CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL An Episcopal Community in the Heart of Houston, Texas
DECEMBER 2016 CHRISTCHURCHCATHEDRAL.ORG
AFTER-HOURS EMERGENCY CARE LINE | 713-826-5332
Community of memory, community of expectation
The Treble Choir, who sang at Loyalty Sunday (pictured here), will perform a Christmas concert with the Houston Chamber Choir on December 10 and 11 at Villa Matel.
The sound of Advent
From contemplative to joyous, music selections — both presented and participatory — will be setting the tone at special services, programs, and performances during Advent and Christmas.
An Anglican tradition since 1880 Traditional English carols and music at the Festival of Lessons and Carols on Sunday, December 4, at 5 p.m. will feature the Cathedral Choir. Through its alternating scripture and
song, the service recounts the fall of Adam, the promise of a Messiah, the Incarnation, and the Great Commission to preach the Good News. The music of Advent can be contemplative and austere — but also rich and powerful — as it reflects the longing, hopefulness, and joy anticipating the coming of Christ, according to Anglican history materials.
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Untermeyer and Curtis to sign books In addition to the full array of books and gifts available at the Cathedral Bookstore, ready for holiday gift-giving, the Bookstore will also be hosting two signings in December of books by Cathedral members, both from Texas A&M University Press. On Sunday, December 11 from 8:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Bill Curtis will be at the Cathedral Bookstore to sign his new book, to release December 8: A Vision of Place – The Work of William Curtis and Russell Windham Architects. Reflecting on two decades of the practice of classical contemporary architecture, this handsome monograph provides an
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During the season of Advent, I am always reminded that Christ Church Cathedral is both a community of memory and a community of expectation. As a community of memory, we bear the sacred story both of Jesus and of the Episcopal Church in Houston for over 177 years. As a community of expectation, our mission is always to embody in VERY REV. our words, actions, and THEBARKLEY ministries the vision of THOMPSON God’s kingdom. We are to proclaim God’s hopes for the world from our corner at Texas and Fannin. We are blessed to share this community on a historic campus that is among the most cherished places in Houston. Our campus provides a quiet and sacred oasis in the midst of the city. The physical space of the Cathedral is also our greatest tool for evangelism, as many visit and hear the Gospel here for the first time because they are attracted to the aesthetic beauty of our worship space. Preserving our historic campus is, therefore, an expression of our fidelity to God. It is a sacred responsibility, and one that the Vestry and I take very seriously. The last time any significant preservation work was done at Christ Church was more than twenty years ago. Extensive work on the exterior of our buildings hasn’t been done in forty years. A campus-wide study commissioned by the Vestry’s Building and Grounds Committee last year revealed that there are, indeed, areas that need attention. In response, this fall the Vestry and I have created a special task force that
COMMUNITY, page 8
Our Cathedral Family We celebrate with
EE new members Neal and Annette Davis, Spencer Wright, Richard and Carolyn Vernotzy, Rena Tillinghast, Hatti Guske, and Nancy Heine. EE Rick Ankrom and Jay Hooker, who were married in the Cathedral on October 29, 2016. EE Poppy James Frounfelkner, born October 29, 2016 to Cathedral members Helenita and Danny Frounfelkner. EE the newly baptized: Elle Bagheri, Lillian Brown, Josephine Dorn, Isabel Ellsworth, Samantha Hirsch, Evan Merritt, Isai Priego, Dorothy Rainbow, Jett Rodi, Alcides Rodriguez, Harrison Schwartz, Sylvie Yates, Haisten Zapffe, and Miguel Zecuispl. EE the newly confirmed: Anna Marie Beagley, Joyce Crum, Casey Fleming, Trip Galleher, Donna Goring, Ambika Hale, Arthur Hale, Megan Harrison, Kathy Jackson, Aaron Kaplan, Keith McFarland, Ladane Roberson, Greg Schwartz, and Jennifer Stansbury.
We extend heartfelt sympathy to
EE the family of member Nance Foules Wier, who died October 24 in Houston, Texas.
