The CATHEDRAL TIMES The weekly newsletter of the Cathedral of St. Philip · Serving Atlanta and the World · December 17, 2023
WORSHIP SERVICES FOR THE 2023 CHRISTMAS SEASON Sunday, December 17 – The Third Sunday of Advent The 7:45, 8:45, and 11:15 a.m. services will take place as usual.
4 p.m. A Christmas Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols* (Cathedral) Officiant: The Rev. Canon George Maxwell The Cathedral Schola
Sunday, December 24 – Christmas Eve There is no 7:45 or 8:45 a.m. service this Sunday.
11:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist for the Fourth Sunday of Advent* (Cathedral) Celebrant: The Rev. Canon George Maxwell Preacher: The Very Rev. Sam Candler
11:15 a.m. Eucaristía de Nochebuena (Mikell Chapel) Celebrant:The Rev. Canon Lauren Holder Preacher: The Rev. Deacon Juan Sandoval
4 p.m. The Christmas Pageant* (Cathedral)
Celebrant: The Very Rev. Sam Candler with the children of the Cathedral parish Cathedral Choristers and Cathedral Singers
8 p.m. Choral Prelude and Carols* 8:30 p.m. Festival Holy Eucharist* (Cathedral)
Celebrant: The Very Rev. Sam Candler Preacher: The Right Rev. Robert Wright The Cathedral Choir with timpani and members of the Atlanta Symphony Brass
11 p.m. Choral Prelude and Carols 11:30 p.m. Festival Holy Eucharist* (Cathedral)
Celebrant: The Very Rev. Sam Candler Preacher: The Right Rev. Robert Wright The Cathedral Choir with timpani and members of the Atlanta Symphony Brass Worship with the Cathedral on WSB-TV, Channel 2, starting at 11:35 p.m.
Monday, December 25 – Christmas Day 10 a.m. Holy Eucharist (Cathedral)
Celebrant and Preacher: The Rev. Salmoon Bashir Cathedral Singers Quartet and Organ * Services are broadcast on the Cathedral website, app, Facebook, and YouTube.
This SUNDAY
DECEMBER 17, 2023 · The Third Sunday of Advent, Year B
Isaiah 61:1-4, 8-11 • Psalm 126 • 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24 • John 1:6-8,19-28
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. Canon Cathy Zappa
8:45 A.M. AND 11:15 A.M. HOLY EUCHARIST, CATHEDRAL Celebrant: The Very Rev. Sam Candler Preacher: The Rev. Canon Cathy Zappa 8:45 a.m Cathedral Choristers and Cathedral Singers / 11:15 a.m. Cathedral Choir: Orlando Gibbons (1583-1625), This is the record of John The Truth from Above, arr. Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958), The great forerunner of the morn
11:15 A.M. LA SANTA EUCARISTÍA, MIKELL CHAPEL Officiant and Preacher: The Rev. Deacon Juan Sandoval
4 P.M. A CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL OF NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS, CATHEDRAL Officiant: The Rev. Canon George Maxwell 3:40 p.m. Organ prelude: Louis-Claude Daquin (1694-1772), Noël (Grand Jeu et Duo) Percy C. Buck (1871-1947), Prelude on “In dulci jubilo” (from Two Christmas Preludes, Op. 35) arr. Robert Gower Aaron David Miller (b.1972), Go, tell it on the mountain: Gigue Rebecca Groom te Velde (b. 1956), Lullaby: O Jesulein süss David Willcocks (1919-2015), Prelude on “Irby’” 4 p.m. Cathedral Schola: “Once in royal David’s city” Irby Peter Warlock (1894-1930), Adam lay ybounden Robert Pearsall (1795-1856), In dulci jubilo “Lo, how a Rose e’er blooming” Es ist ein Ros entsprungen Kerensa Briggs (b. 1991), A tender shoot “Comfort, comfort ye my people” Psalm 42 Carl Rütti (b. 1949), I wonder as I wander Fredrik Sixten (b. 1962), There is no rose of such vertu Cecilia McDowall (b. 1951), Gaude et laetare “On this day earth shall ring” Personent hodie arr. Paul Halley (b. 1952), What Child is this arr. Gerre Hancock (1934-2012), Come, ye lofty arr. Dale Adelmann, “Of the Father’s love begotten” Divinum mysterium arr. Kenneth Leighton (1929-1988), O leave your sheep arr. David Willcocks (1919-2015), “God rest you merry, gentlemen” God Rest You, Merry
MUSIC A CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL OF NINE LESSONS AND CAROLS THIS SUNDAY, DECEMBER 17 AT 4 P.M., CATHEDRAL NAVE Cathedral Schola; Dale Adelmann, conductor Modeled on the beloved carol service broadcast each Christmas Eve from King’s College, Cambridge, this is our most popular choral service of the year. Ancient prophecies foretelling the coming of a Messiah and the Gospel accounts of the birth of Jesus are illumined by extra-biblical texts, anthems and Christmas carols that have inspired composers, choirs, and worshipers throughout the world and across time. For those who are traveling at Christmas and wish first to celebrate with loved ones here at home, and for all who hold the music and message of Christmas dear, this service is a meaningful and joyous way to celebrate the season. All are welcome! Invite a friend: it may be the best gift you give.
