grace The Voice of the Grace Cathedral Community
Volume 4 • Number 2 Advent/Christmas 2010
Faith and Generosity In my first weeks here, I have heard so many wonderful stories about the ways in which Grace Cathedral has touched your lives. Thank you for your very warm welcome. You have been so kind to me as I have arrived and settled in. I am truly grateful, and delighted to be here. Thank you also for your generosity to Grace Cathedral. Our current stewardship campaign is called “Faith and Generosity” which says so much about what giving means in the context of the church. The Christian tradition teaches us to give: to give of ourselves; to give what we can. When we start giving in that way, then we also start giving in to the Spirit so that we and our communities might be transformed. We give our The Aeolian Skinner organ returns 2
time, our gifts and our money in faith, and are swept up in God’s generosity. Often we give in gratitude to sacred places that touch us. The Society of Saint John the Evangelist in Massachusetts, an Anglican/Episcopal monastic community, is one such place for me. There, over a long time, I have received spiritual direction, retreat time and extraordinary hospitality that have sustained me in my ministry and life, and continue to do so. Several years ago, I made the decision to join the Society’s Lay Fellowship. At that time, I decided to give regularly in thanks for what the monks give to me and to so many others. Welcome Dr. Jane Shaw! 3
In my first weeks here, I have heard so many wonderful stories about the ways in which Grace Cathedral has touched your lives. Already the cathedral has become a special and sacred place for me. I look forward to making my first pledge this month in gratitude for this remarkable community of Grace and its ministries. Faithfully,
The Very Rev Dr Jane Shaw, Dean
Christmas at Grace Cathedral
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New donation boxes 7
grace
The Voice of the Grace Cathedral Community
Facing the Issue A joyous new chapter has begun! On November 6, the Very Rev. Dr. Jane Shaw was installed as Grace Cathedral’s eighth dean before congregants, staff, trustees and clergy; civic, academic and religious leaders; and special guests from around the globe. In this edition of Grace, relive the splendor of this celebratory weekend and look forward to the beginning of the new liturgical year. Advent offers us the opportunity to prepare prayerfully for the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ. Within these pages, you will learn more about our seasonal worship life that will help ready our hearts and enrich our spiritual lives. Celebrate the season with the Christmas at Grace Cathedral concert offerings! As you contemplate your 2011 stewardship pledge, be inspired by the insights offered by Dr. Shaw, congregants Heidi Wissmiller and Tobias S. Keller, and Richard W. Felton, the Interim Director of Development. Each individual beautifully reflects on the coupling of faith and generosity in the Christian life. Read about the return of our AeolianSkinner organ, and eight new donation boxes by SF Metalworks. And mark your calendars for the return of the Vienna Boys Choir in its only San Francisco performance this year, on February 10, 2011! We want to hear from you. Share your comments at editor@gracecathedral.org.
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Roof Renovation and Organ Pipe Restoration Projects Now Completed The recent repair of two crumbling cathedral roofs led to the first major renovation of the Aeolian-Skinner organ pipes since its installation in 1934.
chambers. Once everything was re-assembled, they began re-tuning the organ. The pipe organ is expected to be ready in time for our Christmas concerts.
The north and south organ chamber roofs, located on the western portion of Grace Cathedral’s city block property, protect the 4,766 organ pipes. Over time, the deteriorating roofs have allowed rainwater and bits of cement to leak into the organ pipes, causing bad corrosion and rot. From a listener’s perspective, this resulted in experiencing “dead” notes.
Organ players will notice improvements immediately. Many of the keys, for instance, have been dead for decades and will begin “speaking” again. The organ console will be more responsive as well.
