Volume 5 • Number 1 Fall 2011
Looking Forward Year One Marked by Extending Our Mission and Vision This fall marks my first anniversary as Dean of Grace Cathedral. It’s been a busy, exhilarating whirlwind of a year. People often ask me what struck me most about Grace Cathedral on my arrival. The answer is easy: first, the generosity and warmth of the welcome I received, and secondly, the esteem with which Grace Cathedral is held in local and global communities. It is a remarkable place, and everyone I have met in the Bay Area regards it with special affection. Grace Cathedral has an exciting and dynamic future.
a collaborative event with the San Francisco Opera. Join us at 9:30 a.m. on Sunday mornings through the fall to hear dynamic speakers such as KQED Forum host Michael Krasny, economist Raj Patel, theologian James Alison, Harvard ethicist Mark Jordan and cutting-edge young church leader Stephanie Spellers. On St. Francis’s Day, October 2, we will be exploring the future of zoos in the twenty-first century, and, in preparation for Thanksgiving, discussing the ethics of food and sustainability with biblical scholar Ellen Davis.
We will be re-launching our Forum this fall, beginning on September 11th with
We are bringing to the cathedral an infusion of new talent. This fall, we will
TEN YEARS ON 2 Our Dean reflects on the 9/11 anniversary
THE FORUM 3 The Forum returns with Heart of a Soldier
be looking to appoint two new clergy and as I write we are interviewing candidates for the post of Development Director. And we are constantly building on our existing strengths. We will, for example, soon be celebrating the achievements of our Choir of Men and Boys with their new CD, Good Days Dawning, and enjoying the seasonal round of Christmas concerts. All these activities will extend Grace Cathedral’s vision and mission as a place of inclusive spirituality, moral leadership, thinking and thoughtful faith, excellence in music, innovation in the arts, and a gathering place for the city of San Francisco and the Diocese of California.
The Very Rev. Dr. Jane Shaw, Dean
STEWARDSHIP 4 Stewardship of our caring sanctuaries
CONCERTS 5 Christmas concert season announced
9/11 Ten Years On THE VOICE OF THE GRACE CATHEDRAL COMMUNITY
Facing the Issue This edition of grace magazine offers us a chance to pause and reflect on the 10th anniversary of 9/11. Our Dean, Dr. Jane Shaw, announces the re-launch of the Forum, on Sunday, September 11, 9:30 a.m., with a 9/11-themed program, which focuses on the San Francisco Opera’s newlypremiered commemorative work, Heart of a Soldier. A solemn Sung Eucharist follows at 11 a.m. She warmly invites all to Grace Cathedral that day “as we continue to try and make sense of this tragedy together and move forward with deepened understanding and hope.” Our Canon for Cathedral Life, the Rev. Cn. Christine McSpadden writes about the role of churches during challenging times and the importance of personal investment in a sanctuary’s worth through the stewardship of one’s time, talents and gifts. In this issue, we celebrate the U.S. publication of Dr. Shaw’s latest book, Octavia, Daughter of God: The Story of a Female Messiah and Her Followers and the release of our Choir of Men and Boys’ new CD. We also preview Grace Cathedral’s Annual Meeting and our fall Formation programs for youth and adults. Acknowledging the power and potential of Grace Cathedral’s recently launched website, fuller, richer versions of some grace news items may be found at gracecathedral.org.
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9/11 changed our world. For those who lost loved ones, it changed their personal worlds forever, marking them with profound loss and a lasting grief. For many of us, it changed how we saw the world. Here in the USA, a profoundly religious country, we learned that there are more American Muslims than Presbyterians and Episcopalians. In the UK, a deeply secular country by comparison, we learned about the many resident populations of deep faith - but they aren’t Christian. And so we asked ‘Who do we think we are?’ and began to think about ourselves differently. We also began to live with the realities of terrorism, not only in the UK and the USA, but also in Pakistan, Iraq, India, Afghanistan and, most recently, Norway. And so, as we remember the victims of 9/11, we remember too those who have died in terrorist attacks since, with a renewed commitment to cultivating true dialogue and peace in our world.
