The CATHEDRAL TIMES
The weekly newsletter of the Cathedral of St. Philip · Serving Atlanta and the World · December 11, 2022
NEW LIFE WHEN WE ARE STUMPED
(from Sam Candler’s sermon on December 4, 2022, the day of the Annual Parish Meeting)
A shoot shall come out from the stump of Jesse, and a branch shall grow out of his roots. (Is 11:1)
Don’t worry. All you need is a stump. That’s all you might have left, sometimes.
Sometimes, everything else has been cut away. Even slashed away.
Sometimes, it feels like John the Baptist has taken a hold of you with his axe, with that axe that he envisioned. Sometimes it feels like John the Baptist has started cutting up around you. He said he was cutting away the chaff. He said he was taking an axe to the tree.
Maybe it was him. Maybe it was not. Maybe it was the one who would come after him. Maybe it was the One who baptizes in the spirit, and with fire. Maybe He was the one who burned things out of you that you would rather not have had burned away.
At any rate, there are days when we feel like all we are is a stump. Sometimes, we feel like all we have left is a stump of something. It’s a low feeling. We are stumped. We are stubble.
Those are the days when we need the prophet Isaiah!
In Isaiah’s time, his country and his people were disintegrating He realized that all that was left of God’s holy people was a stump. And, yet, he said, Don’t despair. The days will come, said Isaiah, when a shoot will grow out of the stump. A branch will shoot out of the stump of Jesse. The God of Isaiah promised that something is about to grow. Something is about to be renewed.
Today, our God is still the God of Isaiah, the God who renews, the God who brings forth life out of what looked like it was dead.
Can you remember, with me, what our world was like two years ago, when our church was meeting in the throes of Covid, and we were scared? We were cautious. We were careful about showing up. Only a few of us gathered in December two years ago. We were a remnant. We were small. Everything had been cut away. But we persevered. We held on. We gathered. We nurtured the remnant, the stump, whatever it was we had left. We nurtured it and paid attention to what was still alive. With that nurture, the seed began to grow again. And what has emerged is renewed life. People are flocking to our church. And people are flourishing in diversity.
Isaiah said that what looked barren would become fertile and alive. Isaiah said that what looked like violent antagonism would be made peaceful. Enemies like lions and lambs would lie down together. Cows and bears. Leopards and kids. A peaceable kingdom.
…Every time we nurture a seed, a shoot, from the root of Jesse, we are building a peaceable kingdom. And, my Lord, this world needs a peaceable kingdom.
Thank you. Thank you for not letting a stump remain a stump. Thank you for not giving up when it seems like everything around you has been cut away. You—each and every one of you—you are never too small when you have the Spirit of God dwelling inside you. And we—all of us together—we are never too small when we have the Spirit of God dwelling inside us. (Read or watch the full sermon at cathedral ATL .org)
This SUNDAY
DECEMBER 11, 2022 · The Third Sunday of Advent, Year A
Isaiah 35:1-10 • Psalm 146:4-9 • James 5:7-10 • Matthew 11:2-11
8:45 A.M. AND 11:15 A.M.: IN-PERSON AND ONLINE CATHEDRALATL.ORG / THE CATHEDRAL OF ST. PHILIP APP / FACEBOOK / YOUTUBE
7:45 A.M. HOLY EUCHARIST, MIKELL CHAPEL
Celebrant and Preacher: The Rev. Canon George Maxwell
8:45 AND 11:15 A.M. HOLY EUCHARIST, CATHEDRAL
Celebrant: The Very Rev. Sam Candler
Preacher: The Rev. Canon George Maxwell
8:45 a.m. Staff Singers / 11:15 a.m. Cathedral Choir Daniel Gawthrop (b. 1949), Come, thou long-expected Jesus Claude Goudimel (c. 1520-1572), Comfort, comfort ye my people
11:15 A.M. LA SANTA EUCARISTÍA, MIKELL CHAPEL
Officiant and Preacher: The Rev. Deacon Juan Sandoval
4 P.M. DIOCESAN CONFIRMATION , CATHEDRAL
Officiant and Preacher: The Rev. Canon Cathy Zappa
The Choir of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, Columbus; Rick McKnight, conductor: arr. Robert Shaw (1916-1999) & Alice Parker (b. 1925), I will arise and go to Jesus adapt. Thomas Helmore (1811-1890, arr. Robert Shaw & Alice Parker, O come, O come, Emmanuel Harold Friedell (1905-1958), Draw us in the Spirit’s tether Jennifer Canfield (b. 1955), Be still Tanzanian melody, arr. Michael Burkhardt, The Lord is beautiful
MUSIC
A CHRISTMAS FESTIVAL OF LESSONS AND CAROLS
SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2022 AT 4:00 P.M.
