CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL An Episcopal Community in the Heart of Houston, Texas
AUGUST 2015 CHRISTCHURCHCATHEDRAL.ORG
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Beyond this point, there be dragons Last month I looked over the edge of the world. I was on Inishmore, the largest of the Aran Islands off the west coast of Ireland. Inishmore is a wild and remote place. Four hundred years ago Oliver Cromwell pushed many Irish off the mainland, and to the Aran Islands they went. Over Inishmore’s jagged limestone hills THE VERY REV. (geologic continuations BARKLEY of the Burren in County THOMPSON Clare) the Irish spread seaweed and sand, creating a thin subsistence soil. There are no trees on Inishmore to block the wind that buffets everything constantly. For ancient people, who arrived on the Aran Islands thousands of years before Oliver Cromwell walked the earth, Inishmore was the edge of the world. Beyond the sheer cliff walls on the island’s western side was the abyss, the place where the world dropped off. It was where the old maps warned, “Beyond this point, there be dragons.” Last month a group of pilgrims from Christ Church Cathedral hiked to Dun Aengus, an ancient stone fort perched on the highest cliff on Inishmore, and peered over the edge. It was a vertiginous experience. In the late fifth century A.D., St. Enda and 12 followers rowed a seal-skin coracle boat nine miles from the Irish mainland across choppy seas to the edge of the world on Inishmore and founded a monastery. They were seeking “white martyrdom,” a way of life stripped bare and exposed to the elements, so that nothing separated them from the presence of God. Their lives were stark; their efforts undoubtedly often seemed futile; and to
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Missioners from Christ Church Cathedral repaint a table at Iglesia de Todos los Santos in San Jose, Costa Rica.
Day by day, the impact of mission In July, the Cathedral sent a mission team of 15 high-school students and 12 adults to the Episcopal Diocese of Costa Rica, where they teamed up with Bishop Hectór Monterroso Gonzalez to aid impoverished communities in that country. Six members of the team kept diaries of their experiences, which are excerpted below. The full entries are available on the Cathedral website.
Day One: Francy Bermudez
We are Costa Rica bound. As a fellow Latina, I understand that there is a lot of poverty. What I did not expect, was how lively this place was from the moment I got out of the plane. Walking to the bus and just looking around my surroundings, I sensed the feeling of being proud of my race, my origin.
DIARIES, page 5
Øgaard takes new post, Czausz named organist Organist Sigurd Øgaard has been appointed as the new organist at Bergen Cathedral in his hometown of Bergen, Norway. Øgaard and his wife, staff singer Laurie Robertson, will leave for Norway in early September. Organ Scholar Monica Czausz will step into his post beginning September 1. For Øgaard, the opportunity to return to his homeland and assume this major post was too exciting to leave unexplored. “Being a part of such a historic church and excellent music SIGURD ØGAARD
MONICA CZAUSZ
ORGANISTS, page 6
Our Cathedral Family We celebrate with
EE New members Amanda Dinitz and John and Laura Davis. EE The newly baptized: Elliot Mathis Steven Renfro. EE Amanda and Adam Dinitz on the birth of Zachary Paul Dinitz on June 15. EE Sally Anne Schmidt and Marc Tablosky on the birth of Julia Schmidt-Tabolsky on May 25.
We extend heartfelt sympathy to
EE The family of Nell Aycock, who died June 20 in North Carolina. She was the mother of Nell Aycock Richardson. EE The family of David Arthur Stevens, who died June 29 in Lakewood, N.J. David was the father of Rebecca Stevens and grandfather of Liam Berney. EE The family of Lisa Arciniega, who died June 30 in Houston. Lisa was the daughter of Mary Ann Arciniega and sister of Marta Arciniega. EE The family of member Frances Mamie Rummell, who died July 5 in Houston.
The flowers on the Cathedral Altar
EE On August 2 are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Lee and Joe Pieringer, Steve Pieringer, and Walter Heffler by the Pieringer family. EE On August 9 are given to the glory of God in thanksgiving for the life and work of the Rev. James Reed Cox. EE On August 16 are given to the glory of God in thanksgiving for their children, Anna and Sasha Unger, by Kathy Welch and John Unger. EE 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. EE On August 30 are given to the glory of God in thanksgiving for fifty years of marriage by Evelyn and Roy Nolen.