To mark this life-changing moment, we decided to re-launch our Forum with an event that marked both that sense of loss and the passing of time, collaborating with San Francisco Opera to explore the themes of their newly commissioned opera, Heart of a Soldier. It tells the story of war veteran Rick Rescorla who was head of security at Morgan Stanley in Tower Two at the time the planes struck. Rick led 2,700 people to safety before heading back into the burning building. He never emerged. Joining us at our 9/11 Forum will be Rick’s widow, Susan; John Stewart, author of the book on which the opera is based; and baritone Thomas Hampson who sings the part of Rick. We hope you will join us for the Forum at 9:30 a.m. and for our solemn Sung Eucharist at 11 a.m. on 9/11 as we continue to try and make sense of this tragedy together and move forward with deepened understanding and hope. The Very Rev. Dr. Jane Shaw, Dean
As we mark the tenth anniversary of the tragic events in America that day in September, we pray for all those who died, all those whose lives were shattered by the losses they suffered, and for the world.
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CO N G REG ATION
The Forum Returns The Forum re-launches on Sunday, September 11, at 9:30 a.m., with Heart of a Soldier: how one man’s bravery on September 11 became an opera. This event will be presented with the San Francisco Opera, and includes our Dean, Dr. Jane Shaw, in conversation with Susan Rescorla and members of the opera’s creative team. Coming Up at The Forum this fall:
Octavia, Daughter of God: The Story of a Female Messiah and Her Followers with guest The Rev. Dr. Jane Shaw SEPTEMBER 25:
Zoos: a window into the world with Joe Fitting, San Francisco Zoo OCTOBER 2:
Houdini: Art and Magic with Connie Wolf, The Contemporary Jewish Museum OCTOBER 16:
OCTOBER 23:
The intersection of faith, food, and finance with Dr. Raj Patel, writer and activist OCTOBER 30:
Anglicanism Remixed: Embracing Our Traditions and Embracing The Other with The Rev. Stephanie Spellers, St. Paul’s Cathedral, Boston
Faith Formation Our Ancient Faith, Our New Life in Christ, runs again in the fall, and is a traditional time for adults preparing for baptism at Feast of All Saints. Anyone who wants to learn more about the Christian life as expressed in the Episcopal Church and Grace Cathedral is welcome to attend the series, which begins September 25. Contact the Rev. Cn. Christine McSpadden, Canon for Cathedral Life, christinem@gracecathedral.org. Godly Play and GraceQuest, our Sunday morning opportunities for school-age children, begin on September 18.
Youth, grades 7-12, are invited to explore the roots of Christian faith, the Episcopal tradition and other religious expressions at a Youth Confirmation Group, which meets at Grace Cathedral bi-monthly, on Sunday mornings, beginning in early 2012. Contact Carren Sheldon, Associate for Family Ministries, carrens@gracecathedral.org for confirmation, Godly Play and GraceQuest information.
NOVEMBER 13:
Broken Hearts and New Creation: Intimations of a Great Reversal with Dr. James Alison, theologian NOVEMBER 20: The
Bible, food, and sustainability with Dr. Ellen Davis, Duke Divinity School How Christians learned to talk about homosexuality with Dr. Mark Jordan, Harvard Divinity School DECEMBER 4:
DECEMBER 11:
Spiritual Envy with Dr. Michael Krasny, host of KQED’s Forum For more information, visit gracecathedral.org/Forum
Annual Meeting Save-the-Date SUNDAY, OCTOBER 9, 8:30 – 10:20 A.M.
