Your true life
November begins with one of my fa vorite days in the church year, All Saints Day. For the earliest Christians, saints were not superheroes but people like you and me who struggle and fail every day. The beloved hymn, “I sing a song of the saints of God,” conveys this ancient un derstanding of sainthood:
You can meet them in school, or in lanes, or at sea, in church or in trains, or in shops, or at tea; for the saints of God are just folk like me, and I mean to be one too.
Interestingly, in the ancient definition of a saint, you already are one.
Paul would sometimes address his let ters “to all the saints” who were in a par ticular city, and then he would give them a hard time about how poorly they were behaving. Saints were not perfect, they were people who had been baptized be cause they sensed God’s presence and activity in their lives, and they wanted to respond as well as they could. It’s the same for us — in the midst of our some times mundane lives and frequent fail ures, we sense that something beautiful and miraculous persists, and we want to give ourselves more completely to this, our true life.
So, on All Saints, when we turn our attention to those who have gone on to the next life, we remember extraordinary people whom everyone knows, but we also remember lesser known people who are especially dear to us, people who have gone on to the next life, but who are still very much present to us. I think espe cially of certain family members, friends, and mentors whom I have loved and
The key to a spiritual practice is simply to begin
When asked why it is important to develop and sustain a spiritual practice, Dean Gary Jones finds the alternative quite dispiriting. “If a person is quite happy being anxious, stressed, and depressed then no need to turn your atten tion to this,” he jokes.
Although Dean Jones grew up at home in The Episcopal Church, it was a relationship with The Society of Saint John the Evangelist, the oldest Episcopal monastic community, that cemented his own spiritual practices.
2023 EMC Loyalty Sunday
Support the ministries of the Cathedral by making a pledge this fall.
We hope you will faithfully consider offering your finan cial support by pledging to the Cathedral’s 2023 Every Mem ber Canvass (EMC), a true in vestment in future mission and ministry.
November 13 is Loyalty Sun day, the day by which we hope to have all pledges returned. On that day, during each service we’ll say a special blessing for the pledges we have received.
“It was then that I truly learned to pray in these ancient, Christian contemplative ways,” Dean Jones said, “and it began to open up for me the great gift of Jesus’ own teaching on prayer: ‘When you pray,’ Jesus said, ‘go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret there will reward you.’ ”
Dean Jones continued to explore on his own and eventually began sharing what he
Ways to make your pledge:
• Return the pledge card you received by mail to: 1117 Texas Ave., Houston, TX 77002.
• Make a pledge over the phone at 713-590-3338 or by email by contacting Minister for Stewardship Karen Kraycirik at kkraycirik@christchurchcathedral.org.
• Pledging online is easy. Learn more at: www.christchurchcathedral.org/emc
Our Cathedral Family
We Celebrate with
E new members: Joby A. Hughes; Jordan and Courtney Chester
E the family of Mary Grace, who was born to parents Chad and Jean Rose Cross
E the family of Theodor “Teddy” Huntington Lehfeldt, who was born to parents Michael and Haley Lehfeldt
E to the newly baptized: Luke Kosobud (parents Erik and Beth Kosobud); Alice Wyatt (parents Paul and Eleina).
We extend heartfelt sympathy
E to the family of member Melinda Shuman who passed away on August 8, 2022. Melinda is spouse to Willard Shuman.
E to the family of Estanislao Hernández who passed away on September 12, 2022. Estanislao is father to Santo Manzanillo.
E to the family of Peggy Bramblett who passed away on September 17, 2022. Peggy is mother to member John Bramblett.
E to the family of member Patricia (Tricia) Jackson Chambers who passed away on September 18, 2022. Tricia is mother to Claire and Matthew Chambers.
E to the family of member Nathalie Ryan Hoyt who passed away on September 27, 2022. Nathalie is mother to Mont Hoyt Jr., Kathleen Hoyt, Michael Hoyt and Caroline Lobo, and grandmother to Elizabeth Lobo
E to the family of Mario Juarez Cardona who passed away on September 28, 2022. Mario is father to member Cecilia Juarez
E to the family of Chris Felfe who passed away on October 2, 2022. Chris is son to member Judith Busby
E to the family of Richard Harrison. Richard is brother to member Charles Harrison
The flowers on the Cathedral Altar
E on October 9 were given to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for the Cathedral Bookstore, founded on October 17, 1983, and its faithful volunteers.
