CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL An Episcopal Community in the Heart of Houston, Texas
OCTOBER 2016 CHRISTCHURCHCATHEDRAL.ORG
AFTER-HOURS EMERGENCY CARE LINE | 713-826-5332
Worship, community, love: The history and growth of Christ Church Cathedral’s Latino Ministry From its earliest form in 1998 to its current expression of worship and fellowship, the Latino Ministry has pursued Christian outreach and crossover relationships between congregations at the Cathedral. The Rev. Betty Adam was inspired to
create the new ministry while canon pastor in 1998. She recalls “reaching out to the Spanish-speaking brothers and sisters in our community and in the city” as well as the early support and encouragement of Dean Walter
HISTORY, page 6
The Rev. Simón Bautista at a neighborhood Posada, a re-enactment of Mary and Joseph’s pilgramage to Bethlehem, held during Advent.
This year, a new way to connect in Foyers groups BY ANNE AND JIM DOUGHERTY
You may consume bread and wine, and sip coffee next to your Cathedral neighbors on Sunday, but do you sometimes wish you could get to know them better? We have found that the Foyers program is a great way to connect with others at the Cathedral in a meaningful way.
What are Foyers groups? Foyers groups are made up of six to eight people who agree to get
FOYERS, page 3
Left to right: Doris Macsherry, Paul Marucci, Kay Lewis, Anne Dougherty, Mary Ann Marucci, Jim Dougherty, Fredricka Brecht. Not pictured: Charles Ligon.
Giving from a place of gratitude and joy When reflecting on our EMC pledge this year, I’m reminded of Rob’s mother, Gloria Reedy. Widowed as a young mother of three children, she persevered to send all three to college and graduate school. She never remarried and has lived an extremely modest, yet joyful, life. By the time I met Gloria, this was all part of her distant past, but she still lived in Rob’s childhood SUSAN AND ROB REEDY home with its original furnishings. She resisted — but usually gratefully acquiesced — her children’s numerous attempts to upgrade creature comforts like her favorite armchair or her television set, but otherwise seemed to lack for nothing. She was extremely dedicated to her church in San Antonio, and that, along with a few lifelong friendships, and her children and grandchildren, sustained her. Having been a single mother myself for some years, I greatly admired her strength, positive outlook, and the lovely simplicity of her life. Four years ago, Gloria suffered a stroke that paralyzed the entire left side of her body and made it impossible for her to live independently. After her move to a skilled nursing facility, Rob took over her financial affairs and her mail was permanently rerouted to our house. I had heard her implore her children from her hospital bed to make sure her check got to the church that quarter, but it wasn’t until I began collecting her mail that I realized the depths of her generous spirit. She not only dutifully gave to the church, but also to several other causes dear to her heart. What struck me about this was that Gloria didn’t give from a place of great wealth – she had barely enough to make
GRATITUDE AND JOY, page 8
Our Cathedral Family We celebrate with
EE new members: Lizz Dye and Matthew Matusek. EE Evan Merritt, born June 8, 2016, to members Krisztina and Randy Merritt. EE Rhett Justin DiLauro, born September 12, 2016, to members Christina and Justin DiLauro. EE the newly baptized: Chloe Robin Dean, Landon Reed Kestenbaum, Parker McKenzie Wiersma, and Grant Jones Wolf.
We extend heartfelt sympathy to
EE the family of Janet Anne Gaddis, who died August 23 in Houston, Texas. She was the mother of member Sharon Vollers and grandmother of Abi Vollers and Naoko Mohri. EE the family of member Lenore Loucks, who died August 30 in Houston, Texas. EE the family of Glenn Spencer, who died September 1 in Clear Lake City, Texas. He was the father of member Catherine Whitney and grandfather of William Davidson and Alice Davidson. EE the family of Laura Hammersley, who died September 6. She was the sister of member Virginia Butts. EE the family of Anne L. Smart, who died September 14 in Kentucky. She was the mother of member Arthur M. Smart, Jr. and grandmother of Arthur Smart, Evan Matheny, and Erin Matheny.
The flowers on the organ console
EE on October 23 are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Harvey M. Shepherd, Jr. by his daughters.
