CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL An Episcopal Community in the Heart of Houston, Texas
JUNE 2020 CHRISTCHURCHCATHEDRAL.ORG
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“What does brave look like?” The 2020 Christ Church Cathedral Reads program
Coming off a wildly successful inaugural year last summer, the Cathedral Reads program kicks off again this June. While last year’s program chose one book to read, the southern classic To Kill a Mockingbird, this year, the Cathedral community is invited to read one of two books, or both. A Prayer for Owen Meany by John Irving, published in 1989, is Irving’s This year’s Cathedral Reads program features two award-winning novels to dive into. bestselling novel in The Cathedral Reads program was inspired every language. Wonder by R.J. Palacio is a book geared to younger readers, published in by Dean Thompson’s time in Roanoke, VA, 2012, and still a bestselling book. The theme and his participation in its citywide readfor Cathedral Reads this summer is “What ing program called “Roanoke Reads.” The CATHEDRAL READS, page 6 does brave look like?”
Covid-19 challenges The Cathedral’s At Risk Youth Ministry BY LINDA MURPHY
On April 7, the ministry At Risk Youth was deluged with recurring tidal waves of COVID-19 cases beginning with this one: A mother of five children, a model tenant for several years, was laid off from her two long-term positions as a nanny. To make ends meet, she also gathered cans for recycling reimbursement. Because she must shelter in place and care for her children, she is unable even to do that. She received an eviction notice and was terrified. A mother of three, recently indefinitely furloughed from her position as a grocery store
AT RISK MINISTRY, page 7
At Risk Youth provides immediate financial assistance for working poor families with children enrolled in public schools who have experienced an unexpected crisis.
COVID-19 is nearly depleting the capacity of At Risk Youth to respond to this urgent situation, and the pleas for help just keep on coming from those whose jobs have evaporated for the foreseeable future.
Evolving into the stature of Christ I love podcasts, and one of my favorites is Radiolab, where in each episode the hosts tackle some issue of science, the cosmos, or life and always dig so deep as to ultimately address unexpected existential questions. As our collective coronavirus saga continues, VERY REV. I recall an episode of THEBARKLEY Radiolab that aired sevTHOMPSON eral years ago, entitled “Shrink.” The podcast focused upon a strange virus discovered by accident and named “Megavirus.” Usually, viruses are tiny, exponentially smaller than bacteria (think "mouse" compared to "elephant," no kidding). But Megavirus is huge, so big that it dwarfs many bacteria in size. At first, scientists contemplated how and why a virus would have become such a giant, until in a eureka moment they realized that they were thinking about things in reverse order. Maybe Megavirus hadn’t grown big. Rather, maybe Megavirus is the vestigial remnant of what all viruses likely once were. In other words, viruses may have devolved over time — evolution gone backwards. Viruses may have once been normal single-celled organisms but gotten smaller and simpler until now they are really nothing at all, just a snippet of genetic material surrounded by a protein shell. It is even debatable among scientists whether viruses are “alive.” Outside of a host body, a virus is inert; it can’t do anything. Only in a host does a virus spring into action and do its dirty work. It is the ultimate parasite. This strikes me as theological. A virus is the exact contrary to God’s hopes and
STATURE OF CHRIST, page 3
Our Cathedral Family We extend heartfelt sympathy to
E the family of Man Hing Lao, who passed away on March 28, 2020. Man Hing is mother to member Philip Lao, motherin-law to Becky Lao, and grandmother to Christopher Lao. E the family of William Koch, who passed away on April 5, 2020. William is grandfather to member Emily Theriot. E the family of Kirsten Didier, who passed away on April 13, 2020. Kirsten was preceded in death by her father, member Pete Kirk. Kirsten is stepdaughter to member Dianne Kirk. E the family of member Mark Wassell, who passed away on April 14, 2020. Mark is husband to member Debbie Wassell. E the family of Janice Kay Premont, who passed away on April 17, 2020. Janice is grandmother to choir member Emily Premont. E the family of Marian Barton, who passed away on April 19, 2020. Marian is mother to member Ja’Nee Barton.