STEWARDSHIP The Cathedral needs to receive over $1,400,000 in contributions in December in order to have our income meet our expenses for the year. Here’s how you can help: •
Cash and check contributions can be mailed, placed in the plate at any service, or hand-delivered to the Cathedral stewardship or finance offices. A contribution must be received at the Cathedral by Sunday, December 31 or postmarked by Sunday, December 31 in order to be considered a 2023 tax-deduction.
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Online contributions can be made via cathedralATL.org/contribute. Contributions can be processed through Sunday, December 31 in order to be considered for a 2023 tax-deduction.
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Consider your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from an IRA: If you are 70½ or older, you may choose to direct funds from your IRA payable directly to the Cathedral of St. Philip. Amounts distributed as a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) can be counted toward satisfying your RMD for the year, up to $100,000. The QCD is excluded from your taxable income. Contact your financial advisor or retirement plan to arrange the QCD.
If you are interested in transferring securities to the Cathedral, the certificates must be delivered to our office or be received by our broker by Friday, December 29. Shares can be transferred electronically to Morgan Stanley Smith Barney (DTC #0015), Account #308-130762. Our contact is Cathy Lamb at 404-266-6315. Please notify David Rocchio, drocchio@cathedralATL.org or 404-365-1033, of the transfer. Giving history can be checked anytime by logging into your TouchPoint record: cathedralATL.tpsdb.com. Year-end statements of contributions will be mailed in late January 2024 accounting for all of your contributions in the 2023 calendar year. Please contact David Rocchio, drocchio@cathedralATL.org or 404-365-1033, with any questions.
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 24 AND DECEMBER 31 ISSUE, THE DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 13. FOR THE COMBINED SUNDAY, JANUARY 7 ISSUE, THE DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 27.
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
cathedralatl
PASTORAL Care THE MINISTRY OF EUCHARISTIC VISITS Help us stay connected with one another by becoming a Eucharistic Visitor or receiving Eucharistic Visits! Eucharistic Visitors (known informally as EVs) are parishioners who take the consecrated sacrament from our Sunday morning Eucharists to individuals who cannot currently attend services in person. These trained lay ministers carry with them not only the Body of Christ but also Christ’s Body, the Church. They take with them our prayers for one another and our bonds that transcend space and time. This is an incredibly meaningful ministry for everyone involved. Why might someone become a Eucharistic Visitor? This is an important ministry, not only for those being visited but also for the visitors. Eucharistic Visitors find that this ministry helps them put their faith into practice, develop their gifts for pastoral ministry, and deepen their own faith. Why might someone request a visit from an EV? Certainly, some recipients of this ministry have been homebound for a long period. Others, though, might appreciate a visit from an EV because: •
They have a newborn or infant in their household and are sticking close to home for a while. • They are staying in because they (or others in their household) are immunocompromised and need to avoid large gatherings. • They have limited mobility for a while due to surgery, injury, or recent illness. If you would like to learn more about becoming an Eucharistic Visitor or about receiving visits, please contact, Hillary Jones (hjones@cathedralATL.org; 404-365-1038) or the Canon Cathy Zappa (czappa@cathedralATL.org).