The flowers on the Cathedral Altar
EE on September 11 were given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Tom Cobb and Jennifer Cobb. EE on September 18 were given to the glory of God and in loving memory of her parents, Roy and Lois Hanning, and her brother-in-law, Bob Lewis, by Ginger Hanning. EE on October 2 are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Lisa Albright by Anne, Brynne, Joey, and Joe Albright. EE on October 9 are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Phyllis Keese Webb by her family. EE on October 16 are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of his parents, Frank E. Hood, and Lillian Wadkins Hood and his aunt, Margaret Hughes, by Frank E. Hood, Jr. EE on October 23 are given to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for the Cathedral Bookstore’s 34 years of service to Christ Church Cathedral, The Diocese of Texas, and the downtown community, with special thanks to its faithful volunteers and supportive parishioners. EE on October 30 are given to the glory of God and in honor of the marriage of Rick Ankrom and Jay Hooker.
The flowers in the floor vases
EE on October 9 are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Bill Renfro by his family. EE on October 30 are given to the glory of God and in honor of the marriage of Rick Ankrom and Jay Hooker.
The flowers at the Book of Remembrance
EE on October 23 are given in loving memory of John W. Benzon by Annie Benzon and their daughters.
The most thought-provoking movie house in Houston This year’s theme for Popcorn Theology is superheroes: what characteristics make up a “su- POPCORN perhero,” what THEOLOGY unusual powers Saturday, each of us pos- November 5 sess, and the 6:00 p.m. beauty of being different. As the saying goes, “It’s weird to be normal, but at the same time it’s normal to be weird.” The event kicks off at 6 p.m. with a pizza supper and some movie theater candy. Adults will screen “Birdman” and engage in conversation with Dean Thompson. Youth will enjoy “Guardians of the Galaxy” in the Treehouse. Children will also be part of the fun, watching the family favorite “The Incredibles” in the Jones theater. THE BULLETIN
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BiRDMAN
Guardians OF THE
Galaxy
YOUTH | THE TREEHOUSE
ADULTS | REYNOLDS HALL
CHILDREN | JONES BUILDING
FOYERS, from cover
at small apartments. One year, we hosted a Foyers picnic at the Art Car Parade! Hosting your Foyers friends is meant to be enjoyable and stress-free.
together about once a month during the upcoming year. Groups can include young and old, singles and couples, Nine O’Clockers and Other O’Clockers. At the initial meeting, the How groups are formed group arranges for each participant or pair to This year, Foyers has something new: the host the group once during the season, with option to be assigned to a Foyers group by the details of each meeting relayed by phone geographic location. As part of the Cathedral’s calls and emails. neighborhood initiative, this new possibility Participation doesn’t require you to have a allows Foyers registrants to connect with othhuge home or a background in hosers where they live. As always, regispitality. We have enjoyed all kinds of FOYERS KICKOFF trants can also choose to participate Foyers meals, including delivery piz- POTLOCK DINNER using the standard procedure: to be za and popsicles, hamburgers, and assigned to a group at random. Sunday, restaurant field trips. Our experi- October 9 at No doubt about it, you can meet ences have included elaborate meals 6:30 p.m. new folks and enrich your Catheat grand estates and cocktail parties dral relationships by joining Foyers.
You may even meet — and entertain — some of those angels among us. We now count former Foyers group members among our best friends.
How to sign up and get your group assignment Stop by the Cloister on Sundays or online at christchurchcathedral.org. Registration ends on Monday, October 3. Group assignments are revealed at the Foyers Kickoff Potluck Dinner that will be held on Sunday, October 9 at 6:30 p.m. in Reynolds Hall. For additional information or questions, contact Karen Kraycirik at 713-590-3338. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it. — Hebrews 13:2
Toward the Tithe
Spirituality, Self, and Society: Sister Joan Chittister, OSB, will be the speaker at this year’s Faith and Reason seminar held at Christ Church Cathedral on October 14–15 Chittister’s lectures are entitled “Compassion: The Glue of Society,” “An Uncommon Case for a Common Good,” and “The Role of the Public Intellectual in a Just Democracy.” Each lecture on Saturday will be followed by audience conversations and responses by four panelists representing the Wisdom Traditions in Judaism, Buddhism, Islam, and Christianity. Childcare is available. Register at faithandreason.org.