Round up for annual Rally Day Every year, Rally Day reunites our Cathedral community following the summer break and reorients us as a people engaged in the mission of God. Join us on Sunday, August 23, during the 10 o’clock hour in RALLY DAY Reynolds Hall to ex- Sunday, August 23 plore how God might 10 a.m. be calling to you to learn and grow in faith in the coming year. This year’s theme is “Rally Day Roundup,” so pull out your boots, your buttondowns, your Texas-sized belt buckles, and your jeans. (Yes, you can wear jeans to church.) Round up your friends and family members of all ages and enjoy this festive event. Over 30 ministries will be on hand with helpful information, people to connect with, treats, and fun activities. Register for Sunday School, pick up calendars for youth ministry, and learn about new initiatives and programs that will help you deepen your engagement with your faith and your community. If browsing through a hall full of ministries sounds overwhelming, or if you’d like some personalized guidance, start at the table just outside of Reynolds Hall in the cloister. There you will find friendly folks who will talk to you about your interests and guide you to a couple of specific ministries that might be right for you. So stop by, get information, and get re-energized for what promises to be a great year at the Cathedral.
The flowers in the Floor Vases
EE On August 16 are given to the glory of God in loving memory of Wyatt and Lyman Paden, Margaret and David Flowers, and George Johnson by Lyman and Jennifer Paden, Caroline, and Alexander. EE On August 23 are given to the glory of God and in loving memory of her parents and grandparents by Vicki Cawley. THE BULLETIN
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Culinary masters to prepare gala dinner This year’s Come to the Table gala event on Thursday, September 24, at The Beacon will feature the brightest stars of Houston’s restaurant community. Last year’s event sold out quickly and raised close to $350,000 in support of ending chronic homelessness. Event co-chairs Nancy and David Randall have planned an extraordinary evening that includes a cocktail reception, a live auction, and a seated fourcourse dinner prepared in the very kitchen that serves hundreds of Houston’s poor and homeless each day. Tickets and tables are on sale now at www.beaconhomeless.org.
Easier than I thought I have a confession to make: I wasn’t a member of the Bishop Richardson Society until May 14, 2015. There was nothing special about May 14, except that at 7 p.m. that evening, I was scheduled to speak briefly at the inaugural Bishop Richardson Society dinner at River Oaks Country Club in my role as president of the Cathedral Endowment. The Bishop Richardson SociPATRICK HAYES ety members are those who have named Christ Church Cathedral as a beneficiary in their wills. There is no specific level of commitment; it is the fact of the bequest that is significant. After years of promising Harry Webb that I would join the society, I had finally run out of time and excuses. I simply couldn’t, in good conscience, speak at that dinner (which honored Harry Webb, of all people!) without officially joining the Bishop Richardson Society. I had dragged my feet because I would have to get a lawyer involved — no one likes to deal with lawyers — then sign some papers. Add to that whatever other excuses I could think of at the time. To my surprise, the entire process was really simple and done extremely fast — so fast that I was able to both start and complete the process on May 14. More importantly, I have now joined a group that will ensure that Christ Church Cathedral and its mission will carry on at the corner of Texas and Fannin for generations to come. If you haven’t done so, I strongly encourage you to join the Bishop Richardson Society. The half-hour that it will take to prepare and sign a codicil to your will can have a lasting impact on the Cathedral. And please, don’t let Harry Webb know how recently it was that I joined! To make a donation or legacy gift to the Cathedral Endowment, contact Karen Alston at 713-590-3338.
Presiding Bishop-elect Michael Curry, bishop of the Diocese of North Carolina, speaks to a packed House of Deputies hall after deputies confirmed his election at General Convention.
Curry elected Presiding Bishop The Episcopal Church’s General Convention made history June 27 when it chose Diocese of North Carolina Bishop Michael Curry to be its 27th presiding bishop. Curry, 62, was elected by the House of Bishops from a slate of four nominees on the first ballot. He received 121 votes of a total 174 cast, needing 89 for election. His election was confirmed an hour later by the House of Deputies by a vote of 800 to 12. He will serve a nine-year term that officially begins Nov. 1. Curry will succeed current Presiding Bishop Katharine Jefferts Schori and he will become the first person of color to hold that position. The presiding bishop “speaks God’s
Hines Center course to teach memoir writing
Beginning in September, the Hines Center will host a nine-week writing workshop with a focus on memoirs. This series of classes is offered in partnership with the Cathedral’s Adult Formation Council and Inprint Houston. The classes will begin following the upcoming appearance of memoirist Mary Karr, who will present her latest book, “The Art of Memoir,” at the Cathedral on September 17. Writing a memoir requires an ever-renewing commitment to paying attention to the world, the self, and how each interprets and impacts the other. Through reading, discussion, in-class writing assignments, and peer feedback on works in progress, the course will explore how to share our stories in a way that is courageous, interesting, and memorable. Course registrants will be divided into groups and paired by Inprint with one the city’s best writing instructors. There is no prior writing experience required. For those who choose, final pieces will be compiled in an anthology and excerpts may be read at the Hines Center grand opening event in 2016. The workshop is expected to fill quickly. Registration will open later this month and will be announced by invitation through the Hines Center e-newsletter. To sign up for the mailing list and to learn more about the center, visit www.hinescenter.org.