The audio for organ recital audiences and service congregants will continue to be the rich experience that has inspired since 1934. In the near future, it is hoped that Because of the Aeolian-Skinner’s historic we will be able to seal the Guastavino significance – it was installed 30 years tiles in the ceiling of the apse, which will before the cathedral was completed – and enhance the listening experience; both its daily importance to our worship life, it the choir and the organ will sound better. was felt that the damaged pipes should be Grace Cathedral wishes to thank Schoenaddressed at the same time as the roof stein & Company for its fine work to renovation. restore our Aeolian-Skinner organ and Schoenstein & Company, custom buildRodgers Instruments Corporation for ers of pipe organs, dedicated nine months supplying the Rodgers Masterpiece organ to this massive, yet detailed renovation for use during the renovation. project. Pipes were removed and taken to its Benicia, Calif., headquarters for repair. If you are interested in learning more about Pipes with irreparable damage were how you can help support future acoustical replaced entirely. projects at Grace Cathedral, contact RichBy early fall, the Schoenstein team started ard W. Felton, Interim Director of Development, at rickf@gracecathedral.org. moving parts of the organ back into the
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Grace Cathedral Installs Jane Shaw as Dean On November 6, the Very Rev. Dr. Jane Shaw was installed as Grace Cathedral’s eighth – and first female – dean in its 104-year history. Nationally and internationally recognized leaders of the Anglican Communion, the Episcopal Church, the academic world and the interfaith community gathered for Dr. Shaw’s installation, which took place during Evensong. She was installed by the Rt. Rev. Marc Handley Andrus, and the Rev. Cn. Dr. Vincent Strudwick of Oxford University and long-time mentor of Dr. Shaw, delivered the sermon. Liturgical music by George Fredric Handel, Thomas Tallis, Herbert Howells and Claudio Monteverdi was performed by Grace Cathedral Choir of Men and Boys, Grace Cathedral Camerata, Benjamin Bachmann, Canon Director of Music, Tom Joyce, Assistant Director of Music and the San Francisco String Quartet, led by Jeremy Cohen. The following day, we hosted a special Forum, From Medieval to Modern – Cathedrals in the 21st Century. The dean and Bishop Marc spoke in conversation with the Rev. Professor Marilyn McCord Adams, Distinguished Professor of Philosophy, UNC Chapel Hill (formerly
Making a Difference for San Francisco’s Homeless
ABOVE: Paul Crane Dorfman, the Very Rev. Dr. Jane Shaw, Valerie Crane Dorfman. ABOVE RIGHT: The Very Rev. Dr. Jane Shaw accepts the symbolic gift of light from two Godly Play participants. RIGHT: The Rt. Rev. Marc Handley Andrus and the Rev. Cn. Dr. Vincent Strudwick.
Regius Professor Divinity, Oxford University, and Canon of Christ Church, Oxford); Professor Fredrica Harris Thompsett, Mary Wolfe Professor Historical Theology, Emerita, Episcopal Divinity School; and the Very Rev. Rowan Smith, Dean of Cape Town Cathedral, Emeritus. The celebration continued with a Festal Choral Eucharist at 11 a.m. at which Dr. Shaw preached and Bishop Marc presided. The service included the offering
Cooks and servers are needed to provide a nourishing dinner to homeless men during the annual Interfaith Winter Shelter Program, Nov. 21-26, 2010 and Jan. 24-29, 2011.
of symbolic gifts that represent various aspects of the ministry shared at Grace Cathedral. Children from the congregation, for instance, carried lit candles – a metaphor for the new life in Christ given in baptism – to the font and and then in procession to the high altar. Dr. Shaw wore a newly-commissioned cope that was given to the glory of God through the generosity of Paul and Valerie Crane Dorfman.
This year’s program will take place at St. Boniface Catholic Church, 133 Golden Gate Ave., at Jones St., in San Francisco. One chef and 12 helpers are needed each night.
Contact the Rev. Nina Pickerrell, ninap@gracecathedral.org, for more information. To learn more about the Interfaith Winter Shelter Program, visit sf-interfaith.org. 3
D O NOR PROFILE
Tobias S. Keller and Heidi Wissmiller While their religious upbringings were different – Heidi Wissmiller grew up in an Italian family where the Roman Catholic Church played a large role and Tobias S. Keller did not attend church regularly until after college – both call Grace Cathedral their spiritual home and have elected to raise their three children, Abigail, 14, William, 12, and Caleb, 10, with the cathedral community. During our important stewardship season, Keller, a member of the Grace Cathedral’s Board of Trustees and the co-chair of the Dean Search Committee, and Wissmiller, the 2009 Supper Dance chair, generously share with Grace readers their perspectives on the importance of stewardship, their substantive faith journeys and why membership at Grace Cathedral matters to them. For Wissmiller and Keller, these are lessons learned from previous generations and ones they are passing along to their children. What brought you to Grace Cathedral?
