CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL An Episcopal Community in the Heart of Houston, Texas
MAY 2020 CHRISTCHURCHCATHEDRAL.ORG
AFTER-HOURS EMERGENCY CARE LINE | 713-826-5332
Reminded of the meaning of life In our contemporary world, distractions abound that allow us to ignore questions of ultimate meaning and purpose. Our material abundance, including the endless string of gadgets that supersede one another every year; our access to infinite information that prevents us from any idle moments in which to ponder and dream; our freedom of movement, both physical and virtual, which enables us THE VERY REV. to experience new places BARKLEY whenever the usual gets THOMPSON stale all provide means by which to elude the deep questions of existence. Or, perhaps more accurately, all these things grant us the pretense that the ultimate answer to life’s ultimate question…is us. We tacitly believe that we are the center of the universe; everything revolves around our wants and needs. Prior generations didn’t have this luxury. As Robert Nicholson recently pointed out in The Wall Street Journal, “Our ancestors’ lives were guaranteed to be short and painful. The lucky ones survived birth. The luckier ones made it past childhood. We now float in an anomalous world of air conditioning, 911 call centers, acetaminophen, and pocket-size computers containing nearly the sum of human knowledge. We reduced nature to ‘the shackled form of a conquered monster,’ as Joseph Conrad once put it, and took control of our fate.” That is, until now. The past 45 days have reminded us of our contingency and fragility. A virus has emerged against which we have no natural or pharmacological defense. In our efforts to stave it off, we have cloistered ourselves in our homes,
The Cathedral Good Neighbor program launches Jody Gillit considers her position as the Minister for Pastoral Care at Christ Church Cathedral both a job and a vocation. Although relatively new to the role — as she started last July — Gillit is more than meeting the challenge of creating community in the face of the mandated social isolation of COVID-19. While she first prioritized connecting with older parishioners, Gillit soon realized that she needed to broaden her scope.
“It wasn’t just an issue for those 75 years and older,” Gillit says. Because there are only five lay chaplains and more than 3,000 members, Gillit knew she needed to make the system for reaching out more manageable. Thus the “Cathedral Good Neighbor” program was created. Step one was working with the church’s online database, creating groups of 25 households
NEIGHBOR, page 8
Callaham to depart
MEANING OF LIFE, page 3 THE REV. ARTHUR A. CALLAHAM
After six years of dedicated service as Canon Vicar, Art Callaham has announced that he has accepted the position of Chaplain at Episcopal High School here in Houston. A beloved vicar, Callaham’s tenure at the Cathedral ends May 31, after which he and his family will take some well-deserved vacation prior to the commencement of his new role at Episcopal High School in mid-summer. “Art has played a leading role in shaping our Cathedral to be a community of embrace. It would be hard to imagine the past six years without Art’s presence and good care,” says Dean Thompson. As chaplain, Callaham steps into an
VICARS, page 6
Our Cathedral Family We celebrate with
E new members William “Bill” Luck Jr., James P. Spear, Nancy Zamboras, and Thomas Mason and Julia Ridgeway-Diaz and their children, Victoria and Luke.
We extend heartfelt sympathy to
E the family of Cherry Louise Gulledge, who passed away on March 24, 2020. Cherry is mother to member Gay Gulledge. E to the family of Allison Gross Wallace, who passed away on March 24, 2020. Allison is wife to John Wallace; mother to John Wallace Jr., Will Wallace, Wes Wallace, and Rob Wallace; grandmother to Sophie Allison Wallace; and sister to member Susan Reedy and her husband Rob Reedy. E the family of member Richard Burton (Burt) Ballanfant, who passed away March 29, 2020. Burt is husband to Sarah Ballanfant; father to Andrea Ballanfant Roe and husband John, and Benjamin Burton Hayes Ballanfant and Amy Lamar Ballanfant; and grandfather to Caroline Roe and William Roe. E the family of member Brenda (B.J.) Bright Shell, who passed away on April 2, 2020. B.J. is wife to member Robert Shell Sr. E the family of Helen W. White, who recently passed away. Helen is mother to member Betsy Hedges.
