October 2023 Bulletin

CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL

An Episcopal Community in the Heart of Houston, Texas

How’re you being formed?

We’re all being formed, all the time, by all (or at least most) things. “Formation” can be a very churchy word, and it can easily become a stand-in for “class, program, event,” but formation, rightly understood, refers less to discrete things and more to the life-long, life-encompassing process of being shaped in certain ways. Formation, in this sense, is not something we opt into or out of, as though it were a class we might sign-up for or simply skip. We simply are being formed, the questions for us to wrestle with are: how are we being formed and who are we being formed into?

Most people and places presuppose an account of formation, a vision of the kind of person to be formed. Parents imagine a child who will grow into an adult who is successful, kind, and resilient; coaches imagine rookies who will become players who are strong and fast, with well-honed reflexes; nations imagine citizens who will be loyal and law-abiding. The church also has a vision for the kind of person to be formed. For the church, the desire is to form all people into the likeness of Christ. Paul, writing to the church in Rome, says that Christians are “predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son,” elsewhere the Apostle speaks of our being “transformed into the same image” as Christ. These verses highlight an important difference in how formation occurs in the church than in, say, the state. The formation of people into Christlikeness is, first of all, the work of God through the Holy Spirit. The church seeks to be a means by which the Spirit builds up all people to look more and more like Christ,

BEING FORMED, page 8

Faith, Culture, and Unity: Christ Church Cathedral's Mes de la Herencia Celebration

Each year the Rev. Canon Simón Bautista welcomes the celebration of Mes de la Herencia as a poignant reminder of the shared history and contributions made by Latinos of various generations, whether they arrived as immigrants or were born in the United States.

As he notes, Hispanic Heritage Month in the United States began as Hispanic Week

in 1968 and later expanded to a month-long celebration. The period encompasses the independence anniversaries of several Latin American countries, including Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, and Chile.

The Mes de la Herencia Celebration at the

MES DE LA HERENCIA, page 6

EMC Co-Chairs pave the road ahead

This year’s Every Member Canvass (EMC) pledge campaign is being led by two couples. Meredith Canada and Michelle Hale, along with Beth Wiedower Jackson and Adam Jackson were all drawn to Christ Church Cathedral by its teachings and community outreach, and they are eager to help the Cathedral do more. Their willingness to take on the EMC leadership role speaks to the profound influence the Cathedral has had on their lives and their steadfast dedication to its mission.

In 2013, Beth and Adam were both new to Houston. Neither of them was raised

Our Cathedral Family

We celebrate with

E the newly baptized on September 3, 2023: Ruby Brianna Bautista, Katharine Gentry Carver, Hollie Lee Dettmer, Samantha Dettmer, Thomas Dewitt Dettmer III, Ellie Marshal Dettmer, Charlotte Marie Gentry, Caroline Francis Gentry, Tanner Basil Gentry, Olivia Perkins Lusk, Robert Hawkins Roland, Jackson Theodore Sickman, Audrey Lin Sickman

The flowers on the Cathedral Altar

E on September 24 were given to the glory of God in honor of Dean Nathaniel and Shelly Katz.

E on October 1 are given to the glory of God in celebration of the marriage of Kaki Duenner and Brady Hamel Jr.

E on October 8 are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Lisa Ardoin Albright by Anne, Brynne, Joe II, and Joe Albright

E on October 22 are given to the glory of God in loving memory and gratitude for Doug Hoffman by Mary Hoffman.

E on October 22 are also given to the glory of God in honor of her sister Carol Lewis and in loving memory of my parents, Roy and Lois Hanning and brother in law Bob Lewis by Ginger Hanning

E on October 22 are also given to the glory of God in thanksgiving for the Cathedral Bookstore and its faithful volunteers on the fortieth anniversary of its founding.

Second Hand Religion — This fall at the Dean’s Hour

None of us come to our faith alone. While we may have solitary moments of revelation and epiphany, the faith that we claim has been made possible by the actions, teachings and influence of others. Sometimes these are people who have touched our lives directly — our parents, pastors, Sunday School teachers. In other instances, our faith is shaped by individuals whom we will never meet but who have had a profound impact on our understanding of who we are to be and how we are to live as beloved children of God.

