ANNOUNCEMENT, from cover outreach and to a culture of embrace for all of God’s people. Additionally, Arkansas is my home state and is still the home to all of both Jill’s family and mine. Earlier this spring, St. Mark’s search committee and I engaged in conversation, and with bittersweet emotion I write to you to share that I have accepted St. Mark’s call to become their next rector. Over the past ten years at Christ Church, we have walked the Way of Jesus together. We have grown as a parish, both numerically and financially; revitalized Cathedral ministry; emerged stronger from Hurricane Harvey; restored our historic Cathedral; increased our outreach; persevered through a global pandemic; and positioned Christ Church for a future filled with hope
(Jeremiah 29:11). Beyond this good work, when I recall all of the Cathedral parishioners I have baptized, married, and buried—when I recall all the ways that we have traveled the journey together—I know that Christ Church will always be a part of me, and a part of my heart will always remain with you. My final Sunday at Christ Church will be August 14. As I reflect upon our tenure together, I am reminded of St. Paul’s encouragement to the Christians at Colossae: “Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:15). I am thankful for, and to, each of you. Grace and peace, The Very Rev. Barkley Thompson Dean
memory, and we will certainly cherish our memories of Dean Thompson’s time with The past decade has been one of growth us, we are also a community of hope and exand excitement for Christ Church Cathedral, pectation for an even better future. God has and Dean Thompson’s leadership, youthful great plans for us, and in this moment, we energy, spiritual guidance and unceasing have work to do. hard work have played an instrumental role. Since being informed of the news, your Both as a community and as individuals, Junior Warden, Flo Ray, past wardens Matt we have been transformed. We will be forWareing and Erin McMillin, and I have ever grateful for his time with us, and we will taken initial steps to prepare Christ Church always love Barkley, Jill, Griffin, and Eliza. Cathedral for those plans. Bishop On the evening of Saturday, August Doyle has provided guidance about 13, we will host a parish-wide event the transition. The vestry is already to celebrate the past ten years with hard at work to identify interim Dean Thompson and his family. dean candidates and commission a Our transformation under Dean search committee that will find our Thompson’s guidance is not transinew dean. Our hopes are to have an tory nor is it dependent upon his GUY HAGSTETTE, interim dean in place by Rally Day presence here in Houston. For while SENIOR and for the search committee to beour deans and rectors always have WARDEN gin its work soon thereafter, with our been very important, our foundation new dean selected by spring 2023. When is built on this community — each and every we begin our search, Episcopal priests from one of us. The Cathedral has grown in imthroughout the Church will take note beportance for me — after more than a quarter cause we are unique — a historic cathedral century and the tenures of three deans — in in an urban setting with very solid finances large part because of the amazing people I joined with a thriving parish that is focused have met sitting in the pews each Sunday. Fion God’s work through worship, formation nally, Dean Thompson hired well, and we will and mission. continue to be blessed by our four dedicated We stand on the shoulders of the saints priests and a committed staff, all of whom who came before us. We must now live into are unmatched in the Episcopal Church. that same commitment, so we and future This is not the first time our community generations can continue God’s work just has faced such a transition, and after the as we have since 1839. The vestry and I will departures of almost two dozen rectors and keep you informed as we venture into this deans, we continued to grow and thrive. We new era together. will celebrate our 200th anniversary in 17 Yours faithfully, years, and I fully expect this church to be at the corner of Texas and Fannin in another Guy Hagstette 200 years. For while we are a community of Senior Warden Dear Cathedral Family and Friends,
Celebration of ministry for Barkley and Jill Thompson The Thompsons will be returning to their beloved home state of Arkansas in just a few short weeks and beginning a new ministry in Little Rock. We have been privileged to share life with the Dean and his lovely wife Jill for the last nine and a half years. Their children, Griffin and Eliza, have grown up before our eyes and are now university students. But before the Thompsons leave Houston, we need to have a party! The Vestry of the Cathedral would like to invite you to a Celebration of Ministry for the Thompsons on Saturday, August 13th at 7 p.m. in Reynolds Hall. Food and beverages will be served in grand Cathedral style. Parking will be available in the garage. The event is free, but we do need you to RSVP at http://www.christchurchcathedral.org/ rsvpthompsoncelebration so that we can get a headcount for food (and the fire marshal). There will be a slide show, so if you have any photos of Barkley, Jill, or a group that includes either or both of them, please send image files as .jpg, .png, or .tiff to Brant Mills at bmills@ christchurchcathedral.org. We look forward to sharing stories, laughs, and memories with you! PAGE 3
THE BULLETIN
