CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL An Episcopal Community in the Heart of Houston, Texas
AUGUST 2020 CHRISTCHURCHCATHEDRAL.ORG
AFTER-HOURS EMERGENCY CARE LINE | 713-826-5332
I break so that I may reveal As a kid, I loved dinosaurs. To this day, the rhinoceros is my favorite animal at the zoo, because he looks to me like a Triceratops. Every week in grade school, I would insist my mother take me to the Greene County Library to check out the over-sized dinosaur books, with glossy artTHE VERY REV. ist renderings of BronBARKLEY tosaurus, Diplodocus, THOMPSON and Tyrannosaurus rex. These were not with the children’s books but rather found in the grown-up section, and as I read them I felt like a real paleontologist. Somewhere along the way, I learned the motto of the Paleontological Society. In Latin, it is Frango ut patefaciam. In English, that translates to “I break so that I may reveal.” I hadn’t thought about that motto for years, but lately it has sprung to mind unbidden. Within the past three months, so much of the world has broken. And the breaking has revealed a lot. Cracked open, we have seen where our weaknesses are, with regard to both our public health and our economic models. The breaking open of the veneer of racial harmony has revealed that we still have so much work to do to render this a land experienced by all as life-giving, sustaining, and free. The continued breaking open of our political divide (How much more can it break?!) reveals that, for a long time, neighbors and friends have viewed our county and its challenges very differently from one another. And, we see more when the view zooms down to the up-close-and-personal. I don’t know about you, but in some ways
REVEAL, page 3
Setup for a Cathedral web event.
Virtual connections at Cathedral run deep Minister for Youth Marcia Quintanilla said the Cathedral’s virtual mission trip has been the best part of her summer. “The kids loved it,” she said. Instead of on-site visits, the teens met via Zoom each day with a representative of a local non-profit. “On Monday it was New Hope Housing, on Tuesday it was The Beacon and on Wednesday it was Interfaith Ministries,” Quintanilla said. Before the “trip”, the youth were given a mission trip pack with their supplies for
the week. For New Hope clients they made keychain holders for their new homes. They made masks for The Beacon and for Interfaith Ministries, they got to call people on their birthdays. “The first person we called was 75,” Quintanilla said. “He said we made his day.” Now Quintanilla is inspired to figure out how they can have a meaningful online impact in Costa Rica, where they would have gone this summer. “The Cathedral culture is one of service,”
CONNECTIONS, page 6
Praying with Anglican Prayer Beads
Anglican Beads from a 20’s & 30’s bead making event.
In the dueling storms of pandemic and pervasive political unrest, you may be seeking to hold, or find, your center by expanding your prayer practice. Like so many of us, you may feel that these trying times prevent you from focusing the way you once could. While our Episcopalian tradition offers a variety of prayer practices, praying with Anglican prayer beads provides a tactile way to keep focused and may prove particularly helpful. Cool in your hands and pleasing to the eye, the beads can also slip into your pocket and provide comfort even when you are not actively praying. We know that God is always with us, but touching this reminder of our prayer life can provide
PRAYER BEADS, page 7
Our Cathedral Family We celebrate with
E Elsa Moen and Jonathan Lammey, who were married in the Cathedral on June 27, 2020. E Nancy Thompson and Earle Martin Jr., who were married in the Cathedral on July 2, 2020. E Meg Long and Christ Shatto, who were married in the Cathedral on July 11, 2020.
We extend heartfelt sympathy to
E the family of William J. Tietz, who passed away on June 10, 2020. Bill is brother to member Fred Tietz. E the family of Jamie Banks, who passed away June 18, 2020. Jamie is father to member Oliver Banks. E the family of member Dr. James Reed Cox, who passed away on June 20, 2020. Jim is brother to Samuel Cox, Edwin Cox, and Lynn Cresswell. E the family of Mary Alford Mischer, who passed away on June 24, 2020. Mary is mother to member Walter Mischer Jr. and his wife Leila Mischer.
