CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL An Episcopal Community in the Heart of Houston, Texas
FEBRUARY 2017 CHRISTCHURCHCATHEDRAL.ORG
AFTER-HOURS EMERGENCY CARE LINE | 713-826-5332
A letter from the Dean Dear Parish Family and Friends, Greetings to you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ! Christ Church Cathedral experienced abundant blessing in 2016. Two things especially stand out: a day and a project. The day is September 11. It may seem strange to call this day a blessTHE VERY REV. BARKLEY ing, since September THOMPSON 11 was the fifteenth anniversary of 9/11. Yet, we commemorated the solemn occasion by hosting the Rev. Dan Matthews, Sr. as our guest preacher and teacher. Dan was the rector of Trinity Church-Wall Street in lower Manhattan on 9/11, and on September 11 he riveted us with his harrowing account of that day. 9/11 was horrible, but Dan’s story was one of hope. Later that same day, two hundred parishioners attended the inaugural service of “The Well,” our new 5 p.m. Sunday Celtic Eucharist. The Well serves as a lovely complement to our morning services, and those who have attended report that it provides a peaceful, contemplative, and nourishing way to begin the week. The project is “Turn Toward Love,” which we launched over the summer in response a series of violent episodes across the country between citizens and law enforcement officers. Turn Toward Love sought to redirect people’s energy away from animosity and suspicion and toward reconciliation and grace. It was simple in design: panels made of wood and wire, coupled with tags and twist ties. The panels were placed along Texas Avenue, and people were encouraged to affix their own messages of love and lament. The civic response was overwhelming. Soon, all the panels were full to overflowing with the hopes of passers-by. Local media covered Turn Toward Love on the
EPISTLE, page 5
Hines Center cross and panels embody the “earthly divine” With the Hines Center’s recent installation of a soaring Celtic cross and riveting trio of panels hand-carved by artist Ronnie Sexton, Cathedral parishioners have an opportunity to experience their spiritual power, symbolic imagery, visual appeal, and skillful artistry. (And if so moved, it’s also fine to touch the lustrous wood, which appears to glow in low light.) A year in the making, the carvings “bring more depth and meaning to the spaces they occupy,” says Hines Center Executive Director Brooke Summers-Perry. Carved in cypress wood, the Celtic cross rises 11 feet as a focal point and centerpiece within the Hines Center’s labyrinth space on the first floor. In the prayer room upstairs, the 4-ft. vertical panels hang side-by-side as a backdrop to meditation, visio divina (praying or encountering the divine through images), and other programming. All the pieces are “meant to be experienced, not just viewed,” Summers-Perry says. Their interactive quality makes them part of spiritual practice. How viewers respond to the pieces, however, will differ by their life experiences or even
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A generous donation by Cathedral parishioner Donald McDonald enabled the commissioning of the Celtic cross and panels.
New Baptismal Font dedicated for the Golding Chapel A beautiful, wooden baptismal font for the Golding Chapel was commissioned by the Cathedral in 2016. Working with Trevor Floyd, a nationally known vendor for custom liturgical furnishings, the Cathedral identified Marvin Johnson, a local woodworker, to design and build the font. The cost of the new font was underwritten by contributions made in memory of Philip and Priscilla Wandel and through the generosity of their estate and their children. The Wandels’ children and children’s spouses are Gail and Mike Hendryx, Debby Francis, John and Molly Wandel, and Marjorie Crawford. The font was dedicated during the 11:00 a.m. service on January 8 and is now the primary font used in the Golding Chapel.
