A.M., 11:15 A.M. AND 4 P.M.: IN-PERSON AND ONLINE CATHEDRALATL.ORG / THE CATHEDRAL OF ST. PHILIP APP / FACEBOOK / YOUTUBE
7:45 A.M. HOLY EUCHARIST, MIKELL CHAPEL Celebrant and Preacher: The Rev. Dr. Thee Smith
8:45 A.M. AND 11:15 A.M. HOLY EUCHARIST, CATHEDRAL Celebrant: The Rev. Canon Julia Mitchener Preacher: The Rev. Dr. Thee Smith 8:45 a.m. Cathedral Singers / 11:15 a.m. Cathedral Choir: Kenneth Leighton (1929-1988), Let all the world in every corner sing Carson Cooman (b. 1982), King of glory, King of peace
11:15 A.M. LA SANTA EUCARISTÍA, MIKELL CHAPEL Officiant and Preacher: The Rev. Deacon Juan Sandoval
4 P.M. CHORAL EVENSONG FOR THE REIGN OF CHRIST, CATHEDRAL Officiant and Preacher: The Rev. Canon Lauren Holder Cathedral Schola: Gerre Hancock (1934-2012), Preces & Responses Charles Wood (1866-1926) in E flat (No. 2) Kenneth Leighton (1929-1988), Let all the world in every corner sing Carson Cooman (b. 1982), King of glory, King of peace
SUNDAY AFTERNOON RECITALS JoEllen WEST, ORGAN Trinity Episcopal Cathedral Cleveland, Ohio SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 26 — 3:15 P.M. IN-PERSON AND ONLINE AT CATHEDRALATL.ORG/RECITALS
CHRISTMAS PAGEANT SIGNUPS December 3 and December 10, 10 a.m.
Children ages 4 - 5th grade are invited to join our cast of sheep, shepherds, angels, soldiers, stars, and the holy family. Signups must be done in person in the Atrium on Sunday, December 3 or December 10, at 10 a.m. to guarantee casting. Contact Lisa McNamara, lmcnamara@cathedralATL.org, for questions.
Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), Prelude and Fugue in G Major, BWV 541 Thomas Kerr (1915-1988), Arietta Ad Wammes (b. 1953), Miroir Charles-Marie Widor (1844-1937), “Allegro” & “Adagio” from Organ Symphony No. 6
Adult EDUCATION ADULT EDUCATION THIS SUNDAY The Dean’s Forum: Episcopal Community Foundation for Middle and North Georgia 10:10 a.m, Child Hall Lindsey Hardegree, Cathedral parishioner and Executive Director of the Episcopal Community Foundation for Middle and North Georgia, joins us this Sunday to discuss ECF’s work in providing funding, leadership, and resources to enable Episcopalians to lift up people facing poverty and oppression and to achieve significant and long lasting change in our communities. ECF recently granted our partner LaAmistad $20,000 to increase and enhance after school tutoring at the Cathedral for Latine students from Garden Hills Elementary. Come find out more about this remarkable ministry and how you can get involved. Young Professionals: Seeking God in Our Daily Lives 10:10 a.m., Room 368 Each Sunday, our Young Professionals group gathers for our formation offering: “Seeking God in Our Daily Lives.” During our time together, we explore the story of our Christian faith and how we participate in that larger story. Enjoy Biblical Greek! 1:15 p.m., Room 239 and on Zoom Provided on a drop-in basis, first-time visitors need no previous knowledge of Greek. Please contact the Rev. Dr. Thee Smith, tsmith@cathedralATL.org, for more information.
EDUCATION FOR MINISTRY There are a few openings for first-year Education for Ministry (EfM) students beginning in January. Weekly meetings are held on Thursday mornings from 10 a.m. to noon and are led by the Rev. Cathy Zappa and Rick Tyler. Education for Ministry (EfM) is a program of the School of Theology of the University of the South. Participants commit one year at a time (four years total) to meet weekly in seminars where mentors will guide them in:
• Studying the Bible, church history, and theology. • Developing a wonderful community. • Practicing the art of theological reflection, which provides new insights regarding our life experiences and the world in which we live. Participants should expect to spend 2-4 hours reading the weekly assignments, but there are no tests or papers to prepare. We also take a summer vacation from June through August. To enroll or get more information, please contact the Rev. Cathy Zappa, 404-365-1043, czappa@cathedralATL.org.