The flowers on the Cathedral Altar
E on June 27 were given to the glory of God in celebration of the marriage of Elsa and Jonathan Lammey by Eric and Amy Moen. E on August 2 are given to the glory of God in thanksgiving for the Ordination of the newest Deacons in the Diocese of Texas by the Commission on Ministry and The Standing Committee of the Diocese of Texas. E on August 16 are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Paul Bayless Harrison by his wife Blanche Harrison. E On August 23 are given to the glory of God in thanksgiving for Dorothy Viktorin and in loving memory of Joe Viktorin and Nancy Viktorin.
Community of Hope International monthly gathering — “Circle of Care” The Cathedral is calling all who have completed the Community of Hope International training to come together for a monthly gathering called “Circle of Care.” You may have completed your COHI training years ago or did it somewhere else, we would like to connect with all who are at the Cathedral. Mark your calendars for the fall dates of September 8, October 13, and November 10 (2nd Tuesday of the month) to come together virtually in the Benedict spirit for fellowship and learn something new from a short program. All meetings will be virtual via Zoom and will start at 6 p.m. Email Jody Gillit, Minister for pastoral care, for the Zoom meeting information at jgillit@ christchurchcathedral.org. Our September Circle of Care program will offer a chance to get to know the new Canon Vicar JODY GILLIT Kathy Pfister, while brainstorming future programs for these gatherings. Please come with ideas of what you might like to learn more about. If you or someone you know is interested in becoming a Lay Chaplain or attending Community of Hope Int’l (COHI) training, please let Jody know. There will be a class starting August 31. Visit the COHI website at http://www. cohinternational.org/ to learn more.
Donation collection for the Yard Sale begins August 4 In order to support the Latino Ministry Yard Sale on September 12, benefiting scholarships for firstyear college students, we are collecting donations during the month of August. The Latino Ministry Council is seeking donations of small electronics, appliances, and furniLATINO MINISTRY YARD SALE ture (like chairs), as well September 12 as gently used clothes and shoes, kitchen items, and children’s toys. Donations of large or heavy furniture or other large appliances cannot be accepted at this time. During the week, two set days and times have been identified to accept curbside drop-off donations: Tuesdays from 2–5 p.m. and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. We ask that donors pull up on San Jacinto street, and call the Cathedral’s main number: (713) 222-2593. Then, a member of the CCC facilities staff will come out to the car and collect the donations. Donations being made during these set times will help ensure everyone’s safety. 2018 Christ Church Cathedral Yard Sale THE BULLETIN
PAGE 2
REVEAL, from cover
CUSE in the times of Covid19 BY CHRISTY ORMAN AND MARCIA QUINTANILLA
CUSE, Cathedral Urban Service Experience, provides opportunities to serve people who are being denied justice, peace, and dignity by their community. Christ Church Cathedral in the center of downtown Houston provides the perfect home base for groups of youth and adults wishing to experience the unique challenges and blessings of inner-city service. We have been serving in Houston year-round for over 10 years. We knew the pandemic would change how we operated. By the end of April, we realized hard decisions would have to be made, and our in-person mission trips would have to take a significant shift. We walked into unmarked territory. A virtual mission trip: How could this even be possible? How could we possibly serve our neighbor while being physically distant? Would it work? This summer, we made what seemed imposCHRISTY ORMAN sible into a reality! The last week of June, Cathedral Youth, along with youth from St. James in Austin, came together for Virtual CUSE. During this three-day mission trip experience, we were able to meet leaders from New Hope Housing, The Beacon, and Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston and serve in distinct ways. Day one, we met with Sarah Mangrem from New Hope Housing and made keyring holders with words of encouragement and keychains for new residents. Day two, we met with Victoria Fong from The Beacon and made masks made from T-shirts and greeting cards for Beacon clients to send to their families and friends. Day three, we met with Melissa Collins from Interfaith Ministries for Greater Houston and called and sang Happy Birthday to Meals On Wheels clients and made birthday cards. What we discovered from our experience is that God calls us to serve in different and unexpected ways. Whether we were making a keyring holder for someone receiving his first home after several years of being homeless, making cards for those MARCIA QUINTANILLA who can’t afford to purchase a greeting card for a loved one, or singing a good ol’ fashioned Happy Birthday to a 93 year old, we were serving our neighbors. As we continue to live out this pandemic, how will you respond to God’s call to serve his people?
