Volume 13, Number 7
THE MESSENGER
August 2014
C HRIST C HURCH C ATHEDRAL M OBILE, A LABAMA
A Message from the Dean Dear Cathedral Family, After some vacation time away and a more relaxed schedule in July, we begin an August of preparation for the program year ahead here at Christ Church Cathedral. The summer has been a transition period, as the Reverend Dan Wagner has joined the Cathedral family as a transitional deacon and Adam King has served as our interim organist/ choirmaster. Deacon Wagner has spent July getting to know you and learning about our life together here at Christ Church. Adam King has introduced us to some new and lively musical expressions in our worship, including the singing of our appointed psalm. We gave thanks for his ministry among us and bade him Godspeed in his continuing ministry on Sunday, July 27. On Sunday, August 3 we welcome our new Cathedral Organist and Choirmaster, Christopher Powell. He and his wife Katie (also an accomplished musician) come to us from St. Paul Catholic Church in Pensacola, where Christopher has served for the last five years. You will find more details about his life and
experience in this Messenger. The organist/choirmaster search committee and I were deeply impressed by Christopher’s musical gifts, teaching abilities, and expertise. I am very excited about both the qualities he will bring to our worship experience and his plans for developing our musical program. I know that you will welcome Christopher and Katie to the Cathedral family enthusiastically. During the month of August, our wonderful staff team will be working with me to map out the year ahead. We will begin working
with Sunday School teachers and other lay ministers and groups to plan a program year full of opportunities for us all to grow in our faith and find new ways to love and serve our Lord—personally, in the Cathedral family, in our diocese, in our community, and in the world. Please pray each day for the fruitfulness of our labors in the weeks and months ahead. Faithfully, The Very Reverend Beverly F. Gibson, Ph.D., Dean
from left: Dean Gibson, Katie Powell, Christopher Powell, Deacon Wagner
RALLY DAY Join us for a great kickoff for our program year on Sunday, September 7!
THE CATHEDRAL CHAPTER John Stephenson McClelland Senior Warden
Robert Willis Israel Charles Stephen McKay Junior Wardens
William Kennon Drew Treasurer
Harwell Ellis Coale, Jr. Chancellor
Ronald A. Snider Clerk
Class of 2014 Robert D. Forster Tray W. Hamil Ann H. Luce John S. McClelland, Jr. Elissa E. Watkins Wythe L. Whiting
Class of 2015 John D. Davidson Mary Esther T. Elliott Banks C. Ladd Alison S. Mitchell Lucy F. Moore Henry R. Seawell IV Class of 2016 Sage M. Bolt Lewis H. Golden George B. Inge Robert W. Israel Charles S. McKay Hetty C. Newell
Chapter Members
A Message from the Deacon What a month it has been for me here at Christ Church Cathedral! Thank you all so much for making me feel very much at home at the cathedral. You all have been very generous in your hospitality by sharing meals with me, calling me, and sending encouraging notes. Thank you all for introducing yourselves when we talk. I am working to learn your names, but please keep on telling me your name! It was a joy to officiate two Morning Prayer services this past month, and I must commend you all for your interest in that worship service. I am settling into life here in Mobile. The community has much to see and do, and I look forward to experiencing things.
Please welcome Christopher Powell as our new organist and choirmaster in the same way that you all have welcomed me. While we all have enjoyed Adam as our interim and wish him all the best in his new ministry in Atlanta, I look forward to working with Christopher and enjoying his musical talents.