E on October 23 were given to the glory of God in honor of her sister Carol Lewis and in loving memory of her parents, Roy and Lois Hanning and brother in law Bob Lewis by Ginger Hanning.
E on October 23 were given to the glory of God in loving memory and gratitude for Doug Hoffman by Mary Hoffman
E on October 30 were given to the glory of God in loving memory of John Benzon by his family.
E On October 30 were given to the glory of God in loving memory of John Dieter Ufer by Ann and Scott Actkinson
E on November 20 are given to the glory of God in loving memory of her parents Nellie J. and Floyd W. Robinson Sr. in honor of her mother’s birthday and my parent’s anniversary by Floyd W. Robinson Jr.
E on November 20 are given to the glory of God in honor of Shirley Davis lovingly by Keith Davis and Rick Newlin.
The flowers on the organ console E on November 6 are given to the glory of God and in memory of their parents, Bill and Nell Murdaugh and Arthur and Hazel Smith, by Jim Murdaugh and Gary Smith
The Advent Wreath in the Cathedral E on November 27 the greenery and candles in the Advent wreath are given to the glory of God in thanksgiving for the life and work of Dr. James Reed Cox.
The Advent Wreath in Golding Chapel E on November 27 the greenery and candles on the Advent wreath are given to the glory of God and in thanksgiving for the life and work of Ardell Ray Jr.
VESTRY NOMINATIONS
Online
Accepted now through November 15 Submit to srwarden@christchurchcathedral.org
poinsettia sales begin November 13
Red poinsettias have adorned the Cathedral Altar and Rood Screen for Christmas for many years. Poinsettias can be given in memory of, thanksgiving for, or in honor of someone special this Christmas. You may order online at our website. If paying by check make your check for $15 per plant, payable, to Christ Church Cathedral and on the memo line add Altar Guild poinsettias. Mail payments to Christ Church Cathedral, 1117 Texas Avenue, Houston, TX 77002, Attn: Altar Guild.
You may also visit with Lisa Viktorin (lviktorin@christchurchcathedral.org) in the Cloister to place an order on Nov.27 and Dec. 4. Those received on or before Dec. 6 will be listed in the Christmas dedications booklet. All others will be noted in January. Visit www.christchurchcathedral.org/poinsettias for additional information.
Día de los Muertos Altar
Oct. 28 – Nov.
2, Columbarium
This day has a very special meaning in the Latin American/Hispanic American culture. Also for Latinos/Hispanics who live in the United States, the value of All Souls’ Day is not only in the familiarity of the traditions, but also in the spiritual and, in a certain way, sacramental aspects. Christ Church Cathedral recognizes and honors the cultural, family values, and aspects of the faith and spirituality of its members, so this weekend is dedicated to remembering our loved ones who are no longer with us. Leave mementos, photos of a loved one.
All Saints’ Day Eucharist
Tuesday, Nov. 1, 12:05–12:45 p.m., Cathedral
Considered to be one of the principal feasts of the Church year, The Feast of All Saints is annually celebrated to honor every mem ber of the “Great Cloud of Witnesses” that have “been the lights of the world in their generations.” On this special day, we will gather for noon Eucharist in the Cathedral chancel and will celebrate the Holy Mysteries while remembering those who have gone on be fore. No childcare will be available on this day. Additional remem brances for All Saints (and all faithful departed) will be held on Sunday, November 6.
All Souls’ Day
Wednesday, Nov. 2, 9 a.m. to noon, and 4-6 p.m.
All Souls’ Day: On Wednesday November 2, the Cathedral will be open for quiet contemplative time for those who wish to spend time in reflection.
All Saints’ Quiet Day Change Of Seasons
Saturday, Nov. 5, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Glenwood Cemetery. Registration Required, $20/$10 each add.
Join us Saturday, Nov. 5, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Glenwood Cemetery (use REAR entrance on Kent St. follow signs to our site).
“For everything there is a season” notes the poet Qoheleth, so we wait for God to say, “See, I am doing a new thing.” In this time of change of seasons in our common life together we take stock of where we’ve been, and discern our future. We’ll explore loss — be it a loss of a loved one, a job, or even just the way it used to be — and discover the gifts that we have been given while we listen to God call us forth into something new. Designed for all levels of spiritual practitioners — this time and place is a great place to start. This early-November Quiet Day will be held at the lovely Glenwood Cemetery. Cost is $20 per indiv./$10 for each additional. Please register by November 2 at www.christchurchcathedral.org/quietday. Lunch is provided, schol arships are available. Please contact Canon Zartman with questions.