word to the church and world as the representative of this Church and its episcopate in its corporate capacity,” represents the Episcopal Church to the Anglican Communion, serves as chief consecrator of bishops, and leads the House of Bishops. He or she also holds a significant role in the discipline and changes in status of bishops. Curry has been North Carolina’s diocesan bishop since 2000. He was the rector of St. James’ Episcopal Church, Baltimore, Md., when he was elected as bishop. He is also the current chair of Episcopal Relief & Development’s Board of Directors. Throughout his ministry, Curry has been active in issues of social justice, speaking out on immigration policy and marriage equality. Echoing an old spiritual, Curry said during a video interview after his nomination was announced on May 1 that “our hand must be on the Gospel plow.” “We are followers of Jesus — Jesus of Nazareth — and the truth is we’ve got a message to proclaim, a life to live and something to share and offer the world,” he said. “There’s a lot of suffering in this world. There’s a lot of heartache, there’s a lot of nightmare. We are people who believe that God has a dream and a vision for this world, and that Jesus has shown us how to follow him in the direction of that and how to help this world live into God’s dream and vision for us now. “Our work is actually the work of participating in the Jesus movement, which seeks to realize God’s dream and seeks to accomplish God’s mission in this world.” PAGE 3
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Deacon’s Ordination, General Convention, Summer Place, and more
IN PICTURES
Below left: Bishop Andy Doyle presents Bibles to new deacons at their June 20 ordination. Below right: Minister for Children and Families KariAnn Lessner leads children’s activities during Summer Place.
Left: Cathedral canons Simón Bautista and Glenice RobinsonComo meet at General Convention with Michele Hagans, canon for ministry initiatives in the Diocese of Washington.
Left: The Cathedral’s team of volunteers cook breakfast for the Lord of the Streets congregation at a service day on July 12. The next service day will be September 6 and extra hands are always needed. Visit the Cathedral website to sign up. Above: More than 100 people came out on July 10 for the opening of the Mary Magdalene art exhibit in the Cloister Gallery. Presented by Brigid’s Place in conjunction with its month-long Mary Magdalene festival, the show runs in Reynolds Hall through August 3. THE BULLETIN
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Changing face of Episcopal Church reflected at convention Episcopalians from around the world converged in Salt Lake City to attend the 78th General Convention from June 25 through July 3. People of all races and ages came to represent their dioceses and ministries by participating in legislatives sessions, speaking at hearings, and serving on committees, or by helping others and representing their entities at the exhibition tables. Among them were a large number of Latinos and Latinas — lay members and clergy, youth and adults — that attended the convention to contribute their voices, their votes, and their service. The face of the Episcopal Church is changing by the day, and Latinos are a big part of this change. There wasn’t a single place you could go, a hallway you could walk through, a hearing you could attend, where you didn’t notice the Latino presence.
But most noticeable was the presence of young Latinos who took active roles in hearings, joined delegations, and livened up the hallways with music. This was a distinct difference from earlier conventions, the last of which was three years ago in Indianapolis. Looking at this General Convention from the perspective of Latino ministry, we notice a great new emphasis, in both the House of Bishops and the House of Deputies, on the concept of mission, as a “going out to the world,” as opposed to sitting inside our churches walls waiting for the world to come to us. The motto, “We are all missionaries,” was used widely and states clearly what the Episcopal Church is called to do for the next several years. If this is where the Master of the Harvest is calling the church,
LATINOS, page 7
DIARIES, from cover Today was the first time I’ve ever ridden a plane, and I loved every minute of it. When I woke up from a small nap and looked out the windows, I was left speechless at how amazing my view was. God’s creations are truly a beautiful thing.