The flowers on the Cathedral Altar
E on Sunday, March 8, were given to the glory of God in thanksgiving for the life and service of the Reverend Martha Frances from Brigid's Place. E on Sunday, March 22, were given to the glory of God in loving memory of James Leonard Dougherty, Jewel Kendall and William Brooke Hamilton, Henry Kendall Hamilton, Newton Gilbert Dougherty, and Maribel Kendall Daffan by Anne and Jim Dougherty Jr. E on Sunday, March 29, were given to the glory of God in loving memory of Cindi Blakely by her family. E on Sunday, April 26, were given to the glory of God in gratitude for the faith community of Christ Church Cathedral. E on Sunday, May 3, are given to the glory of God in loving memory of their nephew, Tyler Bludau, by Shirley Bludau and Mike Grimes.
The Easter lilies at the Altar and Rood Screen were given to the glory of God
E in loving memory of John D. Kirkland and David Kirkland by Kate Kirkland. E in loving memory of her sister, Frances Bludau Kallus, by Shirley Bludau and Mike Grimes. E in loving memory of their niece, Melissa Collins, by Shirley Bludau and Mike Grimes. E in loving memory of their nephew, Tyler Bludau, by Shirley Bludau and Mike Grimes. E in loving memory of Mike’s father, Dr. Fred Grimes Sr., by Shirley Bludau and Mike Grimes. E in loving memory of Mike’s mother, Lillian Frances Grimes, by Shirley Bludau and Mike Grimes. E in thanksgiving for their grandson, Gavin Franco, by Shirley Bludau and Mike Grimes. E in loving memory of her husband, Gay C. Brinson Jr., by Bette Butter Brinson. E in loving memory of Billie and Leo Butter by Bette Butter Brinson.
The Beacon continues to serve BY CHIEF ADVANCEMENT OFFICER TO THE BEACON JULIE FALCON
Everyone is experiencing an inordinate amount of change and uncertainty in their lives because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This is exceptionally true for individuals experiencing homelessness. While the region and many parts of the country are sheltering at home, there simply isn't a place for these individuals to go. The Beacon is continuing to serve those that are living on the streets by meeting their basic needs during this crucial time. Below are details of our modified operations to date: • Take-away meals (one hot meal and one sack lunch for each individual) are distributed seven days a week. These sacks include a drink and hand wipes • Individuals are able to access laundry and shower services on a limited basis THE BULLETIN
PAGE 2
• Clients with mailbox privileges can pick up their mail on Wednesdays • All other Beacon client-facing services continue to operate remotely, including our Beacon Law and Brigid’s Hope programs We continue to screen anyone coming into the facility including volunteers and staff each day. We are so grateful for the many volunteers and financial supporters who are able to help our efforts as we expanded to operating seven days a week. The number of individuals coming to our gates is increasing and we anticipate more need in the coming weeks and months. Currently, our meal production has jumped by 366%. As always, you can sign up to volunteer or donate via our website at www. beaconhomeless.org.
Clients at The Beacon lining up to receive a hot meal as well as a takeaway meal in April. The Beacon has been providing two meals a day for seven days a week to more than 500 individuals daily. The daily census has risen by 66%.