CATHEDRAL NAVE Cathedral Schola Dale Adelmann, conductor
Modeled on the beloved carol service broadcast each Christmas Eve from King’s College, Cambridge, this is our most popular choral service of the year. Ancient prophecies foretelling the coming of a Messiah and the Gospel accounts of the birth of Jesus are illumined by extra-biblical texts, anthems and Christmas carols that have inspired composers, choirs, and worshippers throughout the world and across time. For those who are traveling at Christmas and wish first to celebrate with loved ones here at home, and for all who hold the music and message of Christmas dear, this service is a meaningful and joyous way to celebrate the season. All are welcome! Invite a friend: it may be the best gift you give.
AVOID PHISHING SCAMS
A Christmas Festival of Lessons & Carols
December 18, 4 p.m.
An email was sent last week to a number of members of the Cathedral, claiming to be from Dean Sam Candler. That email was a phishing scam, sent from a Gmail address.
Phishing is a form of social engineering where scammers try to trick you into thinking you are emailing with someone trustworthy – in our case, often Dean Candler – to eventually get secure information or money from you.
Cathedral clergy and staff only use @cathedralATL.org addresses for Cathedral business, and will never ask for money, gift cards, or secure information over email.
If you received the email last week, you can disregard it and do not respond. If you are ever suspicious of the contents of an email, reach out to the sender by phone to verify its authenticity.
Feel free to contact Dan Murphy, dmurphy@cathedralATL.org or 404-365-1045, if you have any questions about that email or other phishing scams.
The CATHEDRAL of ST. PHILIP
The Very Rev. Samuel G. Candler, Dean
Dale Adelmann, Ph.D., Canon for Music
The Rev. Lauren R. Holder, Canon for Community and Education
The Rev. George M. Maxwell, Jr., Vicar
The Rev. Canon Julia B. Mitchener, Canon for Mission
The Rev. Catherine Zappa, Canon for Liturgy and Pastoral Care
The Rev. Deacon Juan Sandoval, Deacon for Hispanic Ministries
The Rev. Theophus “Thee” Smith, Ph.D., Priest Associate
Ward Bondurant, Senior Warden
Samuel T. Wilmoth, Junior Warden
CATHEDRAL TIMES SUBMISSION DEADLINES:
FOR THE SUNDAY, DECEMBER 18 ISSUE, THE DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 7. FOR THE COMBINED SUNDAY, DECEMBER 25/JANUARY 1 ISSUE, THE DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14. TO RECEIVE THE TIMES BY EMAIL, CONTACT LIZ AULL, LAULL@CATHEDRALATL.ORG. TO SUBMIT AN ANNOUNCEMENT REQUEST, CONTACT SARA CRAIGGOODELL, SCRAIGGOODELL@CATHEDRALATL.ORG. 404-365-1000 | cathedralATL.org pastoral care emergency line: 404-365-1003
cathedral atl
SPIRITUALITY
STREAMS OF HOPE IN THE WILDERNESS
Advent Quiet Day on Saturday, December 10
Join us for a day of quiet and contemplation, as we explore the wildernesses in our lives and in our world. During this quiet time we will see streams of hope emerge. We’ll use the Welcoming Prayer, scripture, visual expression, silence, and sharing throughout the day.
The Quiet Day will be led by the Reverend Lynnsay A. Buehler, an Episcopal priest, spiritual director, and the director of The Julian of Norwich Center of St. Bede's Episcopal Church. Lynnsay is excited to be back at the Cathedral, where she was on staff in the Pastoral Care Department from 1985-1989. The Cathedral also sponsored her throughout her ordination process. Lynnsay is an Associate of Green Bough House of Prayer, a member of Spiritual Directors International, an EfM mentor, and has trained in pastoral counseling, as well as marriage and family therapy.