Day Two: Sara Stansbury Most of the group went to the main site at La Iglesia de Ascension and a smaller group went to another church to work on the Children’s School. From making concrete, to laying slab for sidewalks, to painting ceilings, to doing a lot of sanding, to painting tables and chairs; it was a busy one! With the hustle and bustle of learning new work came a lot of room for spiritual growth. Through the blisters and jammed fingers, to the paint in the eye and splinters, we still managed to find Jesus.
Day Three: Gabriel Theis From 6:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., my third day was similar to my second day. I once again went with the construction group. Though once we arrived at the church, I was struck at how different it already was compared to yesterday. There was a sidewalk this time, and the walls were much smoother. It was both gratifying and humbling to see this; gratifying because we all had made good progress, but humbling because there was so much more to be done. Everyone, especially the workers, still had great enthusiasm, and the presence of Christ could still be felt in the yetto-be-church’s walls.
Day Four: Sam Kuo Today we went to the school and played with the children there. The bishop explained to us some of the accomplishments of the project and the things it does for mothers and their children. I was moved. It was a reminder that in this cruel world, there is some
Fifteen high-school students and 12 adults traveled to Costa Rica from July 5–12 to aid our companion diocese.
kindness. The children were happy, healthy, adorable, and energetic. All you have to do is touch one of their shoulders and say “Anda!” to begin a joy-filled, tiring game of tag.
Day Five: Casey Vorholt It’s a side effect of mission trips when the moments of Jesus and service are not only brought to other parts of the U.S. or the world, but they’re also brought to members within a church who probably didn’t know one another as well before the experience. For Christ Church Cathedral, families and individuals on this trip are making plans to stay in contact when all return to the states. They’re even taking it one step further and inviting one another to the service hour they attend. The micro divisions have been bridged and it’s a beautiful thing to witness these new creations.
Day Six: Gabriel Theis Today was our last day of work in the churches. The relationships that were built in the past few days were more evident, as the
workers seemed to be sad that we were going, and the relationship between them and us seemed stronger than ever. At the end of the day, we all took a group picture together, and we invited the workers to be in them, which they seemed happy to do. While the work was some of the most difficult I’ve done in my life, I found myself missing the church already as the bus drove away from the site.
Day Seven: Brandy Majano Our morning started with getting ready to zipline. As I got on top, I was so scared, but in my mind I was like, “God is going to be with me and I am going to be fine.” I was so happy to have the chance to zipline. I was happy to be part of the Costa Rica mission and to be able to meet new people and have the opportunity to meet God and be happy to give to others. I hope with all my heart that I will be able to come next year and do more things for Costa Rica and be able to see the friends I made here in this trip. Overall this has been one of the greatest trips in my life. PAGE 5
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Learning new ways to pray: The Daily Examen Through its programming, the Hines Center for Spirituality and Prayer will provide a wide variety of opportunities to know and experience God. Included will be an exploratory class introducing students to a variety of forms of prayer and spiritual practice. This fall, we will offer one track of this introductory program to the 20s & 30s group once a month BROOKE on Wednesday nights. This SUMMERS-PERRY spring, we will offer ongoing classes with self-contained sessions, making it easy for anyone to drop in and start practicing at any time. One form of prayer practice that you can try now at home is called the Daily Examen. It comes from the Ignatian Exercises, developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola, founder of a Jesuit order in the 1500s. The exercises are composed of meditations, prayers, and contemplative practices designed to deepen the practitioner’s relationship with God. Originally part of a monastic tradition, the version I outline now has been modified to be accessible to us in our daily life. The Examen is done twice daily and takes only a few minutes, but can be a powerful tool for discernment through consciousness and reflection. When practiced at noon, it allows us to rewind through the morning and identify moments of presence and moments of distraction or distance. We end this first practice with a prayerful intention for the remainder of the day. Similarly, the evening Examen looks backward to the afternoon and ends by setting an intention for the following day. Here is what you do. Sit quietly and bring your focus to your breath. Allow your thoughts to pass by. Bring your attention to God. Imagine sitting with Divine Presence. With a grateful heart, rewind your day. Remember the moments, interactions, and experiences. Notice the moments when there was ease, connection, or rejuvenation. Notice the moments when there was resistance, disconnection, or exhaustion. Notice the sensations in your body. Resist the urge to analyze, judge, or criticize. The reflection may bring up a variety of emotions. Allow one moment to come into focus. Regardless of the emotional charge, sit prayerfully with that experience. Let a prayer naturally arise in you. You may be lead to prayers for your needs or someone else’s. A prayer of gratitude or praise may arise. You may find yourself seeking a THE BULLETIN
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change of heart or a new perspective. Simply allow the prayer time to form. Open your mind and your heart to reflect and prayerfully look forward to tomorrow. How are you being lead to live into each moment with connection, compassion, and grace? I look forward to us exploring, practicing,
and reflecting on our experiences together in this and many other ways as we open the Bishop John E. Hines Center for Spirituality and Prayer. Brooke Summers-Perry is the executive director of the Bishop John E. Hines Center for Spirituality and Prayer.