Search Committee
Thank you for your participation as a congregation in the sessions from several weeks ago when the Parish Profile was discussed, and for participating in the discussions on the important qualities de sired in our prospective Dean. Your input will help inform the Search Committee’s deliberations.
The vestry met September 28 and approved the slate of members for the Search Committee, and the vestry wants to thank everyone who submitted a nomination With almost 100 Cathedral members nominated, all of whom are respected and com mitted members of the Cathedral family, it was very difficult to select only one out of seven nominees for the committee. There were many, many outstanding Cathedral members, so much of the attention was focused on ensuring to the extent possible a balanced representation of the diverse viewpoints, services, ministries, and life experiences of our congregation.
Our Senior Warden, Guy Hagstette, will serve as a non-voting mem ber of the committee and will be charged with keeping parishioners updated as the committee conducts its work.
The Search Committee was commissioned during the 11 a.m. ser vice on Sunday, October 16. This is the first important step in the Committee’s work to select our next dean. They participated in search committee training as required by the Diocese the following week and completed the requirements to begin their work.
Please keep the Search Committee and the Cathedral in your prayers, and please be sure to thank these committee members for agreeing to devote themselves to the important task of identifying our new Dean.
Linnet Deily, Chair Consuelo Bravo Robin Bullington Meredith Canada Debby Francis
Search Committee
Eric Hagstette Kristin Johnson Bill McKenzie Erin McMillin Will Randall
Flo Ray Rob Reedy Floyd Robinson
Matthew Wright Senior Warden, Ex Officio
Visit www.christchurchcathedral.org/searchcommittee for updates.
Alternative Giving Market
For years AGM has provided an opportunity to remember friends, family, and co-workers by making gifts in their honor to nonprofit, charitable agencies. Our annual event will be held in Reynolds Hall Sunday, November 20.
To support these worthy organizations see the enclosed brochure or visit www.christchurchcathedral. org/agmEVENTS LISTING, page 8
Search Committee, Mes de la
IN PICTURES
Blessing of the Animals, and more
from cover
who always seemed to see me as if I was bet ter than I really am. Sometimes when I was around these people, I thought to myself, “I wish I were as good as they think I am.” These people gave me life; they awakened some thing in me.
I hope that whoever you are, you have someone in your life, either in heaven or on earth, who sees you as someone who is better than you think you are. Someone who loves you so much that they seem to see right past any fault and brush off any mistake or lapse in judgment on your part, no matter how egre gious, because they see the beauty of your soul. They see the essence of who you are in God. They know that your lapses are not you; rather, your lapses are ultimately chaff, which the wind blows away.
Such people see you with “human vision corrected by divine love,” as Bishop Latour says in Willa Cather’s novel, Death Comes for the Archbishop. And “Where there is love,” the bishop says, “there are always miracles.” These personal saints see you as you really are, a miracle. And although you might not see yourself that way — far from it — even so, whenever you are around such people, you can’t help but smile inside. Something is awakened. And you feel as if, no matter what shortcomings have plagued you, you can begin again, because someone believes in you and sees what Thomas Merton called, “the secret beauty of your heart, the depths of your heart where sin cannot reach, the core of your reality, the person that each person is in God’s eyes.”
We all fail, we all sin, we all let each other down in so many tragic ways, but there is a secret beauty and wonder at the center of your being that is untouched by your sins and failures. It is your true life which is stirring to be awakened. The saints who are especially close to me even now are those who seemed to see this deeper truth in me, even though I failed time and again.
I hope you will regularly call to mind such people in your life. Close your eyes from time to time, and imagine them looking at you with love … because in the communion of saints, they are. And if you can stay quiet and attentive to this person’s ongoing pres ence and love for you, I suspect you will sense something true and beautiful stirring to life in you. This is what saints do for us, and it is what we can do for each other. May God grant us the vision to see ourselves and each other in this way, with “human vision cor rected by divine love,” because this is how we heal and restore each other to our true life.
learned in parish churches.