Deacon Wagner officiated at Morning Prayer, Sunday, July 6, 2014
For many of us, August is a transition month. Thoughts of going back to school or a new season college football replace those tranquil moments with family or vacation time or long weekends over the bay. We too here at Christ Church Cathedral have enjoyed July’s more relaxed feeling, but are now gearing up for another year of ministry and program offerings. I look forward to working with Dean Gibson, the Vestry, Cathedral staff, and all parishioners as we work together to plan and implement ministry and program offerings. I hope you will consider participating in these opportunities, as it will only help to strengthen your spiritual lives and the life of the whole parish. Enjoy these remaining summer days, but let’s get God’s Peace,
Mendy Henderson, 2016 St. Agatha’s, deFuniak Springs
Gary Moore, 2017 St. Paul’s, Daphne
The Rev. Aaron Smith, 2018 St. Paul’s, Magnolia Springs
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The Reverend Daniel A. Wagner, Deacon dwagner@ christchurchcathedralmobile.org
We l c o m e C a t h e d r a l O r g a n i s t a n d C h o i r M a s t e r Christopher W. Powell (b. 1990) is an organist, composer, improvisator, accompanist, and teacher from Pensacola, Florida. A musician from a young age, Powell began his formal musical training at the age of 5 on the piano, and age 9 on the organ. Powell’s first organist/choirmaster position was at Trinity Church in Atmore, AL at age 15. Having served many diverse congregations, Powell has gained varied experience in church music, choral directing, and liturgical planning. His most unique position was as a synagogue musician for two years before attending college. In 2008, Powell was accepted to The Juilliard School in NYC and studied with Grammy-award-winning organist Paul Jacobs, Baruch Arnon, Wilma Jensen, Dr. Daniel M. Sullivan, and Grammy-nominated organist Cameron Carpenter. While in New York, Powell performed at such prestigious venues as The Juilliard School, Christ and St. Stephen’s Church, The Church of St. Paul the Apostle on Columbus Avenue, Trinity Church on Wall Street, The Church of St. Mary the Virgin in Times Square, The Church of the Nativity (The United Nations Parish), and was featured in the 2008/09 Lincoln Center playbill. In the fall of 2009, Powell accepted the position of Director of Music Ministry at St. Paul Catholic Church in Pensacola, Florida and served there for 5 years. During his tenure at St. Paul, he founded a concert series in the parish, and was the driving force behind the acquisition and installation of the world’s last surviving Baumgarten pipe organ. In the past 5 years, Powell has performed with the Pensacola Symphony Orchestra and the Pensacola Choral Society on a variety of instruments including the harpsichord, the celeste, and the organ. Powell has also composed over 200 choral and instrumental works including a concert Mass which was premiered in 2013. In 2014, Powell was appointed Composer-in -Residence for the Northwest Florida College Youth Orchestra, where he also coaches the percussion ensemble. Powell has presented several hour-long, solo concerts consisting entirely of improvisation on
Christopher and Katie Powell
either the piano or organ. As a conductor, he has led diverse combinations of instrumental and vocal ensembles in both concerts and church services. Powell currently resides in Pensacola with his wife, Katie (a professional soprano, teacher, and choral conductor), his son William, and Katie’s two children, Avery and Owen. Both Christopher and Katie are excited to minister through music at Christ Church Cathedral. Christopher’s first Sunday on the bench was August 3, and Katie has joined the choir as a soprano and director’s assistant. Christopher will be working throughout the month to plan our music programs for the year and to build the choir. You may reach Christopher at cpowell@christchurchcathedralmobile.org.
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D I O C E S A N N EW S Trinity, Mobile to Celebrate If all goes as planned, the members of Trinity will return to for worship in their 170-year-old church building on Sunday, August 24. We will offer prayers that day for their parish. The Christmas Day 2012 tornado tore off a large portion of the roof, twisted ancient oaken beams, damaged the organ beyond repair and created much havoc to the parish and many of its neighbors. Trinity rector, The Rev. Bailey Norman said of that day, “Literally, within an hour after the storm struck, dozens of members came onto the scene, offering to help in whatever way they could.” Senior Warden Robert Howard said, “It has been a labor of love, not just for a building, but for all the souls who have worshiped there in decades past and hopefully for decades to come.” After the storm and until Easter Sunday 2013, the parish worshipped at All Saints Church. In the renovation the heavy slate shingles on the roof were replaced with copper, and the wooden support beams, including the interior columns and A-frame under the roof, were replaced by steel sheathed in wood to retain the look of the interior. The floor was replaced by pine planks salvaged from a former tobacco barn in North Carolina. The pews were also refinished. The damage to four nearby homes was so extensive that they were leveled and parish leadership, with the help and approval of the Diocese, acquired two of these lots for future expansion. Not all the work will be completed in August. The building Page 4
of the new organ cannot begin until the construction inside the building is completed. It is planned that the organ will be finished by early 2015 in time for Trinity to host the next diocesan convention in February. The new steeple will be the third erected on the church building. There was no steeple on the original building. One was added when the church was moved to its current location in 1884. That steeple was torn from its moorings during Hurricane Frederic in 1979, and replaced by a new one in 1981.