The flowers on the Cathedral Altar
EE on Sunday, December 4, are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Linda Anne Baldwin and Dorothy Geiselman Baldwin by the family of Robert B. Baldwin III. EE on Sunday, December 11, are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Virginia and Lester Bille and Katherine Close. EE on Sunday, December 18 are are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Robert C. and Madie M. Richter by Bob Richter.
The flowers in the Floor Vases
EE on Sunday, December 4, are given to the glory of God in loving memory of her mother, Rachel Shanks Smart by Carolyn Paget.
The flowers on the organ console
EE on Sunday, November 6, were given to the glory of God and in memory of their parents, Bill and Nell Murdaugh and Arthur and Hazel Smith, by Jim Murdaugh and Gary Smith. EE on Sunday, November 20, were given to the Glory of God and in loving memory of Morgan J. Davis Jr., Ruth and Ralph Ericsson, Meriel and John Gillman, and Ingeborg and David Jacobson by Carol Ericsson.
The greens in the Advent Wreath
EE are given to the glory of God in thanksgiving for the life and work of Jane Brown, Judy Drury, Mary Clarke Mackenzie, and Cindy Dickson.
The candles on the Advent Wreath
EE in the Cathedral are given to the glory of God glory of God in thanksgiving for the life and work of Helen Ann Fisher, Norma Jane Hagan, Ella Mae Hayslip, and Norma Jones. EE in the Chapel are given to the glory of God in thanksgiving for the life and work of Tom Cobb and Jennifer Cobb. THE BULLETIN
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Color My Advent book made by Cathedral kids This year’s Advent offerings also include a 68-page coloring booklet entitled “Color My Advent,” made of drawings by Christ Church Cathedral children. It is intended to be used alongside the Jesus Storybook Bible or the family bible. The booklet has drawings for each week of advent of favorite stories from the Bible, questions for family discussion, and credits for each young artist. They are available by contacting KariAnn Lessner, Minister for Children and Families.
Positive Parenting Tools, handy for the holidays, at the Hines Center On Saturday, December 10, the Hines Center will offer a workshop on positive discipline parenting techniques that parents might find particularly relevant with the approaching holiday season. The session will address a variety of power struggles and stresses that may escalate during this time of year, such as issues with chores, meals, and homework, conflicts and sibling rivalry, resistance to morning and bedtime routines, and difficulties with shopping and tantrums. Participants will learn how to maintain and restore connection in times of stress, develop skills to create collaboration and choice, help children feel better so they can do better, and find new ways to evaluate (and resolve) “mis-behavior.” Registration is at Hinescenter.org. The instructors for this class are Laura Licato, founder and life coach at The Happiness Connection, and Ed Halloran.
SIGNING, from cover
expansive view of eighteen representative projects. On Sunday, December 18, also from 8:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Chase Untermeyer will be at the Bookstore to sign his most recent book, Zenith: In the White House with George H.W. Bush. Ambassador Untermeyer uses his diaries and writings during his time as President Bush’s director of personnel to provide a bird’s eye view of the inner workings of the White House. To get a preview of what else the Cathedral Bookstore has to offer, look for its Advent Newsletter inside Sunday service leaflets in December.
Children to be cast in the Cathedral’s performance of “Noye’s Fludde” Christ Church Cathedral will be staging two performances of Benjamin Britten’s enchanting sanctuary drama, “Noye’s Fludde” (Noah’s Flood in modern English) on Saturday, January 28, 2017 at 3:30 and 7 p.m. in the Cathedral. Britten, one of England’s most celebrated composers, recounts the familiar story of God’s command to Noah to build an ark, but the plot is just the beginning of the fun. The highlight of the show is the entrance of the animals as they are gathered two by two onto the ark. What makes the performance
unusual and special is that Britten casts children as the animals. KariAnn Lessner and Bob Simpson would like to include up to 50 children from the Christ Church Cathedral Sunday School ages 6–12 in this production. Each child will learn a simple song that is sung by all as the animals enter the ark, and will be given stage direction by Tara Faircloth, our nationally recognized director who makes Houston her home. In addition to musical rehearsals that will be planned separately, there are full rehearsals leading up to the performances that will
involve the animals: Sunday, January 22 3–5 p.m., Tuesday, January 24 6:30–7:30 p.m., Wednesday, January 25 6:30–7:30 p.m. and Thursday, January 26 6:30–9 p.m. The call time for the performances on Saturday, NOYE'S FLUDDE January 28 at 3:30 and Saturday, January 28, 7 p.m. will be 2:30 p.m. 3:30 and 7 p.m. No previous musical training is needed or expected. Please contact Bob Simpson with any questions, and contact Elizabeth Cuevas to register children to perform in this sanctuary drama.