The Quiet Day will take place in the Lanier House on the Cathedral Campus, 9:30 a.m. until 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 10. The cost is $20 and lunch is included. Contact Jeannie Mahood with questions, jmahood@cathedralATL.org, or 404-365-1031.
PRAYER List
FOR THOSE WHO ARE ILL OR RECOVERING: IMMEDIATE NEEDS: Isabella Bond and Joshua Mims • Rachel Laurin • Nick Rey LONG TERM PRAYERS: Randy Allen • Virginia Bicksler • The Bryant Family • Connie Chapman • Geraldine Charles • Heather Clark • Robert F. Clayton • Paula Cowart • Sharon Crews • The Crossley Family • Rita Daly • Debbie Dewees • Terry Dornbush • Sarah duBignon • Deborah Ellington • Paul Fekete • Joyce Egan Ferris • John Foxworth • Lauren Giles • Ken Griffiths • Jenny Ham • Karen Howard • Jane Jones • Louise Kan • Lisa Krysiak • Bonnie Lamberth • Jill Mahaffey • Tommy Mason • Carol McDonald • Glenn Miller • Lee Moran • Susan Myers • Jim Myrick • Charlie Neal • Marian Palmore • Gene Paradise • Robert Proctor • Charles Puckett • Rubye and Wayne Reid • Lorraine Reynolds • Karen Richardson • Agnes Elizabeth Robertson • Nora Robillard • Betty Roper • Louis "Skip" Schueddig • Julie Sutton • Tommy Truesdale • Ron Wallace
FAMILY AND FRIENDS: Elizabeth Alexander • Jean Amick • Bettina Bass • Charlotte Eloise Bell • Ray and Pat Bell • Lila Jo Callaway • Marie Corrigan • Ava Corroon • Bob Crawford • Judy Crosby • Jean DeSante • Redell DuBose • Dan Elson • The Ewell Family • Jack Flanigan • The Giles Family • Mark Goodwin • Don Harp III • Michael Hale • Vivian Hartz • Martha Heinze • Gayle Higley • Jackie Hoder • Jay Horton • Beth Ingle • The Kelly Family • Robin Kemp • Herb Larrabee • Pete Livezey • Carolyn R. Lusk • Lisa Madera • Lauren Makhlouf • Pat Martin • Susan Mendivil • Katie McRae • Elaine Metcalf • Ruth Ann Metcalf • Denise Mims • Betsy Moore • Nan Nettleman • Linus Nickel • Mary Catherine Ogilvie • Carl Rudolph • Einar Sagstuen • James Sands • Betty Shelton • Don Smith • Michael and Kathryn Snider • Will Sutton • John and Cleary Tanner • Aleatris Tate • Pierson Thames • Donnie Waller • Cheryl Waybright • Tre Weicker • Christie Woodfin • Whit A. Wright • Hollis Youngner
GIVING
The Cathedral needs to receive over $1,400,000 in contributions in December in order to have our income meet our expenses. Here’s how you can help:
• Cash and check contributions can be mailed, placed in the plate at any service, or hand-delivered to the Cathedral stewardship or finance offices. A contribution must be received at the Cathedral by Saturday, December 31 or postmarked by Saturday, December 31 in order to be considered a 2022 tax-deduction.
• Online contributions can be made via cathedralATL.org/contribute. Contributions can be processed through Saturday, December 31 in order to be considered for a 2022 tax-deduction.
• Credit card donations may be processed at the Atrium kiosk any time the building is open.
• Consider your Required Minimum Distribution (RMD) from an IRA: If you are 70½ or older, you may choose to direct funds from your IRA payable directly to the Cathedral of St. Philip. Amounts distributed as a Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) can be counted toward satisfying your RMD for the year, up to $100,000. The QCD is excluded from your taxable income. Contact your financial advisor or retirement plan to arrange the QCD.
• If you are interested in transferring securities to the Cathedral, the certificates must be delivered to our office by Saturday, December 31 or be received by our broker by Saturday, December 31. Shares can be transferred electronically to Morgan Stanley Smith Barney (DTC #0015), Account #308-130762. Our contact is Cathy Lamb at 404-266-6315. Please notify David Rocchio, drocchio@cathedralATL.org or 404-365-1033, of the transfer.