Kick off the morning with a community breakfast in Gresham Hall. Bishop Marc, Dr. Shaw and Board of Trustees Chair Patrick Thompson will lead the presentation on the life, vision, and importance of the cathedral as it ministers in the city of San Francisco, throughout the diocese, and beyond. Come see what is going on, what is coming up, and how you can be part of the prayer, programs, outreach, and growth of Grace Cathedral. For more information,visit www. gracecathedral.org/AnnualMeeting
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ESSAY
Everything Comes from and is Animated by God Ten years ago, after the World Trade Center’s Twin Towers crumbled into a vast abyss, a small, 18th-century chapel became an epicenter of relief, care, comfort, and prayer. Cots were set up where exhausted rescue personnel could take naps; medical workers and massage therapists set up their tables to rub down overworked muscles. Volunteers cooked meals; clergy counseled the shellshocked and bereaved. Mere feet from where the horror had occurred, St. Pauls’ Chapel, in the parish of Trinity Church, became a sanctuary at Ground Zero. Across the country, on the West Coast, Grace Cathedral welcomed thousands who streamed through its doors. People were equally shocked and bereaved, stunned by the events of September 11, 2001. Ad hoc services, with worshippers crowding out onto the steps, materialized to meet grief and fear. Clergy from all over gathered to minister to anyone in need. Just as it had during the most violent days of the Civil Rights movement and later, during the AIDS crisis, Grace Cathedral became an epicenter of relief, comfort, and care. Whatever the extraordinary event or crisis, churches are still there as sanctu-
aries of peace, healing, inclusion, and worship. Likewise, whatever the ordinary struggle or celebration, these churches faithfully serve, minister, pastor, and preach. They help make sense of the rewards and vagaries of life. They are there at moments big and small, dramatic and common, sacred and civic, global and private, because
people believe enough in their worth as sanctuaries and gathering places to pledge their time, their talent, and their treasure to their upkeep and growth. Personal investment in these sanctuaries’ worth – by word and deed, faithfully participating in their mission and ministry by prayer, presence, gifts, and service – manifests as acts and attitudes of stewardship. Recognizing that others who have come before make it possible
today, and that we make it possible today for those who are to come after, enacts the fidelity of stewardship – the care for something one does not own so that another might share in its benefits. At the heart of this practice and attitude lies a belief that everyone and everything comes from, and is enlivened by, God. That is, one can work and produce because they have been given a mind to think and are engaged by ambition, need, and challenge. One can have relationships because they have been given a heart to feel animated by the capacity to interact, connect, and love. One can thrive because they have been given soul to persevere, invigorated by health, wisdom, and restlessness. Christian stewardship, then, is a way of life, a calling that informs every decision we make and every action we take. It is the answer to the question, “What is God calling each of us to give in response to God’s grace in our lives?” By God’s grace we live, breathe, and have our being. Our lives gain meaning as we live into that question, and as we prepare a place for others to live richly into that question as well. The Rev. Cn. Christine McSpadden Canon for Cathedral Life
Our Dean’s New Book On October 2, our Dean’s newest book, Octavia, Daughter of God: The Story of a Female Messiah and Her Followers, will be released in the U.S. The book was published earlier this year in the U.K. Octavia has been praised for its compelling 4
story-telling, surprising humor, and fascinating subject matter. It explores the story of Mabel Barltrop, a fifty-something Anglican vicar’s widow and leader of the Panacea Society. This utopian society, which Dr. Shaw discovered ten years
ago, was founded in 1919 by a group of English women seeking purpose following the upheaval of World War I. For more information about upcoming Octavia-related special events, visit gracecathedral.org/Octavia
ESSAY
Simply to be here is so much Rilke’s stark observation, used here as the title, could be either a sigh of near despair or a shout of joy and appreciation. Our simply being here, our very life, is heavy with possibility for mucho ruin or mega redemption. There is so much to reckon with in our lives and in our world: so much has happened, so much has changed; there has been so much progress and so much pain. Since September 11, 2001, so much has been unleashed on our collective psyche. It can be overwhelming—various cultures and faith traditions, competing claims to truth or to land, a much more complicated world. There is so much to lament: religious misunderstanding, intolerance, or outright persecution and violence. Extremist individuals and groups commit acts of terror while claiming Muslim, Jewish, or Christian mandates.