“At first I began to use a sacred prayer word or phrase of scripture to still the overactive mind and give the ego a rest,” he said. “This led to an immersion in something called the Jesus Prayer, which has been important to Chris tians for well over 1,500 years. I also began to learn that every enduring religion in the world has a tradition of using beads in prayer. Roman Catholics are well-known for this, but there is also such a thing as an Anglican rosary. Today, my primary practice is Centering Prayer — the use of a prayer word, united with one’s breath.”
Other practices include the method of Lec tio Divina which is a receptive way of reading the Bible, instead of analyzing it. The antici pation is that God is always hoping to draw a person closer, and when one reads a passage of scripture in this ancient, receptive way, the experience is like entering into an intimate conversation with God, and God is the one initiating the conversation.
A more imaginative engagement with the Bible is called the Ignatian prayer, which in volves engagement of the imagination, allow ing various scenes of the Bible to come to life in one’s prayer time and seeing oneself as an active participant in the biblical story.
Yet another practice, Icon Writing, is close to the heart of Wick Rowland, a longtime member of the Cathedral.
Rowland clarifies that Icon Writing is actually painting but the Greek word means the same. She first became aware of icons in a college art history class when they covered the Byzantine period.
“I learned about it first strictly as an art form, so I had been aware they existed, but the church I attended before the Cathedral did not have images of any kind,” she said.
It was a friend who handed her a flyer for an Icon Writing class at the Cathedral that got Rowland hooked on what is still a continuing passion.
“The thing that struck me is that the flyer said no previous art experience needed,” she said. That fit me to a tee because I hadn’t had any.”
Soon though, Rowland had a pigment kit and a recipe for how to make egg tempura for paint ing. She also signed up for additional classes.
“In the beginning, I enjoyed it because I was using my hands in a new endeavor and turn ing out something that I thought was beautiful, but I learned very quickly that unless you be gin to develop the spiritual aspects of all of this you are not going to do very well. You have to get yourself in the right frame of mind.”
Rowland shared the Iconographer’s Prayer participants recite which reads in part: “Forgive
Christmas at the Cathedral
One of the highlights of Advent each year is “Christ mas at the Cathedral,” a spe cial event sponsored by the Mission Outreach Council. The pandemic compelled us to change the format in 2020 and 2021 but we are thrilled to announce that this year we will return to an in-per son event.
On Saturday, December 10, the Cathedral will host young children and their families supported by Kids Hope to a joyous Christmas celebration featuring a Christmas meal served in Reynolds Hall, caroling, games for the children, and other elements of Christmas cheer. The afternoon will begin at 2 p.m. and the meal will be served at 3. Our guests will have the opportunity to take a Christmas photo, create Christmas cards to be mailed to their loved ones, and each family will receive a gift card from Walmart. Christmas at the Cathedral is truly a wonderful opportunity to serve others, and your
AT THE CATHEDRAL, page 8
our sins and the sins of those who will venerate these icons, and who, standing devoutly before them, give homage to those they represent.”
Cathedral member Hollee Clawater, like Dean Jones, is also a proponent of Centering Prayer. She is part of a Center ing Prayer group led by Carole Pentony.
“Father Richard Keating, one of the principal develop ers of Centering Prayer, says the practice of it is to sit in silence with the intention of being in God’s presence,” Clawa ter said. “My goal as a Christian is to put God in the forefront of my mind all day, every day. Think how nice life could be if one could actu ally do that.”
Clawater finds a benefit in having the group to help keep herself on track.
“I think a regular practice causes one to have more self-awareness, thus making life easier as we face challenges,” she said.
Canon Becky Zartman, who leads a Quiet Day twice a year, says that the participants of ten tell her how they struggle with it.
“We use noise to cover up all the things that make us uncomfortable and when you strip that away, what’s left?” she asks. “That’s a good challenge for people.”
The two Quiet ‘Days’ this program year will be during All Saints Weekend and the middle of Lent. The day typically lasts about six hours.
“The idea is just to just clear some space in your head, in your heart, in your mind, and your soul,” Canon Zartman said. “We come
together and pray, listen to some kind of spiritual reflection, and then participants will be invited to meditate on those questions on their own, however they choose to do it.”
Canon Zartman said that practice does in deed make more perfect.
“It will take a couple of times to really fig ure out what works for you,” she said. “Even if people discover something that’s hard dur ing their time, it doesn’t mean that there’s a failure, it just means that they did it right and they’ve got more work to do towards healing.”