Giving history can be checked anytime by logging into your TouchPoint record: cathedralATL.org/touchpoint
Year-end statements of contributions will be mailed in late January 2023 accounting for all of your contributions in the 2022 calendar year. Please contact David Rocchio, drocchio@cathedralATL.org or 404-365-1033, with any questions.
HISPANIC Ministries
LA FIESTA DE NUESTRA SEÑORA DE GUADALUPE
Worship and share a meal with fellow Cathedral parishioners as we celebrate La Fiesta de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe – the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe – this Sunday, December 11, from 6:30–7:30 p.m.
Accounts claim that the Virgin Mary appeared four times before a native Mexican peasant named Juan Diego and once more before Juan Diego's uncle. According to those accounts, the first apparition occurred on the morning of December 9, 1531, when it is said that Juan Diego experienced a vision of a young woman at a place called the Hill of Tepeyac, which would become part of Villa de Guadalupe, in a suburb of Mexico City.
Here at the Cathedral of St. Philip we gather in Mikell Chapel to celebrate this occasion on the evening of December 11. We pray and children who attend the Spanish service present a reenactment of the story of Juan Diego. After the service, we move to the Gould Room for a light evening meal before returning home. For more information, contact Deacon Juan Sandoval, jsandoval@cathedralATL.org.
MISSION
JUST SAY NO TO FRUITCAKE!
Looking for the perfect present for friends and family this season? Something that won’t grow moldy in the back of the fridge or get re-gifted? Choose something that will make a difference in the lives of those in need. Cathedral Christmas Cards are available in the Cathedral Book Store and online throughout the week and in the Atrium on Sunday mornings. Sold in boxes of 10, each card represents a donation from you to the Discretionary Fund for the Needy in honor of a recipient whom you specify. Boxes are $100, which buys you gifts for 10 individuals at $10 each—a good deal and one that will help provide basics such as shelter, food, and clothing for some of our most vulnerable neighbors.
Year-end
OUTREACH
ST. MONICA'S GUILD TOY DRIVE
Please join St. Monica’s Guild in a toy drive to assist Emmaus House in providing a cheerful Christmas to all in their neighborhood. Santa and Mrs. Claus come to Emmaus House and give presents to more than 550 children from all over Atlanta.
Here's how you can help:
• Donate gifts: Bring new, unwrapped gifts to the bins in the Atrium through December 18. The Emmaus House Holiday Guide document, with suggested gifts by age and gender, is available at cathedralATL.org/toydrive.
• Write a check or give online: $35 will sponsor a child but any donation amount is helpful and appreciated. Make checks payable to “The Cathedral of St. Philip” and write Toy Drive in the memo line. Checks can be handed to a guild member on Sunday mornings at the table in the Atrium or mailed to the Cathedral – Attention St. Monica’s Guild. Donations can also be made online at cathedralATL. org/toydrive or at the kiosk in the Atrium. Reach out to Lauren Giles at gileslauren@gmail.com or Leslie Ogburn at logburn17@gmail.com with any questions.
SERVE AND WORSHIP WITH CHURCH OF THE COMMON GROUND
SATURDAY, DECEMBER 24
Join in the celebration of Christ’s nativity in Woodruff Park at 12:30 p.m. on December 24. A group from the cathedral plans to carpool to the service, deliver lunches, and enjoy worship together. Please contact Canon Julia Mitchener, julia.mitchener@cathedralATL.org for more information.
CAROLING AT CATHEDRAL TOWERS
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 14
Help the Allegro Choir spread seasonal joy among residents at the Towers. Sign up to bring light refreshments or purchase and wrap small gifts for attendees. Please contact Canon Julia Mitchener, julia.mitchener@cathedralATL.org for more information.
CAMELS HERALD ST. VERONICA’S GUILD EPIPHANY DRIVE
St. Veronica’s Guild is bringing camels to the Cathedral Atrium in Epiphany! Since the Wise Men reportedly rode their camels as they brought gifts to the Christ Child, the wise women of St. Veronica’s Guild use the camel as their symbol in their fundraising Epiphany Drive. The drive helps underwrite costs for the toiletries gifts they bring to four community ministries through the year.