Events for Martin Luther King Day and Black History Month BY CANON GLENICE ROBINSON-COMO
The Commission on Black Ministry (COBM) is an outreach ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Texas and promotes awareness, provides education, and fosters respect and appreciation for our racial and cultural differences. In honor of MLK Day, the Commission will sponsor a labyrinth prayer walk on January 28, 2017, from 12–2 p.m. at the site of the historic Mt. Carmel Missionary Baptist Church in Freedman’s Town. The event will be facilitated by artist Reginald Adams and the labyrinth walk will be led by The Rev. Glenice Robinson-Como. Guests are also invited to enjoy lunch at a local food truck and visit the African American Library at
The Gregory School. The Freedman’s Town Labyrinth is located at 1407 Valentine Street in the Fourth Ward Houston. Please RSVP at gcomo@christchurchcathedral.org. Across the street from the Cathedral, the exhibition “Crossing Bridges,” featuring African American artists, is on view at the Episcopal Diocese of Texas gallery from 9–5 p.m. weekdays until March 31, 2017. Curator Robbie Lee will also host Lunch and Learn gallery talks at the diocesan center. For information on gallery talks, contact Carol Barnwell at cbarnwell@epicenter.org. On February 18, the COBM and the Justice and Peace Council of the Cathedral will host a viewing and discussion of the film “Traces of the Trade: A Story from the Deep North,”
which will be facilitated by DeWolf descendant Dain Perry and wife Constance Perry. The event will be from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., and a light meal will be available for attendees. Please RSVP at gcomo@christchurchcathedral.org. Also in February, the Absalom Jones Eucharist and Community forum, Justice for All, will be held on February 25 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Rev. Martini Shaw, from the historic African Episcopal Church of St. Thomas, is the guest preacher. Following the Eucharist, a panel discussion with civic leaders including Art Acevedo, chief of police, Amanda Edwards, council woman at large for District 4, and Chris Bell, former councilman and politician, will be held. RSVP for lunch at gcomo@christchurchcathedral.org.
Our Cathedral Family We celebrate with
EE Chloe Cummings, who was born on December 25, 2016, to members Lesli and Robert Cummings. EE the newly baptized: Henry Arnold, Genesis Garcia, Irving Garcia, Marcos Garcia, Will Guske, Xavier Hernandez, Emiliano HuertaGarcia, Leigh Powell, Charlotte Register, Austin Romero, and Stefan Romero. EE Lori Carr and David Sweeney, who were married in the Cathedral on December 17, 2016. EE Michelle Qu and Roy Judson, who were married in the Cathedral on January 7, 2017. EE new members: Michael and Theresa Thomas, Robert SoRelle, Bobby and Phoebe Tudor, Keith and Catherine Frazier, and Eric, Amy, Elsa and Jens Moen.
We extend heartfelt sympathy to
EE the family of member Burton A. Jones, who died January 6 in Manvel, Texas. EE the family of Sarah and Robert Kulpaca. Sarah died December 5, and Robert died December 19 in Meadowlakes, Texas. They were the parents of member Robert Alan Kulpaca. EE the family of Fred Michael Grimes, who died November 21 in Corsicana, Texas. He was the father of member Fred Michael Grimes Jr.
Additional poinsettia dedications given at the Rood Screen were given to the Glory of God
EE in loving memory of Chester Jones by Charlotte Jones. EE in loving memory of their mothers, Lillian and Mary Ruth, by Ellen Luby and Sterling Minor. EE in memory of beloved friends Joan and Charmayne by Ellen Luby. EE in honor of Louise, Drew, Robert, and John Pennebaker by Judy and Charles Tate. EE in honor of Mary John Frank by Judy and Charles Tate. EE in memory of their parents, Mary John and Ralph Spence, by Judy and Charles Tate. THE BULLETIN
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The flowers on the Cathedral Altar
EE on Sunday, January 8, were given to the glory of God in loving memory of Scott Cawley by his family. EE on Sunday, January 15, were given to the glory of God by Bruce and Bernice Lobley in memory of his mother, Shirley Christian Lobley and in praise of God. EE on Sunday, January 22, were given to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for Lisa Viktorin and her gifts to the Cathedral, from Torie Ludwin, Mark Bohenick, and the Cathedral clergy and staff. EE on Sunday, January 29, were given to the glory of God in loving memory of her parents Mary John and Ralph Spence by Judy Tate. EE on Sunday, February 5, are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Gordon Weisser by his wife Blake Weisser. EE on Sunday, February 12, are given to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for the people and ministries of Christ Church Cathedral. EE on Sunday, February 19, are given to the glory of God in loving memory of her parents, John and Marion Merritello, by Carol Nielsen and family. EE on Sunday, February 26, are given to the glory of God in honor of their children, Meme and Jeff Greathouse, Will and Sara Holland, and Mariann and Travis Colvin, by Antha and Bill Holland.
