The CATHEDRAL TIMES

AGAIN THIS YEAR THE CATHEDRAL OBSERVES THE FEAST OF THE PRESENTATION!

By the Very Rev. Sam Candler, Dean of the Cathedral

The feast day has gone by many different names, but the Christian Church has long observed the holy character of February 2, roughly forty days after Christmas. Tradition says that the holy family of Jesus presented the child to the Temple, for the first time, forty days after his birth (around 40 days after December 25).

According to the Gospel of Luke, there were prophets in the temple waiting for the child. Old Simeon broke out in song, “Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for these eyes of mine have seen the savior!” Old Anna, a widow, joined him in praise.

Since then, many traditions have grown. Candles have come to be used in Christian churches for this event, especially in the western world when winter is at its deepest this time of year. So, the popular name, Candlemas, has also been given to this feast.

It is a glorious feast, coming as it does in the middle of winter, but also as we wonder at the growth of the savior. The Lucan passage describing the event says that, “The child grew and became strong, filled with wisdom; and the favor of God was upon him” (Luke 2:40). At the Feast of the Presentation, we marvel at the growth of all children!

Again this year, the Cathedral of St. Philip will observe this feast on the Sunday after February 2, this Sunday! At all our services, the Cathedral will be observing the Feast of the Presentation. Further, following old tradition, we will use this day to bless all the candles of the Cathedral!

However, this year, we are adding a new feature to the candle blessing. We invite you to bring your own household candles! Bring whatever candles from home that you want to bring, and we will bless those candles, too!

We hope that many of us are ready now to present ourselves to God in the “temple,” the glorious Cathedral. We will be welcoming light in the world, and we will be presenting ourselves in the temple of God! Saint Paul, too, talked about presentation; he said, “I appeal to you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship” (Romans 12:1).

Yes, I realize that some people, yearning for light and the end of winter this week, will be depending upon … a groundhog! That will not be us in the Christian Church. We will be depending upon, and celebrating the Light of Christ this week! On February 2, and on February 5! We will light candles. We will bring the Light of Christ to the world!

This SUNDAY

FEBRUARY 5, 2023 · The Feast of the Presentation of Our Lord, observed Malachi 3:1-4 • Psalm 84 • Hebrews 2:14-18 • Luke 2:22-40

8:45 A.M., 11:15 A.M. AND 4 P.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 Cathy Zappa

8:45 A.M. AND 11:15 A.M. HOLY EUCHARIST, CATHEDRAL

Celebrant: The Very Rev. Sam Candler

Preacher: The Rev. Canon Cathy Zappa

Cathedral Choir:

Herbert Howells (1892-1983), Nunc dimittis (Gloucester Cathedral)

Johannes Eccard (1553-1611), When to the temple Mary went

11:15 A.M. LA SANTA EUCARISTÍA, MIKELL CHAPEL

Celebrant: The Rev. Canon Lauren Holder

Preacher: The Rev. Deacon Juan Sandoval

4 P.M. CANDLEMAS PROCESSION & CHORAL EUCHARIST, CATHEDRAL

Officiant and Preacher: The Rev. Canon George Maxwell

Cathedral Schola:

Richard Webster (b. 1952), Nunc Dimittis

William Byrd (c. 1540-1623), Mass for Four Voices

Johannes Eccard (1553-1611), When to the temple Mary went

Pastoral CARE

RESILIENCE: DISCOVERING YOUR STRENGTH THROUGH GRIEF

Saturday, March 4, 2023

1 p.m. – 5 p.m.

This bereavement workshop includes professionally facilitated, loss-specific small groups, as well as an inspirational message on the resilience we discover within ourselves as we grieve, and its powerful role as we heal.

Welcome & Introduction:

Dr. Ferrol Sams III

First Georgia Physician Group Palliative Care Expert

Special Guest Speaker:

Dr. Kerry P. Duncan Executive Director of Covenant Counseling & Family Resource Center

Dr. Kerry P. Duncan, D.Min., is the Executive Director of Covenant Counseling & Family Resource Center. Kerry attended the University of Wisconsin and earned his B.A. degree at the University of Georgia. He did graduate training at Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, Georgia, where he earned M.Div., Th.M., and D.Min. degrees. A Fellow with the American Association of Pastoral Counselors, Kerry specializes in psychotherapy designed to help clients find the best in themselves, which they can use to overcome obstacles in their relationships with themselves, others, and God. Kerry is an ordained Minister in the Presbyterian Church (USA). Light refreshments will be served. Registration required on or before February 17, 2023.

To register, contact:

Chandelle Carter

Bereavement Coordinator, Grief Specialist – Hospice Atlanta

Chandelle.Carter@vnhs.org, (404)869-3052

Sunday Afternoon Recitals

PAUL THOMAS, ORGAN

St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Chattanooga, Tennessee

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5 — 3:15 P.M.

IN-PERSON AND ONLINE AT CATHEDRALATL.ORG/RECITALS

César Franck (1822-1890), Choral No. 3 in A minor

Thomas H. Kerr, Jr. (1915-1988), Arietta

Johann Sebastian Bach (1685-1750), Mit Fried und Freud ich fahr dahin, BWV 616

Calvin Taylor (b. 1948), This Little Light of Mine

Olivier Messiaen (1908-1992), “Dieu parmi nous” from La Nativité

Education for MINISTRY

Congratulations to our three newest Education for Ministry (EfM) graduates: (from left to right) Amy Rudolph, Lauren Giles, and Jeannie Mahood, accompanied with two of their dogs who attended their graduation. They have successfully completed a 4-year program sponsored by the University of the South, which encompasses a study of the Old and New Testament, Church History, and Theology

ATLZONING 2.0

Buckhead Heritage Society presents an update on the first comprehensive re-write of Atlanta’s 1982 Zoning Code with Parishioner Mary Norwood

Thursday, February 16, 2023, 7 p.m.

Gould Room, Free

Atlanta Zoning 2.0 is embarking on a multi-year effort to align Atlanta's growth and development regulations with the values we hold in common — like equity, inclusion, choice, opportunity, and resilience.

The City is introducing the multi-year rewrite by hosting a series of hybrid (in person and virtual meetings) called "Focused Workshops" designed to work through and confirm the direction for updating the Zoning Ordinance. Mary will talk about what meetings have been held and what the city has learned from those meetings. She will also discuss your opportunity to contribute at the Buckhead Library on February 28, 2023 at 6:00 p.m. Register at www.buckheadheritage.org/events.