Massey Gentry to assist Bishop Duncan as Canon to the Ordinary Bishop Duncan has announced the appointment of the Rev. B. Massey Gentry as part-time Canon to the Ordinary. Gentry will serve for the remainder of Bishop Duncan’s time as Bishop of the Central Gulf Coast. Known through his work at Beckwith Camp and Retreat Center, Gentry will assist Bishop Duncan in several areas as he continues his ministry until his retirement next year.
Vince Currie given a bus station at retirement party Vince Currie, retiring this month as diocesan administrator, was presented with a model of the Greyhound Bus Station by Bishop Duncan at his retirement party on Thursday, June 26. Vince’s party was coordinated by Margherita Soule and held at Christ Church, Pensacola, which is one block from the old Greyhound Bus Station that Vince Currie oversaw the purchase
of for Diocese. Several people from throughout the Diocese stopped by to celebrate Vince’s years of hard work for the Diocese and wish him well in retirement.
Dwight Babcock hired as Diocesan Administrator Bishop Duncan has named Dwight Babcock as diocesan administrator. He replaces Vince Currie, who retired this summer. Babcock is a long-time Episcopalian and has been active in both church and volunteer organizations in a variety of lay and leadership capacities. He has been married for 22 years to the Rev. Jessica H. Babcock, associate rector at St. Christopher’s, Pensacola, and has two daughters who attend Pensacola Catholic High School. Babcock met his wife while they were serving in the Peace Corps in the Marshall Islands. He has an MBA from Georgia Institute of Technology (Finance) and a BS in Business Administration from the University of Montana (Finance/ Economics). He has lived and traveled all over the world; however, he really enjoyed “going back to school” in a non-academic capacity when his wife was in seminary at Sewanee's School of Theology. Babcock loves to go camping, canoe local waterways, and garden (so please do share any cuttings with him!)
Eleanor Reeves named Interim Executive Director of Beckwith The Beckwith Board of Directors has named Eleanor Reeves Interim Executive Director, following the resignation of the
Rev. Massy Gentry after several years at the helm. Reeves currently serves as Director of Marketing and Development at Beckwith, and the Board anticipates that her experience and high profile in the Diocese will ensure a smooth transition during the search process for a permanent Executive Director. “We look forward to continuing to grow our ministries of refreshment, reflection, and recreation under Eleanor’s leadership,” the Board said.
Thank You from Sara Phillips My Dear Cathedral Family, It has been almost one and onehalf years since Bishop Duncan sent me to St. Mary’s by the Sea Episcopal Church in Coden, Alabama as their Lay Worship Leader. And so, it has been that long since you sent me and Gerry, with your prayers and love, as “missionaries” so to speak, from the Cathedral. Throughout this time, you have continually remembered St. Mary’s in your prayers each Sunday. Please know how very grateful I am for your support. St. Mary’s is a mission church in our diocese. The church and fellowship hall were rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina, speaking of the strength and determination of the people to continue worshipping in the South Mobile County area. While the buildings are new and quite beautiful in their simplicity, the baptismal font, altar, pulpit, lectern, and processional cross were saved during the storm and continue to be used, reminding St. Mary’s of her roots while moving forward in mission and ministry.