the past three months have just about broken me. On a personal level, as these months have gone on, as life has shifted once, twice, ten times, the little cracks and yawning chasms have revealed some things about me of which I’d been, at best, dimly aware. How about you? Have you caught yourself responding to situations in ways that surprised you? Have you heard your own voice and barely recognized who was speaking? Have you experienced an undifferentiated anxiety that has a murky source and no constructive destination? Has your breaking revealed things to you about yourself? The spiritual questions are, of course, “What do we make of this, and what might God do with it?” The Gospels remind us that Jesus, too, was broken. In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus’ confidence was shaken as he anxiously sweated like drops of blood. Jesus himself experienced the desolation of abandonment as he cried from the cross, “My God, why have you forsaken me?” As St. Paul adds in 1 Corinthians 11, when Jesus implemented the Last Supper, he told the disciples always to break the bread — which we still do to this day — as a reminder that Jesus himself was broken. The paleontologists’ motto is “I break so that I may reveal.” Jesus’ own breaking revealed his fragile humanity, but as Peter Abelard first reminded us eight hundred years ago, Jesus’ breaking also and most importantly revealed the fathomless depths of God’s love. By his willingness to undergo the Passion — not in the absence of doubt and anxiety, but in the very face of them — Jesus the Incarnate God revealed that God will go to any lengths, suffer any violence, endure anything for love of us. There is nothing we can experience or encounter in this world absent the God whose love for us birthed the very world. Most importantly, this is what our present breaking reveals anew for us, whether it is the breaking of the world or our own individual cracks. When we are solid, behind bastion walls and ramparts, it is easy to pretend that we have no need of God, that our own strength can sustain us. When things begin to break, we quickly realize that our walls are as fragile as eggshells. Our breaking reveals our need for God, for a love more subtle than any virus and greater than any strife: a love that picks up pieces and knits them into something new. In these days, it is worth remembering the lyrics of the great Leonard Cohen: Ring the bells that still can ring Forget your perfect offering There is a crack, a crack in everything (there is a crack in everything) That’s how the light gets in PAGE 3
THE BULLETIN
Noonday Prayer, Get Caught Reading, CUSE Mission, and more
IN PICTURES
Right: Children’s Ministry
Above: Cathedral priests offer Noonday Prayer videos throughout the week. From left: The Very Reverend Barkley S. Thompson, The Reverend Kathy Rock Pfister, The Reverend Simón Bautista Betances, The Reverend Greg Seme, The Reverend Becky Zartman
Left, above: CUSE Mission.
Above, right: Get caught reading. THE BULLETIN
PAGE 4
Above: Children rem
n’s Ministry sent a Bendy Jesus to mind kids that Jesus is everywhere!