The first parish to which Jill and I ever made a stewardship pledge was St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Jackson, Tennessee. We were in our mid-twenties, both recently out of graduate school, and working for the first time. We pledged $100 per month to St. Luke’s, and for us it was a fairly substantial sum. The next year, after hearing a really good stewardship sermon at church, we increased our pledge to $200 per month. That pattern continued for years. Every once in a while, we’d be inspired to increase our pledge, but we always settled on some arbiTHE VERY REV. trary, nice round number. BARKLEY Then, some years ago, God shifted my unTHOMPSON derstanding of the relationship between grace and giving. Of course as Christians, we don’t earn grace, but the paradox of grace is that we experience it the most when we give the first and best parts of our blessings back to God, not as an obligation but as the primary source of freedom and joy in our lives. That next year Jill and I decided to try and give 3% of our annual income to the church. After years of working towards it, in my personal practice of stewardship I now tithe, with pledges that total 10% of my income to the instruments of the church. For me, those instruments include the Cathedral, the Beacon, and the Seminary of the Southwest. Through these pledges, I am returning to God 10% of the material gifts I will receive from God in the coming year. As strange as this sounds, as long as I have tithed, my family has never had an occasion where we lacked the things we need for our health, our home, or even our family’s recreation. I don’t believe this is a reward of some kind, and it’s surely not magic. Rather, the commitment to give back to God has made me reimagine how I value and gauge all the other things I want and need in life. Stewardship giving through the EMC is part of our participation in God’s kingdom. It is another form of Eucharist— which means thanksgiving—for God’s blessings of life and love. This month, I hope you’ll make an EMC pledge at Christ Church Cathedral. I am grateful to you! PAGE 3
THE BULLETIN
Pop-up Practices, The Well, Rally Day, Fiesta Patrias, and more
IN PICTURES
Right: Guest preacher the Rev. Dr. Daniel P. Matthews of Trinity Church Wall Street on the 15th anniversary observance of 9/11. Below Right:The contemplative mood at The Well, the new Celtic Eucharist at 5 p.m. Sundays.
Left: Breathing deeply (and blowing bubble Right: Fajita Fiesta with Magdiel Martinez,
Above: At the Beacon’s Come to the Table fundraising the Very Rev.Barkley Thompson, Mayor Sylvester Turn Guy Hagstette.
Left: At Rally Day, live long and prosper with (right to Paul Mandell, Julie Falcon, Rick Newlin, and a friend. THE BULLETIN
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Above: Dean-toDean at the Dean’s Hour with the Very Rev. Barkley Thompson and former dean the Very Rev. Pittman McGehee.
es) at Popsicles and Pop-Up Practices. David Dupre, Ladane Roberson, and Sara Zhang. Below: Mariachi Gallos de Aguascalientes at the Fiestas Patrias celebration on Sept. 11.
g dinner (left to right): Jill Thompson and Beacon Board Chair ner, Councilman Robert Gallegos, and Beacon Board President
left): Captain (Pete) Kirk, . PAGE 5
THE BULLETIN
HISTORY, from cover Taylor, Diocesan Bishop Claude Payne, and Bishop Suffragan Leo Alard. “We hoped to give our Hispanic neighbors a community for worship,” she says. “I am overjoyed that the Latino Ministry has taken root and flourished over the years. I well remember the first families who helped spread the word in their communities and the Cathedral members who faithfully forged ahead in spite of our small numbers. We were all committed to caring for our neighbors.”