We celebrate with
E Magdalena “Lena” Clara Vale, born to members Tim and Chloe Vale. E our graduating high school seniors, Meg Alexander, Zoë Doyle, Paige Evans, Indigo Giles, Maddie Giles, Paul Goza, Bex Hagen, Jacqueline Heal, CC Jeffers, Abbie-Louise Lord, Ginger Lummis, Dylan Lusk, Matthew Mackey, Isabel Matthews-Elston, Emma McKenzie, Sylvia McNulty, Jack Mumey, Daniel Neuhaus, Joe Nielsen, Quinn Ogle, Thomas Razim, Louisa Sarofim, Katie Shelburne, Meg Shelburne, Terry Stovall, Gus Thompson, Luce Tysor, Jessi Vorholt, and Devin Williams.
Flowers on the Cathedral Altar
E on May 10 were given to the glory of God in loving memory of Mrs. James A. Haralson by her daughter, Mrs. Gary P. Pearson, and her grandchildren, Gary, Jim, and Mary Bain. E on May 17 were given to the glory of God in loving memory of their parents, Priscilla Rodman Wandel and John Philip Wandel, by Gail Wandel Hendryx and Deborah Wandel Francis. E on May 24 were given to the glory of God in loving memory of their parents, Joy and Norman Kittrell and Harvey Shepherd, and in thanksgiving for Emily Shepherd by Norman and Frances Kittrell. E on May 31 were given in thanksgiving for their family, friends, and all of the Cathedral community, especially Art Callaham and his family, who will be sorely missed, by Donna and Carter Boyd. E on June 7 are given to the glory of God in loving celebration of their 60th wedding anniversary by Amy and Dieter Ufer. E on June 14 are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Jody Anderson and Zinkie and Fox Benton by Jane and Bill Curtis.
Glass slippers BY THE REV. BECKY ZARTMAN
After the evening was over, after the Magic was gone, after the carriage turned back into a pumpkin and her sparkling gown into rags, Cinderella stood up, dusted herself off, and discovered she was still wearing a single glass slipper. She holds it to her heart and whispers, “Oh thank you. Thank you so much, for everything.” Cinderella is talking to her fairy godmother, of course. The one who gifted her with the night of a lifetime, a night of being seen for her beauty, a night of deep and dreamy conversation, a night of joy, a night where Cinderella finally becomes beloved. A night so transcendent that were it not for the glass slipper, she might have thought she dreamed it. But with the slipper in her hand, exquisite, lovely — she knows that her evening was Real. She wasn’t making it up; she wasn’t dreaming. The slipper witnesses to the memory of her belovedness, the memory that will keep her going as she stands up to walk home, alone and barefoot. From now on, when her stepsisters berate her, when she has more work than daylight, when life becomes too much to bear, she will take the slipper out of its hiding place. She’ll look at it, hold it, and remember. Remember that night and the Magic, remember her own worth. So when she stands up and realizes this token of her belovedness is hers to keep, Cinderella’s heart swells with overwhelming gratitude. Later, the slipper would show its power to save her, but at that THE BULLETIN
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moment, Cinderella didn’t know that the man with whom she had been dancing was the Prince; Cinderella didn’t know that the slipper would be her salvation. She was simply grateful, because the gift she clutched in her hand proved that what she’d experienced was True. Because by the time Cinderella discovered the slipper, the music of the waltz and the glow of the evening had already started to fade. The moment the clock struck midnight, Cinderella had already begun to forget, to convince herself what had happened simply wasn’t true, couldn't be true, but the slipper, shimmering in her hand, is undeniable. The slipper itself, the sign of her secret grace, was more than enough.
GLASS SLIPPERS, page 5
Interview with the Cathedral's new vicar, the Rev. Kathy Pfister BY FLO RAY
We are so excited to welcome and get to know the Rev. Pfister (pronounced with no “p” and a short “i”). Here’s an excerpt of my interview with her; the full interview, in video and in text, is on our website (look in the “News” section).
is that we engage at a level in which people begin to feel connected in the body of Christ and have a sense of belonging.
My general belief is that the clergy can only do so much of that work. The laity is the body of Christ; being Christ in the world ultimately achieves that, in the sharing of our stories and the way we love and care for each other.
