Grace Notes Grace Cathedral spring 2016
E X P ER I E N CE W O R S H I P, ED U CAT I O N , S ER V I CE A N D THE ART S at San Francisco’s Cathedral for All
Dean’s Message Dear Friends,
Dawn harmer
“I have seen the Lord.” Easter begins when Mary Magdalene returns from the tomb at daybreak and shares these words with her friends. In the midst of the darkness, the light of Christ surprises her. In his poem “Several Questions Answered” the wild, mystical poet William Blake writes about the kind of joy we experience in God: “He who bends to himself a Joy Doth the winged life destroy; But he who kisses the Joy as it flies Lives in Eternity’s sunrise.” We cannot control this joy or hold it or save it for later. We experience it as pure gift. At Grace Cathedral, as we explore our theme of what it means to be home, we are embracing the joy of this season, the new life that surprises us. I think you will see this spirit reflected in Grace Notes and in the new banners that flank the Loire Window dedicated to our city’s patron saint, Francis. The spring season of our conversation series, The Forum, will continue to feature inspired people who have widespread reputations but call the Bay Area home. Hometown guests include best-selling author Daniel Handler (a.k.a. Lemony Snicket) and, on Mother’s Day, a mother-daughter duo on the front-lines of social justice, Rita and Elisabeth Semel. Former Senator John Danforth will also be a guest. On April 30, we will host a production by Marin Theatre Company of the play Anne Boleyn. We are excited to present this play, which explores the interplay of faith and politics in the 16th century, in the Great Quire of our gothic-style cathedral. In May, we will have our fourth Grace Gives event, a day of volunteer service to make our city a better place to call home. My daughter Melia and I enjoyed the last Grace Gives so much and I am very grateful to our past participants. Other music, arts and education offerings in this spring season range from a holistic sound experience to a centenary commemoration of Ireland’s poet-patriots. I hope that you regard our new “Home” banners as an invitation to spend more time here. I also pray that the joy of this season as it flies by will bring you great delight. Love,
The Very Rev. Dr. Malcolm Clemens Young Dean of Grace Cathedral B oa r d o f T r u st e e s The Rt. Rev. Marc Handley Andrus, President
The Very Rev. Dr. Malcolm Clemens Young, Vice President
Vice Chair
Anne Casscells, Treasurer Michael Scheu, Secretary
2 | GRACE NOTES spring 2016
Ambassador James C. Hormel Caroline Hoxby Dalel Jordan-Velez Judith Droz Keyes Michael Kinney Peggy Lo Mary McCarthy Meridee Moore Christina Nooney Lori Ogden Moore Nathan Ohm
Michael J. Patterson Garrett A. H. Price III Rita Semel Michael Sippey Anna Deavere Smith Thomas F. Steyer Deepa Thomas Trevor Traina Susan von Herrmann The Rev. Lori Walton Clement Xue Eric Yopes
Niall Battson
Jane Shaw Carpenter, Chair Eliza Brown, Vice Chair David W. Walker,
William K. Bowes, Jr. Jamie Nicol Bowles Lee McEnany Caraher Dorena Chan Valerie Crane Dorfman Donald W. Derheim Peter M. Drake Jennifer Jones Edwardson Priscilla Geeslin Vance Y. George John Gnuse Zane O. Gresham
SPRING HIGHLIGHTS Additional event information: gracecathedral.org/events
A nne B o l e y n Saturday, April 30, 12 P.M.
See a West Coast premier play about Henry VIII’s second wife, as Marin Theatre Company partners with the cathedral for one performance only. Learn more and how to purchase tickets on page 7.
Ireland’s Poet-Patriots: A Musical Tribute Friday, April 22, 8 P.M.
A musical commemoration inspired by the stirring poems and writings of ten of Ireland’s poet-patriots, in commemoration of the centenary of the Proclamation of the Irish Republic. Tickets $20–$75 at CityBoxOffice.com/IPP.
Daniel Handler (A.K.A. Lemony Snicket) Sunday, May 1, 9:30 A.M. Meredith Heuer
As we continue to explore the theme of home this year, we welcome San Francisco native Daniel Handler, who has thrilled the world with a series of unfortunate events, to The Forum. See page 6 to learn about the other exciting guests at the Spring Forum. The H ol i st i c C h amb e r o f S o u nd Friday, May 20, 7 P.M.
Bring a mat, blanket or pillow to this dreamy concert of gongs, crystal singing bowls, Tibetan bronze bowls and other ethereal instruments, and be ready to recline and relax.Tickets $25 at soundmeditationsf.com.
