Canon Lee
In last week's newsletter, I forwarded a note that Dean Malloy had written to the Cathedral staff about changes in the Communications and Public Education / Visitors Services departments.
In talking to some of you this week, I realize I had not communicated other changes that took place this past April, when Dean Malloy re-organized the Senior Leadership Team (SLT), particularly as it relates to my position--and hence, how I relate to you, the members of the Congregation of Saint Saviour.
As many of you know, I was hired in April 2018 as the Canon Pastor of the Cathedral and the Vicar of the Congregation. This means I was responsible for weddings, funerals, committals, and other pastoral rites for members of the wider Cathedral community, as well as being the priest-in-charge of the Congregation, which is its own independent entity that resides at the Cathedral.
This past April, Dean Malloy appointed me the Vicar of the Cathedral. As part of this new position, I was put in charge of Liturgy, as well as given supervisory responsibility over Canon Suarez and the departments under her, which include Cathedral Community Cares and now, Public Education / Visitor Services. My responsibilities over Pastoral Care and the Congregation continue.
It has been an exhilarating few months learning how to manage so much, at a time when the Cathedral is fully living into its mission as a "house of prayer for all people, instrument of church unity, and a center of intellectual leadership in the spirit of Jesus Christ." I am profoundly grateful for the trust Dean Malloy has shown me by entrusting me with this new role.
Please mark Sunday, December 17 at 4:00 PM on your calendar. Dean Malloy will be formally installed as the 11th Dean of the Cathedral at Evensong and celebrated at a Reception immediately following the service.
The Rev. Canon Steven Lee
Vicar
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THIS SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 12
In-Person Community
8:30 AM - Volunteer at the soup kitchen of Cathedral Community Cares
10:00 AM - Cathedral doors open
10:30 AM - Sunday Service. The Very Rev. James Harlan, Dean, The American Cathedral in Paris, to preach.
11:30 AM - Coffee Hour in the Nave. All are Welcome.
11:45 AM - Young Adults of Saint Saviour Bible Study
4:00 PM - Evensong
Online Community
10:30 AM - Live-stream of Sunday service
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UPCOMING AT THE CATHEDRAL
Cathedral Community Cares: Thanksgiving Sunday and Christmas Gift Drive
November 12, 2023 at 11:45 AM - Young Adults of Saint Saviour Bible Study
November 13th at 6:00pm - Mindfulness Mondays. Join us for 60 minutes of gentle yoga and mindfulness meditation under the Divine Pathways installation.
November 19 at 11:30 AM - Coffee Hour Recital by the St. Louis University High School, a Roman Catholic, Jesuit college-preparatory school for young men in St. Louis:
Hush, Somebody's Calling My Name - Traditional Spiritual/arr. Brazeal Dennard
Lift Every Voice - James Weldon Johnson
It Is Well With My Soul - Horatio Spafford
I'm Gonna Ride - Traditional Spiritual/arr. William H. Smith
American Anthem - Gene Scheer
December 1-3 - Crafts at the Cathedral is back!
December 4 at 6:30 PM - Episcopal Charities Annual Tribute Dinner
December 17 at 4:00 PM - Installation of the 11th Dean of the Cathedral
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PRAYER IN COMMUNITY
Morning Prayer
8:00 AM - Online Diocesan service. Link.
8:00 AM - In-person service with the Community at the Crossing. Enter through the 5-door by the security booth.
8:30 AM - Online Cathedral service. Link.
Evening Prayer
5:30 PM - Online Cathedral service. Link.
Wednesday Evenings
7:15 PM - The Community at the Crossing’s Wednesday prayer gathering is an hour of informal worship, informed by the charismatic tradition. Diocesan House on the Cathedral grounds. More information at this link.
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FIND YOUR SEAT AT THE CATHEDRAL
At every event and service, there is a seat for everyone at the Cathedral.
This spring, we will receive 2,000 new chairs that we will use when we gather.
We invite our community to name these chairs in honor of family members, friends, beloved church leaders, or even pets: For each gift of $250, we will engrave a plaque with your chosen name(s) that will be placed on the back of each chair beneath a beautiful etching of our historic rose window! The Cathedral is a treasured gathering place for the City, and these beautiful new chairs will be a gift to our vibrant community.
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Congregation Column
An overdue thanksgiving!
—Grayson Hadley, residential member of the Community at the Crossing
Last Sunday, our church was witness to the holy sacrament of baptism. Five young children were brought before the congregation, presented by their parents and godparents, joined to God’s love in Christ, and welcomed into the Church. What a joy it was to witness!
I partook in the liturgy as one of four to fill the baptismal font positioned before the altar. I lifted high the glass pitcher and tipped it. Water fell upon the metal in a resounding pitter-patter... But as I poured, streams of water ran down the pitcher’s lip, missing the font and wetting my arm... In a second’s time, this touch of water evoked scenes from my baptism... Only last Easter Vigil, I bowed my head over the same font I was now filling and was baptized in the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. To think (to think!) that so soon I would aid in a ceremony to join others with Christ!
I overflow with gratitude for all who brought me to baptism, and I find it appropriate to finally and formally offer my thanksgiving to this congregation.
Two years ago, I did not know God, and I did not know this Cathedral community. But, one Sunday morning, I joined you in worship... Sundays later, I met the clergy... Many Sundays later, I became a regular congregant... And many months later, I was baptized!
Between these milestones were the many greetings, smiles, and idle chattings with you that brought me back each week. I suppose these were quiet, soon-to-be-forgotten encounters. (And, to you, most probably were...) But when the Spirit had me by the heart and resolved to transform it, I experienced Creation anew... I saw nothing less than extraordinary acts in these ordinary gestures. So I must encourage you! Something real happens in these tiny moments. Something real happened to me... through you! Our God is not theory... but living Truth... offered to us in the Other. For where two or three are gathered in His name...
This Cathedral Church was (and very much remains!) my line to the Lord Christ. Therefore: I thank you! For our Lord came to me on your feet, spoke to me with your lips, and held me with your eyes. Allow me now to pray for you, my brothers and sisters, my fathers and mothers, my most sacred of families...
The Lord bless you and keep you;
The Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you;
The Lord lift up His countenance upon you, and give you peace.
Numbers 6:25-26
Amen.
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