The early years Here are some of the Latino Ministry’s early milestones, based on Cathedral archival materials: On Jan. 6, 1999, the first bilingual service attracted people from Cuba, Brazil, Mexico, Europe, and Mexico, all speaking both languages. “It was wonderful!” wrote Adam in a service note found by archivist Patty Hurt. By June 30, 1999, after further conversation and efforts by clergy and congregants to develop a more intentional ministry, a team to form bilingual fellowship was in place. The first Spanish Eucharist service, meanwhile, was held on July 31, 1999, followed by a reception. A monthly Santa Eucaristia service at 5 p.m. on Saturdays later became a weekly service on Sundays at 1 o’clock, where it has remained. In those early services, for which Adam learned Spanish to better perform her liturgical role, she would alternate as celebrant with deacon-turned-Rev. Frankie Rodriguez. He joined the Cathedral staff in July 1999 to help support outreach into the Latino community. (He performed the first wedding in Spanish at the Cathedral in October 2001.) Upon his departure in 2002, the ministry’s leadership passed to the Rev. Lucretia (Luchy) Littlejohn, followed by the Rev. Jim McGill, and, in 2014, the Rev. Simón Bautista, who was assisted by the curate, Rev. Eileen O’Brien, until May 2016.
Mass and momentum As a member of the ministry’s current lay leadership, Lula Loera estimates worship participation averages 85 people. Attendance has been growing “because our current leaders help us understand the mission and the vision of the Cathedral,” she says. “I also think our leaders encourage us to participate in creating our objectives and strategies.” Vestry member Consuelo Bravo is the THE BULLETIN
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Captions
second member of the 1 o’clock congregation to serve in that capacity. Having a seat at the board table sends a clear message of validation that the community’s goals and leadership are part of the Cathedral, she says: “To me, it means now they count on us.” Bravo, a member of the Cathedral since the start of the Spanish-language worship, appreciates how the various initiatives appear to be gaining critical mass and momentum.
Study, special events, and celebrations
communities – and to those who attend morning worship at the Cathedral, she says. Meanwhile, the Cathedral’s youth program has changed over the past year to better accommodate family needs, says Jeremy Bradley, minister for youth and young adults. Enrollment rose by shifting Sunday school to during the service, for example, and EYC moved to 3 p.m. to reach all Cathedral youths. “It’s a natural flow from service, to meal, to EYC,” he says.
Bible study, offered in members’ homes, has been effective in sharing faith with family, friends, and neighbors by way of example. More recently, a Latino men’s group has been helping the elderly and needy in Houston’s neighborhoods. September marked the return of a Wednesday evening topical discussion entitled Buscando la Luz/Seeking the Light. Participation peaks during the celebration of Las Posadas, during the Christmas season, Bravo notes. Last year, about 700 people experienced one of the displays offered in parishioner homes or at the Cathedral, which held a special Eucharist on its grounds. Other special events each year include a bilingual Stations of the Cross during Lent, and a bilingual mass of Thanksgiving offered in various neighborhoods at Thanksgiving. Later this fall, there will be a Latina Conference and an Advent Retreat, with more programs planned for the New Year. Every week, however, the 1 o’clock service and its meal offered during the reception that follows “feeds your soul and your stomach,” Bravo says. All four Sundays of Fiestas Patrias services, which began in September, are expected to be particularly fruitful in expanding the ministry’s reach into Houston’s various Latin American
As the Latino Ministry moves forward, Loera believes many of these opportunities will help the Cathedral’s Spanish- and English-speaking communities appreciate their similarities and differences by learning more about their respective history, culture, and traditions. Language does not need to be a barrier to understanding or appreciating the worship in Spanish, Adam says: “The service and music pull your spirit regardless.” Rev. Bautista says the Latino Ministry’s leadership “is envisioning big, and is planning accordingly. We see this ministry has a great future and we are doing our best to locate our best opportunities for success.” An example is the soon-to-launch bi-weekly service, with Christian education for children, offered in one of the neighborhoods determined to have the potential for growth and expansion of the Cathedral’s presence in Houston. “We are excited about all the opportunities we are seeing for this ministry out there,” Bautista says. “The sky has no limit, neither does Houston for us.” Join the Latino Ministry Oct. 2 and 9 for Fiesta Patrias service at 1 p.m. and celebration 2:30 p.m.
Looking forward
CALENDAR OF EVENTS Visit www.christchurchcathedral.org or call 713-222-2593 to learn more about these and other events at the Cathedral. Registration recommended OCTOBER 1
Registration required SAT
Cathedral UNPLUGGED 2–5 p.m. Join us in one of five designated parks for an electronics-free afternoon. OCTOBER 2
Registration closed
OCTOBER 28
FRI
Noche Familiar 6–8:30 p.m., Treehouse. Disfruten un cena y actividades para toda la familia.