In the process of being in As the Canon Vicar, a big part of my role will be to community, the stories of listen closely to what Barkley’s our faith, the vision for the Cathedral is, narratives of "The laity is the body of Christ" and listen to the work of the our faith, our vestry and tune in to what is liturgy, and our Flo: Do you have any particular being revealed in that, and then do my very best scripture help us individually to dreams of what could to support it and grow it and help it to flourish. make meaning of our own lives. happen at the Cathedral? That is an overall trajectory. Kathy: I think my dream overall In the full interview, we learn how the Rev. How can we help people is that to me, the epidemic THE REV. KATHY PFISTER Pfister came to the Episcopal Church and the deepen their faith, and for those of our time (besides the priesthood, what called her to the Cathedral, folks who are struggling, to make sense of a pandemic) is fragmentation, loneliness, and what spiritual resources she is drawing on durworld that sometimes doesn't make sense? people who are experiencing a lack of meaning. ing this particular time, and how we can supHow can the Cathedral amplify or expand or port her now that she is here. Go to our website When I imagine ministry in any place, but in become even better at reaching those folks? (in the “News” section) to read and see it all. the Cathedral context in particular, my dream
STATURE OF CHRIST, from cover
intentions for the world. God calls the creation to flourish, while the organisms that viruses once were obstinately degraded themselves until they are mere shadows of reality — like the ghosts in C.S. Lewis’ The Great Divorce — scarcely alive and leeching off God’s good creation. So the question is, now that we know this about viruses, how will we respond to COVID-19, the sniveling little virus that is so potently attacking God’s world? One option is to mimic the virus, to degrade ourselves and devolve into people who attack one another and care not for anything other than furthering ourselves. The other option is laid out for us in the fourth chapter of the Letter to the Ephesians. In God’s good world, we Christians are to “build up the body of Christ, until all of us grow into the full stature of Christ.” Rather than devolve, we are to evolve into the image of the One who shows us the Way of love. Even as the coronavirus does its own worst and seeks to drive wedges between us, we are to grow in complexity of connection, compassion, and grace, day-by-day becoming more Christ-like. The coronavirus selfishly takes and takes. That’s all it knows how to do, because, as a virus, that’s all it is. But we are created in the image of God, and we are being raised to the full stature of Christ. We are holy, and loved, and good. In the end, this experience of COVID-19 will help us evolve. As St. Paul continues in Ephesians, “We must grow up in every way into Christ, from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by every ligament with which it is equipped … promotes the body’s growth in building itself up in love.” We must, indeed.
Let’s make masks for all Please join the Mission Outreach Council in our effort to make masks to contribute to Houston Responds’ Masks for All Project. We need sewers, cutters, runners, and materials so please complete the form on our MERRY MASK MAKERS website to let us know how you would like to serve. We’ll send you an email and connect you to other volunteers to June 9, at 5:30 p.m., and June 13, at 11 a.m. share progress, ask or answer questions, and find fellowship over Zoom. We are calling on all skill levels to participate. Are you a crafty stitcher? There is a pattern for you. Never sewn anything before? There is a no-sew pattern for you. And, because projects are more fun when we do them together, mask makers are invited to Zoom morning coffee meetings and happy hours where we will share our progress and help each other succeed. Houston Responds’ Masks for All project has set the goal of engaging 1,000 churches to mobilize their congregations to make 200 masks per week. This act of love and service will ensure over 1,000,000 people in Greater Houston will have potentially life-saving masks. Visit the website for Houston Responds for more information about this worthwhile project.
MASKS FOR ALL, page 5 PAGE 3
THE BULLETIN
2020 May Fete
IN PICTURES
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GLASS SLIPPERS, from page 2
The experience of God is too often fleeting, just a glimpse of the Holy, never enough. Like Cinderella’s ball, experiences of the divine are all consuming and so intense as to be dreamlike, a window into a different world, and yet true beyond truth. Like Cinderella’s dress, these experiences bring out our genuine beauty, showing us as we truly are, made by God and beloved beyond all rational measure. And then they fade out again, just as quickly as they came, the strains of music fading, the violas and violins returned to their cases, sheet music gathered up in silence. When the glow of the divine dims, we flip back into what we perceive, or what we think we should perceive. The carriage is now a pumpkin, the dress, rags. Just moments ago, before the stroke of midnight,
we were falling in love, dancing in the arms of a partner, talking happily; now we ache with loneliness. We convince ourselves that we were deluding ourselves, that it was just a dream. We scoff at the hope of our own belovedness, the cruel mockery of our worth. How could we believe that which is so patently untrue? But when it’s God with whom we dance, there is always a glass slipper. The Divine can’t help but leave a mark on our souls, even just small shift, a softening of the heart, a new insight; in other words, God always leaves a gift for us, to treasure and keep hidden where we can take it out, turn it over, marvel at its beauty, and allow that experience to continue to change us, long after the glow of our magical evening has faded. And to that, there’s only one response: “Oh thank you. Thank you so much, for everything.”