Rally Day 2020 This fall, tradition joins hands together on Facewith technology. Join others in the book Live, you’re community Sunday, August 30, invited to share for a high-tech virtual block party your hopes and showcasing the many new ways prayers for the you can connect and make a dif- coming program ference at the Cathedral. In addi- year with Cathetion to worshiping together in our dral priests and live-streamed services, we’ll pitch in fellow parishiofor an all-Cathedral service project. ners. Connecting There’s a full menu of other options with our elegant in English and Spanish, and we’ll liturgy in real time end the day streaming fellowship in this most modern way reminds and fun from our house to yours. If you’re an early bird, start the day us that our faith Christ Church Cathedral during Rally Day 2019. Volunteers built at 8 a.m. with “Morning Family Yoga has stood the test and assembled over 100,000 meals to support families in need. & Sunshine Prayer.” Make a virtual of time and is here trip downtown as The Hines Cen- to help us through and communicate as much as you ter presents yoga and prayer. From our current challenges. like on Facebook Live with the CaThen, at noon, roll up your sleeves. thedral priest who is hosting. the Bishop’s Courtyard, you’ll see our historic Cathedral campus that CUSE (Cathedral Urban Service ExHowever you choose to rally continues to make such a difference perience) will lead the entire conthroughout the day, you’ll want in the midst of the city as you learn gregation as we put love into action to tune in at 6 p.m. for the “Allmore about the Hines Center’s well- and help our community with a doCathedral Variety Show.” You’ll at-home service project. ness, education, and cultural experience an inspiring array of As we work together apart offerings as well as tech- RALLY DAY offerings, including soulful songs, to reach our goal, we’ll niques to help you stay cen- August 30 Episcopal jokes, Wishes and Blessbe united in our desire to tered and calm as you enings from fellow parishioners, and make a positive impact on gage with a changing world. much more. Look for guest stars After yoga, you’ll have several a hurting world. As we work, we’ll and behind-the-scenes sneak peaks choices. If someone in your home is learn more about the work of The going back to school this fall, join Beacon and the many ways we can at Cathedral life. This is your place, and these are us for “Back to School Blessing: serve others in safe ways this fall. After the successful service proj- your people. Let’s reboot and reenBe who YOU are. LOVE what you have. Do what you CAN,” in Eng- ect, the Rite II Eucarista at 1 p.m. ergize, because whatever is going lish and in Spanish, at 10 a.m. Get provides an opportunity for wor- on in the world, there is more than your supplies and devices blessed ship and reflection en Español on enough love, joy, and spirit here to to remind you that God is going the service project and the coming share! But wait, you say: Zoom just to be with you as you continue to year. Stay tuned after the service doesn’t work for me! Then join us learn and grow in a changing school for “Himnos Juntos,” at 2 p.m. Sing for a “Prep Rally.” environment. This session includes your favorite worship songs with We have tips and tricks to help an encouragement for students and Mendeliz and carry the tunes in you get engaged and enjoy all the will provide an overview of exciting your heart as you go forth into the fellowship that technology pronew program year. things to come in the fall. If the social atmosphere of the vides. Minister for Pastoral Care If you’re someone who has been sad about not being able to sing CUSE Zoom is more than what Jody Gillit can walk even the most in church this summer, prepare to you’re looking for, turn on some reluctant Zoomer to a new comfort worship by raising a glad song in quiet music and make your con- level and deeper connections, in virtual “Holy Karaoke!” At 10:15 tribution to the community effort English or Spanish. How to Zoom a.m., we’re having a Hymn Sing in more privately before joining in will get you ready to rally like a English. You’ll see the words to your the contemplative worship of The digital native. Change brings opfavorite hymns as the organ rocks Well, Celtic Eucharist at 5 p.m. Fo- portunity, and Prep Rallies can get the house. Take off your masks and cus your thoughts on ways that you you wired for more joy in the new can center yourself and share peace reality. Visit christchurchcathedral. let your Alleluias rip! At 11 a.m., we’ll celebrate the with those you will encounter on- org for a schedule of How to Zoom Eucharist, Rite I. As we worship line and at a safe social distance, classes taking place this August. PAGE 5
THE BULLETIN
CONNECTIONS, from cover
Quintanilla said. “My daughter was one of the participants. She said ‘I didn’t realize I could serve from home.’” That is just one of the ways that Cathedral leaders and parishioners are shifting to the new reality, and new possibilities, presented by the pandemic. “It’s been really gratifying,” said Dean Barkley Thompson. “It’s not only that people are willing to engage online. It’s that they are making heroic efforts to do so. We’re finding out how deeply important the Cathedral is in people’s lives.” He said that in past years, people tended to disengage a bit during the summer, but that is not the case now. Digital Media Specialist Hannah Roberts said that March 15 was the Cathedral’s first virtual worship service, with the 11 a.m., 1 p.m., and 5 p.m. services all online. “They became increasingly complex as we continued to modify the filming of the service and bring in