News from the Congregation October 18, 2019
"Out of the Surplus," Cathedral Young Adults Gathering, LGBTQ+ Fellowship Organizing Meeting, Pathfinders-Sunday School
From Fr. Steven
As the father of young children, I have become resigned to getting sick each fall and winter. However, there is an upside: guilt-free naps.
Even for the most hard-charging, super-ambitious, Type A folks among us in this crazy city, sickness provides a kind of "permission" to slow down, to relax, even to take a nap. When we are sick, we are allowed to take care of ourselves first--without having to feel guilty about it.
In the roughly 19 months that we have been together, I have emphasized the importance of making sure we have a surplus of emotional, physical, and spiritual well-being before engaging in any type of ministry. We can't give what we don't have.
In that paradoxical way that so often defines Christian life, however, this focus on personal surplus has generated a significant increase in giving to the Congregation. In turn, the Congregation has been able to increase its spending on mission and outreach projects. Some of these projects are detailed in the Wardens' message below.
So as we gather this Sunday for our Stewardship 2020 Kick-Off Brunch at 10am in the Cathedral, and as you consider your pledge for the coming year, I would ask that you give--not out of a sense of obligation or guilt--but out of your surplus of love, connection, vitality, and purpose that membership in the Cathedral congregation helped to generate.
The Rev. Steven Lee
Vicar
CONNECT
Cathedral Young Adults Gathering
Sunday, October 20 (After Evensong)
Meet in Cathedral Nave and Head Out to Neighborhood Cafe
***
LGBTQ+ Fellowship Organizing Meeting
Sunday, October 27 at 12:30 PM
Cathedral House Conference Room
***
Newcomers Brunch
Sunday, November 24 at 10:00 AM
Cathedral Nave
EXPLORE
Pathfinders: A Program of Spiritual Exploration for Children at the Cathedral
Little Pilgrims and the Next Step will have a combined class at 10:00 AM in the Cathedral. The Great Adventure (7th grade and older) will next meet in November.
For more information and to register, please contact Donna Devlin, Director of Christian Education.
***
Unburdening: Saturday Morning Quiet Meditation
Saturday, October 19
10:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Cathedral House Conference Room
GIVE
Stewardship Kick-Off Brunch
Sunday, October 20 at 10:00 AM
Cathedral Nave
From Marsha and Tim
Have you noticed a growing energy and commitment in our congregation? We have been blessed with an influx of young members full of energy and raring to go. The old guard continues to provide continuity and support. A lot was accomplished in 2019 thanks to your gifts to the church.
To name a few:
In addition to supporting The Cathedral, we installed three amazing AIDS memorial quilts which we rented from the Names Project.
We cheered on people who participated in the GMHC’s sponsored AIDS Walk.
We observed Pride month and the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising through a reception for the Diocese and by marching in the Pride Parade.
In the early spring, a contingent of members marched in the anti-gun violence “March for our Lives.”
Some members have become involved in sanctuary work.
We have a deepening partnership with Cathedral Community Cares through clothing, toy and backpack donations and with the ACT program by providing scholarships to summer day camp. A vestry member now sits on the ACT board.
We raised extra money for the Cathedral and the Congregation budgets through a Crafts Fair that brought over 2000 people into the Cathedral, many for the first time.
Some of our children have signed up for the Music Department’s new Cathedral Schola Cantorum, a choir for middle school aged children.
A Saturday meditation program has provided a chance to “be still and know that I am God.”
Two retreats at Holy Cross monastery were offered as well as on-going Bible study.
We endured a bit of displacement by a fire on Palm Sunday, but this scary event gave us a chance to worship that day on the Close under a blue sky with a comfortable breeze.
This Sunday we give thanks for all these things and more as we kick-off the pledge campaign with a brunch in the nave between the 10 and 11 a.m. services. Come and enjoy a continental breakfast. Pledge cards will be available as well as information on a new method for giving that we will offer our membership. As think about your pledge for 2020, consider that The Cathedral has asked us to increase our monthly support by 8%. We will be exploring getting involved in global mission. We are hoping that through membership growth and through an increase in individual giving to accomplish even more. Of course the biggest “accomplishment” is a deepening of our faith and certainty of the love which God showers on us every day!
Blessings from Tim and Marsha
OCTOBER 18, 2019