MASKS FOR ALL, from page 3 We wear a mask not to protect ourselves, but to protect those around us who may be vulnerable. Wearing a face mask shows that you care for others in the community. We hope to see you at the times below! Email the Rev. Greg Seme to get the link to the Zoom party. We will have experts available to walk you through the process and let you know what supplies you will need. • Tuesday, June 9, at 5:30 p.m.: Merry Mask Makers happy hour • Saturday, June 13, at 11:00 a.m.: Morning Mask Makers coffee hour The deadline to receive final products is Monday, June 15. “Masked, I advance.” — René Descartes
This year’s May Fete was held over two Sundays. On May 3, Cathedral parishioners had a car promenade around the Cathedral campus, where clergy and staff waved from the sidewalk. On the second Sunday, the Cathedral made a video available so that parishioners could have a May Fete celebration at home.
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THE BULLETIN
The Cathedral parties like it’s 2020 at May Fete BY SUSAN DUGAT
The Cathedral celebrated May Fete on May 3 and 10 this year, continuing our more than 120-year-old Spring tradition. Historically, the day has included a combined 10 o’clock service using the 1892 Book of Common Prayer, festive ceremony and dance around the Maypole to honor our Sunday School children, and the crowning of the May Fete King and Queen from the fifth-grade class. The day continues with a traditional fried chicken luncheon, games, crafts, face painting, and bake sale. This year, parishioners turned out by the carload to promenade around the Cathedral in their vehicles, waving “hello,” singing, and sharing the contagious May Fete spirit with the clergy and staff who lined Texas Avenue. About 50 cars participated in the
MAY FETE, page 8
CATHEDRAL READS, from cover
A PRAYER FOR OWEN MEANY
program encouraged the reading of a shared book, with different events at different venues, including one at his own parish to discuss the book. “It had a remarkably cohesive effect on the city,” he said. “People everywhere were striking up conversations about the book.” On the first Sunday of August last year, the all-Cathedral discussion of To Kill a Mockingbird brought 200 enthusiastic people together.
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About the books Thompson is excited about this year’s selections. “A Prayer for Owen Meany and Wonder are both absorbing, nourishing novels,” he said. As Cathedral Bookstore Manager Lucy Chambers notes, both books center on friendship with a person who is not like everyone else — and in both books, the characters who know Owen Meany and "Auggie" Pullman have their lives transformed. “Owen and Auggie are physically different,” Thompson said. “It’s not something they can hide. The understory is that we all walk through the world differently. For some people the difference is more discrete and we hope no one notices. How can we own our own difference?” On a more spiritual level, Thompson brings up the quote spoken by Daniel Day-Lewis while playing Abraham Lincoln in the 2012 movie of the same name: "Do you think we choose to be born? Or are we fitted to the times we are born into?" “Certainly in A Prayer for Owen Meany, there was the belief that God had a purpose for Owen’s difference,” Thompson said. “The question arises, is God is using my difference towards some purpose?” Chambers said that the choice of two different books gives everybody an access point. “There was an incredibly thoughtful discussion about [Mockingbird], and we wanted something that would generate the same kind of enthusiasm,” she said. “Both books show that true bravery is not about being forceful, [but] about inner strength, empathy, kindness, THE BULLETIN
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DISCUSSION GROUPS AND READING SCHEDULE DEADLINE JUNE 7
June 14–20
Small Groups (discuss ch.1)
June 21–27
Small Groups (discuss ch.2)
June 22, 6:30 p.m.
Monthly Discussion Group #1 (ch.1)
WEEK 3
June 28 to July 4
Small Groups (discuss ch.3)
WEEK 4
July 5–11
Small Groups (discuss ch.4)
July 12–18
Small Groups (discuss ch.5)
July 13, 6:30 p.m.
Monthly Discussion Group #2 (ch.2–4)
WEEK 6
July 19–25
Small Groups (discuss ch.6)
WEEK 7
July 26 to August 1
Small Groups (discuss ch.7)
WEEK 8
August 2–8
Small Groups (discuss ch.8)
WEEK 9
August 9–15
Small Groups (discuss ch.9)
August 23, 10 a.m.
All-Cathedral discussion of the book
WEEK 1 WEEK 2
WEEK 5
COMPLETE
Cathedral character, and faith. Both illustrate the second commandment clearly. We hope to bring up all kinds of amazing conversation.”