This community that we call Christ Church Cathedral is a product of the great cloud of witnesses that have led each and every one of us to our life of faith. This fall our Cathedral embarks on a new chapter of life and ministry with the arrival of a new Dean. It is a perfect moment for us as a community to reflect on, and give thanks for those individuals from whom we have inherited our faith. In doing so, we will come to a deeper appreciation of our spiritual roots — as individuals and as a community.

Dean Katz will begin our journey by introducing the idea of Second Hand Religion and its connection to the notion of sainthood in the Anglican tradition. Over the following weeks Dean Katz and other members of the Cathedral community will introduce their spiritual ancestors who we celebrate as saints, whether living or dead.

The larger Cathedral community will be invited to reflect on their spiritual

SECOND HAND RELIGION, page 6

Forty years is a significant chunk of time. In biblical terms, it’s a generation: For forty long years, Moses wandered; David reigned, and Solomon dispersed wisdom. So the fact that for forty years the bookstore has worked faithfully to entertain, educate, and enlighten Cathedral and downtown community readers seems like a noteworthy milestone.

When Pittman McGehee became dean of Christ Church Cathedral in 1980, neither downtown nor the Cathedral was thriving. The new dean wanted a bookstore to be established as “symbol and fact” that he wanted the Cathedral to become a center of intellectual curiosity. On October 16, 1983, he founded the Cathedral Bookstore.

Dean McGehee invited Alberta Jones, former manager of the Episcopal Bookstore in Houston, to help the Cathedral create a store. He asked parishioner Cynthia Pyle to be program director and coordinator of volunteers. On January 4, 1984, he appointed Pyle as manager. She served in that role until 1993 and later as a daily volunteer until her retirement in 2020. In 1993, Kathy Jackson became manager until she retired in 2017. Barkley Thompson, the dean at the time, then appointed current manager Lucy Chambers.

The original volunteer list for the bookstore includes many names of people who are still volunteering or

BOOKSTORE, page 5

Special Bookstore Celebration

Celebrate October in the Bookstore with the gift of a vinyl book lover’s sticker so you can share your love of books on your computer, journal or coffee cup. And join us for cake and fellowship in the Latham lobby on Sunday, October 22!

Lordy, Lordy, the Bookstore’s 40!

Dancing Saints and Icons St. Gregory of Nyssa Episcopal Church

in the Episcopal Church but sought out the Cathedral based on Adam’s experience at Sewanee, The University of the South and Beth’s interest in social justice and impact in the urban core of Houston.

“Baptizing both Julian and Frances at the Cathedral solidified our commitment to Christ Church — this is now our church home in Houston,” Beth said. “It nourishes, supports, and connects us to the faith and action to which we aspire.”

Michelle initially visited the Cathedral in the mid-90s. She continued to attend because of the connection to God's love she experienced through the Eucharist, thought-provoking and inspiring sermons, and teaching by clergy.

Michelle introduced Meredith to the Cathedral and, as Meredith says, "Over time, we realized that by attending the Cathedral we not only had deepened our own personal connections to God and our Faith, but we had become completely and unconditionally welcomed and loved members of this community.

Michelle and I had found ‘our’ Church home.”

Cathedral Book Club

For Beth and Adam, the decision to co-chair the 2024 EMC pledge campaign is both practical and impassioned. They know that a solid financial foundation is essential to serve the congregation and fulfill numerous outreach missions. Beth's involvement in committees like the Justice and Peace Council and the Building Committee during the Sowing the Seed campaign gave her additional insight into how support can sustain and expand the Cathedral's impact.

“Supporting the Cathedral with our gifts and presence is paramount,” Beth said. “Personally for us and our young family, serving as EMC co-chairs presents an opportunity to meet and engage with members with whom we don’t often interact.”