Actually, you can go home again BY CYNTHIA BRANNON
Ukranian Mykolai cookies are one example of edible iconography.
Annual competition challenges folks to “write” in gingerbread Did you know that religious materials appropriate to the holiicons are not “drawn” or “colored” day season. Gingerbread is not a or “painted?” By long tradition, the requirement, but, being a favorite verb used in connection with these of the judges, it might garner extra objects of devotion is “write.” As we points. Entries for judgment can head into a new year, we’ll be delivered that morning look to add another choice or dropped off by appointto the standard lexicon: ment with the Vicar during “bake.” the week after Christmas This year, the second (December 26–30). An annual Cathedral Gingerexhibition of completed bread Competition invites “writers” to create edible THE REV. ARTHUR works will take place durreligious icons out of their A. CALLAHAM ing the ten o’clock hour on January 1, 2017. Prizes favorite holiday treats. Classical iconography tends to focus on will be awarded in several categoportraits of Jesus and the saints, but ries, and winning entries will be images reflecting stories from the featured in Cathedral communicalife of Jesus are not out of bounds. tions during the month of January. Subject matter is wide open. The Artist need not be present to win. only guidelines are that the final For a full list of contest rules or to product be essentially two-dimen- schedule a delivery date, contact sional and comprised of edible Canon Callaham. Happy writing!
Experience teaches us that the many truisms we’ve heard all of our lives are, in fact, true. Honesty is the best policy, and no, you can’t judge a book by its cover. Haste makes waste. And we would probably all agree that truth really is much stranger than fiction. Yet, I take issue with the “truisim” about not being able to go home again. Thomas Wolfe to the contrary, COMPASS knows that going home again is possible. For someone who bounces around between the streets and homeless shelters, “home” may need to be reimagined, but it is possible, after all, to get there. Earlier this year, COMPASS joined an ambitious city-wide initiative to end homelessness. By providing “housing navigation”— a unique form of case management—to some of Houston’s most vulnerable homeless men and women, we’ve made a difference. A man with a tracheotomy who was living under a freeway now has his own place. A young woman with bipolar disorder who had been homeless since age 16 By providing “housing moved from a shelter to her very navigation”—a unique form of own apartment. They’re home case management — to some of Houston’s most vulnerable now. These clients, who could not homeless men and women, find their own way out of the we’ve made a difference. maze of homelessness, moved into specialized housing where they have ongoing support. Qualifying for, finding, and moving into an apartment is next to impossible if you don’t read very well, you’re sick, and you sleep on concrete. These clients benefitted from COMPASS’s patient, steady, hands-on guidance. In recent months, COMPASS has helped over 20 of these men and women move into apartments. They all needed help to get home. Housing navigation is time-consuming, labor-intensive—possibly even a labor of love — and it is expensive. There is a long waiting list of chronically homeless individuals who are eligible for supportive housing. We know that many more will come our way, with high hopes of finally getting home. Is it worth it? Not too long ago, it was moving day for one of our clients. I watched our navigators head toward the car with bags full of thoughtfully chosen, color-coordinated bedding and towels, along with kitchen and cleaning supplies. When they returned for a second load of
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THE BULLETIN
Fall Gathering, Chill and Grill, Boo Bash, Popcorn Theology, Youth Fall Retreat, and more
IN PICTURES
Far left: Melissa Jacobs, Keith Davis,
Belo
Above: The youth group getting silly at their recent retreat to Galveston. Right: The force was with the Cathedral at Boo Bash. THE BULLETIN
PAGE 4
and Rick Newlin at the Fall Gathering at the Johnsons' home.
ow: Cathedral Kids Superheroes: United at Popcorn Theology.
Above: Presiding Bishop Michael Curry preaching at Christ Church Cathedral for the opening of the International Black Clergy Conference.