new technology to enhance the worshiper’s online experience,” Roberts said. On June 21, the Cathedral started to stream the services through the Vimeo account that is linked to its Facebook page and, for the Spanish-language service, the service was linked to the Spanish-language Facebook page. The cost of live stream worship was built into Cathedral’s Sowing the Seed capital campaign, which has been in the works for several years. “On Facebook, worshipers are able to interact with one another, pass the (virtual) peace, and offer up prayer requests in the comments to the priest who is worshiping virtually with them,” Roberts said. Summer worship attendance numbers have been impressive. “On Sunday, July 5, 653 households worshiped live with us either on Facebook or Vimeo,” Roberts said. “Using Facebook and our new live stream technology has allowed us to reach people who may have never crossed our doorways. It has also allowed many distant Cathedral friends to worship with us once again.” Dean Thompson spoke of a letter he recently received from a parishioner, who said he missed the creaks in the floor and the smell of the wood. “People need that deep spiritual center,” Dean Thompson said. “I need it too.” He said that the number of Men’s Bible Study participants has increased 40 percent, from 15 people weekly in-person to 22 online. The Dean’s Hour Summer Matinee, which streamed a 2018 Dean’s Hour program on the “Christ Haunted South,” brought in between 30 and 40 participants. About 25 stayed for THE BULLETIN
PAGE 6
the Zoom conversation “It is such an honor to afterwards. The program walk beside these famicontinued in July, highlies during a difficult leg lighting “The Hero’s Jourof the journey,” she said. ney” series which was “What could have been a originally presented in spiritual desert is a spirithe spring of 2016. Both tually enriching time.” Dean’s Hour series are The numbers for the available on Facebook and Cathedral Reads online Vimeo. programming fall in The numbers for the line with the uptick elseWomen’s Evening Bible where. The ten Cathedral Study are up too, from Reads small groups have about 12 to 18, to 20 to 25 all ranged from 8 to 11 women, according to Revmembers each, accorderend Becky Zartman. ing to Minister for Com“Younger women who munity Life Bethany have younger children are Podgorny. And the first now able to join in,” Zart- Dean Barkley Thompson offers Noonday Prayer monthly discussion led man said. by the Dean had about 70 It was Reverend Zartman’s online Acts in people attend. Easter program with breakout groups for “A lot of the feedback I’m hearing about those reading the book of Acts in segments, these programs is that many folks would not as well as lessons for the kids, which has gar- be participating if it weren’t online,” Podgorny nered some of the most enthusiastic feedback. said. “The ease and accessibility of our online More than 100 other churches asked for the programs has helped a lot of parishioners stay curriculum. connected.” “We’re still getting thank yous,” she said. That ease is what made the Cathedral’s parReading about the story of Christianity in ticipation in the Houston Responds Masks the 1st century also brought a timely message. for All project so successful. Cathedral mem“It’s about where God is calling in a time of bers made 1,000 masks for Houstonians in adversity,” she said. underserved communities. Flo Ray, who leads Morning and Evening “As a large-size parish, personally, the Prayer as well as the Women’s Morning Bible Masks for All initiative allowed me to get to Study on Zoom, has also seen increased en- know some of our parishioners better,” The gagement, particularly for the prayer services. Rev. Gregory Seme said. “Our main priority “It has brought in people not in the church,” was to create fellowship.” she said. “People have asked if we can we keep There is no place that camaraderie has been some element of Zoom going [once in-per- better demonstrated than through the Catheson resumes],” Ray said. dral’s Good Neighbor Program where church Minister for Children and Families Kari- leaders serve as a lifeline for parishioners. Ann Lessner said that the Facebook Live Minister for Pastoral Care Jody Gillit said Children’s Chapel on Wednesdays has been that while the contact was initially a weekly especially meaningful this summer. thing, now it is mostly monthly, although that “We are interacting with the [Cathedral may change. House Episcopal School] too and engaging “It’s been interesting to see this program ridthose families,” she said. “The first Wednes- ing the wave [of people’s needs],” Gillit said. day of the month is the birthday chapel. Their Coming soon is a “Zoom sandbox” where first names [are] read, there is a blessing over people will meet in breakout groups at their them, and a confetti cannon.” level to learn more about the technology beThe “This is My Story, This is My Song” fore fall. Sunday summer program is on Zoom, and “We want to empower people to stay in Lessner said that the children have become a connection with the church and with each lot less shy over time. other,” she said. “They sure know how to unmute themDean Thompson said that all communities selves a lot faster now than in the beginning,” of faith, including Christ Church Cathedral, she said. “[At first] when I asked a question it are catching up with how technology can truwas like crickets.” ly create and reflect community. Lessner said that a big advantage of the “There’s an incarnational aspect,” he said. current offerings is the increase in parent and “We are learning that this is not merely virchild interaction. tual. It’s actual community in a new way.”