Meredith has served on the vestry and the finance committee, currently is a member of the Justice and Peace Council, and was on the search committee that called our new dean. Michelle is on the Altar Guild, volunteers in

A different book is discussed the first Wednesday of the month. Everyone is welcome to attend and join the discussion from 6:30-8 p.m. Please order books from the Cathedral Bookstore. Sessions will be in the McGehee Conference Room, with Zoom options available. Contact Louise Langford at llangford@christchurchcathedral.org to learn how to participate.

Wednesday, October 4, 6:30 p.m.

The Heaven and Earth Grocery Store, by James McBride

From James McBride, author of the bestselling Oprah’s Book Club pick Deacon King Kong and the National Book Award–winning The Good Lord Bird, a novel about small-town secrets and the people who keep them. McBride shows us that even in dark times, it is love and community--heaven and earth--that sustain us. This book is in hardcover — the Cathedral Bookstore will offer 20% off.

Wednesday, November 1, 6:30 p.m.

The Fraud, by Zadie Smith

From acclaimed and bestselling novelist Zadie Smith, a kaleidoscopic work of historical fiction set against the legal trial that divided Victorian England, about who gets to tell their story — and who gets to be believed. Based on real historical events, The Fraud is a dazzling novel about truth and fiction, Jamaica and Britain, fraudulence and authenticity and the mystery of “other people.”

Wednesday, December 6, 6:30 p.m.

A People's Church: A History of the Church of England, by Jeremy Morris Weaving social, political, and religious history together with church music and architecture, this book is a clear-eyed look at Anglican history through the ages. For its first 150 years people sacrificed their lives to defend it; the Anglican Church is and has always been defined by its complicated relationship to the state and power. This title will be available in paperback in October. The Cathedral Bookstore will have it available then.

the bookstore, and has served in the past on the Mission Outreach Council.

“Having been on the search committee, I feel it is important to support the Cathedral and our new Dean by doing everything that we can individually, including financially, so our church, clergy, staff, and members, can thrive and grow and adapt to answer God’s call,” Meredith said.

Michelle said, "I hope to encourage those who perhaps have been trying out the Cathedral, are drawn to this family, but are cautious about pledging -- because I've been there. I experienced the Cathedral from a pew in the back for many years; contributing to the plate, but not making a pledge. It took some time before I felt truly planted here and decided to become more involved — in community and by pledging financially. That little bit of fresh effort on my part was, in a way, a threshold to new levels of growth and connection here that continue to this day."

Beth and Adam envision an EMC campaign that engages every member of Christ Church Cathedral, no matter the size of their gift.

“Engaging and supporting the Cathedral can happen at all levels and may look different for each member,” Adam said. “We want to encourage all to make a thoughtful and meaningful pledge of support.”

“When you’re committed in a financial way, you feel like you're a part of God's plan for this community,” Meredith said. “I think we benefit a lot more from it than we give even. It causes you to pay more attention to what God is doing at the Cathedral than maybe you would otherwise.”

Our co-chairs look forward to having some new members join in with their pledges this year, and they're also hoping that those who've pledged before might consider increasing their gifts in 2024. The combined support resulting from prayerful consideration provides the Cathedral with the resources needed to plan for the upcoming year's work.

“The Cathedral is experienced individually by each of us, but it is the collective community and faith that draws us to serve and support Christ Church,” Beth adds.

Meredith is especially excited about what the new year will bring with new leadership and is optimistic about how God is going to guide our Cathedral in new ways and new ministries.

“We are a community of people who love, wait, pray, listen and act. I know Cathedral members will respond to the call to give during this year’s EMC, in whatever way they can,” she said.

Rally Day, An Evening with Dean Katz, and more IN PICTURES

Above, below: Dean Katz talks about his life and ministry at a special Evening with Dean Katz. The discussion includes Sonia Mascorro-Velazquez, Meredith Canada, and Junior Warden Flo Ray.

Above: Parishioners cool off and enjoy sweet treats during the Labor Day weekend Popsicles event.

Right, below right: Parishioners about Cathedral ministries during Rally in Reynolds

VESTRY NOMINATIONS

involved in the bookstore, as well as other faithful individuals who have since joined the team that continues McGehee’s vision. Each volunteer brings unique talents to the bookstore and has a special area of responsibility in addition to customer service.