The flowers in the floor vases
EE on Sunday, January 8, were given to the glory of God in loving memory of Forrester Carlyle Lord by his parents, Kathy and Tom Lord; his wife Anne, and daughter, Ava; the Clark Stockton Lord family; and the Stacey Lord Murphy family. EE on Sunday, February 5, are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Scott Cawley by his family.
Quarterly Vestry Report
Cathedral favorite Miroslav Volf, founder and director of the Yale Center for Faith and Culture, and Henry B. Wright professor of theology at Yale University Divinity School, returns April 2.
Reformation in new contexts for Lenten Series On this 500th anniversary year of the Protestant Reformation, the Cathedral is investigating the theme of “Reformation” on myriad levels. Prior to Lent, during the Dean's Hour, Dean Thompson is teaching a course specifically on Martin Luther and the Reformation. This year’s Robert C. Stuart Lenten Series will explore "reformation" more broadly as a theological concept of renewal within the Christian Church and across other religious traditions. Reformation is not unique to Protestantism, nor to any particular time. At different periods in their histories, all religions encounter periods of complacency and even stagnation, and reforming efforts emerge to reclaim the vitality of faith. Our speakers will open our understanding of what Reformation was, is, and can be. On Sunday, March 5, Peter W. Marty, senior pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church in Davenport, Iowa, and publisher of The Christian Century, a journal devoted to shaping America’s conversation about religion and faith in public life, will give a view into how Christian thought has “reformed” or changed in time. The following Sunday, two non-Christian speakers will talk about reformation in their own faiths. Rabbi Steven Gross has been serving as the rabbi at the Houston Congregation for Reform Judaism since 2005, and he will share discussion with the executive director of the Islamic Da'wah Center of Houston, Ameer Abuhalimeh. Leslie Williams will come to the Cathedral on March 19. Williams, an English professor and visiting scholar from Yale Divinity School, has published prize-winning poetry, books on the Christian spiritual life, and thriller novels. A national speaker, Williams lives in Kerrville, Texas, with her husband, Stockton, who is an Episcopal priest. Her most recent book is Emblem of Faith Untouched: A Short Life of Thomas Cranmer. Williams brings an exciting view into the world of Cramner, author of the Book of Common Prayer and key figure in the English Protestant Reformation. The Very Rev. Cynthia Kittredge, the eighth dean and president of Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, will follow Williams on March 25, and open a discussion on reformation within seminary and current theological thought. The final speaker is Cathedral favorite Miroslav Volf, founder and director of the Yale Center for Faith and Culture, and Henry B. Wright professor of theology at Yale University Divinity School. The main thrust of Volf ’s theology is to bring
LENTEN, page 8
The last quarter of the calendar Sunday evening service “The Well,” a year is always the most active at Celtic Eucharist. This service is now Christ Church Cathedral — and this averaging 100 people in attendance year exemplified that high level of ac- and the service’s contemplative trativity. Advent began with our dition, complemented by Lessons and Carols service harp, viola, and flute, proon December 4 and continvides a wonderful centering ued with many other Advent for parishioners for the week activities, including the anahead. nual Christmas at the CatheIn the midst of all this dral luncheon for students activity, Susan and Rob from the Rusk School; the SENIOR WARDEN Reedy successfully led our LINNET DEILY Alternative Giving Market, Every Member Canvass for which encourages charitable the year, ambitiously estabcontributions for local ministries as lishing a goal of $3.25MM for the an alternative or addition to Christ- upcoming year. We have received mas presents for family and friends; 594 pledges to date, and 75 of these Las Posadas, the nine-evening recre- pledges are new to the Cathedral; ation of the pilgrimage of Mary and both these totals are slightly ahead Joseph, a celebration sponsored by of where we were at this same time our Spanish-speaking congregation; in last year’s highly successful camand the four services on Christmas paign — and we are continuing to Eve, all of which were well-attended, receive pledges, so these totals will and two services on Sunday, Christ- build. The vestry is hugely thankful mas Day. What a meaningful Ad- for the continuing spirit of cheerful vent and Christmas we experienced and abundant giving at the Cathetogether! dral, and sends many thanks to SuLooking back, the quarter includ- san and Rob for their outstanding ed other memorable moments, such leadership. as our Boo Bash, the annual party We also give thanks to our outwhich includes treat-or-treating as going vestry members, who have well as spooky music on the organ served so capably these past three (thank you, Monica Czausz!); a visit years, including our Senior Warden and sermon from our Presiding Wayne Clawater and Junior Warden Bishop Michael Curry, who lived Charlie Prioleau, and we welcome up to his reputation as an inspira- our new vestry members as we begin tional preacher; and the continu- the 179th year of worship at Christ ing growth and success of our new Church Cathedral.