Canon Vicar Kathy Pfister joins Theological Roundtable as Co-leader with Rev. Betty Adam During our COVID crisis many have taken time to reconnect their appreciation for nature with their spiritual self, taking comfort and inspiration from God’s beautiful creation. The upcoming roundtable is centered on helping participants reclaim their connection to the natural world and sacred universe. The more we know about the Earth, the more we can care for it. The roundtable begins its adventure in ecological theology guided by the Cathedral’s own Alan Jackson, both a geophysicist and astrophysicist, who has long been interested in the intersection of science and theology. He has spent time trying to reconcile the two worlds and will walk us through the emergence of the ecological movement and its leaders. Jackson will help participants become familiar with terms such as “integral ecology” and “cultural ecology” while helping develop a better understanding of the wonderous work- THE REV. KATHY PFISTER ings of Earth itself, its evolution, and its ecosystems. The purpose of the class is to call us back to a more authentic mode of being as we reclaim our interdependence and deep connection to the natural world as sacred creation. This in turn will help us participate with greater awareness in what Thomas Berry calls “The Great Work” of our century, “our historical destiny of creating a mutually enhancing mode of human dwelling on the planet.” Join us for monthly gatherings beginning in September. For more information contact The Rev. Betty Adam at bettycadam@comcast.net.
PRAYER BEADS, from cover
reassurance, wherever we find ourselves. Praying with beads is a time-honored practice in many faith traditions. In Christianity, the Desert Fathers and Mothers counted out their unceasing prayers with a pocket full of pebbles, which evolved into knotted prayer ropes they used for reciting the Jesus Prayer. By the middle ages, the ropes morphed into the traditional beads on which Catholics pray the Rosary. Then, in the Episcopal Church in the 1980s, the practice of using beads as a focus for contemplative prayer and meditation experienced a revival, and Anglican prayer beads emerged. Unlike the prescribed ways the rosary is used, the Anglican prayer-bead practice provides a framework for both traditional and personal prayers. The form of Anglican prayer beads is laden with symbolism, beginning with the 33 beads which represent the years of Jesus’ earthly life. The four larger beads, called cruciform beads, represent the four points of the compass. Between each of the cruciform beads lie the 7 beads of the weeks, representing the 7 days of creation, the 7th day on which God rested, and the symbolic number for perfection. The single bead that leads from the cross into the circle of weeks is called the invitatory bead. Like a collect at the beginning of a service, it invites us to worship. Whether you use the beads to pray alone or in a group, the suggested practice is to pray the full circle three times. That number, representing the Trinity, also provides time for distractions to fall away, allowing you to go deeper into prayer. Many traditional prayers have been adapted to the form of the Anglican prayer beads: The Jesus Prayer, the Agnus Dei, the St. Patrick Prayer, and others may be found online. One that seems particularly apt in these times when we need to ask God to give us strength in our isolation and save us from fear is the Julian of Norwich Prayer, which was created by Sister Brigit-Carol, S.D., an Episcopalian hermit in Abilene. Here’s how to use the beads to guide you as you pray:
WORSHIP ONLINE Join us online as we offer three services live-streamed for worship each Sunday: • Holy Eucharist, Rite I, at 11 a.m. • La Santa Eucaristía, Rito II, a la 1 p.m. • The Well, Celtic Eucharist, at 5 p.m. We also encourage parishioners to watch together on Facebook Live, where a Cathedral priest will be available to communicate with you during the service and take prayer requests, or on our website on our “Worship” page. Our Sunday formation offerings for kids and adults continue as scheduled with “This is My Story, This is My Song” at 10 a.m. on Zoom, and “Dean’s Hour Summer Matinee” at 2 p.m. on Facebook Live. We will monitor conditions weekly, and as soon as we are able to return to in-person worship, we will do so. Learn more at http://www.christchurchcathedral.org/ worship/
The Cross In the Name of God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen.