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. Canon Julia B. Mitchener, Canon for Mission The Rev. Catherine Zappa, Canon for Liturgy and Pastoral Care The Rev. Salmoon Bashir, Curate for Ecumenical and Interreligious Relations The Rev. Deacon Juan Sandoval, Deacon for Hispanic Ministries and Pastoral Care The Rev. Theophus “Thee” Smith, Ph.D., Priest Associate Ward Bondurant, Senior Warden Melody Palmore, Junior Warden
CATHEDRAL TIMES SUBMISSION DEADLINES: FOR THE SUNDAY, DECEMBER 3 ISSUE, THE DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 22. FOR THE SUNDAY, DECEMBER 10 ISSUE, THE DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 29.
TO RECEIVE THE TIMES BY EMAIL: CONTACT LIZ AULL, LAULL@CATHEDRALATL.ORG.
TO SUBMIT AN ANNOUNCEMENT REQUEST: CONTACT SARA CRAIG-GOODELL, SCRAIGGOODELL@CATHEDRALATL.ORG.
404-365-1000 | cathedralATL.org pastoral care emergency line: 404-365-1003
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OUTREACH HABITAT CHRISTMAS BASKETS
ST. MONICA’S GUILD TOY DRIVE Please join St. Monica’s Guild in a toy drive to assist Emmaus House in providing a cheerful Christmas to all in their neighborhood. Santa and Mrs. Claus come to Emmaus House and give presents to more than 550 children from all over Atlanta. Here’s how you can help: • Donate gifts: Bring new, unwrapped gifts to the bins in the Atrium November 19–December 17. The Emmaus House Holiday Guide document, with suggested gifts by age and gender, is available at cathedralATL.org/toydrive. • Make a contribution: $35 will sponsor a child but any donation amount is helpful and appreciated. Make checks payable to “The Cathedral of St. Philip” and write Toy Drive in the memo line. Checks can be handed to a guild member on Sunday mornings at the table in the Atrium or mailed to the Cathedral – Attention St. Monica’s Guild. • Donations can also be made online by going to cathedralATL.org/toydrive.
The Habitat Christmas delivery committee will again be creating boxes of goodies for 27 of the families for whom the Cathedral has helped build homes. As in the past, we are hoping to gather tins of cookies, loaves of bread, nuts, and fruit to fill the boxes, and we have also added a few new options for other donations to our list this year. If you would like to contribute items for the baskets or be present for the fun of delivering baskets this year, sign up at cathedralATL.org/habitatbaskets. Donations for the baskets should be dropped off in conference room 239 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Friday, December 8. Basket delivery will take place on Saturday, December 9. Contact the Rev. Julia Mitchener, julia.mitchener@ cathedralATL.org with questions. Please consider contributing to this joyful event!
Tickets Now on Sale Christmas ALTAR FLOWERS We will once again have beautiful floral arrangements and decorations in our sacred spaces this Christmas, with your help! Donations are appreciated throughout the Christmas season. Those received on or before December 18 will be listed in the Christmas service leaflet. Those received after that date will be listed online. Your donation can be made in memory of or thanksgiving for a loved one using the form below or online at cathedralATL.org/ christmasflowers. If you use the form below, please include a check with your request, made payable to The Cathedral of St. Philip. While any gift is appreciated, a minimum of $125 per printed line is suggested. Checks and forms should be sent to: The Cathedral of St. Philip, Attn.: Hillary Jones, 2744 Peachtree Rd., NW, Atlanta, GA 30305. You may also make arrangements by contacting Liz Aull, 404-365-1034, or laull@cathedralATL.org. Please list the name (or names) as you want them to appear: In Memory of:
In Thanksgiving for: In Thanksgiving for:
In Memory of: name(s):
name(s): Please complete the following information about you: your name(s): phone:
In Thanksgiving for:
name(s):
name(s): In Memory of:
In Memory of:
date:
In Thanksgiving for:
PRAYER List FOR THOSE WITH IMMEDIATE NEEDS: John Kelly FOR THOSE WHO ARE ILL OR RECOVERING: LONG TERM PRAYERS: R. Huntley Allen • Randy Allen • Lucy Baker • Virginia Bicksler • Ed Black • The Bryant Family • Connie
Chapman • Geraldine Charles • Miguel Boaz-Contreras • The Crossley Family • Everett Doffermyre • Terry Dornbush • Deborah Ellington • Paul Fekete • Joyce Egan Ferris • Phoebe Forio • Tom Frolik • Ken Griffiths • Steve Gunter • Jenny Ham • Tory Hartness • Karen Howard • Jane Jones • Fred Keith, Jr. • Earline King • Harry Lamon • Liza Lanier • Lisa Krysiak • Jill Mahaffey • Leslie Marlowe •
Tommy Mason • Rebecca McDonough • Wynetta McNeill • Kimberly McOmber • Mary Mercer • Lee Moran • Graham Mulling •
Susan Myers • Jim Myrick • Charlie Neal • Marian Palmore • Al Plummer • Catalina Barragan Oliveros • Sue Redd • Rubye and
Wayne Reid • Lorraine Reynolds • Barbara and Joel Rice • Bob Riggins • Tom Roberts • Agnes Elizabeth Robertson • Betty Roper • Louis “Skip” Schueddig • Tommy Truesdale • Connie Vaughan • Len Wagner • Ron Wallace • Jonathan Wright
FAMILY AND FRIENDS: Josephine Rose Adams • Elizabeth Alexander • Shaista Bashir • Bettina Bass • Ray and Pat Bell • Jason Berry •
Eleanor Blount and Justin Blount Murray • Jason Brady • Chet Brewer • Catherine Brinton • Darnell Brown • Lila Jo Callaway •
Mika Chorey • Anna Clifford • Marie Corrigan • Ava Corroon • Apryl Roberts Cox • Heather Dyas Coy • Konrad Darling • Mollie Davidson • Megan Dyer • Ron Dyer • Bob Eaton • William Erb • Kenneth Farr • Harry Fifield • Harrison Fitch • Kyle Garcia • Eric Gose • Jim Gregory and Rick Hoyle • Scott Gregory • Nick Hadden • Thomas Hagood, Jr. • McKee Hamilton • Don Harp
III • Carolyn Harrison • Gayle Higley • Jay Horton • Brian Huestis • Beth Ingle • Cami Jackson • Patty and Shannon Jafolis • Kathy Johnson • Anna Kelly • The Kelly Family • Marisa Kelly • Robin Kemp • Dick Kustin • Herb Larrabee • Kelly Lindsley • Pete Livezey •
Hilda Lukwago • Carolyn R. Lusk • Rosalia Meadors • Lauren Makhlouf • Elaine Metcalf • Marion Hickman Meythaler • Betsy Moore • Linus Nickel • Carol Overend • Linda Pace • Stephen Pararo • Ronald and Clara Peters • Jackson Pike • Ginny Quinn •
Annie Robertson • Einar Sagstuen • Edward Sajdak • Joe Salas • James Sands • Skip Saunders • Patricia Schooley • Stacey Schuitema •
Murray Smartt • Don Smith • Philip Gregory Smith • Michael and Kathryn Snider • Annie Stephan • Gretchen Sutton • Jan Swanson • John and Cleary Tanner • Timothy Tew • Pierson Thames • LeAnn Tingle • Jennifer Wilson • Christie Woodfin • Whit A. Wright • Marjorie Young • Hollis Youngner
FOR THOSE WHO HAVE DIED: Doug Jenkins • Melanie Lawson
HISPANIC Ministries LAS POSADAS Wednesday, December 20, 6 p.m., Meet at the Lanier House The posadas are a traditional celebration (known as a novena) that takes place nine days before Christmas, that is, from December 16–24. Each of the nine days represents a value such as humility, strength, detachment, charity, trust, justice, purity, joy and generosity. Children and adults take to the streets to make the “pilgrimage” which consists of visiting nine houses–one per day–until they find the house where they can lodge. Pilgrims follow a statue known as a “mystery” that can be of the figure of Mary, Joseph, an angel or a donkey, and is also accompanied by popular songs and prayers. Finally, the hosts offer foods provided by the pilgrims (peregrinos). At the end of the evening, the traditional seven-point piñata is broken by the children. Though we are only celebrating one night of the posada, it will be a marvelous evening of singing, eating and joining in Mary and Joseph’s travels to Bethlehem. We will start our journey at the Lanier House, travel to the Deanery for dinner, and finally move to Child Hall to break the piñata. If you wish to enjoy the posada, there will be sign up sheets to bring a food item to share with all that attend; appetizers, main dish, or dessert. All are welcome! If you have questions, please contact Deacon Juan Sandoval, jsandoval@cathedralATL.org.