Chec k o ut o ur ne w a p p !
Grace Cathedral is launching an app. This series of cellphone tours will be available soon. It will guide visitors through the cathedral with compelling stories of the architecture, art and history of the cathedral and its role as a community hub for the arts, social justice, worship and lifelong learning. Current offerings are a welcome by Bishop Marc Andrus, a cathedral highlights tour, music for reflection and a treasure hunt for kids and their families. It’s free, fun and easy to use. Visit gracecathedral.org/GraceGuide for more information. GRACE GRACE NOTES NOTES spring spring 2016 2016 || 3 3
Cathedral LiFe Family Retreat in Wine Country, Memorial Day Weekend Saturday, May 28 – Monday, May 30
Enjoy a weekend of fellowship and relaxation for families with children and youth, at beautiful Bishop’s Ranch in Healdsburg, CA. We’ll enjoy swimming, campfires, a variety show, delicious food, worship and fun. For information on how your family can join us, contact the Rev. Canon Beth Grundy, Canon for Pastoral Care and Formation, at bethg@gracecathedral.org or call 415-749-6369.
Grace Gives Saturday, May 14, 9 A.M.
Grace Gives is a series of volunteer service days to make our city a better place for all. Our fourth day of service will offer a range of service opportunities, with options accessible to all ages and mobilities. Please register in advance at gracecathedral.org/gracegives. Bishop Marc’s 10th Anniversary Thursday, May 26, 5:15 p.m.
Join us to mark ten wonderful years since the Rt. Rev. Marc Handley Andrus became the Bishop of California, at a special Evensong and reception. Kindly R.S.V.P. for the reception to lorettac@gracecathedral.org. 4 | GRACE NOTES spring 2016
Hail and Fare-thee-well to Our Graduates
Join us in congratulating and wishing a loving godspeed to the children of The Community Preschool and the young men of the eighth grade of the Cathedral School for Boys as these two educational institutions graduate their students this spring.
Worship
niall battson
Our regular worship schedule includes four services on Sundays — 8:30 a.m. Eucharist; 11 a.m. Choral Eucharist; 3 p.m. Choral Evensong; and 6 p.m. evening Eucharist on the labyrinth — as well as Choral Evensong sung by our Choir of Men and Boys on Thursdays at 5:15 p.m. However, please note that Sunday Choral Evensong runs through May 22 and resumes in the fall when the boys of the choir are back from summer break. Thursday Evensong continues through the summer, sung by the men of the choir.
Stations of the Cosmic Christ Through May 22
In conjunction with a new book by Bishop Marc Andrus and spiritual theologian the Rev. Dr. Matthew Fox entitled Stations of the Cosmic Christ, an art exhibit of sacred images is on display in the cathedral. The exhibit includes clay work by M.C. Richards, the renowned American potter who associated with John Cage, Franz Kline and some of the other most important artists of the 20th century, and paintings by Ullrrich Javier Lemus.
Yoga at the Cathedral Tuesdays, 6:15 P.M.
Every Tuesday, hundreds of people come to practice yoga in Grace Cathedral. The evening is led by one of San Francisco’s most skilled yoga teachers, Darren Main, and offers a gentle yoga practice, live music by gifted musicians and a reflection by one of our clergy. Stimulating programs are often offered after yoga. All are welcome to this donation-based class, which is suitable for everyone from yoga newbies to seasoned yogis. GRACE GRACE NOTES NOTES spring spring 2016 2016 || 5 5
CONNECTING MIND & SPIRIT 2 0 1 6 SPRING F ORUM
This spring from April through May, connect with Grace Cathedral at The Forum, our flagship conversation series hosted by our dean on Sunday mornings from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. in Gresham Hall. Free and open to all. For information about the complete series, please visit gracecathedral.org/forum. April 17
John Danforth The former senator from Missouri and United States representative to the United Nations will be in conversation with Alan Jones, dean emeritus. Danforth will explain how religion may be the key to restoring our civic virtue even though it has been used as a wedge to divide people in an era of extreme partisanship. April 24
Jasson Minadakis In conjunction with the one-performance-only of the play Anne Boleyn in the Quire of the cathedral (learn more on page 7), Marin Theatre Company’s Artistic Director will take you behind the scenes of this sexy, smart revisionist history examining how a woman with convictions navigates a world of royal ambition, lusty affairs and shifting allegiances. M ay 1 Meredith Heuer
Daniel Handler (AKA Lemony Snicket) As we continue to explore the theme of home this year, who better than San Francisco native Daniel Handler, who has thrilled the world with a series of unfortunate events, to talk about why the Bay Area is home to so many brilliant writers and how home inspires such fluid creativity. M ay 8
Rita Semel and Elisabeth Semel Celebrate Mother’s Day with mother and daughter, Rita and Elisabeth Semel. Rita, cofounder and past chairman of the San Francisco Interfaith Council, and Elisabeth, director of the Berkeley Law Death Penalty Clinic, will discuss being on the frontlines of social justice for two generations. M ay 1 5
LaDoris Cordell Join us for a wide-ranging conversation with the first African American woman to sit on the Superior Court in northern California, nationally prominent Police Auditor for the City of San Jose and champion of overlooked African-America composers.