In reflecting on Centering Prayer and the Christian meditation movement begun by Benedictine Monk John Main, Dean Jones re called a prediction from Anglican Harry Wil liams, a Cambridge University dean in the late 20th century.
“He said that the only churches that will thrive in the future will become known as schools and centers of contemplative prac tice,” Dean Jones said. “Now, the popularity of things like yoga and mindfulness are skyrock eting while mainline churches are in a state of significant decline. The parish church has so much to offer practitioners of prayer. God is always communicating with us, but we don’t realize it. It requires stillness. The particular method is not as important as much as discov ering what works best for you.”
The key is simply to begin.
“No one else can do it for you,” said Canon Zartman. “You need to start somewhere by doing the ‘thing.’ Whatever the thing is that brings you into a relationship with God.”
CALENDAR OF EVENTS
Visit christchurchcathedral.org/events or call 713-222-2593 to learn more about these and other events at the Cathedral.
Registration recommended Registration required Registration closed Childcare available (3 mo. to 12 yrs.)
NOV. 12 SAT
NOVEMBER
NOV. 1 TUES
All Saints’ Day Service 12:05–12:45 p.m., Cathedral.
NOV. 2 WED
Day of the Dead Altar
Until noon. Our Day of the Dead Altar cel ebrates and remembers our loved ones who have passed.
All Souls’ Day: Personal Quiet Time 9 a.m. to noon and 4–6 p.m., Cathedral.
Cathedral Book Club 6:30 p.m., McGehee Conference Room. Peace Like a River, by Leif Enger.
NOV.4 FRI
Bridge Night 6:30 p.m., McGehee Conference Room.
NOV. 5 SUN
All Saints’ Quiet Day: Change of Seasons 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. $20/$10 each add. Glenwood Cemetery. Register at www. christchurchcathedral.org/quietday
NOV. 6 SUN
Youth Beacon Service Day
7–10:15 a.m., Come for a time to work together, to help our neighbors, and to live out our missional calling.
Olivewood Cemetery Workday
Includes general yard work, cleanup and maintenance work. Call Cad Willeford 713818-5785 or email cadwilleford@hotmail. com. Water and snacks will be provided. Threads of Comfort and Joy 10 a.m., Zoom (2nd Saturday of the month). Contact catherine.whitney@att.net
NOV. 13 SUN
Loyalty Sunday
We are hopeful to have all pledge commit ments returned on this day. We invite you to join us as we renew our commitment to our beloved Cathedral in time, talent, and trea sure. www.christchurchcathedral.org/emc
NOV. 14 MON
Community of Hope — Circle of Care 6 p.m., Zoom.
NOV. 17 THU
Amazing Women of Faith 6:30–7:30 p.m., The Pearl. A monthly gathering of women, where the stories and lives of Amazing Women are shared and discussed. These women of faith are from all over the world and from various eras of Christianity. Third Thursday of the month.
NOV. 23 WED
Thanksgiving Eve Service 6:30–7:30 p.m, Cathedral. Misa de Vispera de Accia de Gracias 7–9 p.m. Location tbd. The Latino Con gregation gathers for a Thanksgiving Eve service.
SUNDAYS
Cathedral Tours
Tours are held every Sunday following the 11 a.m. service. They will also be held the third Sunday of each month (Oct. 19) fol lowing services at 9 a.m. and The Well.
Children’s Sunday School 10–11 a.m., Jones 201–208. Children’s Sunday School (3years – 5th grade) will gather in Golding Chapel for a time of music, story, and prayer. We will then walk together to the Jones building. Come check out all the new things going on in Children’s Ministry!
Latino Ministry Sunday School 1–2:30 p.m., Jones 201–208. Latino Youth Sunday School 1–2:30 p.m., The Treehouse.
Anglican Way 6:15–7:45 p.m., Sanders Hall. Intended for those who wish to deepen their understand ing of the Church, its faith, and its mission. Those new to the congregation and adults seeking to be baptized, confirmed, or re ceived are especially encouraged to attend. Led by Canon Vicar Kathy Pfister.
MONDAYS
Centering Prayer 11:15 a.m., Mellinger Room.
TUESDAYS
Morning Bible Study 7–8 a.m., Zoom. Led by Canon Vicar Kathy Pfister.
EFM: Education for Ministry
Morning group from 9:30 a.m. to noon; eve ning group from 6:30–9 p.m.