How to join the discussion groups Bethany Podgorny, the minister for community life, has organized a range of activities, including monthly and weekly discussion groups via Zoom in June, July, and August for A Prayer for Owen Meany. The monthly groups will include a 20-minute presentation from the Dean followed by breakout discussion groups. Weekly small groups will discuss a chapter every seven days. Sign up to join the groups on our website; look for the Cathedral Reads banner or go to the “Registrations” page. A Sunday discussion of A Prayer for Owen Meany will occur during the Dean’s Hour on Sunday, August 23, at 10 a.m. The following Friday, August 28, at 6:30 p.m., the Cathedral will screen and have discussion on the 2017
film “Wonder.” The Dean’s Book Club will further discuss A Prayer for Owen Meany on Wednesday, September 2, at 6:30 p.m. There will also be Wonder book club programs for children (2nd–5th grades) and older youth, incorporating Zoom groups, social media, and more. Open to everyone, a bookmark design “competition” will run concurrently with the program. The winning entries will be printed and given out as keepsakes at the final discussion. “I wanted to think of a fun way for all ages to creatively engage, and a bookmark seemed like a natural companion to a reading program. Stay tuned for more details.” Podgorny said. Cathedral Reads participants can purchase the books from the bookstore at https:// www.cathedralbookstore.org/ or by e-mailing bookstore@christchurchcathedral.org, or calling 713-222-0286. Online purchase is also available on our website under “Registrations.”
AT RISK MINISTRY, from cover shelf–stacker, suffered a disabling stroke while walking to a food pantry, partially paralyzing her on one side. She received a notice of eviction. A recent widow, whose husband died of cancer a year ago, has three children to support. She has no work experience and did not know how to drive a car. She had successfully joined the workforce as a waitress/dishwasher. She suddenly faced unemployment and mounting rent and utility bills. These three cases represent the tip of a disintegrating iceberg. Since midMay, At Risk Youth has received 45 COVID-19-related cases and distributed $34,000 to cover rent, utility, and mortgage payments for families that were previously employed and stable. The COVID-19 situation is an entirely different order of magnitude to the alarming aftermath of Hurricane Harvey. In that situation, with the Cathedral family’s generous assistance, At Risk Youth funded 50 Harvey-related situations during the 18 months following the aftermath of the storm. Daily At Risk Youth volunteers are informed by caseworkers of families being intimidated by landlords who are serving them eviction notices in spite of the declared moratorium. Government assistance is simply not reaching those for whom it was intended. At Risk Youth is currently funding triple the number of cases weekly than were previously assisted in a month. These pleas are a daily excruciating reminder to our team of volunteers how truly desperate the situation is, and how uniquely positioned At Risk Youth is to be able to help.
The foundation of At Risk Youth The Cathedral’s At Risk Youth ministry has been assisting families with school-age children experiencing severe crisis for almost 20 years. The seven volunteers who administer the program are Margot Cater, Barbara Manly, Margaret Gwynne, Susan Taylor, Erin McMillin, Amanda Powell, and Linda Murphy. We have stories to tell. Please. Ask us. In the Spring of 2000, Margot was beseeched for help by a high school student who was living in her car while her mother was incarcerated. In a month, she would graduate as valedictorian of her class. Barbara Manly, then the chair of the Mission Outreach Council, was eager to help, but there was no mechanism in place enabling the Cathedral to respond immediately to this situation. Out of this catastrophe, the concept of At Risk Youth emerged. At Risk Youth operates with no overhead expense to the Cathedral’s budget and is managed entirely by volunteers. Since inception, At Risk Youth has distributed $753,546, benefitting working families with children in school who are living paycheck to paycheck. At Risk Youth is able to restore stability promptly in the face of every conceivable crisis: sudden on-set of a life threatening illness, domestic violence, weather-related job loss, automobile accident, flood, fire, wage theft, neighborhood crime, even death, all potentially resulting in eviction, homelessness, and educational disaster. This was accomplished over the years through deeply appreciated generous donations from individual Cathedral parishioners and family foundations. At Risk Youth receives referrals that originate from Communities in Schools’ partnerships throughout HISD and neighboring school districts, Casa d’Esperanza, and Yellowstone Academy, all staffed by qualified caseworkers who have their masters degree in social work . It is a soul-enriching privilege for anyone to be able to make a difference in any context, and we are so very grateful to be able to represent and extend the Cathedral’s generosity on your behalf. At Risk Youth has been an especially meaningful intervention to those families who have received help in the past, and it is our prayer that this effort will continue, with your support. Checks to support At Risk Youth should be made out to Christ Church Cathedral with a note on the check saying “FBO At Risk Youth,” and they should be mailed to the Cathedral at 1117 Texas Ave., Houston TX, 77002. Thank you.