Cathedral flowers now online Lisa Viktorin, flower chair for the Altar Guild, loves the ministry she supports. She not only coordinates flower dedications for the Cathedral, but also takes beautiful photographs of those flowers to share on Instagram (instagram.com/cccflowers). If you would like to dedicate flowers, please email Lisa at lisavi2006@gmail.com with your dedication and the date you would like. All dedications must be received by the 9th of the month prior for the following month’s dedication. PAGE 3
THE BULLETIN
Christmas pageant , Pastorela, Posadas, Houston Marathon, and more
IN PICTURES
Far left: The Christmas Eve Pageant at Chr
Right: The Pastorela (Pageant) on Christmas
Above: Our Early Bird Welcome Team, Chris McKeown, Shannon Lacy, Andrew Coles, and David and Sweeney, were ready for the marathoners and their cheering squads at 6 a.m. the morning of the ra Right: Alexis Barsenas at the Cathedral’s Gran Posada, celebrating the pilgrimage of Mary and Joseph, on December 18.
Above: Bad Gift Bingo on Epiphany was a blast, with winners taking away a variety of fun gifts. Left: Christmas Camp crafts kept little hands busy while parents got a break. THE BULLETIN
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rist Church Cathedral.
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EPISTLE, from cover evening news. Parishes and organizations across the country reached out for information on how they could replicate the project in their own cities. In their vitality, thoughtfulness, and faith, September 11 and Turn Toward Love were emblematic of many other occasions at Christ Church throughout the year. We see the results in our metrics. Membership, attendance, financial giving, and involvement all increased substantially in 2016. More and more people are discovering “God in the midst of the city” and responding by choosing the Cathedral as their spiritual home. This past year we saw several staff transitions. Notably, the Rev. Eileen O’Brien completed her curacy and became the campus missioner at the University of Houston, and Anne Shepard retired after a decade as our parish registrar. Patrick Saccomanno joined the Office of the Dean as our Minister for Finance and Audit. Torie Ludwin brought new energy to our communications office. Becky Landes arrived as the new Beacon CEO. We have the hardest working, most gracious and faithful staff in Christendom. I am honored and privileged to work with them. When my children were younger, our family frequented theme parks. We rode roller coasters, teacups, miniature old timey cars, and log rides. As soon as one ride would end, and often before I could catch my breath, one of the kids would ask, “What’s next, Dad?” That question has arisen in the past couple of months at Christ Church, because in 2016 we completed our vision action plan “A Future Filled With Hope.” At the Cathedral, the answer to “What’s next?” is almost certainly the soon-to-be-completed report from our Historic Preservation and Renovation Task Force. The task force is looking very closely at the specific preservation needs of our beloved Cathedral, 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 will report to the Vestry in early February, and soon thereafter the findings will be made known to the congregation. Preserving our historic campus is an expression of our fidelity to God. It is a sacred responsibility, and one that the Vestry and I take very seriously. In the upcoming couple of years, ensuring that our campus continues to be an inviting and structurally-sound venue for our mission will be our priority. Next month I begin my fifth year as Dean of the Cathedral. Thank you for your support of Christ Church and for inviting me to serve among you. May God continue to bless the Cathedral, so that we can be a blessing to our people, Houston, and the Diocese of Texas. Grace and peace,
The Very Reverend Barkley Thompson Dean PAGE 5
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Gingerbread icon wows at the annual Cathedral contest Parishioner John Flanagan had something special in mind when he heard about the Gingerbread Iconography contest held on January 1. Having been fascinated by the concept of angels, he found a modern Russian icon of the Angel Gabriel as a model and set to work. Even with little to no experience with baking or visual art techniques, he saw a path. Says Flanagan, “As a physics teacher, I draw a lot of diagrams on the board but I have no training at all, maybe just an eye. My
only practice was a decade ago, when I used similar materials to make Easter egg cookies patterned after Fabergé eggs. I think patience and a steady hand is my only real talent in this endeavor.” He spent a total of two to three hours spread over two days toward shopping, baking, and decorating. The final result was completely edible. He began by “sugar printing” the photo of the icon onto the cookie, also known as the same printing used to put edible images of photos on cakes.