SUN
Pink Ribbon Sunday The Cathedral. To educate and raise awareness about early detection of breast cancer through mammography.
WED
Dean’s Book Club (First Wednesdays except Dec. 7) 6:30–8 p.m., McGehee Conference Room. All the Old Knives by Olen Steinhauer. OCTOBER 7
FRI
20s & 30s First Friday Downtown Lunch 12–1 p.m. Join members for a monthly lunch, this time at The Conservatory, at 1010 Prairie St. Bridge Night 6–9 p.m., McGehee Conference Room. Play contract bridge and enjoy a potluck. (Meets the first Friday of the month) Cloister Opening 6–8 p.m. “The Tree and the Forest: Seeking Meaning in a Conflicted World” by Episcopal priest Sharyn Richey Turner. Compline and Kitties 7–7:45 p.m. Friends For Life. 107 E. 22nd. Evening prayer with kittens. OCTOBER 9
SUN
Foyers Kickoff Potluck Dinner 6:30–8:30 p.m., Reynolds Hall. Make new friends by joining a Foyers social group, this year with two different ways to join. OCTOBER 14-15
FRI-SAT
Spirituality, Self, and Society Cathedral. Sr. Joan Chittister will base three lectures on her latest book, The Rule of Benedict: A Spirituality for the 21st Century. ($) OCTOBER 19
WED
Faith and Society Seminar 6:30–8 p.m., McGehee Conference Room. For those who attended the Sept. 21 meeting.
SUNDAYS
CONT.
The Anglican Way 6–7:30 p.m., McGehee Conference Room. Dean Thompson’s exciting course on what it means to be Anglican. Meets weekly except Oct. 9. Nonviolent Communication (NVC) Practice Group 6–8 p.m., Hines Center. Strategies to improve relationships, happiness, and well-being. ($) or free with membership.
Blessing of the Animals 4 p.m., Bishop’s Courtyard. Service in observance of the Feast Day of St. Francis of Assisi. OCTOBER 5
Childcare available (3 mo. to 12 yrs.)
Fiestas Patrias Oct. 2, 9. 2:30 p.m., Reynolds Hall. Celebrating the cultures of Latin America. ($ on Oct. 9 only) OCTOBER 21–23 FRI–SUN Fall Youth Retreat Hang out and build community while building faith in Galveston. OCTOBER 29
SAT
Cathedral Boo Bash 6:30–8:30 p.m., Reynolds Hall. Family-friendly event with trick-or-treating, spooky music on the Cathedral organ, and a short All Hallows Eve service. OCTOBER 30
SUN
Ethics Roundtable Kickoff 6:30–8 p.m., Mellinger Room. This monthly Justice and Peace Council series reflects on the intersection between faith commitments and real-world problems.
WEEKLY SUNDAYS Adult Sunday Education 10–11 a.m., various locations. Sunday School for Children and Youth 10–11 a.m., various locations. Spanishlanguage classes offered at 1 p.m. for children and youth. Christian Meditation 10–11 a.m., Bride’s Room. Learn and practice a form of prayer taught by Jesus. This class, open to all, includes teaching, meditation, scripture, and prayer.
MONDAYS Centering Prayer 11:15–11:45 a.m., Hines Center.
Bring a friend!
THURSDAYS Men’s Lunch Study Group (Biweekly) 12:15–1:15 p.m., Mellinger Room. Will study G.K. Chesterton. Branch Out Jeremy Bradley and Christy Orman visit Houston area schools to say hello to our youth members. Contact them to schedule a visit. Mourner’s Path 6–8 p.m., Dean’s Conference Room. Grief support program led by trained faciliators and clergy. Superhero Ethics 7 p.m., Hines Center. Investigating ethical theories using moral dilemmas in superhero stories. ($) or free with membership. FRIDAYS
Healing Service 12:05 p.m., Golding Chapel.
Men’s Early Morning Study Group 7–8 a.m., Jeffers Conference Room.
Bible “By the Glass” 6:30–8 p.m., OKRA, 924 Congress. Fellowship and Bible study.