Current volunteers are Vicki Cawley, Roxanne Dolen, Mary Finn, Jan Fitzhugh, Martha French, Michelle Hale, Pat Hallmark (founding volunteer, and wife of Truitt Hallmark our Puzzle Master), Kathryn Ketelsen, and Catherine Lippincott (our embosser). Kathy Jackson helps whenever we can get her, and long-time volunteers Wendy Bentliff (founding volunteer and our former embosser), Earle Martin (famous for finding love in the bookstore), Susan Dunn, and several others still come by to catch up with the team.

Thanks to the dedication and talents of these wonderful people, the Cathedral Bookstore has provided a haven for book lovers for decades. Its first home was an unused parlor in Latham Hall called the “Red Room” (for obvious reasons), before the current space was created in a major renovation and expansion in 1991, thanks to the generosity of a group of parishioners, many still regular patrons.

The Cathedral has indeed become a center

of intellectual curiosity in Houston. Its eponymous bookstore supports it by carrying a well-curated list of religious, spiritual, general non-fiction, fiction, and children’s titles, books by the many notable speakers who visit the Cathedral, and a constantly-refreshed supply of quality used books, as well as seasonal gifts. Operations have evolved over time. When the pandemic led the Cathedral to move to online worship and forced Treebeards to shutter, the Bookstore explored new service options, starting with delivering books by hand and setting up a pop-up store in the Cloister. We expanded our website, established drop-ship options with our vendors, and set up direct invoicing.

The Mission of the Cathedral Bookstore, October 1983

The mission of the Cathedral Bookstore is to provide books, greeting cards and Cathedral related items to the Cathedral parish and staff, to the Diocese and its clergy, and to the downtown Houston community in the most professional manner possible. The Bookstore also aims to provide its volunteers with a comfortable and challenging place to volunteer.

The bookstore has seen a generation of change. It has moved from hand-written accounts to computers. It saw five deans come and go. It survived floods and plagues — Tropical Storm Allison, Hurricane Harvey, the pandemic, the freeze, the heatwave, electronic books, and many more challenges to the bookselling landscape. At the beginning of the tenure of Dean Nat Katz, we are excited to see what the future will hold.

We have stories to tell you, stories to sell you, and mainly we just love being here for you. Thanks be to God that, for as long as King David reigned, we’ve had the opportunity to be a part of this community that loves and appreciates books.

Now, as in 1983, people come in and out of our doors. Some are regulars, some are visitors, and we even see a few long-time parishioners who have just discovered that we have a bookstore. Some are looking for a book, others want to work at our puzzle table, and some just want to chat.

We’ll be celebrating our birthday all year long. Each month of the program year we’ll offer a gift with purchase, a special sale, or a discount to thank our wonderful community for all the support over the years. And on October 22nd, the Sunday after our birthday, we’ll have a proper birthday party with cake!

BOOKSTORE, from page 2

Rally Day Reynolds Hall.

Cathedral was initially called "Fiesta Patrias," but it was renamed in recent years to align with the broader nationwide observance.

“There is a lot of pride in what Latinos have accomplished in this country,” Bautista said. “I’m happy that such an important contribution is also recognized by law.”

Mes de la Herencia at the Cathedral spans two weekends in October. On Sunday, October 8, the Rev. Al Rodriguez will preach at the one o'clock service. And on October 15th, the Rev. Nancy Frausto, the Director of Latinx Studies at the Seminary of the Southwest, will preach at 9 a.m., 11 a.m., and 1 p.m. Cathedral Dean Nathaniel Katz will also interview her at the Dean’s hour.

The second weekend also focuses on social service and justice.

Friday, October 13, is a documentary night, and Saturday will feature an immigration clinic.

The Cathedral’s Justice and Peace Council has been involved with the celebration since the beginning, working first as a design team and now as subcommittees within the Latino Council.

“The Latino and Justice & Peace Councils have so much in common it feels natural to join together to celebrate and learn more about each other,” said Justice and Peace Council member Jane Mumey. “This celebration will highlight for our parish and the new dean all the exciting capacity we have to grow these relationships in doing God's work.”