Heidi Wissmiller (HW): I first came to Grace Cathedral with Toby to hear Alan Jones. Toby was a fan of his intellect and ability to translate the word of God into meaningful dialogue for discussion and contemplation. Coming from a Catholic background, the “high church” format of Grace was very familiar and appealing to me. I quickly became a fan. Tobias S. Keller (TK): I first came to Grace Cathedral after I returned to San Francisco from college. I had pretty simplistic ideas about the church and was fascinated by the sermons, usually by Alan Jones, and the willingness to examine the mystery of faith without ignoring the immediacy of what was happening outside 4
the Ghiberti doors. The more I listened, the more I wanted to hear. As a member today, what do you value about Grace Cathedral?
HW: Grace Cathedral is a place whose teachings and desires to provide support in a spiritual and meaningful way to all those in the community are a noble pursuit that Toby and I value greatly. We also see the passion for kindness and inclusion of the parishioners and the priests as a model for our children to observe as they start to formulate their own value system and opinions with regards to the meaning of God and spirituality in their life. TK: A spiritual life is a critical part of a healthy and fulfilled life. For me, Grace Cathedral is essential. Grace Cathedral feeds me spiritually by bringing together liturgy, music, and stories; it assembles a common faith community for support; and it offers a Sunday routine that removes me from my daily thoughts and worries, if only for a few hours. What are your special memomemories of Grace Cathedral?
HW: I have many glorious memories that have come from our involvement at Grace Cathedral. I will begin with the many summers we have spent at Family Camp watching our children form new friendships and find joy in the simplicity of nature and a loving community. I would also say that the baptism of Caleb and the confirmation of Abigail were joyful experiences. I think, however, for me the most meaningful baptismal ceremony was that of Toby. He surprised all of us as he included my father by his side acting in the role of Godfather. The thought of that always makes me smile and cry at the same time.
TK: That’s an easy one. I was not baptized in my youth. I didn’t understand the church and, frankly, was pretty wary of the entire enterprise. After six years of trying to decide whether I could take the baptismal vows in good conscience, I finally decided that I was ready to be embraced. I was baptized in 2009. At the Eucharist that day, I ate the bread and drank the wine for the first time. It was moving in a very deep, personal way. How do you define stewardship?
HW: The question to me is, are we good stewards of the gifts and relationships that God has given us and do we emulate His example in our everyday lives? Why do you support Grace Cathedral today?
TK: Grace Cathedral existed before I was born, thanks to the generosity and care of generations that have since passed away. With a little luck, Grace Cathedral will survive me by many generations. During the time that I have the amazing good fortune to be a part of Grace Cathedral, I want to see it not only survive, but thrive. I don’t have the resources to do it on my own, but I delight in the idea that Grace Cathedral will be there for us and our children, and will remain for them and their children. So I try to do my part to keep it up and, maybe, help it improve. How are you teaching generosity to your children?
HW: We try to teach our children that generosity is demonstrated and given in action and word each and every day with everyone you meet. We consider generosity to be that of mind and of heart. We want them to understand that they have
G I V ING
Faith and Generosity The theme for this fall’s stewardship drive is “Faith and Generosity.” Faith can help us heal. Faith can help us overcome our fears. Faith can lead us into risk taking in service and in generosity. This year, the leaders of stewardship are asking each of us to consider our pledge in a proportional way. That is to say, to bring our standard of giving in line with our standard of living. And we are being asked to increase our giving to the ministry and mission of this great place by one percent of our income. So if what you are giving is equal to two percent of your income (roughly the average for Episcopalians nationwide), then increase it to three percent of your income. If you are tithing, consider increasing your giving to 11 percent of your income. Having said that, a central truth in the teachings of Jesus: God’s love, God’s caring for us is free! We can do nothing to earn it. We can’t buy it. And we can do nothing to lose it. Your pledge — your giving will not make God love you more or love you less. been blessed and need to provide for those who are not as fortunate. As Abigail said in her confirmation speech, “to those whom much is given much is expected,” we expect our children to give to others not just for a cause but for the joy that they will feel within when exhibiting human kindness to their fellow man. It is in fact God’s greatest gift. TK: We are not teaching generosity or, at least, not in any methodical way. On a similar topic, Heidi’s mother once
God created us to love us and God can do nothing else but love us. Throughout human history, we hear the stories of God trying to reach out to us and us ignoring the call. Today, it would be like us looking at the Caller ID feature on our phones and pushing the little “ignore” button; time, after time, after time. What would happen if we pushed the “accept” button instead? What would happen if we trusted the caller on the other end? What would happen if we grabbed that faith and held it close and called it our own? Each of us can renew our faith and strengthen our generosity.
expectations of financial security have been dashed by this economy, but gives as generously as she can. There are countless women and men at Grace Cathedral who give generously of their time, their talent, and their treasure. We are also blessed with stories of extraordinary wealth and extraordinary generosity. But the norm at Grace Cathedral is ordinary abundance and less than ordinary giving. While our demographics are very similar to the broad demographics of the entire Diocese of California, our annual pledging is around $300 less than the diocesan average.