Left: A foyers group meets up at Chill & Grill. Clockwise from upper left: Andrew Coles, Ann Miller, Shannon Lacy, David Dupre, David Miller, and Robert Fleischer. PAGE 5
THE BULLETIN
ADVENT, from cover Frost, fire, and fiddles Houston Early Music presents a Scottish Christmas Celebration entitled “Frost and Fire” on December 9 at 7:30 p.m. at the Cathedral. The ticketed event’s toetapping program “blurs the boundaries of folk and classical music.” Cape Breton fiddler and Baroque violinist David Greenberg joins Musica Pacifica for this energetic holiday program of 18th-century Scottish and Baroque music that features Baroque violins, viola da gamba, harpsichord, and percussion. For tickets, visit houstonearlymusic.org. Childcare and limited free parking will be available. The Cathedral’s Religion and Art Council is hosting a reception after the program.
Classic glad tidings
The Star of Bethlehem leading the magi to Jesus in the Cathedral Christmas Pageant, held on Christmas Eve.
Houston Chamber Choir performs beloved carols and seasonal classics in a series of four concerts on December 10 and 11 at Villa de Mattel, at 6510 Lawndale St. The program, directed by founder and artistic director Robert Simpson, the Cathedral’s canon for music, includes “A Ceremony of Carols” by Benjamin Britten and features harpist Laura Smith.
The Treble Choir of Houston, under the direction of Marianna Parnas-Simpson, will join the Chamber Choir for two matinee performances. The mixed program includes such pieces as “Gaudete,” an ancient chant about Mary, “Children, Go Where I Send Thee,” an African-American carol, and “Alegria,” a Spanish carol of Advent. For tickets, visit the website houstonchamberchoir.org.
Nine nights of celebrations Las Posadas recreates the Holy Pilgrimage to Bethlehem by Mary and Joseph. This tradition is shared by the Cathedral’s Spanish-speaking congregation with all who’d like to experience it. Neighborhood-based processions, in which the Holy couple seeks shelter, culminate in celebrations hosted by families in their homes and include music, prayers, refreshments and Holy Eucharist. Las Posadas occurs nine evenings, starting December 16, with seven of the locations hosted in parishioner neighborhoods and two occurring at the Cathedral, December 18 and December 24. On Christmas Day, a “pastorela” involving the congregation’s youth further depicts the nativity story. And while the season’s traditional carols will be sung in Spanish, such as “Noche de Paz” (“Silent Night), their messages of hope cut across all languages, notes Yency Bermudez, Latin ministry assistant.
A pageant for all
Traveling Christmas Dinner Party for Cathedral Youth On Friday, December 16, from 6 to 10 p.m., Cathedral 9th-12th graders and their friends will celebrate the holiday season by hopping in vans (chauffeured by adults) to attend a progressive dinner party, with appetizers, dinner, dessert and eucharist at three different youth homes across the city. Friends are welcome and invited to join; just meet at the Treehouse. The cost is $20 per person. Register online and remember space is limited! If you have any questions, email Christy Orman at Corman@christchurchcathedral.org. THE BULLETIN
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“Being part of the Christmas Play is being part of Jesus’s story,” says KariAnn Lessner, minister for children and families. Joining the sweet voices of the children in the program as they sing their way through well-known carols (first verses only!) is also a way to experience being one body in Christ, she says. Last year, more than 60 costumed Cathedral youths presented the Christmas story. This year’s pageant preparations will be held during “Christmas Camp” on Saturday, December 17 from 9 to 11:30 a.m. That’s when the pageant’s parts get assigned, the wardrobe is distributed and the assembled youths run through the program. Children who decide they want to join the heavenly throng at the 4 p.m. service on Christmas Eve may do so in the moment, Lessner says. There’s always a stash of extra animal masks and halos for latecomers. And sometimes, even the ushers have been known to wear them.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS Visit www.christchurchcathedral.org or call 713-222-2593 to learn more about these and other events at the Cathedral. Registration recommended DECEMBER 2–4
Registration required
FRI–SUN
Annual Parish Retreat Camp Allen. Fun and relaxing weekend for all ages. ($) DECEMBER 2
Registration closed
DECEMBER 21
WED
The Longest Night 6 p.m., Golding Chapel. Service on the solstice for those grieving a loss.