Sunday School registration now open Get a headstart on fall and register your children today for a year of wonder, fun, and excitement in Sunday School at Christ Church Cathedral. Sign up online now at www.christchurchcathedral.org or come to Rally Day on Sunday, August 23, at 10 a.m. where we’ll have computer tablets and QR codes available for easy in-person registration. Either way, be sure to stop by the Children’s Ministry Council table on Rally Day to say “howdy.”
ORGANISTS, from cover
department has been an honor,” he said, “and I am very grateful for my time here. “When I heard that the organist position in my hometown’s cathedral was open, I felt torn. Eventually, I knew that I had to apply, as this job was my childhood dream and Bergen Cathedral is a place which shaped my formative years as a church musician.” In the view of Canon for Music Robert Simpson, “No one at the Cathedral, especially me, is at all surprised he was selected. He and Laurie will be greatly missed. I feel blessed to have worked with Sigurd, and I am eager to continue the tradition of musical excellence at this Cathedral with Monica.” Czausz, who has served as organ scholar for the past three years, is already emerging as one of the leading organists of her generation with significant wins at national organplaying competitions. She has also won the
admiration of the choirs and the Cathedral community with her warmth, charm, and musical virtuosity. A rising senior at the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, Czausz intends to remain in Houston to FAREWELL RECEPTION complete her master’s. Sunday, August 30 “My time as organ 12:15 p.m. scholar here at the Cathedral has been full of growth, both musically and personally, as I’ve been privileged to work alongside our astounding musicians,” said Czausz. “I am so grateful for the love and support from my ‘Cathedral family’ and I am honored and excited to contribute to the music ministry in a new capacity.” Øgaard and Robertson’s last Sunday at Christ Church will be August 30. All are invited to a reception in their honor hosted by the Cathedral choirs on that day following the 11 o’clock Eucharist.
CALENDAR OF EVENTS Visit www.christchurchcathedral.org or call 713-222-2593 to learn more about these and other events at the Cathedral. Registration recommended
Registration required AUGUST 26
THIS MONTH AUGUST 7
FRI
Cloister Gallery Opening Reception 6–8 p.m., Reynolds Hall. Featuring student art from the City ArtWorks program. Bridge Night 6–9 p.m., McGehee Conference Room. Bring a dish for the potluck social. AUGUST 9
Registration closed
SUN
Reception for Cassie Morris 10 a.m., Reynolds Hall. We will thank Cassie Morris, who is stepping down from her staff role as nursery supervisor. 20s & 30s Brunch 1 p.m., Benjy’s, 2424 Dunstan Rd. ($)
WED
Summer Documentary Series 6–8:30 p.m., Reynolds Hall. Eucharist, dinner, film, and discussion on transgender issues. (Rescheduled from June 17.) AUGUST 30
SAT
Teacher Training Day 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., McGehee Conference Room. Preparation for those teaching children’s Sunday School. Classrooms will be open until 3 p.m. Lunch provided.
YES and Happening Camp Allen. Diocesan spiritual retreats for 6–8th and 9–12th graders. ($)
EYC (Episcopal Youth Community) 4–6 p.m. Ballard Youth Center.
Summer Place 10 a.m., Reynolds Hall. Fellowship hour with refreshments hosted by ministries and councils of the Cathedral. Aug. 2, Community Life; Aug. 9, Adult Formation; Aug. 16, Kids4Peace. MONDAYS Centering Prayer 11:15 a.m. to noon, Mellinger Room. Bible Study “By the Glass” 6:30–8 p.m., OKRA, 924 Congress. Bible study for those living and working in the urban context.
THU
Come to the Table Annual fundraiser and gala dinner in support of The Beacon featuring Houston’s top chefs. Tickets and underwriting opportunities are now available. ($) SUN
SEPTEMBER 12 SAT Hines Center Preview Party 6–8:30 p.m., Reynolds Hall. Learn about the progress of construction, programming, and marketing for the Hines Center for Spirituality and Prayer. SEPTEMBER 17
THU
Mary Karr and the Art of Memoir 7:30 p.m. in the Cathedral. Author Mary Karr will share from her latest book, “The Art of Memoir.” ($)
SEPTEMBER 30 WED Nadia Bolz-Weber 7 p.m. in the Cathedral. The “unlikely” Lutheran pastor will present from her new book, “Accidental Saints.”