Steadfast hearts Like many of you, I have been catching up on my book pile, and I found myself reading Jon Meacham’s book about Roosevelt and Churchill. It seems the two became fast friends during a perilous time in our history, and their relationship was built on many things, including their faith. During one of his SENIOR WARDEN visits with Roosevelt, Churchill ROB REEDY asked for permission (which was readily given) to quote Psalm 112 in his speech to the U.S. Congress. Imagine Churchill delivering the following in his dramatic radio voice: Even in darkness light dawns for the upright, for those who are gracious and compassionate and righteous. Good will come to those who are generous and lend freely, who conduct their affairs with justice. Surely the righteous will never be shaken; they will be remembered forever. They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord. Their hearts are secure, they will have no fear; in the end they will look in triumph on their foes. They have freely scattered their gifts to the poor, their righteousness endures forever; their horn will be lifted high in honor. Reading the psalm, I was touched by the message it delivered then and, amazingly, now as we all struggle with the recent impact of COVID-19 and restrictions on gathering as a community. We have all felt disruption in many ways, including financially, and the Cathedral is no exception. Though the Cathedral campus is temporarily closed, our worship and programs continue and our staff is hard at work. Sunday services, along with many other popular formation programs (The Dean’s Book Club, Women’s Evening Bible Study, Wednesday Children’s Chapel to name a few), are all available online. Outreach and pastoral care efforts are ongoing. None of this is possible without financial support. I urge you to continue to pay your EMC (Every Member Canvass) pledges. If you like making your pledge by putting something in the collection plate (like I do), this is a perfect time to go on the Cathedral website and click on “GIVE” at the top of the page. The online giving method is a great way to keep our Cathedral working. With your support, and with God’s help, I have confidence we will all get through this challenging time, just like this great Cathedral has done so many times in the past.
A stained glass window of the twelve apostles.
Let’s read Acts together
During this Easter season, the Cathedral invites all parishioners to read and study the Acts of the Apostles. While this program began April 19, anyone can join at any point, so feel free to pick up (or log on to) your Bible and start reading. Why Acts? We read the Acts of the Apostles together because Acts is about how the church became the church in an unprecedented and unpredictable time. Even more importantly, Acts is about how the Holy Spirit shows up for a group of scared and uncertain disciples. By attending to how the Spirit has worked in the past, we can better discern the Spirit’s comforting and life-giving presence in the present.
READING ACTS TOGETHER, page 8
MEANING OF LIFE, from cover sundering virtually all physical human connection. We have shut down our economy. These actions, in turn, feel as ominous to our long-term well-being as the virus itself. But God redeems all things, and I believe God is weaving redemption through these challenges by reawakening us to three things essential to our humanity: Relationships are central to who we are. Whether introverts or extroverts, we are created to be in one another’s presence, not to live in isolation. The doctrine of the Trinity reveals that even in God’s own nature, relationships are essential, and that essence overflows into humanity. We are created to gaze into one another’s eyes, to share laughter, to embrace in sorrow. Our lives intertwine, and when the threads are pulled apart, we are diminished. We are built to need one another, and that need is a blessing from God. We find our grounding in sacred spaces. As we have posted worship services online, I have received many emails from parishioners saying, in some version, “Seeing the Cathedral makes me yearn to be in that holy space.” Some who have not been regular churchgoers in years have remarked that they didn’t realize how much they missed the Cathedral until they could not be there. Holy Scripture teaches us that sacred spaces, set apart, call us like a lodestone.
Almost two centuries of Christians have been baptized, married, and buried within the Cathedral walls. It has been the location for innumerable holy moments of hope and sorrow. The stained glass, the rood screen, the high altar: all communicate God’s grace. We rightly cherish the Cathedral. God is surely present there. And most importantly, our source, our center, and our end are God. Once we are stripped bare of the many distractions in our lives, and once the earthly things in which we place our confidence are proven unreliable, we remember that our lives truly are contingent, and our mortal future is never sure. But that is no reason to fear! We are created by a God who loves us more than we can ask or imagine. Our meaning in life is to know God as closely as we know the very air we breathe, to recognize that the veil between God and us is so thin as to be porous. And our end is a return to God, who awaits us as the father waits upon the Prodigal Son. God will meet us with joyous abandon. These days of COVID-19 have reawakened us to these truths of human existence. When we are on the other side of the coronavirus, as we surely will be, I pray that we will stay awake. I pray that we will cherish one another, gather again in joy in the sacred space of the Cathedral, and know the one great truth: that we find our very lives in God. PAGE 3
THE BULLETIN
Maundy Thursday Footwashing, Easter Sunday,Flowering the Cross, and more
IN PICTURES
Below: Bishop Doyle (far left) and Cathedral clergy made our Easter services online extra special; thousands of parishioners and friends tuned in.