"We want to talk about the Fruits of Hospitality,” said Justice and Peace staff liaison Marcia Quintanilla. “The fruits of opening our doors and being welcoming and the seeds that are planted and the fruits that can come out of that."

For Quintanilla, these fruits are tangible. Her parents immigrated to Houston from El Salvador during their civil war in the 1980s. They were welcomed by St. Matthew's Episcopal Church who also helped her parents obtain residency through the amnesty program.

“[The church] stepped out of the walls and offered justice and peace to them. About a year later, I was born into the Episcopal Church and have served the Episcopal Church for so long. And now I'm here at the Cathedral. So it’s just proof of those little seeds creating great fruit.”

The documentary night on Friday is meant to be a family affair, focusing on both the Hispanic experience in America and the deep relationship between the Hispanic community and local parishes.

“We'll have a discussion led by Francisco Arguelles, who is a community grassroots

leader in the Latino community, and there will also be activities for children,” Quintanilla said. "Our thought is come join us on Friday night for a movie and enjoy some great food at the taco bar."

Saturday’s immigration clinic offers free consultations with attorneys. The goal is to provide a trustworthy and safe space for people to get their immigration-related questions answered, especially given the complexity of current laws and regulations. Led by Clyde and Mandy Neal as well as Fred and Heather Lazare, the event has been advertised Diocese-wide.

"It's almost inevitable to talk about immigration when we talk about Mes de la Herencia,” said Quintanilla.

Mumey added that the councils are also building bilingual documents, and legal assistance, and will provide referrals for the attendees to move forward with the issues they may bring to the clinic.

On the final Sunday, Quintanilla said they intend to finish strong with a Cathedral-wide celebration of food, drinks, games, and music where everyone will find a place to serve and

Christ

Church Cathedral

celebrate. There will be sign-up opportunities for events, although members can also reach out to Simón Bautista or Quintanilla to get involved.

“We want the Cathedral to be an example to other congregations of multicultural communities that it can be done," she said.

The communal meals after both 1 p.m. Sunday services are highly anticipated. Members of the congregation prepare and bring traditional dishes from their respective countries, creating a diverse and delicious culinary experience.

“This time is important because it's a way to recognize those who paved the road for us, even though we may not name them individually,” said the Rev. Bautista. “It's not just about validation and another celebration; it's a unique yearly event that reminds us how proud we should be despite the difficulties we face when coming here, adjusting to new changes, learning a new language, and finding our way in this country. Celebrating as a nation is the right thing to do, and uplifts us personally. It's about coming together for the same joy and the same purpose.”

Celebrates Latino-Hispanic Heritage Month

Fruits of Hospitality

Events for the whole family

Sunday, Oct. 8 1 p.m.

Special Guest, the Rev. Al Rodriguez. Eucharist Service and exhibition of traditional Latin American food and dances.

Friday, Oct. 13 6:30-8 p.m., Reynolds Hall Documentary, Paper Children (Niños de Papel), dinner, and discussion led by Francisco Arguelle. Special activities for children.

SECOND HAND RELIGION, from page 2

Saturday, Oct. 14 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m., Reynolds Hall

Immigration Clinic. An opportunity for FREE immigration consultation with attorneys. Childcare available.

Sunday, Oct, 15 9, 10, 11 a.m., 1 p.m.

Special Guest, the Rev. Nancy Frausto, Director of Latinx Studies at the Seminary of the Southwest. Eucharist service and exhibition of traditional Latin American food and dances.

ancestors throughout the fall, and we’ll take All Saints’ Weekend, November 3-5, to celebrate those ancestors as we celebrate a new season in the Cathedral’s life with the installation of Nat Katz as the ninth Dean of Christ Church.

This series will be an opportunity for us to deepen our bonds with one another as we deepen our appreciation for those whose lives and example has made possible the life in faith that unites us as the people of Christ Church Cathedral.

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

OCTOBER

Registration required

OCT 1 SUN

EMC Dinner and Skit

Doors open at 6 p.m., Reynolds Hall. This event will be livestreamed. www.christchurchcathedral.org/emcdinner.