FRI
20s & 30s Downtown Lunch 12–1 p.m. Join members for a monthly lunch, this time at Hearsay at 218 Travis St. above Congress. DECEMBER 4
Advent Lessons and Carols 5 p.m., Cathedral. Sung by the Cathedral Choir.
Cloister Gallery Reception 6–8 p.m., Reynolds Hall. Featuring the work of students in the Cathedral’s iconography class.
DECEMBER 24 SAT Christmas Eve 4 p.m. Family Service, Holy Eucharist, Rite II, and a Christmas Play. 6 p.m. Festival Eucharist, Rite II, in Spanish. 7:30 p.m. Organ prelude.
Houston Early Music Concert 7:30 p.m., Cathedral. A Scottish Christmas Celebration entitled “Frost and Fire.”($)
8 p.m. Choral Eucharist, Rite II, with the Parish Choir.
DECEMBER 10
11 p.m. Festival Eucharist, Rite I, with the Cathedral Choir.
SAT
Christmas at the Cathedral 8 a.m. to 1 p.m., Reynolds Hall. The Cathedral family opens its doors to those in need, serving 700+ hot meals.
10:30 p.m. Cathedral Choir prelude.
DECEMBER 25 SUN Christmas Day 10 a.m. Eucharist and carols.
1 p.m. Service in Spanish. Positive Discipline Parenting Tools There will be no 5 p.m. service. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Hines Center. Learn new strategies to handle issues, and proTHU–MON mote new levels of cooperation, respon- DECEMBER 23–26 sibility, and support. ($) Christmas Holidays DECEMBER 16 FRI Cathedral offices close at noon on Dec. 23 and re-open Dec. 27. Youth Progressive Dinner 6–10 p.m. High-school students visit DECEMBER 25 SUN three different homes for a spectacular Pastorela holiday meal. ($) 3–5 p.m. Reynolds Hall. Christmas Pageant. DECEMBER 16–24 DECEMBER 27–29 TUE–THUR Las Posadas 7–9 p.m. Celebration with singing, prayers, and traditional refreshments. In Reynolds Hall on Dec. 18. DECEMBER 17
SAT
Christmas Camp 9–11:30 a.m. Crafts, costumes, carols, and Pageant practice.
Adult Sunday Education 10–11 a.m., various locations.
Episcopal Youth Community (EYC) 3–4:45 p.m., BYC. (Treehouse) Gathering of youth for dinner, games, teaching, movies, and worship.
DECEMBER 7 WEDS
FRI
SUNDAYS
Christian Meditation 10–11 a.m., Bride’s Room. Learn and practice a form of prayer taught by Jesus. This class, open to all, includes teaching, meditation, scripture, and prayer.
Advent Retreat 2:30 p.m., Reynolds Hall (in Spanish).
DECEMBER 9
WEEKLY
Sunday School for Children and Youth 10–11 a.m., various locations. Spanishlanguage classes offered at 1 p.m.
SUN
Dean’s Book Club 6:30–8 p.m., McGehee Conference Room. Discussing The Adventurist by J. Bradford Hipps.
Childcare available (3 mo. to 12 yrs.)
Midwinter Camp Allen. High-school retreat. ($) DECEMBER 31
THU
Last Day for 2016 Donations Donations must be received or postmarked by 12/31/2016 to be credited for 2016.
SUNDAYS Celtic Eucharist, “The Well” 5 p.m., Cathedral. Drawing inspiration and music from the Celtic tradition, this new worship service focuses on prayer, silence, meditation, and grace.
Bring a friend!
WEDNESDAYS Women’s Morning Bible Study 9:30–11 a.m., Jeffers Conference Room. Ends Dec. 14. Moving into Prayer Noon, Hines Center. Yoga and scripture. ($) or free with membership. Bilingual Eucharist 6–6:30 p.m., Golding Chapel. Buscando la Luz (Last 3 Wednesdays) 6:45–8 p.m., Bride’s Room. Spanish-language discussion group. Cathedral 20s & 30s 6:30–8 p.m., BYC. (Treehouse) Weekly discussion group and social gathering of young adults. The Vicar’s Road Show: Bible Translations 6:30–8 p.m., Meets once monthly at a choice of 3 locations. A brief history of the process of bible translation. Ends Dec. 15. THURSDAYS Men’s Lunch Study Group (Biweekly) 12:15–1:15 p.m., Mellinger Room. Will study G.K. Chesterton. Ends Dec. 22.
