WORSHIP, FORMATION, from cover
With the excitement of so many returning to church for the first time since the onset of the pandemic, Canon Vicar Kathy Pfister will host the semester kick-off at 10 a.m. on Sunday, January 9, with a campus-wide open house, so that parishioners can reacquaint themselves with Cathedral spaces and perhaps explore some nooks and crannies for the first time. Canon Pfister said, “As I get to know the Cathedral, I am blown away not only by its beauty and rich history but by the vitality of ministry that continues to this day. Cathedral Open House is an opportunity to explore this amazing campus and reconnect with what makes it so special — the people!” The open house will include tours, demonstrations, and treats as parishioners meet Cathedral staff in the places where they do their ministry, as well as learn more about this special place and the breadth of offerings available. Also on Sunday, January 9, the 9 a.m. Holy Eucharist will include the return of the Children’s Sermon! Beginning the following week, January 16, adult formation will be offered each Sunday morning at 10 a.m. at the Dean’s Hour in Reynolds Hall. This spring, Dean Barkley Thompson will offer courses on the Atonement and on the Celtic saints. In Lent, the Robert C. Stuart Lenten Series entitled “For the Splendor of the Whole Earth,” will include renowned speakers who share with us theology and practice that empower us to be good stewards of creation. This year’s Lenten Series grew out of the work of the vestry’s “Caring for God’s Good Earth” Task Force, chaired by vestry member Guy Hagstette, who commented, “The underpinning of the task force’s recommendations begins with formation. We are pleased and excited that the Adult Formation Council has chosen to adopt environmental stewardship as the beginning of our collective work on creation care.” Additionally, Canon Becky Zartman and Canon Bradley Varnell will present at the Dean’s Hour this spring, providing parishioners with a wealth of personality and knowledge. At 10 a.m. on Sundays, the Cathedral will periodically also offer “Cathedral 101,” our single-session class for newcomers to the Cathedral. In February, our seminarian intern and former educator, Katy Campbell, will offer a new course for parents on “Bravehearted Parenting,” which acknowledges that parenting is both the hardest and most rewarding job in the world. For our parish children and youth, Minister for Children and Families KariAnn Lessner and Minister for Youth Marcia Quintanilla THE BULLETIN
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Cathedral Open House, 10–11 a.m., Jan. 9 Reacquaint yourself with the Cathedral’s campus and ministry at Cathedral Open House! Join us for tours, demonstrations and treats on this special Sunday. Meet your Cathedral staff and council leadership and learn more about this special place and the breadth of offerings available. have assembled a stellar team of volunteer teachers to provide meaningful and fun Sunday school each Sunday morning. Sunday school for children and youth in the Latino congregation will also be at 1 p.m. each Sunday, and concludes with the joining of their families for communion. About formation for our rising generation of Cathedral parishioners, KariAnn offered, “We are committed to linking arms with the adults in these children’s lives in laying a strong foundation for their faith to grow and flourish. We are poised in the edge of a wonderful rebirthing time and are ready to do the heart work it will take to safeguard them as they grow into their full stature in Christ.” And, of course, our Childcare Center for infants and toddlers continues to be staffed with CPR-certified caregivers. This spring, Sunday evenings after The Well will continue to include the Cathedral’s quintessentially-Anglican “Tea & Toast” fellowship time in the Latham lobby, which serves gourmet breads, jams, and hot tea. Sunday evening formation, will be offered in the form of the periodic Theology Roundtable, led by Canon Pfister, Alan Jackson, and the Rev. Betty Adam. Additionally, from January 23–February 20, Canon Zartman offers a lively course entitled “How to Bible,” providing an introduction to Holy Scripture for those who may never have opened a bible before. Canon Zartman shared her excitement about the series by saying, “Reading scripture will change your life, if you read it. But getting into it and actually understanding what’s happening isn’t easy. So if you’ve ever wanted to just know more about what’s going on in the Sunday readings, or figure out how to incorporate scripture into your spiritual life, this class is for you. I’m especially thinking about new Christians and lifelong Episcopalians. I’m kidding. Sort of. But seriously this is your chance, and I guarantee it’s going to be so fun. You’ll never see scripture the same way again.”
The weekend of January 14–16 is the Annual Parish Retreat at Camp Allen, where parishioners of all ages will enjoy the sparkling facilities of Camp Allen’s brand-new Bishop C. Andrew Doyle Campsite. The annual retreat will include food, fellowship, and formation, as well as Camp Allen activities such as hiking, horseback riding, and skeet shooting. If you have not yet registered for the retreat, you can see if openings remain at www.christchurchcathedral.org/parishretreat. At 10 a.m. on Sunday, January 23, the Cathedral will hold the Annual Parish Meeting, at which new vestry members will be elected, the parish finances will be presented, and Dean Thompson will deliver the State of the Cathedral Address. Additionally, the annual Dean’s Cross will be awarded to a parishioner who has exhibited a lifetime of service to Christ Church. Saturday, March 5 marks the return of the ever-popular “Touch A Truck” event, hosted by Children’s Ministry. At Touch A Truck, kids are able to walk around, climb in, and touch those awesome vehicles that are every kid’s dream, including fire trucks, ambulances, classic cars, and the like. About spring weekend offerings, Dean Thompson said, “What a spring we have planned! Throughout the long pandemic I have been gratified by the Cathedral’s resilience and strength. As we begin a new semester, we will see these virtues in action each weekend as we gather to worship and grow in faith together.” Of course, Cathedral ministry and programming occurs not only on weekends, but throughout the week as well. This spring the Cathedral will offer weekly small group Bible studies, Young Adult programming, the Dean’s Book Club, choir rehearsals, outreach opportunities, and much more. Learn more about Cathedral spring semester offerings in the Spring Program Guide, soon to arrive in your mailbox, and at www.christchurchcathedral. org/spring2022.