OCT 3 TUE

Seed Group

6:30 p.m., The Treehouse. For middle school youth, fun small group discussion that takes a deep dive into questions about faith. Contact Marcia at mquintanilla@ christchurchcathedral.org for details.

OCT 4 WED

Fall Neighborhood Gathering

6–7:30 p.m. Bellaire. Register at lcantu@ christchurchcathedral.org

Cathedral Book Club

6:30-8 p.m. in-person and Zoom. Contact Louise Langford for details llangford@christchurchcathedral.org

OCT 6 FRI

Bridge/Rummikub Game Night/Potluck

6:30 p.m., McGehee Conference Room. Join our games or bring your own and enjoy a meal with friends.

OCT 8 SUN

Mes de la Herencia

1 p.m.. Eucharist Service and exhibition of traditional Latin American food and dances. Blessing of the Animals

4 p.m., Bishop’s Courtyard. An annual event that occurs near the feast day of Saint Francis the patron saint of animals.

OCT 9 MON

Pastoral Care Circle

6-7:30 p.m. Mellinger Room. For fellowship and skill building in the ministries of Pastoral Care. Second Mondays of the month. Contact Claire Soard for details at: csoard@christchurchcathedral.org

OCT 11 WED

Fall Neighborhood Gathering

6-7:30 p.m., Tanglewood.

OCT 12 THU

Alzheimer & Dementia Suppor t 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.

Registration closed   Childcare available (3 mo. to 12 yrs.)

WEEKLY SUNDAYS

Children’s Sunday School

10-11 a.m., Jones 201-208. We are inviting all children (3 years – 5th grade) to join us in Golding Chapel at 10 a.m. to begin the Sunday School hour.

MONDAYS

Centering Prayer

11:15 a.m., Mellinger Room.

TUESDAYS

20s/30s Bible Study: The Letter to the Ephesians

OCT 13-15

Mes de la Herencia WeekendFruits of Hospitality

6-8:30 p.m., Reynolds Hall. The Latino Ministry Council and the Justice and Peace Council present Fruits of Hospitality at an in depth celebration of Mes de la Herencia.

OCT 17 TUE

Happy 40th Birthday to the Cathedral Bookstore!

Honoring the Bookstore's milestone.

OCT 19 THU

Caregiver s Gathering

12:30 p.m., in Jeffers and Zoom

OCT 21 SAT

Threads of Comfort and Joy - Fall Teaching Day

10 a.m.-noon, Mellinger Room. Have you ever wanted to learn how to crochet or knit? Come learn with the members of Threads of Comfort and Joy.

OCT 29 SUN

T ime with Dean Katz for Children and Youth

9 a.m. and 10 a.m. Dean Katz will lead the children’s sermon during the 9 a.m. service and will share Texas’ own Blue Bell Ice Cream with Cathedral kids during Boo Bash on the playground and with Cathedral youth in The Treehouse during the 10 o’clock hour. Costa Rica Info Session

12:15 pm. Join Minister for Youth Marcia Quintanilla in The Treehouse (located on the third floor of the McGehee building) for an information session for all interested in going on the mission trip.

Fall Lunch & Learn

12:15-1:30 p.m., McGehee Conference Room. Newcomers are invited to a learning luncheon about life at the Cathedral. Participants will receive an overview of worship practices, learning, service and fellowship opportunities, a brief history of the Cathedral, and a tour of the campus.

SUNDAYS

Dean’s Hour

10 a.m. Reynolds Hall

• Second Hand Religion: Oct 1, 8, 29; Nov 5, 12; Dec 3, 10. ; Dean Katz will introduce the idea of Second-Hand Religion and its connection to the notion of sainthood in the Anglican tradition. Over the coming weeks, Dean Katz and other members of the Cathedral community will introduce their spiritual ancestors who we celebrate as saints, whether living or dead.

Youth Sunday School

10-11 a.m., The Treehouse. (6th– 12th grade). Youth Sunday school is a place to come together as a community and grow in our faith through teaching, discussion, and doughnuts.

Latino Youth Sunday School

1-2:30 p.m. The Treehouse.

Latino Ministry Children’s Sunday School

1-2:30 p.m., Jones 201-208.