The Invitatory O God make speed to save me (us), O Lord make haste to help me (us), Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: As it was in the beginning, is now, and will be forever. Amen.
The Cruciforms God of your goodness, give me yourself, For you are enough to me. And I can ask for nothing less that is to your glory. And if I ask for anything less, I shall still be in want, for only in you have I all.
The Weeks All shall be well, and all shall be well, And all manner of things shall be well. As you move around the beads three times praying these words, the storms of the world will not cease. But perhaps you will feel that you are not alone, and your heart will be lighter. You may find some comfort knowing that you are praying in a way so many generations before you have. Most importantly, you’ll be focused on praying rather than worrying. An ancient monk said to the Desert Father St. Anthony “Pray for me.” The old man replied, “I will have no mercy upon you, nor will God have any, if you yourself do not make an effort and if you do not pray to God.” These strange times seem like very good times for us to pray without ceasing. If a string of Anglican prayer beads can provide the focus you need to deepen your prayer practice, then they are a good thing, indeed. You can order a set of Anglican prayer beads which have been blessed by a Cathedral priest at the Bookstore, at http://www. thecathedralbookstore.com/shop/ PAGE 7
THE BULLETIN
Non-Profit Organization U.S. POSTAGE PAID Houston, Texas
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 Ramona Sikes at rsikes@christchurchcathedral.org or call her at 713-590-3301.
Cathedral Reads
Auggie is inspiring. John has been through a lot. We’d all like to hear what Owen would say about our current 2020 world.
Have you finished Wonder or A Prayer for Owen Meany yet? If not, you have a few more weeks before our second-annual Cathedral Reads programming comes to an end. Join us for the last three opportunities to engage with our book choices this summer.
Sunday, August 23, at 2 p.m. Final Monthly Book Discussion This is the third and final monthly discussion of A Prayer for Owen Meany. Notice the change in time. This event will be held on Zoom. Email Bethany Podgorny (bpodgorny@christchurchcathedral.org) for the Zoom link.
Friday, August 28, at 6:30 p.m. Popcorn Theology Watch “Wonder” as a family at 6:30 p.m. and afterwards join your Cathedral friends in a discussion about the movie. No need to have read the book, although we clearly think it’s a great read! Email Bethany Podgorny (bpodgorny@christchurchcathedral.org) to sign up for this event and to get more information.
Wednesday, September 2, at 6:30 p.m. The Dean’s Book Club
Cathedral
Join the Dean in his monthly book club to discuss A Prayer for Owen Meany. Reflect on the overarching themes and the theological applications of this timeless novel. Email Dean Thompson (bthompson@christchurchcathedral.org) for more information.
Share a picture of yourself reading on social media and tag the Cathedral at @cccathedraltx or use the hashtag #cccreads. We want to hear from you and see you reading! THE BULLETIN
PAGE 8