GOING THERE: CONTEMPLATING DEATH TO INVIGORATE LIFE Wednesdays, January 3 - February 7, 6–8 p.m. Are you curious about death and dying but don’t know where or how to talk about it? Would you like to have a safe and supportive environment in which to gently explore your thoughts? Join Cathedral member and Conscious Dying Coach, Susan Patterson, in this small group course beginning January 3. Over the course of six two-hour sessions, the group will focus on five contemplation topics, participate in grounding exercises, and share personal insights in order to increase our comfort level with dying and death; increase our ability to envision the experiences and connections that bring deep meaning to our lives, and, create action steps to share our thoughts, wishes and plans with others. Sessions will take place at the Cathedral on Wednesday evenings from 6-8 p.m., January 3 - February 7. A fee of $150 covers all materials and Susan’s leadership. Please direct questions to Canon Cathy Zappa at czappa@ cathedralATL.org. Register at cathedralATL.org/goingthere. LAS T THE MARKE SEA T O SON F !
BLUE CHRISTMAS SERVICE WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 20 6:00 P.M., ST. MARY'S CHAPEL A service of comfort provides refuge when joy and suffering comingle. As we prepare for the joyful arrival of the Christ child, we hold space for all the other feelings we may carry with us. This service is a refuge for all who are bereaved or bewildered. Come experience the peace of Christ.
SPIRITUALITY THIRD MONDAY LABYRINTH & TAIZÉ WITH HOLIDAY RECEPTION Monday, December 18 The labyrinth gives us a unique walking meditative practice during this special season of the year. By releasing our thoughts, receiving peace and returning with a fresh spirit, we calm our minds and focus on the new beginnings of Advent. We are happy to welcome back this year, Nella Rigell and her gorgeous playing of the Celtic harp. Harpist Nella Rigell has enjoyed an active career as an orchestral harpist, chamber musician, therapeutic musician, recording artist and teacher, performing in concert halls from Carnegie Hall to the Grand Ole Opry. She is principal harpist with the Atlanta Ballet Orchestra and has played second harp with the Atlanta Symphony and principal with the Atlanta Opera. The candlelight service of Taizé is a form of Christian prayer originating from the Christian community in France. You are invited to rest in God through the singing of simple chants with live accompaniment, alternating with silent reflection. Please stay after the service for a Holiday Reception to thank our musicians! Carlisle Dent is our Labyrinth Facilitator and Sandra Carey is our Taizé Facilitator. 6:45 p.m. – Brief orientation for those new to the labyrinth, Child Hall 7-8 p.m. – Labyrinth Walk, Child Hall 8-9 p.m. – Taizé, Mikell Chapel 9-9:30 p.m. – Reception, Court of Gratitude
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: Milton and Penelope Campbell • Bayard Stout Chapin • Sarnia Hoyt • Ashley Shepherd • Alan Smith
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 • Jill Dyas •
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. • John Kelly • Earline King • Harry Lamon • Liza Lanier • Robert Lewis •
Lisa Krysiak • Jill Mahaffey • Leslie Marlowe • Tommy Mason • Rebecca McDonough • Wynetta McNeill • 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 • Brent Rosengren • Louis “Skip” Schueddig • Tommy Truesdale • 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 • Kyle Garcia • Judy Gerwe • 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 • Pete Livezey • Hilda
Lukwago • Carolyn R. Lusk • Rosalia Meadors • Lauren Makhlouf • Elaine Metcalf • Marion Hickman Meythaler • Betsy Moore • Linus Nickel • 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 • The Whitney Family • Jennifer Wilson • Christie Woodfin • Whit A. Wright • Marjorie Young • Hollis Youngner
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.