Yet the renewed push for interfaith understanding is not really new. The Hebrew Scriptures urge special treatment and hospitality for the foreigner and outsider, religious or otherwise. Jesus and the early church welcomed and embraced those of different faiths or cultures—even if not always easily. Today a generous understanding of God’s will for humankind suggests the need for our own deep spiritual conviction with openness and appreciation for the belief and practice of others. One church leader had said that “any authentic prayer is aroused by the Holy Spirit who is mysteriously present in the heart of every human being” because of “the presence and universal action of the Spirit of God” among all peoples, especially “in their religious traditions.” 1 That radical affirmation belonged to the late
Pope John Paul II, hardly a leftleaning ideologue! At Grace Cathedral, we love and cherish our Christian faith so very much. And we find ourselves in a time and place where the Spirit continues to open our eyes to the spiritual goodness and possibilities in other persons and communities of faith. Acknowledging those who die because of violence spawned from distorted religious motivations, we nevertheless strive for “the perfect love that casts out fear.” It is a challenging but very exciting time to stand with others who share such hopes for our world. “Simply to be here is so much!” The Rev. Cn. Mark E. Stanger Canon Precentor
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Pope John Paul II, Redemptoris Missio, 1991.
Requiem Eucharist The month of November, especially the Feast of all Faithful Departed, is by custom a time to pray for and honor those who have gone before us. Grace Cathedral will celebrate a requiem on Sunday, November 13 to honor the memory of those known to us, who have died. Dr. James Alison, an internationally renowned theologian, will be our guest at the Forum and preach at the 11 a.m. Eucharist.
NOVEMBER Su
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CREDITS
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1 8 15
2 9 16
3 10 17
4 11 18
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Contributions in memory of your departed loved ones are welcomed. Their names will be printed in the service leaflet. Please make your submissions by Monday, October 31.
Design by Kathleen Cunningham Design Page 1 Jane Shaw/Robert Taylor. Thomas Hampson/Terrence McCarthy. St. Francis/Niall Battson. Cathedral illustration/Pete Scully. Page 2 9/11 images/Christine McSpadden. Page 3 Font/Patrick Meves. Thomas Hampson/ Terrence McCarthy. James Alison/Courtesy Photo. Stephanie Spellers/ Courtesy Photo. Page 4 St. Francis/Niall Battson. Page 6 Rimsky-Korsakov Quartet/Courtesy photo. Anonymous 4/Courtesy photo. Pacific Boychoir/Courtesy photo. Cathedral illustration/Pete Scully. Eve Ensler/WireImage for V-Day. Bay Brass/Courtesy Photo. Page 7 Mark Stanger/Sherre Henley. Les Petits Chanteurs/ Courtesy photo. Page 8 Cathedral illustration/ Pete Scully.
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C HRI STMAS CONCERTS For ticket and other information, visit gracecathedral.org/Christmas. See the last page of grace for a special Christmas ticket offer!
A Brass & Organ Christmas
A Holiday Family Sing-Along
Experience the Bay Area’s finest brass musicians in a space tailor made for brass and organ! A musical highlight of the year, and the finale to the Christmas at Grace Cathedral 2011 series!
SATS., DEC. 10 & 17, 11 A.M.
San Francisco’s Presto! artists present an interactive program of holiday tunes and tales! This imaginative program is perfect for children of all ages, and is particularly well suited for those under age 7.
A Cathedral Christmas SATS., DEC. 10 & 17, 3 P.M. SUNS., DEC. 11 & 18, 3 P.M. MON., DEC. 19, 7 P.M.
Join the Choir of Men and Boys for this beloved San Francisco tradition! Accompanied by a full orchestra, the choir will present sacred masterpieces and seasonal classics.
TUES., DEC. 20, 7 P.M.
DECEMBER 2011
CH RISTMAS AT G R ACE CATH E DR AL
HE A D L I NE E VE N TS The Rimsky-Korsakov String Quartet SUN., SEPT. 25, 3 P.M.
Join us for an afternoon with Russia’s prestigious Rimsky-Korsakov Quartet. Tickets: BrownPaperTickets.com.
The Pacific Boychoir Academy in concert
Anonymous 4
SUN., OCT. 16, 3 P.M.
SFJAZZ presents Anonymous 4, in a concert of medieval European and early American music. Tickets: SFJAZZ.org or (866) 920-5299.