Sara Phillips leading a service at St. Mary’s by the Sea, Coden, Alabama
Throughout my time at St. Mary’s God has poured abundant blessings upon us. Our average Sunday attendance has doubled. Our Adult Christian Education class is attended by almost as many as attend the service that follows. Our Children’s ministry is growing in proportion and is served by faithful adult members. Our choir and pianist/organist work faithfully each week to lead us in worship of the Risen Lord. We have celebrated four baptisms in my time there and had one burial, commending the soul of a long-time and dearly loved member into the hands of our merciful Savior. Our food bank continues to be a much-needed outreach ministry to the South Mobile County area. In Lent, we hosted the First Annual MemberGuest Supper at St. Mary’s. Members brought a covered dish and, most importantly, a guest. It was a fun evening with standing room only! It looks to become an annual event. And on Easter Sunday, we had a record-breaking attendance of eighty people, many
of them newcomers. On Pentecost Sunday, Bishop Duncan and Kathy joined us. Our bishop led the Adult Christian Ed class, preached, baptized, confirmed, reaffirmed, and celebrated. It was a glorious day for all at St. Mary’s. Recently, we received approval from the county to begin construction of a pavilion in which to house the Bell of St. Mary’s, rung each Sunday at 10.00 a.m. Gerry and I truly miss being with you in person. Please know we are with you in spirit as we know you are with us. As St. Paul wrote in the epistle to the Philippians, “I thank my God in all my remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making my prayer with joy, thankful for your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now” (1:3-5). Warmly in Christ, Sara Phillips
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O U T R E AC H O PP O RT U N I T I E S O P E R AT I O N B A C K PA C K 2 0 1 4 Operation Backpack 2014 is delivered!
G E T F I R E D U P FO R W ILMER H ALL! Saturday, August 16 $30 per slab of ribs. IMPORTANT: Preorder your slab of ribs by Monday, August 11. Call 342-4931 or order online with your debit/credit card at www.wilmerhall.org.
The FIT van loaded with school supplies
Once again our youth have helped us complete a successful outreach project! They began by organizing the donation tickets for all of the school supplies and cash donations. Then they helped solicit donations during Coffee Hour on Sundays during July. And finally they gathered the donations and purchased the donations that were still needed.
On Saturday, August 16, pick up your order in the drive through on Wilmer Hall's front lawn between 12:00-4:00 p.m. For more information, you may also contact Leland Moore at 661-7260.
H APPENING #56
From left: Julianna Roma, Annabelle Ramo, Elinor Gibson
The Family Intervention Team (FIT) of the Mobile Police Department partners with us on this project.
Happening is scheduled August 29-31 at Grace-St. Luke’s in Memphis, TN, in partnership with the Diocese of West Tennessee. Happening is a renewal weekend held twice annually for Episcopal youth in grades 10-12. The weekend provides teens with a way to explore their spirituality while living and learning with others their age who want to share the faith they've found in Jesus Christ. And it’s a ton of fun! The cost for the weekend is $70, transportation is provided and financial assistance is always available.
Monetary contributions are still being accepted. Please make your check payable to Christ Church Cathedral with FIT Operation Backpack on the memo line.
Please contact James Lawrence, Diocesan Youth Coordinator at james@beckwithal.com or 616-2162 if you have any questions or to register.
Thanks to your generosity, and their support, 20 children have a new backpack full of school supplies to kick off their new school year.
From left: Lilly Hooker, Charlie Ramo
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A special thank you to Alison Mitchell, Marla Reis, M. J. Ramo, Bradley Forster, and Sarah Bolt
Co ng r a t u l at i o n s
AUGUST BIRTHDAYS
Will Drew son of Lisa and Kennon Drew, grandson of Perrin and Bill Drew, received a bachelor’s degree from Auburn University.