OUTREACH
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 through this Sunday, 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.
PROVIDE EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE FOR A NEIGHBOR IN NEED The Cathedral’s Discretionary Fund for the Needy provides short term help with food, clothing, shelter, transportation, medical care and other life essentials for both parishioners and those from the wider community experiencing an emergency. While there are social service agencies in Metro Atlanta that also provide this sort of help, many have long waiting lists. Meanwhile, our neighbors are hurting right now. Please support the Discretionary Fund for the Needy by purchasing Christmas cards featuring a classic scene of the Cathedral decorated for the holidays. 100% of proceeds will go directly to help our community’s most vulnerable. Cards can be bought individually or as a boxed set of 10 in the Cathedral Bookstore. They make great hostess gifts, fit easily in a suitcase or handbag for travel, and are the perfect way to honor someone special in your life.
CHURCH OF THE COMMON GROUND CHRISTMAS PARTY Monday, December 18, 12:30 p.m. Our friends at Church of the Common Ground will be joining us Monday, December 18 at 12:30 p.m. for a festive holiday lunch in Child Hall. Many of the participants at the lunch are our unhoused neighbors who take shelter in and around Woodruff Park. Help us treat them to a warm and welcoming afternoon by volunteering or providing a dish for the meal. There are many family-friendly opportunities to serve together at this luncheon! Please contact the Rev. Canon Julia Mitchener, julia.mitchener@cathedralATL.org to sign up.
CAMELS RETURN FOR ST. VERONICA’S GUILD EPIPHANY DRIVE As the Wise Men reportedly rode camels to bring their gifts to the Christ Child, the wise women of St. Veronica’s Guild will bring the camels back to the Atrium for their annual Epiphany Drive in January. The guild is raising funds to help underwrite costs for the toiletries gifts they bring to four community ministries throughout the year. Watch the Cathedral Times and the Outreach e-newsletter to learn more about this ministry and how you can help.
POSTMASTER: Dated Material. Please deliver by December 16, 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
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
Mikell Chapel
8:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist Cathedral
10 a.m. Living Nativity Child Hall
10:10 a.m. Living Faith: A Meaningful Christmas Room 239
10:10 a.m. YP Sunday School: Faith and Finances Room 368
11:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist Cathedral
11:15 a.m. La Santa Eucaristía Mikell Chapel
12:45 p.m. Christmas Pageant Rehearsal Cathedral
1:15 p.m. Enjoy Biblical Greek!
FESTIVE NEWCOMER ADVENT & APPETIZERS 5:30 P.M., CHILD HALL Are you new to the Cathedral? Or new-ish? Join us Sunday, December 17, in Child Hall after Christmas Lessons and Carols for appetizers and a warm welcome. We are glad you’re here! Contact the Rev. Canon Lauren Holder, lholder@cathedralATL.org, for more information. 4 p.m. A Christmas Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols 5:30 p.m. Festive Newcomer Advent & Appetizers
Room 239 and online
4 p.m. A Christmas Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols Cathedral
4 p.m. EYSeedlings Christmas Party Room 380
5:30 p.m. Festive Newcomers Advent and Appetizers Gould Room
5:00 p.m. Middle School Sunday Evening EYC 6:00 p.m. Dinner for All Youth 6.30 p.m. High School Sunday Evening EYC All EYC Activities in Room 382
LIVING NATIVITY! Join us for the Living Nativity from 10–11 a.m. This Sunday, December 17 in Child Hall. All are welcome!