SPIRITUALITY ADVENT QUIET DAY How Can It Be? Entering the Mystery of the Incarnation An Advent Quiet Day Saturday, December 2, 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m. An angel appears to Mary and reports that she will give birth to the Son of God. Before she can make her transformative declaration, “Let it be me,” Mary first asks, “How can it be?” Zechariah, the shepherds, and others in Scripture offer similar questions when confronted by the mystery of God. How can it be? How can it be that the God of the universe chose to become human? How can it be that this baby is God Made Flesh, God With Us, the Messiah? It’s such an honest, human question. We try so hard to understand God with our rational minds. Yet God is Mystery; it’s not possible to comprehend God and God’s ways. The invitation, then, is first to allow compassionate space for our questions and doubts. Then we can let our minds rest and enter into Mystery; we can follow the example of Mary and others and let go, trust, and open ourselves to a Love that is beyond anything we could ever hope for or imagine. Join us for our annual Advent Quiet Day as we sit with the mystery of God’s incarnation. Using a variety of spiritual practices, we’ll hold space for our questions and doubts, sit with the mystery of God, and prepare to receive the marvelous, unfathomable gift of God’s Son this Christmas. The day will be led by Kristen E. Vincent, an author, spiritual director, and retreat leader who holds a Master of Theological Studies from Duke Divinity School and is a graduate of the Academy for Spiritual Formation. The Quiet Day will take place in the Lanier House on the Cathedral campus, 9:30 a.m. – 2 p.m., Saturday, December 2. The cost is $20 and includes lunch. Please register at cathedralATL.org/quietday before November 29. For more information contact Jeannie Mahood, jmahood@cathedralATL.org or 404-365-1031.
43RD ANNUAL GAY MEN’S CHORUS HOLIDAY CONCERT Friday, December 1, 8 p.m. Saturday December 2, 2 p.m. and 6 p.m. For decades the AGMC Holiday Concert has been the unofficial kickoff to the holiday season in Atlanta hosting nearly 2,000 patrons. Get ready to hear some of your favorite holiday songs as we fill the beautiful Cathedral of St. Philip with glorious singing, touching memories, and a little holiday camp. Tickets can be purchased at voicesofnote.org.
Cathedral BOOKSTORE
VOLUNTEER AT THE BOOKSTORE!
The Cathedral Bookstore needs extra volunteer help during its busy holiday season. There is a wide variety of ways you can help – replacing ornaments on the tree, pre-cutting gift wrap, helping maintain displays, helping bag at the register, answering the phone, working on inventory, filing, helping people find their way to other parts of the Cathedral and more! If you are comfortable with a computer, there are also a variety of tasks there. There is always something to do at the Bookstore and we need your help – just for a couple of hours one day, or more regularly if you can spare the time. Please contact the Bookstore at bookstore@cathedralbookstore.org and we will find you the perfect role! Thank you!
POSTMASTER: Dated Material. Please deliver by November 25, 2023
This Sunday at a glance 7:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist
POSTMASTER Send address changes to: The Cathedral of St. Philip 2744 Peachtree Road, NW Atlanta, Georgia 30305-2920 404-365-1000
Mikell Chapel
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
8:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist Cathedral
10 a.m. Godly Play
3rd Floor Above the Atrium
10:10 a.m. The Dean’s Forum: Episcopal Community Foundation Child Hall
10:10 a.m. YP Sunday School Room 368
10:10 a.m. Youth Sunday School Room 382
11:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist Cathedral
11:15 a.m. La Santa Eucaristía Mikell Chapel
12:30 p.m. Monthly Birthday Celebration for Spanish-Language Congregation Gould Room
1:15 p.m. Enjoy Biblical Greek! Room 239 and online
3:15 p.m. Sunday Afternoon Recital: JoEllen West Cathedral
4:00 p.m. Choral Evensong Cathedral
5:30 p.m. Advent Wreathmaking and Spaghetti Supper Child Hall
Advent Procession with Lessons & Carols Sunday, December 3, 4 p.m.