Right: Our sextons remain hard at work taking care of the Cathedral campus, using masks made by parishioner Jen Trusty. Below: Youth Sunday School meets via Zoom each week; we are so grateful to our adult leaders.
Left, below: This year's Maundy Thursday interactive service made space for footwashing at home.
THE BULLETIN
PAGE 4
Above: The Cathedral flowered the cross digitally this year; the Children's and Family Ministry received over 250 images of flowers from parishioners via email, which were cut out and used to flower the cross you see here. Below: Volunteers and staff at The Beacon are using precautions and safe distancing to prepare 1,000 meals a day.
Above: Cathedral members and friends sent photos of themselves in their Easter hats and bonnets for the annual group photo — this year made into a collage.
The Practice of Loving Kindness BY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE HINES CENTER FOR SPIRITUALITY AND PRAYER DANIELLE FANFAIR
Did you know that the Sanskrit word for meditation, dhyana, means to 'become familiar with'? Isn’t that so simply appropriate for the benefits of a contemplative meditation practice? We sit still, close our eyes, refrain from consuming foods and beverages, control the sounds of our environment, and instead of responding to everything outside, we go inside. We truly become familiar with our thoughts, our feelings, and gain perspective on our world around us. We gain access to Divine higher intelligence, however we experience it. The result is a calmer, clearer, divinely-inspired action to change our lives for the better. And here is the punchline: How we relate to ourselves overflows into how we relate to
everything else. Some of us have been given the gift of extra time. What if we re-invested that time into receiving it as a gift to care for ourselves? Our connection, spiritual wellness, and good energy have no limits. We can meditate, practice mindfulness, and find opportunities to share in gratitude, curiosity, and joy together. We’re grateful to be a part of Christ Church Cathedral’s expression of love in the world, and we invite you to enjoy The Hines Center’s virtual offerings to cultivate sustained calm, joy, and familiarity with the Divine. Here is a Loving Kindness practice I learned from Dr. Ann Friedman, Ph.D., founder of MindfulBeing Houston, and our esteemed partner:
Loving Kindness Phrases to wish silently to yourself or another: May I/you be safe from inner and outer danger. May I/you be happy and peaceful. May I/you be healthy and strong. May my/your life unfold with ease. May I/you have joy and life. May I/you accept myself/yourself just as I am/you are. May I/you have peace and well-being. I encourage you to notice how these phrases make you feel. Practice as much loving kindness on yourself as you can, and watch it spread to those around you. PAGE 5
THE BULLETIN
VICARS, from cover
a decade of experience as both the seopportunity to continue his work nior associate at the in a new environment, one that was Episcopal Church of “It was the first Sunday in May, 2014. The Dean had offered that it was better to once quite familiar. ‘experience May Fete on [my] first day rather than spend [my] whole first year hearing the Good Shepherd Says Callaham, “Being the chapabout it.’ He was right. May Fete was epic, just like everything else around here for in Austin, TX, a parlain at Episcopal High School is a the past six years. To be a part of a church community that seems to know no other ish of comparable return to the very roots of my vocaway to worship, and love, and serve God than ‘epic’ has been a highlight of my life as size to the Cathetion and ministry. It's been nearly a parish priest. To find such zeal in a community also willing to care for me, my family dral, and the vicar two decades since I was last in the and one another in a deeply personal way has been a priceless gift. Again, Dean of Good Shepherd’s classroom, and it is high time for Thompson is right when he says of Christ Church, ‘There's not another place like it.’” second campus, me to return. I go back, this time, Good Shepherd on with new gifts and experiences to the Hill. Kathy and share. In particular, I am eager to share the vision of how a community steeped know that it will excite them. Thank you for her husband Phil have a son, Charles, who is in faith and dedicated to the Gospel, a com- all you've done for me and my family. Thank a college student at Sewanee, and a daughter, Camille, who