There are members of this congregation who do that. A man who is unemployed, but still pledges as part of his commitment to God’s work in the world. The woman who has started a new career and maintains her optimism and faith — and is committed to increasing her pledge for next year. The long-time member whose
We can change that. Each of us can renew our faith and strengthen our generosity. We might not be able to do it on our own, but we can do it as a community of believers in a generous, caring, loving, awesome God.
explained that there are many things that can only be modeled, not taught. So we hope that we are living our lives in ways that will inspire the kids toward generosity – among many other things. But there’s a whole lot more faith than teaching that goes into that endeavor.
spiritual icon in the city and deliver on the potential that it has to serve in that role. Grace should find a far greater audience both geographically and demographically within the bay area. At the same time I would like to see the community here at home cultivated and nourished through the spiritual leadership of our new dean.
What are your hopes for the future of Grace Cathedral?
Richard W. Felton Interim Director of Development
HW: My hope is that Grace will embrace the role it has been given as a cultural and 5
Christmas at Grace Cathedral A Holiday Family Sing-Along Sats., December 11 and 18, 11 a.m.
Fun for the entire family! Raise your voice with the Pacific Boychoir in a program of favorite holiday carols and yuletide songs. A Cathedral Christmas Sats., December 11 and 18, 3 p.m. Suns., December 12 and 19, 3 p.m. Mon., December 20, 7 p.m.
Accompanied by a full orchestra, Grace Cathedral’s the Choir of Men and Boys will present sacred masterpieces and seasonal classics. Handel’s Messiah, with American Bach Soloists
A Brass & Organ Christmas
TO ORDER
Tuesday, December 21, 7 p.m.
Experience the Bay Area’s finest brass musicians in Grace Cathedral’s unparalleled acoustics. New Year’s Eve: Phantom of the Opera
Thursday & Friday
Friday, December 31, 7 p.m.
December 16 & 17, 7:30 p.m.
and 10 p.m.
Conductor Jeffrey Thomas leads the celebrated American Bach Soloists in this annual Bay Area favorite. Tickets: www. americanbach.org or 415.621.7900
Celebrate the New Year with a screening of the classic silent film, Phantom of the Opera, featuring Dorothy Papadakos on the Cathedral’s Aeolian-Skinner organ.
Fri., Dec. 24, 4 p.m., Lessons
Third Baptist Church, 1399 McAllister St., San Francisco
Fri., Dec. 24, 11 p.m., Festal
Sun., Nov 28, 4 p.m.
Wed., Dec. 1, Deadline
for Memorial Christmas Flowers donations
Fri., Dec. 24, 11 a.m., Bishop’s
Christmas Pageant
and Carols
Fri., Dec. 24, 7:30 p.m., Choral Eucharist
Choral
Eucharist
Procession
Advent Tea
Sat., Dec. 25, 11 a.m., Choral Sat., Dec. 25, 3 p.m.,
MAIL OR IN PERSON City Box Office 180 Redwood Street, Suite 100 San Francisco, CA 94102 FAX (415) 986-0411
Carnivale
Interfaith Thanksgiving Service, 10 a.m.
Sun., Nov. 28, 3 p.m. Advent
TELEPHONE (415) 392-4400
Save the Date!
Advent and Christmas 2010 Services and Special Events Thurs., Nov 25 SF
ONLINE www.cityboxoffice.com
Eucharist
Carol Service
✴ NOTE: No 8:30 a.m. or 3 p.m. service on Sun., Dec. 26 or Sun., Jan. 2.
Experience Grace Cathedral like never before March 3, 2011
With special guests Nobel Laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu And Actor and Humanitarian Ashley Judd For information, visit gracecathedral.org 1
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S U N DAYS IN ADVENT
Hark! Exploring the Season with Eyes and Hearts Wide Open November 28
Crèches from Around
the World December 5 “What We Do at Our House,” sharing our traditional, tacky, and communal practices
Our Lady of Guadalupe, The Dark Madonna December 12
The Edges of the Story, Reflecting on the Nativity
December 19
Offered at two times: in the Chapter House Dining Room
12:40 -1:40 p.m.