UPCOMING
TUESDAYS Discerning the Spirits 7–8:15 a.m., Mellinger Room. Co-ed Bible study with Canon Art Callaham. Education for Ministry (EFM) 6:30–9 p.m., Mellinger Room. Comprehensive adult theology program. ($)
NOVEMBER 5
SAT
Popcorn Theology 6–9 p.m., Reynolds Hall. Pizza, 3 superhero movies, and discussion for 3 age groups (children, youth, and adults).
Craft and Prompt Writing Sessions 7–8:30 p.m., Hines Center. ($) or free with membership. WEDNESDAYS Women’s Morning Bible Study 9:30–11 a.m., Jeffers Conference Room. Moving into Prayer 11:30 a.m., Hines Center. Yoga and scripture. ($) or free with membership. Bilingual Eucharist 6–6:30 p.m., Golding Chapel. Buscando la Luz (Last 3 Wednesdays) 6:45–8 p.m., Bride’s Room. Spanish-language discussion group.
Episcopal Youth Community (EYC) 3–4:45 p.m., BYC. (Treehouse) Gathering of youth for dinner, games, teaching, movies, and worship.
Cathedral 20s & 30s 6:30–8 p.m., BYC. (Treehouse) Weekly discussion group and social gathering of young adults.
Celtic Eucharist, “The Well” 5 p.m. The Cathedral. Drawing inspiration and music from the Celtic tradition, this new worship service focuses on prayer, silence, meditation, and grace.
The Vicar’s Road Show: Bible Translations 6:30–8 p.m., Meets once monthly at a choice of 3 locations. A brief history of the process of bible translation.
NOVEMBER 6 SUN Evensong 5 p.m., Cathedral. To remember the Saints who have gone before us. NOVEMBER 11
FRI
Chill & Grill 6-8 p.m., Bishop’s Courtyard. Enjoy a “backyard-style” barbeque and fellowship with downtown members and friends. NOVEMBER 20
SUN
Alternative Giving Market 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., Reynolds Hall. Donate in the name of loved ones to various charities and outreach programs. PAGE 7
THE BULLETIN
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1117 Texas Avenue Houston, Texas 77002-3183
PERMIT No. 6404
Did you know you can read The Bulletin on our website? If you’d like to go “online-only,” contact Anne Shepard at ashepard@christchurchcathedral.org or call her at 713-590-3301.
In the Cloister Gallery: The Tree and the Forest: Seeking Meaning in a Conflicted World
In October Sharyn Richey Turner is an Episcopal priest and the mother of the Cathedral’s very own priest, Genevieve Turner Razim. Working directly from nature as well as in her studio, the artist depicts trees in their many guises as an expression the human longing for meaning in an often confusing world. Sharyn’s works include mulitple media rendered in an expressionistic style.
GRATITUDE AND JOY, from cover ends meet. She gave from a place of gratitude and joy, and the recipients of her gifts – most especially the church – enriched her life immeasurably. I know all the usual reasons for giving because that’s what I do for a living. Having worked for nearly 15 years in development, I am keenly aware of non-profit organizations’ need to meet their operating budgets. Mission and programs are of utmost importance, but none of that can be realized unless one can pay one’s staff, turn the lights on, and get to work. But in his letter to the Corinthians, Paul says that “God loves a cheerful giver,” and this brought my mother-in-law to mind. I am happy to support the work of the church. It is a vital part of our family’s life and, through its amazing outreach programs, the lives of countless others. But Gloria’s shining example has taught me to shift my giving perspective so that my gifts come from my heart, not my head. Instead of giving from a sense of duty (we give because we should), we now give – and indeed increase our pledge each year – from a place of gratitude and joy. We are grateful to God for our many blessings, and it is our joy to return the blessings. We are pleased to serve as co-chairs of the 2017 Every Member Canvass, and we hope you will join us in supporting the great work of Christ Church Cathedral. THE BULLETIN
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The (Darling) Creatures of the Night Join us for Boo Bash on Saturday, October 29, from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in Reynolds Hall. Spooks of all ages will be treated (not tricked), and a brief All Hallow’s Eve service in the Cathedral will feature Eerie Organ Music. Vincent Price would be so proud.