is a junior in high school. munity like Christ Church Cathedral, can you for what you do for the Gospel.” Dean Thompson is also pleased to anSays Dean Thompson, “I have been blessed be both epic and intimate, particularly in an nounce that the Rev. Kathy Pfister has acto know Kathy for a long time. She is a leader era when most think of the church as being cepted the call to be our new Canon Vicar. who empowers others in their ministries. We small, silly, and distant. Many may not recKathy joins Christ Church after more than are most fortunate that she has answered the ognize this image of church immediately. I call to join the Cathedral community, and I look forward to her arrival.” “I am honored and delighted to have been called by Dean Thompson to serve as Vicar of The Dean’s Book Club continues to meet via Zoom online conferencing on the first Christ Church Cathedral,” says the Rev. PfisWednesday of the month from 6:30–8 p.m. Email Dean Thompson at bthompson@ ter. “The Cathedral is a vibrant parish, with a christchurchcathedral.org to get the link to enter the Zoom group. Cathedral Bookstore long history of creative and thoughtful minManager Lucy Chambers will order your books for you and deliver to your home. If you istry, steadfast service, loving community, would like her to order you a book, email her at bookstore@christchurchcathedral.org. and beautiful worship. Yours is a community There will be no Book Club meetings in July or August. It will return in September; stay steeped in tradition, grounded in love, and tuned. Here are the upcoming book club selections: dedicated to the flourishing of the world God loves. I am so grateful for the opportunity to Wednesday, May 6 serve you. A Place for Us: A Novel, by Fatima Farheen Mirza For me, the greatest joys of ministry are “As an Indian wedding gathers a family back together, parfound in helpents Rafiq and Layla must reckon with the choices their ing others children have made. There is Hadia: their headstrong, eldest discover their daughter, whose marriage is a match of love and not tradiunique gifts tion. Huda, the middle child, determined to follow in her for sharing sister’s footsteps. And lastly, their estranged son, Amar, who the gospel and returns to the family fold for the first time in three years to in working take his place as brother of the bride. What secrets and bewith groups trayals have caused this close-knit family to fracture? Can to imagine Amar find his way back to the people who know and love how we might him best? A Place for Us is a book for our times: an astonishenliven and ingly tender-hearted novel of identity and belonging, and a deepen our resonant portrait of what it means to be an American family faith. I feel so today.” (From Amazon) privileged to Wednesday, June 3 join the people and staff of That All Shall Be Saved: Heaven, Hell, and Universal the Cathedral Salvation, by David Bentley Hart THE REV. KATHY PFISTER and to share “On the basis of the earliest Christian writings, theological and support the movement of the Spirit altradition, scripture, and logic, Hart argues that if God is the ready at work among you. I look forward to good creator of all, he is the savior of all, without fail. And if getting to know you and to discovering the he is not the savior of all, the Kingdom is only a dream, and many gifts God has in store for us.” creation something considerably worse than a nightmare. Once this time of physical distancing has But it is not so. There is no such thing as eternal damnation; passed, Cathedral members will have opporall will be saved. With great rhetorical power, wit, and emotunities both to bid the Callahams a loving tional range, Hart offers a new perspective on one of Christiand fond farewell and welcome the Pfisters to anity’s most important themes.” (From Amazon) Christ Church.
CALLAHAM REMEMBERS HIS FIRST DAY AT THE CATHEDRAL
Dean’s Book Club selections
THE BULLETIN
PAGE 6
ACTS OF THE APOSTLES READING PLAN AND WEEKLY PRAYER PRACTICES
Easter 3 Sharing and Serving
Set apart a quiet time and place to pray each day. Set a timer for at least five minutes. Ask God to be with you while you pray. As you inhale, pray, “Spirit of the Living God,” and as you exhale, pray, “Fall afresh on me.” Allow yourself to sink into the prayer; if you are distracted, acknowledge the distraction and just start praying again. At the end of your time, talk to God about how that went. Give thanks for your time together, and say, “Amen.”