CROSS, from cover time of day. “Gaze without trying to analyze and respond in the moment,” she says, “to open up some kind of awareness or consciousness.” Artist Ronnie Sexton, based in Melbourne, Australia, considers her wood carvings tools for a viewer’s spiritual journey, healing, and personal growth, so their presence at the Hines Center was a good fit on many levels, she says, including public accessibility. When Sexton prepares to carve her intricate, free-flowing designs in slabs from salvaged trees — transforming them for a second life — she first meditates, asking prayerfully for guidance. This approach guides her to her highest good, she says. “I know it’s Divinity that will uplift and inspire the viewer.”
Cross cultural “Because the Hines Center seeks to be a place of connection between the Christian tradition and the world around us, the Celtic cross is an ideal central symbol for the space,” says the Very Rev. Barkley Thompson, who chairs the Hines Center Steering Committee (soon to become the Hines Board of Directors). “The Celtic cross combines the circle, which symbolizes the various cycles in nature, with the cross, which is, of course, the Christian symbol of resurrection.” The Celtic tradition “emphasizes an awareness of God in creation and the infinite ways that God connects with us in both profound and mundane experiences,” Thompson explains. “The Celtic tradition remembers that the world is, indeed, enchanted by the flow of God’s grace.” The panels each depict a spiritual concept: Transformation, the Tree of Life, and the Union of Opposites. Carved from the same chunk of Himalayan cedar, the panels are thus connected in their energy as well as the flow of their storytelling, the artist explains. Sexton, formerly of County Cork, Ireland, was trained and skilled in traditional wood carving techniques and the requisite discipline of rendering classic designs in wood free of imperfection. Her approach has transformed into a more organic carving style that “embraces” the whorls and knots of salvaged trees to express the timeless imagery from world cultures, histories, and indigenous people that fascinate her. “Symbols resonate with and within us,” she says. Her stylistic results have been described in reviews as “earthly divine.” The prevalent symbols, rooted in nature, are ones many cultures use or have used to still the mind, she says. On the Celtic cross, for example, the tradition of intertwined knot work conveys neither beginning nor end.
From commission to installation Plans for the Hines Center had always included space for a Celtic cross as its capstone, the director says. THE BULLETIN
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He then painted on the robes, the wings, and the edging, used tweezers for all the beadwork, and finished the edging with gold sprinkles and real gold dust. The best part, according to Flanagan, came once his icon was complete, and he found himself in Reynolds Hall “sitting with friends at the 10 o'clock hour and finding out that they do baking craft projects, too. We are talking about having a cookie decorating get-together in the future.” Fellowship at its tastiest.
Dean’s Book Club selections All are welcome. The club meets in the McGehee Conference Room from 6:30–8 p.m. on the following dates:
Wednesday, March 1 The Wright Brothers, by David McCullough This bestseller by Pulitzer Prize-winning historian McCullough tells the dramatic story-behind-thestory about the courageous brothers who taught the world how to fly. Meeting at 7 p.m.
Wednesday, April 5 Tomlinson Hill: The Remarkable Story of Two Families Who Share the Same Name — One White, One Black by Chris Tomlinson Tomlinson turns his journalist’s eye on his own family background to present an unflinching look at the racial history of one small Texas community. When Summer-Perry encountered Sexton’s work online, including a remarkable nine-piece collection known as the WoodHenge Carvings, she connected with the artist to discuss the Hines Center’s project. (“God works through Google,” she quips). “Sexton is a master in every way possible.” A generous donation by Cathedral parishioner Donald McDonald enabled commissioning the cross. “I am so grateful for the people and work of Christ Church and appreciate being part of bringing this cross to the Hines Center,” he says. “It is a beautiful work of Celtic art, and I know it will be inspiring to visitors.” Funding the panels and shipping all four pieces, meanwhile, came from savings in build-out finishes during the Hines Center’s construction. Volunteer Holly Lewis Hudley was the liaison with the artist in developing and managing the commission as well as facilitating and managing the international shipping and delivery process. As an artist herself, one who also takes a meditative approach "to bridge the visual experience with the sacred," Hudley was especially delighted to be the one to open and hang the pieces upon their arrival. An opening reception launching the Celtic cross and panels is expected in the spring. “But there’s no need to wait for the event to start exploring the pieces,” Summers-Perry notes.