Nonviolent Communication (NVC) Practice Group 6–8 p.m., Hines Center. Strategies to improve relationships, happiness, and well-being. ($) or free with membership.
Branch Out Jeremy Bradley and Christy Orman visit Houston area schools to say hello to our youth members. Contact them to schedule a visit.
MONDAYS
FRIDAYS
Centering Prayer 11:15–12:15 a.m., Hines Center.
Men’s Early Morning Study Group 7–8 a.m., Jeffers Conference Room (no meeting on Dec. 23).
Healing Service 12:05 p.m., Golding Chapel. Bible “By the Glass” 6:30–8 p.m., OKRA, 924 Congress. Fellowship and Bible study.
UPCOMING
TUESDAYS
Second Annual Gingerbread Contest 10 a.m., Reynolds Hall. This year, bring your best “Gingerbread Icon” for judging.
Discerning the Spirits 7–8:15 a.m., Mellinger Room. Co-ed Bible study with Canon Art Callaham. Ends Dec. 20.
JANUARY 1
SUN
JANUARY 6
FRI
Education for Ministry (EFM) 6:30–9 p.m., Mellinger Room. Comprehensive adult theology program. ($)
Feast of the Epiphany 12:05 p.m., Cathedral. Celebrating the adoration of God in Christ by the Magi.
Craft and Prompt Writing Sessions 7–8:30 p.m., Hines Center. ($) or free with membership.
Bad Gift Bingo 6–8:30 p.m., Reynolds Hall. Soup, salad, sweets, games, and gifts on Epiphany. PAGE 7
THE BULLETIN
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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.
COMMUNITY, from cover is looking very closely at the specific preservation needs of our beloved Cathedral. The task force is focusing on the deterioration of bricks and mortar, foundation issues, interior spaces that haven’t been addressed in decades, and several other vitally important items. The task force is scheduled to complete its work and report to the Vestry in early February, at which time the Vestry will develop a plan to preserve the Cathedral for future generations of parishioners. I await the report and that plan eagerly, and when the plan is ready, we will share it with the parish. Advent is the season in which we bear the memory Jesus’ first coming at Christmas and ready ourselves in expectation for Jesus’ second coming, when all God’s hopes will be realized. We live in “the meantime” between that first and second coming, as both a community of memory and a community of expectation. In this meantime, Christ Church Cathedral is surely God’s beacon of grace in the midst of the city. May we always honor and be good stewards of this precious heritage and responsibility. THE BULLETIN
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The Dean’s December Book Club selection The Dean’s Book Club discusses a different book at each meeting, including novels, nonfiction, and books on spirituality and faith. Books are selected by the group and are available for purchase from the Cathedral Bookstore. All are welcome. The club meets in the McGehee Conference Room from 6:30–8 p.m.
Wednesday, December 7 The Adventurist by J. Bradford Hipps Henry Hurt let the drama of work stand in for the drama of existence, until his mother’s death stirs his mid-life discontent.
The Cathedral Bookstore is open weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Sundays from 8:45 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Call 713-222-0286 for information and special orders.
In the Cloister Gallery: Iconography Paintings The December art exhibition in the Cloister Gallery features a selection of religious icons created by students from Christ Church Cathedral’s iconography classes.
COMPASS, from page 3 odds and ends, a flash of something got my attention as it sailed by—an ironing board. Really? Yes, it seems this elderly homeless man asked if we could get him an ironing board. He wanted to wear ironed shirts in his new place. On moving day he didn’t know that we would later buy him an iron, too. Home is where the heart is. A man’s house is his castle. And home is where we iron our shirts. COMPASS relies on individual gifts, and I hope you will consider making a gift this Christmas. The need is great, and the results are nothing short of, well—going home again. Surely, it’s worth it. Cynthia Brannon is the executive director of COMPASS.