6 | GRACE NOTES spring 2016
photo courtesy of the artist
MUSIC AND THE ARTS
Climate Music Project
Anne Boleyn Saturday, April 30, 12 P.M.
Don’t miss the opportunity to see this captivating play in the Gothic surroundings of Grace Cathedral’s Quire. Marin Theatre Company brings its production across the bay for one performance only of this retelling of the downfall of King Henry VIII’s second wife from her point of view. Tickets $40 at GCanneboleyn.brownpapertickets.com. Pacific Boychoir academy Presents Rachmaninoff’s All-Night Vigil Friday, May 6, 8 P.M.
Premiered in Moscow in 1915, the All-Night Vigil (often referred to as Vespers) was originally written for a choir of men and boys. This is your chance to hear a 110-voice men and boys choir perform this masterpiece in the resounding acoustics of Grace Cathedral. Tickets $18–$30 at pacificboychoiracademy.org/choir/concerts/ DaybreakerSF Presents Duskbreaker@Grace Wednesday, May 18, 6 P.M.
Daybreaker is a worldwide movement of people coming together to dance, do yoga and more at sunrise.This time, dance down the cathedral aisles to cool music as the light in the stained glass windows slowly fades. Tickets on sale soon; visit gracecathedral.org for more information.
Friday, June 3, 7:30 P.M.
A musical journey through the climate’s past, present and (perhaps) future designed to engage, inspire and provoke. Composer Erik Ian Walker uses violin, keyboards, synthesizer, bass, synchonized visuals and animation. Panel discussion will follow the performance with the composer and science advisor Dr. Andrew Jones.Tickets on sale soon; visit gracecathedral.org for more information. Manhattan Concert Productions presents the Fauré Requiem Monday, June 6, 7 P.M.
Join guest conductor Alan Raines in a performance of Gabriel Fauré’s Requiem with guest choirs from around the country. Tickets on sale soon; visit gracecathedral.org for more information.
“Gift to the City” Organ Recital Series Sundays at 4 P.M.
Listen to some of the world’s great organists perform on one of America’s great organs. Suggested donation: $10. April 17
May 1
June 5
San Francisco Conservatory’s Professor of Organ Rodney Gehrke will play a program of works by Johann Sebastian Bach.
Internationally acclaimed concert organist Stephen Hamilton will play Messiaen’s L’Ascension and J.S. Bach’s beloved Passacaglia.
Grace Cathedral’s own Director of Music Benjamin Bachmann will play an all-French program of works by Duruflé, Messiaen and Vierne. GRACE NOTES spring 2016 | 7
cover photos: top photo by niall battson. Bottom left photo by niall battson. Bottom right photo by Solitaire t. miguel.
GraceGuide – Grace Cathedral San Francisco Tour is a series of four different cellphone tours that will enhance and enliven your visits to the cathedral. Available soon, GraceGuide is free, fun and easy to use. Visit gracecathedral.org/GraceGuide for more information.
the GraceGuide App!
Get the App‌
Grace Cathedral is an Episcopal Church, a member of the worldwide Anglican Communion.
T h e C at h e d r a l i s o p e n da i ly
The programs of Grace Cathedral and The Ghiberti Foundation for arts and culture are made possible by the generous support of the trustees, congregation and friends.
Stay updated and involved by signing up for our weekly e-newsletter, Highlights, at gracecathedral.org.
@gracecathedral
@gracecathedral
Facebook.com/gracecathedralSF
Connect with us
1100 California Street San Francisco, California 94108 (415) 749-6300 gracecathedral.org
San Francisco, CA Permit No. 6009
PAID
NonProfit Org. U.S. Postage