Easter 4 Peter and Paul Set apart a quiet time and place to pray each day. Set a timer for at least five minutes. Begin your prayer time by asking God to be with you. Take time to pray for one person whom you know needs prayers. In your heart, lift them up to God. Be specific about how you want God to help them. Thank God for them.
Easter 5 The Word of the Lord Spread Set apart a quiet time and place to pray each day. Set a timer for at least five minutes. Settle into a comfortable position, and ask God to be with you. Take three big breaths in and out, and then listen in silence to God. If you are distracted, focus on your breathing until you can quiet yourself again, and continue listening. At the end of your time, slowly pray the Lord’s Prayer.
Easter 6 Turning the World Upside Down Set apart a quiet time and place to pray each day. Using a journal, reflect on a time when God was present to you. Name this event, and give thanks for that event. Reflect on the way that it shaped your life. When you are done journaling, give thanks to God for the time you spent together, and ask God to be present with you throughout your day.
Easter 7 Bearing Witness in Rome Set apart a quiet time and place to pray each day. Set a timer for at least five minutes. Ask God to be present with you. Spend time reflecting on this question: How is God calling me to bring Good News to others? With whom is God calling me to be in conversation? How is God equipping me to love others? Thank God for the gift of your time together. PAGE 7
THE BULLETIN
Non-Profit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID
1117 Texas Avenue Houston, Texas 77002-3183
Houston, Texas PERMIT No. 6404
Did you know you can read The Bulletin on our website? If you’d like to go “online-only,” contact Ramona Sikes at rsikes@christchurchcathedral.org or call her at 713-590-3301.
NEIGHBOR, from cover
fulfill requests that the church community can do without or less. Then council members jeopardizing the health and and others were chosen as a safety of all. “really good group of leaders” “This is the team that is to serve as the call leaders for helping with tech support for each group. Zoom meetings and viewThere are 138 groups, ining online services as well as cluding 1,475 households and 3,150 individuals, being dropping off supplies or food,” contacted by Christ Church Gillit said. parishioners. The Latino Members who now live outJODY GILLIT, MINISTER FOR congregation is part of the side the area also get outreach PASTORAL CARE because they are still a part of “Cathedral Good Neighbor” the Cathedral family. program as well. Sylvia CasGillit has learned to pay special attention to sintellanos is coordinating those efforts. Each group leader has been checking in by gle people, for whom social isolation can be very phone, email, or text with the individual house- lonely and stressful. Those with pre-existing conholds weekly, or more often, as circumstances ditions that would make them more susceptible to COVID-19 are also more carefully monitored. dictate. Parishioners who have needs that go beyond the “The only grouping is by zip code,” Gillit said. basic, or medical emergencies aside from COV“The groups are intergenerational.” The geographic proximity helps with errand ID-19, are triaged — so to speak — and connected running, too, and also makes the information to those clergy or medical professionals who can shared more pertinent to the neighborhood or best help. “Harvey was really hard but you can’t see or hear area. “If someone knows that the H-E-B around the [this virus] which makes it harder in some ways,” corner has bread, that’s helpful information,” Gillit Gillit said. “But [this outreach] has shown our congregation that everybody has power to help said. “Folks sound very grateful.” The “Rapid Response” team is also available to each other.” THE BULLETIN
PAGE 8
READING ACTS TOGETHER, from p.3 Follow the reading guide and prayer practices, and see what reading the Acts ACTS OF THE APOSTLES of the READING PLAN Apostles Learn more at brings to christchurchcathedral.org your life during this unusual time. Go to our website, christchurchcathedral.org, to learn more.