Enjoy this mid-afternoon recital by the Pacific Boychoir Academy and friends. Tickets: pacificboychoir.org
Eve Ensler at Grace Cathedral
Handel’s Messiah, with American Bach Soloists
TUES., SEPT. 27, 7 P.M.
V-Day presents Eve Ensler at Grace Cathedral. Tickets: cityboxoffice.com.
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FRI., NOV. 18, 8 P.M.
Tickets on sale now for all shows.
THURS., DEC., 15, 7:30 P.M. FRI., DEC. 16, 7:30 P.M.
Conductor Jeffrey Thomas leads the celebrated American Bach Soloists in this annual Bay Area favorite. Tickets: americanbach.org or (415) 621-7900
CO M M U N IT Y
Carnivale Save-the-Date
Holy Land Pilgrimage
FEBRUARY 16, 2012
MAY 13-24 2012
Join us for Carnivale, a gala at Grace Cathedral, on Thursday, February 16! We’ll remove the pews and light the rafters for a spectacular evening of dining, dancing, and celebration. Last year’s Carnivale sold out, so make your plans early. More information to follow soon.
Journey to the land of the Gospels and walk in the footsteps of Jesus and millennia of pilgrims, May 13-24. We’ll begin in Jordan to visit the imposing Nabatean ruins at Petra and later visit Galilee, Bethlehem and Jerusalem. Led by Canon Mark Stanger and local Palestinian Christian guide Canon Iyad Qumri. Limited to 30 participants. For more information, marks@gracecathedral.org
Les Petits Chanteurs in Concert The Diocese of California welcomes Les Petits Chanteurs boys choir from the École de Musique Sainte Trinité in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. The school is a ministry of the Episcopal Diocese of Haiti. Internationally renowned, Les Petits Chanteurs will present four enchanting concerts: SEPT. 30, 7:30 P.M., St. Paul’s,
Walnut Creek OCT. 1, 7 P.M., St. Stephen’s, Belvedere OCT. 2, 4 P.M., Christ Church,
Portola Valley
February 16
OCT. 3, 7:30 P.M., St. Paul’s,
Burlingame
MUSI C
Our Choir of Organ Recital Men and Boys’ Series New CD Join us to hear some of the world’s best Coming soon . . . Grace Cathedral’s Choir of Men and Boys proudly releases its 15th recording, tentatively called Good Days Dawning. The new CD highlights 20th century American hymns, including a spectacular new arrangement of “Amazing Grace” by Ben Bachmann, our Canon Director of Music. For more information, visit gracecathedral. org/ChoirCD
organists perform on our Aeolian Skinner Organ. SUNDAYS AT 4 P.M. Free admission. OCT. 2 Jared Johnson, Trinity
The concert series is presented by Music for Haiti, an initiative to rebuild École de Musique Ste. Trinité at Holy Trinity Cathedral, Port-au-Prince. Music for Haiti is a partnership between the Episcopal Dioceses of Haiti and California. For ticket information, contact each parish or go to www.diocal.org/musicforhaiti To help sponsor the tour, contact the Rev. Richard Schaper, richards@diocal.org, (415) 869-7812
Episcopal Cathedral, Columbia, S.C. NOV. 6 Jung-A Lee, St. Andrew’s
Presbyterian Church, Newport Beach, Calif. No recital in December. For more information, visit gracecathedral.org/OrganRecitals 7
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1100 California Street San Francisco, California 94108 www.GraceCathedral.org
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 giving!
grace DECEMBER 2011
CH R I S TMA S AT G R ACE C ATH E D R AL
Christmas Concerts at Grace Cathedral
New Year’s Eve The Hunchback of Notre Dame
Grace readers are invited to participate in our Friends and Family Pre-Sale. Beginning September 6, 2011, visit cityboxoffice.com and enter the promotional code GRACEFRIENDS. General public tickets go on sale September 26, so don’t delay!
Acclaimed organist Dorothy Papadakos returns to play for The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Lon Chaney stars in this 1923 masterpiece. Featuring a surprise guest in the bell tower! Tickets: www.gracecathedral.org/Christmas
SAT., DEC. 31, 7 P.M. AND 10 P.M.