Youth Summer Shade packs in the fun This summer, the Cathedral Youth won’t be taking a hiatus. We will continue meeting weekly through our Summer Shade program. Every Thursday we will gather at 6 p.m. via ZOOM to either: have game night with awesome prizes, watch a movie, or do an activity together (think cookie decorating, mask making, or painting with a twist Zoom style). This is a great opportunity to gather as a community for fellowship and fun! For movie dates, we will offer “Movie Packs” for $5 that youth must register for. Pick up will be the Wednesday before the movie date. For activity dates, we will offer complimentary “Supply Packs,” and pick up will also be the Wednesday before the event. Be sure to register. You must register to pick up all movie or supply packs. Sign up for the Youth enews and follow us on Instagram @ccctreehouse to stay up to date with each week’s offering. We will make sure that details go out by Tuesday for that week’s program. If you have any questions contact our Minister for Youth Marcia Quintanilla. June 11
Movie Night — "Trolls"
June 18
Game Night – Bingo (win a $10 gift card to Canes!)
June 25
Activity – Let’s Make Cookies!
July 2
Movie Night – "Star Wars"**
July 9
Game Night – Star Wars or Scripture (win a $10 to Amazon!)
July 16
Activity – Painting with The Treehouse!
July 23
Movie Night – "HAMILTON"
July 30
Game Night – Trivia/Scavenger Hunt (win $10 gc to Starbucks)
Aug. 6
Activity – Let’s Make Masks!
** “Star Wars” movie is subject to change if Netflix, Disney+, or any other movie streaming service offers a new movie release.
Summer Shade 2019 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 Ramona Sikes at rsikes@christchurchcathedral.org or call her at 713-590-3301.
Interview with our new Minister for Community Life, Bethany Podgorny [As of this printing, Bethany has added two more books to her list for Cathedral Reads: A Prayer for Owen Meany and Wonder.]
BY CATHERINE MCDONALD
Bethany Podgorny is off to a running start at the Cathedral, having arrived in April just in time to work on this year’s virtual May Fete. During this time of sheltering in place, we thought an interview would be a nice way to get to know her. Here’s an excerpt of my interview with Bethany from the end of April; the full interview is on our website in the “News” section. Catherine: What are you reading? What do you feel like you should read? What do you want to read?
What is priority one for your new role as Minister of Community Life?
BETHANY PODGORNY
Bethany: I’m currently reading Inspired: Slaying Giants, Walking on Water, and Loving the Bible Again by Rachel Held Evans and The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile. I feel like I should read more fiction because I mostly read for the sake of learning, but I see the benefits of reading fiction and feel like it would make me a more creative person. The next book on my reading list is Kate Bowler’s Blessed: A History of the American Prosperity Gospel. THE BULLETIN
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My first priority in this new role is to get to know as many people in this community as possible. I want to know everyone! I’ll be attending online offerings, Bible studies, and joining small groups.
MAY FETE, from page 6
If I don’t reach out to you personally, feel free to reach out to me! I want to know who already makes up this vibrant community so that as I work on maintaining existing programs and think of new ways to connect, I understand what our community needs and wants. Go to our website to read the full interview, which includes questions about where Bethany has lived, what her favorite kinds of music are, whether she prefers the mountains or the water, and what part of the Cathedral she is most looking forward to learning more about. Look in the “News” section of our website.
promenade, bringing with them decorations, a giant green penguin, balloons, pinwheels, May Poles, streamers, and the Queen of England herself (masked for her safety, of course). Over the following week, parishioners brought May Fete home. The Cathedral provided luncheon recipes and virtually crowned the entire fifth-grade class as the Kings and Queens of May Fete 2020. We capped the week with a special video complete with the Asby family’s dance around the Maypole, interviews with past May Fete Kings and Queens, some of our current fifth graders cutting ribbon to officially “open” May Fete for the year, and pictures to remember past celebrations and document an “at home” May Fete that could only, and hopefully will only, reflect 2020. Truly, it was a May Fete unlike any we have ever had. Thank you for celebrating with us!