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
Registration required FEBRUARY 16
FEBRUARY FEBRUARY 1
WEDS
Dean’s Book Club 6:30–8 p.m., McGehee Conference Room. Discussing I Am Pilgrim by Terry Hayes. FEBRUARY 3
FRI
20s & 30s First Friday Downtown Lunch 12–1 p.m., Bombay Pizza, 914 Main. Join members for a monthly lunch in various locations downtown. Bridge Night 6–9 p.m., McGehee Conference Room. Bring a dish for the potluck social. FEBRUARY 5
Registration closed
SUN
Youth Super Bowl Party 5 p.m., Treehouse. Join other 6–12th graders for big game fun. Pick-up is at the Treehouse at the end of the game.
THU
The Vicar’s Road Show: Holy Repetition 6:30–8 p.m., Meets once monthly at La Madeleine in the Energy Corridor.
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.
FEBRUARY 17–19
MONDAYS
FRI–SAT
Healing Service 12:05 p.m., Golding Chapel.
Traces of the Trade Documentary 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., Cathedral. Film about the descendants of America’s largest slave-trading family facing their past. FEBRUARY 20
MON
President’s Day Holiday Cathedral offices are closed. FEBRUARY 24
FRI
TUE
The Vicar’s Road Show: Holy Repetition 6:30–8 p.m., Meets once monthly at the University of St. Thomas. FEBRUARY 10
FRI
Cloister Opening 6–8 p.m., Reynolds Hall. Parallel Worlds, an exhibition by Margit Gergely and Judit German-Heins, express their visions of their surroundings employing watercolor and photography. FEBRUARY 11
SAT
Pub Trivia 6:30–9 p.m., Reynolds Hall. Enjoy a lively group trivia challenge and pub fare at this all-ages event.
Bible “By the Glass” 6:30–8 p.m., OKRA, 924 Congress. Fellowship and Bible study. TUESDAYS Canticles: Ancient Songs of Faith 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. ($)
Noche Familiar 6–8:30 p.m., McGehee Conference Room. Join the Latino congregation for an engaging family night.
Bible “By the Glass” (North) 7p.m., Brix Wine Cellars, 110 Vintage Park Blvd Ste T., 77070. (until Feb. 21)
FEBRUARY 28
WEDNESDAYS
TUE
FEBRUARY 7
Bring a friend!
Centering Prayer 11:15–11:45 a.m., Hines Center.
Intermediate/Junior High Retreats Camp Allen. Join other 4th–6th and 6th–8th graders from the Diocese for a weekend of fun and fellowship. FEBRUARY 18 SAT
Shrove Tuesday Pancake Supper
FEBRUARY 25 SAT Absalom Jones 10 a.m., Cathedral. A Festival Eucharist in celebration for the first African-American Episcopal priest, followed by lunch and forum on racial justice with Houston civic leaders.
Childcare available (3 mo. to 12 yrs.)
6–8 p.m., Reynolds Hall. Feast and make merry on the night before Lent. Wear your Mardi Gras best and dance to live music.
WEEKLY SUNDAYS Adult Sunday Formation 10–11 a.m., various locations. Sunday School 10–11 a.m., various locations. Spanishlanguage classes at 1 p.m. for children and youth.
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. Cathedral 20s & 30s
ON REFORMATION Sundays in Lent, Reynolds Hall. 10 a.m. class, 6 p.m. dinner, 7–8:30 p.m. conversation. Children’s evening Lenten program from 6–8:30 p.m in the Jones Building. March 5: The Rev. Peter Marty Senior pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church, Davenport, IA, and publisher of The Christian Century magazine. March 12: Rabbi Steve Gross and Ameer Abuhalimeh The Rabbi of the Houston Congregation for Reformed Judaism, with the Executive Director of the Islamic Da’Wah Center in Houston. March 19: Dr. Leslie Williams English professor, writer, and threetime Fellow of Yale Divinity School. March 25: The Very Rev. Cynthia Briggs Kittredge Dean and President of the Seminary of the Southwest in Austin, and respected New Testament Scholar. April 2: Miroslav Volf Founder and Director of the Yale Center for Faith and Culture, and Henry B. Wright Professor of Theology, Yale Divinity School.