4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in
Sunday Evenings in January 2011 Book Study: The Wisdom Jesus January 9, 16, 23 & 30 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in
the Chapter Room
Discover traditional contemplative practices you can use to experience the heart of Jesus’ teachings for yourself. We’ll use the book The Wisdom Jesus by Cynthia Bourgeault to guide our study. Cynthia Bourgeault, Ph.D, is an Episcopal priest, teacher, and retreat and conference leader.
the
Chapter Room
Christmas Flowers Each year, Grace Cathedral is gloriously adorned with flowers and plants during Christmas services. These decorations symbolize the spirit of the season and represent those we love or have lost and wish to honor. Please consider honoring or remembering loved ones by offering flower donations. Names of donors and memorial/honor inscriptions will be printed in the service leaflet. Please send your contribution with a letter indicating the names of those for whom the flowers are given (noting “in honor of” or “in memory of”) by December 1, 2010 to: Grace Cathedral, Attn.: Christmas Flowers, 1100 California St., San Francisco, CA 94108.
P R OJECTS
SF Metalworks Creates 21st Century Donation Boxes Well known for its exquisite hand
with Grace Cathedral’s Canon for Ad-
effectively store donations until
wrought front gates, balcony adorn-
ministration, Bruce Bearden, who had
collected.
ments and garden enhancements, SF
an original concept in mind that gave
Metal Works’ portfolio of accomplish-
them a basis from which to work.
ments now includes specially designed collections boxes for Grace Cathedral.
something creative, if only functional,
thing we knew about what was hap-
to the history of this church.”
pening to the old collection boxes,
shaped ones at the south and east en-
namely theft, and tried to eliminate
trances, three on the chapel porches
those issues,” said Moore. “Figuring
and two in the AIDS Interfaith Chapel
things like this out is what I do, but
– offered SF Metal Works owner Ron
there was definitely some divine guid-
Moore and his team, “an interesting
ance along the way.”
trap] and gave us a chance to work in an amazingly beautiful space. That is a perfect combination for a project as far as I am concerned.”
tunity to work on this project and give
“We took into consideration every-
The eight new boxes – three cylindrical
challenge [to build a better mouse
“I feel honored to have had the oppor-
The cathedral community is appreciative of the craftsmanship by Moore and his team. Their efforts immediately bore fruit, with donation box income for August 2010 the highest monthly level on record.
The SF Metal Works’ team built some new boxes and retrofitted two in the AIDS Interfaith Chapel. These boxes posed different, initial challenges because of the size of the recessed
To create the cylindrical shaped
space and geometry require-
boxes Moore and his team first met
ments. Today, the boxes much more
Credits Design by Kathleen Cunningham Design. Page 3 All installation photos by Bill Youngblood. Page 5 Rick Felton/Courtesy photo. Page 6 Cathedral at Christmas/Niall Battson. Page 8 Vienna Boys Choir/Lukas Beck.
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1100 California Street San Francisco, California 94108 www.GraceCathedral.org
Your Gift Matters! Give today to help us fulfill our mission and ministry. Your support enables us to offer inspiring worship, comprehensive services to those in need, creative and educational programs for youth and families, and provide a lively forum for the arts, culture and public conversation. Your tax-deductible gift will nourish the growth of our
programs and nurture the spirit of the Bay Area. You can make a gift by using our donation form. Click Giving to Grace Cathedral to begin. Grace Cathedral is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization. Contributions to the Cathedral are tax-deductible to the full extent of the law.
Thank you for your support!
grace
The Voice of the Grace Cathedral Community
Vienna Boys Choir in Concert Thursday, February 10, 8 p.m. Don’t miss the Vienna Boys Choir live at Grace Cathedral at their only San Francisco performance this year! Formed in 1498 by Emperor Maximilian I, the Vienna Boys Choir has trained such well-known musicians as Franz Schubert and Joseph Haydn, and served as a choral muse for Mozart, Gluck, and Bruckner,
among others. This performance, which marries the iconic sound of the Vienna Boys Choir with Grace Cathedral’s glorious acoustics, promises to be a musical highlight of the year! Tickets for this exclusive concert will go on sale to the public on Monday, November 29, 2010, through cityboxoffice.com.