Cathedral Tours

Tours are held every Sunday following the 11 a.m. service. They will also be held the third Sunday of each month following services at 9 a.m. and The Well.

The Anglican Way

6-7:30 p.m., Sanders Hall. Starts Oct. 8. Each Fall the Cathedral offers a seven-week course called The Anglican Way. This evening class is intended for those who wish to deepen their understanding of the Episcopal Church, its faith, and its mission. Those new to the congregation and adults seeking to be baptized, confirmed, or received are especially encouraged to attend. Childcare available upon request

7-8 p.m., Jeffers Conference Room. Explore what life in the Body of Christ means in this eight-week study of the letter to the Ephesians. Register to attend. Ends Oct. 17. Contact Canon Bradley Varnell with questions at: bvarnell@christchurchcathedral.org

Tuesday Morning Bible Study

7-8 a.m. Surprise! Exploring the Parables of Jesus. Led by the Rev. Canon Kathy Pfister. Contact Canon Kathy Pfister with questions at: kpfister@christchurchcathedral.org

Women’s Evening Bible Study

6:30-7:30 p.m., Zoom. This 16 week Bible Study aims to be more like a stroll through the eternal city. We’ll take it one block at a time and stop at all the important places along the way. Contact the Rev. Liz Parker with questions. lparker@ christchurchcathedral.org

WEDNESDAYS

Men’s Morning Bible Study

7–8 a.m. Contact Canon Bradley Varnell with questions at: bvarnell@ christchurchcathedral.org

Women’s Morning Bible Study Jeffers Conference Room. Contact Canon Bradley Varnell with questions at: bvarnell@ christchurchcathedral.org

Cathedral Tours

Tour guides are available to welcome you at the bell tower from 10:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. You may spend your time alone or the guide will share the Cathedral’s rich history with you.

THURSDAYS

Thursday Noon Bible Study

Zoom. Dive into 1 Samuel this fall and discover Scripture’s own Game of Thrones. Register online to attend. Contact Canon Bradley Varnell with questions at: bvarnell@ christchurchcathedral.org

UPCOMING

NOV. 3 FRI

Dean Katz Installation

6:30 p.m., Cathedral. This event will also be livestreamed.

1117 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 713-590-3301.

Dean Katz installation

Alternative Giving Market, save the date

The Alternative Giving Market (AGM) gives small nonprofit agencies a place to exhibit the good work they are doing in our community. Hosted by the Mission and Outreach Council, the AGM gives the Cathedral family a chance to learn about these agencies and how we can help support their work while honoring family, friends, and colleagues during the holidays. This year’s AGM will take place on Sunday, November 19, in Reynolds Hall. Look for more details in the November bulletin.

BEING FORMED, from cover

DEAN KATZ INSTALLATION

Friday, November 3

All are invited to attend the installation of Dean Nathaniel Katz on Nov. 3 at 6:30 p.m. in the Cathedral. The service will be presided over by the Rt. Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, Bishop of Texas. Childcare will be available. This event will also be livestreamed.

but we the institution are not the actors in this, God is.

From the moment of baptism, when we are grafted into the Body of Christ, the Spirit is at work in us bringing us to the full stature of Christ. Through worship, prayer, Scripture study; through involvement in Sunday school and outreach; through spiritual friendships with fellow Christians; and through the sacraments — the Spirit is at work. Our task is not so much to climb a ladder of spiritual achievement, rather it is to open ourselves up to the Spirit’s work in our lives, to get out of the way as God forms us into the creatures we are made to be. In light of this, Christians might well add a third question to wrestle with: in addition to how we are being formed and who we are being formed into, are we open to the Spirit’s forming work? Further, are we aiding or resisting that forming work?

These are not questions meant to shame, or to add more to what is already an overcrowded plate for many of us. Rather, they are questions meant to help us dwell seriously with the reality (the awesome reality) that the God of the universe has created us, each and every one of us, to be a certain kind of person, with good works which only we can perform. At our best, all we do here at the Cathedral is designed to help us — individually and as a community - become more and more open to the Spirit’s work in our life.