6:30–8 p.m., BYC. (Treehouse) Weekly discussion group and social gathering of young adults.
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.
The Vicar’s Road Show: Holy Repetition 6:30–8 p.m., Meets monthly in Meyerland (2/8) and at McGehee Conference Room (2/15).
Episcopal Youth Community (EYC) 3–4:45 p.m., BYC (Treehouse). Gathering of youth for games, teaching, videos, and worship.
THURSDAYS
Historia e Identidad (First three Sundays) 3:30–4:30 p.m., McGehee Conference Room. A detailed study in Spanish of the most relevant aspects of The Book of Common Prayer.
ROBERT C. STUART LENTEN SERIES
Men’s Lunch Group: G.K. Chesterton (Biweekly) 12 p.m., Dean’s Conference Room. Branch Out Jeremy Bradley and Christy Orman visit Houston area schools to say hello to our youth members.
Community of Hope International/ Shepherd Training 6–7:30 p.m., Dean’s Conference Room. Training for pastoral care ministry. Meets Jan. 12–Mar. 30. FRIDAYS Men’s Morning Study Group 7–8 a.m., Jeffers Conference Room.
UPCOMING MARCH 1
WED
Ash Wednesday Mark the start of Lent with the imposition of ashes at services at 7 a.m., 12:05 p.m., and 6 p.m. in English and at 7:30 p.m. in Spanish. 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.
Thanks from the Alternative Giving Market — and the chance to donate The 2016 Alternative Giving Market (AGM) was another success for Christ Church Cathedral and the 16 agencies with whom we partnered, thanks to the generosity of the Cathedral community. Over 131 individuals made donations, up from 105 donors in 2015. Donations increased as well. As of the first week in January, $30,746.75 has been donated, well above the 2015 total of $27,938.48. At-Risk Youth and the Beacon received between $4,000 and $6,000 in donations. The donations for Christmas at the Cathedral, Compass, Crossroads at Park Place, Kids Hope, Lord of the Streets, Seafarer’s Ministry and Sheltering Arms were in the $1,000 to $3,000 range. Finally, Nets for life, Magnifcat House, Living Hope Wheelchair, Have Shears
In the Cloister Gallery: Parallel Worlds Margit Gergely and Judit German-Heins express their visions of their surroundings employing their preferred media: Margit, through watercolor, and Judit, through photography. THE BULLETIN
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Will Travel, Cathedral Missions, and Brigid’s Place each received less than $1,000 in donations, every penny valuable. For those who would still like to make a donation, please know you are in luck. The link on the cathedral’s website is still open and/
or checks can be mailed to the Cathedral. Also, gifts cards are still available, so please indicate with the donation if gift cards are needed. For additional questions, please contact AGM co-chair, Tracey Cabral (traceyepc@yahoo.com).
COMPASS Musical Benefit on February 23 COMPASS and Houston’s Music Box Theater are teaming up again for a benefit event featuring a lively musical evening of ‘80s tunes. COMPASS, which was founded at the Cathedral in the early 1980s, currently operates out of the Dunn Outreach Center at 1212 Prairie Street (alongside the Beacon). On Thursday, February 23, 2017, join the COMPASS Board, staff, and friends for a wine reception, followed by the Music Box Theater’s performance of “Born in the ‘80s.” Tickets will be on sale Sunday mornings in the courtyard, although seating is limited. Tickets are also available online at the Events Page at houstoncompass.org. Proceeds from ticket sales will benefit COMPASS and its homeless clients. For
further information, contact Cynthia Brannon at cbrannon@houstoncompass.org or visit houstoncompass.org
LENTEN, from page 3 Christian theology to bear on various realms of public life, such as culture, politics, and economics. He will speak at the Cathedral on Sunday, April 2. The Lenten Series will be Sundays in Lent in Reynolds Hall, with a 10 a.m. discussion, and then at 6 p.m., directly following The Well service, there will be a supper and discussion. Also this year, in addition to child care, a children’s Lenten series will be available from 6– 8:30 p.m. as well.