Ca t he d r a l P r aye r L i s t O God, the strength of the weak and the comfort of sufferers: Mercifully accept our prayers, and grant to your servants the help of your power, that their sickness may be turned into health, and our sorrow into joy; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
We Pray for: Members: Brink Brinkley, Dunn Chandler, John Wade Thurber, Nick Nichols, Butch Trawick, George Gartman, Billie van der Giessen, Peter van der Giessen, Patti Biel, Alice Carwie, Raymond Fields
Friends & Family: Janie Houser, Michael McMaken, Leland Moore, Sr., Deborah Beverley, Peggy Naughton, Gary Davis, Harrison Leff, Michael Cameron, Nancy & Don Cameron, Rob & Amy Archer Ellis, Dottie McCord, Joyce Lee, Davis Nelson, Michael Sumrall, Dot Smith Ditsworth, Sheri Neely, Gwen Cook, Alfred Showers, Michael Daves, Michael Sumrall, Jim Elia, Anne Brown, Mark Brown, Harriett Lillich, Bonnie Orillion, Dave Carlyn Block, Scott Craver, Rachel McClanahan, Beverly Schubert, Tom Cunningham, Francis Grace Hirs, Anna Laura Plovanich, Norma Beazley, Curtis Bullock, Valerie Boatman, Brian McArdle, Ann Jones, Hank Wozniek, Lisa Thompson, Stella Phillips, James Thomas, Ted Fraiche, Mark Miles, Susan Guilian, Rhett Travis, Noel Fell, Tot Swanson, Art Swanson, Chris, Anne & Philip Gill, Hayden Jenkins, Maggie Jenkins, Betty Ruth Patek, Carolyn Pryor, Merle Findley, Louise Douglas, Shirley & Dunlap Peeples, Steve Harris, Sandy Fortner, Carole Graf, Johnny McLeod, Marian Macpherson Currie, Mary Searles, Jim & Dianne McCall, Mary Lou Peake,
Bill Goodloe, Karen Sharpe, Kit & Roger Geil and the Geil family, Marie Harrison, Angel & Larry Torres, Kathy Boucvalt, Bill Stevens, Mancil Lee, Ginger Simpson, Peggy Thigpen, Carrier Yankie, Karen Sentilles, Melody Williams, Lila Sisk, Kendall Stanton, Tracey Johnson, Charlie Mae Moree, Gen Austin, Joe Lowrey, Viva Weeks, Temple Webber Sara Phillips, Pastoral Leader, Mary’s, Coden
Those Serving Military:
in
the
Darrien Gibson, Kelley Hood, Evan Sizemore, Robert McNeil, The Rev. Bowen Woodruff, Daniel WhiteSpunner Reed, Jonathan Duralde, Ron Lansong, Sam Garcia, Chris Marslender, Jerry Olin, Abby Hutchins, Tyler Gamble, Todd Mouthaan, JeanMichael Lemieux, Albert Robinson IV, Michael Nassar, Josh Power, Ryan Anthony Thomas, Randy Johnson, Susan Reniewicz, Brian Caselton, Brian Hudson, Keith Moss, Ryan Walker, Tyler Oubre, Brian Pennell, John Snyder, Louis Coggin, Jason Norris, Conner Thigpen, Zack Miller
Births: Katherine Fox Sledge (Kit), daughter of Julia and Will Sledge, granddaughter of Kitty and Charles White
Souls Departed: Becky Sims, Bailey Slaton
August 1
Jimmy White
August 3
Rebecca Butler
August 4
Missy Patrick
August 5
Leigh Rendfrey Billie van der Giessen
August 7
David Cooper, Jr. Archie Reeves
August 8
Katie Garth
August 9
May Gamble Anne Redd Barry Weeks
August 11 Suzanne White August 12 Allison Gamble August 13 Ron Snider August 14 Sandra Kendall Win Thurber
August 15 Hallie Inge Baker Lucy Brady Ellie Grehan Carol Rodgers August 16 Harriet Jean Boughton Mary Patterson Broome Caroline Clinton August 18 Ben Coale August 19 Robin Delaney Dan Drew Alex Gamble Harley Henderson August 20 Marston Raue August 21 David Cooper, Sr. Louise McClure August 24 Elizabeth Stevens August 25 Ann Gunter Martha Middleton August 27 Evelyn McCafferty August 28 Mimi Hudson August 29 Miles Patton August 30 Lawson Hamil
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CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL 115 South Conception Street Mobile, Alabama 36602
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CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL Corner of St. Emanuel and Church Streets 115 South Conception Street, Mobile, Alabama 36602 Established 1822 The Right Reverend Philip M. Duncan, II, Bishop The Very Reverend Beverly F. Gibson, Ph.D., Dean The Reverend Daniel A. Wagner, Deacon Carolyn S. Jeffers, Provost Christopher W. Powell, Organist and Choir Master Brenda J. Stanton, Financial Secretary Marla J. Reis, Cathedral Secretary Polly M. Garner, Assistant to the Provost Deidre and Joe Williamson, Nursery Judy J. Jones, Housekeeping ✠Office Hours: 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday Phone 251.438.1822 Fax: 251.433.3403
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