Watch the Cathedral Times, the January Outreach e-newsletter, and look for the Guild Epiphany Drive display table in the Atrium on Sundays in January. You will learn more about the Guild toiletries ministry and the four amazing organizations (Emmaus House, Crossroads Community Ministries, Church of the Common Ground, and Holy Comforter Episcopal Church) that benefit. Please offer your monetary gifts in the Epiphany Drive to support St. Veronica’s Guild's ongoing toiletries ministry by visiting cathedralATL.org/epiphany.
BLUE CHRISTMAS SERVICE
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21
6:00 P.M., ST. MARY'S CHAPEL
A service of comfort provides refuge when joy and suffering comingle.
As we prepare for the joyful arrival of the Christ child, we hold space for all the other feelings we may carry with us. This service is a refuge for all who are bereaved or bewildered. Come experience the peace of Christ.
Christmas ALTAR FLOWERS
We will once again have beautiful floral arrangements and decorations in our sacred spaces this Christmas, with your help! Donations are appreciated throughout the Christmas season. Those received on or before December 19 will be listed in the Christmas service leaflet. Those received after that date will be listed online. Your donation can be made in memory of or thanksgiving for a loved one using the form below or online at cathedralATL.org/flowers.
If you use the form below, please include a check with your request, made payable to The Cathedral of St. Philip. While any gift is appreciated, a minimum of $125 per printed line is suggested. Checks and forms should be sent to: The Cathedral of St. Philip, Attn.: Hillary Jones, 2744 Peachtree Rd., NW, Atlanta, GA 30305. You may also make arrangements by contacting Liz Aull, 404-365-1034, or laull@cathedralATL.org.
Please list the name (or names) as you want them to appear:
In Memory of: In Thanksgiving for: name(s):
In Memory of: In Thanksgiving for: name(s):
Please complete the following information about you: your name(s): phone: date:
In Memory of: In Thanksgiving for: name(s):
In Memory of: In Thanksgiving for: name(s):
This sunday at a glance
DECEMBER 11, 2022
7:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist
Mikell Chapel
8:45 a.m. Holy Eucharist Cathedral
10:10 a.m. Old Fashioned Sunday School Child Hall
10:10 a.m. Godly Play 3rd Floor above the Atrium
10:10 a.m. Youth Sunday School Room 382
10:10 a.m. Spanish-Language First Informed Communion Classes
Walthour Library
11:15 a.m. Holy Eucharist Cathedral
11:15 a.m. La Santa Eucaristía Mikell Chapel
1:00 p.m. Young Professionals' Holiday Lunch and Gift Exchange Walthour Library
1:15 p.m. Enjoy Biblical Greek Room 239 and online
4:00 p.m. Diocesan Confirmation Cathedral
5:30 p.m. Youth Confirmation Reception
Lanier House
6:00 p.m. Sunday Evening EYC Room 382
6:30 p.m. Virgen de Guadalupe
Mikell Chapel
POSTMASTER: Dated Material. Please deliver by December 10, 2022
POSTMASTER
Send address changes to:
The Cathedral of St. Philip 2744 Peachtree Road, NW Atlanta, Georgia 30305-2920 404-365-1000
CATHEDRAL TIMES (USPS-093440) is published weekly by The Cathedral of St. Philip 2744 Peachtree Road, NW Atlanta, Georgia 30305-2920 Periodicals Postage Paid at Atlanta, GA
WORSHIP SERVICES FOR THE 2022 CHRISTMAS SEASON
Sunday, December 18 The Fourth Sunday of Advent
The 7:45, 8:45, and 11:15 a.m. services will take place as usual.
4 p.m. A Christmas Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols*
Saturday, December 24 Christmas Eve
11 a.m. Christmas Eucharist (Labyrinth)
4 p.m. The Christmas Pageant* (Cathedral)
8 p.m. Choral Prelude and Carols*
8:30 p.m. Festival Holy Eucharist* (Cathedral)
11 p.m. Choral Prelude and Carols
11:30 p.m. Festival Holy Eucharist* (Cathedral) Or worship with us on WSB-TV, channel 2, starting at 11:35 p.m.
Sunday, December 25
Christmas Day
10 a.m. Holy Eucharist (Cathedral)
* Services are broadcast on the Cathedral website, app, Facebook, and Youtube.
cathedralATL.org/christmas