Women’s Evening Bible Study 6:30–7:30 p.m., Zoom. Led by Canon Becky Zartman
Tuesday Evening Bible Study: Pray Like Jesus
7–8 p.m., Jeffers Conference Room. Led by Canon Bradley Varnell.
Seed Group
6:30-8 p.m. Middle school youth meet for fun and small group discussion that takes a deep dive into questions about faith.
WEDNESDAYS
Men’s Morning Bible Study
7–8 a.m., Zoom, Offsite.
Women’s Morning Bible Study 9:30–11 a.m., Hybrid: Zoom, Jeffers, Led by Flo Ray.
Cathedral Tours
Tours available following Noonday Prayer.
THURSDAYS
Thursday Lunchtime Bible Study
12:05–1 p.m., Zoom. Led by Canon Bradley Varnell.
UPCOMING
DEC 2-4
Youth Fall Retreat Galveston. A time for 6-12th grade youth to reconnect with God.
NOV. 6 SUN
Cathedral All Saints’ Evensong
5 p.m., Cathedral, Reception to fol low; organ recital at 4:15 p.m.
NOV. 10 THU
Alzheimer & Dementia Support Group
11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m., Zoom. Second Thursday of the month.
St. Theresa’s Short Story Book Group 2 p.m., various locations. Contact Valerie Meisel at vhmtexas@gmail.com. Second Thursday of the month.
NOV. 11 FRI
Noche Familiar “Family Night”
6–8 p.m., Reynolds Hall. A Latino Min istry program to build community and strengthen relationships among families.
SUNDAYS
Formation Hour
10 a.m., Reynolds Hall
• Nov. 6 Lecture Series by The Very Rev. Gary Jones, Part II of II
• Nov. 13, Joy & Wonder: An Inter view with KariAnn Lessner, Minister for Children & Families
• Nov. 20, Alternative Giving Market
• Nov. 27, Advent Wreath Making
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. POSTAGE PAID Houston, Texas
PERMIT No. 64041117 Texas Avenue Houston, Texas 77002-3183
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 713-217-1347.
EVENTS
LISTING,
from page 3
All Saints’ Evensong
Sunday, Nov. 6, 5 p.m., Cathedral. Reception to follow Christ Church Cathedral invites you to a Choral evensong featur ing the Cathedral Choir to celebrate the feast of All Saints. Children are welcome and encouraged to attend either the service or our pro fessionally staffed childcare. You are also encouraged to join us for a reception in Reynolds Hall following the service.
Evensongs are the perfect opportunity to invite new friends or those curious about our Cathedral. This evensong is one of six choral even songs throughout the year celebrating the major liturgical feast days.
It begins at 5 p.m. and replaces The Well, the Cathedral’s regularly scheduled Sunday evening service.
It will be preceded by a special organ recital beginning at 4:15 p.m.
Advent Wreathmaking
We supply your family with all of the supplies you need to create an Advent wreath, along with a follow-along-at-home liturgy to guide you through your expectant waiting for the coming of the Christ child. The suggested donation for an Advent wreath is $25 — donations help to defray the cost of the supplies. Scholarships are available. Join us Nov. 27 at 10 a.m. in Reynolds Hall.
AT THE CATHEDRAL, from page 6
help is needed to share God’s love with our neighbors. Volunteers are invited to fill many roles, including welcoming guests, setting up games and activities, leading activities, decorating the dining room, and preparing and serving the meal. Look for information on how to sign up to help in future announcements or come visit our table on Sunday mornings.
Olivewood Cemetery Workday
Saturday, Nov. 12, 9 a.m. to noon, Olivewood Cemetary
Olivewood Cemetery was opened in 1877 for freed slaves and some of Houston’s prominent black residents. The Descendants of Olive wood is a non-profit organization that has taken guardianship to care for and preserve the historical significance of Olivewood. All work is done by volunteers. It has suffered much through flooding and erosion.
The workday will include general yard work, cleanup and mainte nance work. Volunteers can bring their own tools (i.e. weed eaters, rakes, pruners, etc.) or use the ones Olivewood has. Bring gloves if you have them. Interested in volunteering or questions? Call Cad Willeford 713818-5785 or email cadwilleford@hotmail.com. Water and snacks will be provided. This event is sponsored by the Justice and Peace Council.