During the summer
THE CATHEDRAL BOOKSTORE will be closed on weekdays and most Sundays and will reopen in September
Through August:
WEDNESDAYS
COMFORT CALLS
Women’s Bible Study (First and third Wednesdays) 9:30–11 a.m., Jeffers Conference Room.
from the Vestry
A Vestry representative will call you to ask how we’re doing and to hear your hopes and concerns
FRIDAYS Men’s Early Morning Study Group (Second and fourth Fridays) 7–8 a.m., Jeffers Conference Room.
UPCOMING SEPTEMBER 2
SEPTEMBER 24
EMC Kickoff Dinner Save the date for our annual Every Member Canvass dinner and performance. Tickets go on sale in September. ($)
Sunday School Classes Begin 10 a.m. Christian education classes begin for children and youth. Reception for Sigurd Øgaard 12:15 p.m., Reynolds Hall. We will bid farewell to organist Sigurd Øgaard and staff singer Laurie Robertson.
Bring a friend!
SEPTEMBER 27
Bilingual Wednesday Eucharist 6–6:30 p.m., Golding Chapel.
AUGUST 23 SUN Rally Day 10–11 a.m., Reynolds Hall. Fun activities for all ages as we celebrate and explore the Cathedral’s ministries.
FRI–SUN
Adult Education Preview 10 a.m., Reynolds Hall.
SUNDAYS
AUGUST 22
SEPTEMBER 11–13
SUN
WEEKLY
AUGUST 12 WED Summer Documentary Series 6–8:30 p.m., Reynolds Hall. Eucharist, dinner, film, and discussion on the issue of mental illness.
Childcare available (3 mo. to 10 yrs.)
WED
Dean’s Book Club 6:30–8 p.m., McGehee Conference Room. “God’s Secretaries” by Adam Nicolson. (Rescheduled from Aug. 5.)
LATINOS, from page 5
then it is fair to say that the Latinos are going to be a significant part of the efforts of the church to do God’s work. According to projections from the U.S. Census Bureau, in 35 years one in every three Americans will identify as Latino. In that time, the overall U.S. population is expected to grow by 42 percent while the Latino population will grow 167 percent. There is no doubt: Christ Church Cathedral and particularly the congregation of the 1 o’clock service are dedicated to the call to nurture, support, and reach out to the Latino community in Houston. PAGE 7
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Did you know you can read The Bulletin on our website? If you’d like to go “online-only,” contact Anne Shepard at ashepard@christchurchcathedral.org or call her at 713-590-3301.
BEYOND, from cover
an outsider they must have appeared crazy. But in the years that followed, word traveled from the edge of the world that something remarkable and different was happening on Inishmore. A few, and then many, came to watch and to study with Enda. Eventually, those who had peered over the world’s edge returned to Ireland, and then to the continent of Europe, establishing the grand Irish monastic tradition that flourished for
centuries and that is, still today, at the heart of Celtic spirituality. Many of the great Irish saints, including St. Ciaran and St. Brendan the Navigator, were formed at the feet of St. Enda. Without St. Patrick, Ireland would not have become Christian, but without St. Enda, in a desolate and lonely place at the edge of the world, there would be no Celtic Christian tradition. St. Enda’s willingness to stare into the abyss and declare that he could build from it
a life, a sanctuary, and a path for others to follow engendered a legacy from which we still draw sustenance fifteen hundred years later. In our own lives, so many of the things that flourish begin with encounters of the abyss: in experiences of loneliness, pain, sorrow, or fear. That is easy to forget. At our heights, we may even willfully pretend that the jagged and vulnerable parts of us no longer exist. Internally, it is a goodly exercise occasionally to peer over the edge of the world, to return again to those desolate places where we are stripped bare, and where we meet God. For it is in those places and at those times when something new is born, the influence of which may blossom even from thin and sandy soil to enrich our souls and the world beyond ourselves. Never fear the dragons. They are likely to be angels in disguise.
In the Cloister Gallery: City Artworks
In August Young artists from the City ArtWorks program will exhibit their work. City ArtWorks is a nonprofit arts education program in the Houston area. THE BULLETIN
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